Real Women of Gaming

Horror is an interesting genre for movies. It is full of stories and characters that have become a part of our mainstream. It is full of tropes, for better and worse. Horror movies in the United States have been evolving. Stories have diversified, as have the cast and crew of these movies. 

Thankfully this has given horror fans a plethora of unique movies to enjoy!

Here are five of my favorite horror movies through the years to enjoy that feature Black cast and creators and. They are listed in order of the year they were released. 

1. Night of the Living Dead. The zombie genre had a pretty racist start in Hollywood. George Romero reinvented not only how zombies were presented but the lore behind them, for the better. In a small rural town in Pennsylvania a group of strangers band together to try to make it out alive while being attacked by the newly dead. Ben also broke the mold as a man of color in a leadership position. For 1968 this was revolutionary. 
2. Blade. This movie is a great marriage between a Marvel character and a horror movie. Bade is a half human, half vampire who hunts down vampires. Protecting mortals from what goes bump in the night. In a world where most vampires had previously been played by white actors this was a big change. Blade remains a beloved vampire for fans everywhere. 
3. Us. This movie was totally different then anything I had seen previously. The premise was truly terrifying for me. A family goes on vacation to the beach but everything takes a deadly turn that will change their family and the world forever. To say that Jordan Peele has revolutionized the horror industry is an understatement. If you are looking for a movie that will make you question everything then this is for you. 
4. Candyman (2021). In now gentrified Chicago a dark secret lies just in the periphery. This sequel to the 1992 movie explores the power of a myth and what happens as it continues to evolve. Directed by a woman of color, this story takes a fresh look at a fan favorite. Well written and incredibly acted, I cannot recommend this movie enough. 
5. The Invitation. This is also a film that takes the vampire genre and turns it around. It takes a very popular story and plays with it in the best ways possible. Evie thinks she is alone in the world until she takes a DNA test to find a whole new family. She is invited to an amazing castle in England for a family wedding before things take a sinister turn. This movie is fun, fresh, and has a bit of a fanfic feel while still giving scares. 

There are, obviously, still so many other horror movies to enjoy this Black History Month. I hope that these give you some jumping off points if you are looking to venture into the world of horror. If you already enjoy horror movies then hopefully these give you some to look into, or even revisit. What are some of your favorite horror movies that feature people of color? Let us know in the comments below.

ALWAYS KEEP SPARKLING!!!