22 “Heroic Deaths” by Black Characters in Horror Movies
Everyone knows that the "black guy" (or gal) usually dies in horror movies -- so much so, in some instances, the characters themselves seem to be aware of their inevitable fate. Thus, we have the phenomenon of black "heroic death," in which black characters (usually peripheral) voluntarily sacrifice themselves -- or at least, volunteer for tasks that mean certain...
Don’t I Know You…? Black Horror Character Actors
These actors and actresses aren't usually the leads in horror movies, but they keep busy in supporting roles as the best friends, the partners, the safari guides and other assorted capacities that probably ensure death. You know their faces, but you don't know their names or even where you know them from. Before you walk up and ask them, "Do...
How to Be Black in a Horror Movie
Originally published on eHow.com
Introduction
Being a black person in a horror movie isn't easy. You're rarely the hero, hardly ever the villain and more often than not you end up dead. But as they say, "When in Rome…die as a Roman," or something like that. At least there are steps you can take to make your inevitable demise run as...
Best Black Horror Movies of 2022
There was a time not too long ago that it would be difficult to create a “best of” list of horror movies featuring black leads in any given year, since there were so few of them, and the ones that did exist were of such dubious quality. But thankfully, things have changed in both quantity and quality over the...
Before They Were Stars: Black Actors and Actresses Who Got Their Starts in Horror Movies
Most actors and actresses have to pay their dues before they become famous, and one genre well versed in due-paying is horror. Popular with producers out to make a quick buck yet reviled by critics, horror movies are both high in number and low in esteem, making them perfect entry-level fare for aspiring thespians. In fact, some of the...
Most Valuable Victims: Black Actors Who’ve Died the Most in Horror Movies
Most confirmed horror deaths by black actors. R.I.P., brothers and sisters, R.I.P.
Tony Todd (15)
Are You Scared 2
Candyman
Candyman 2
Candyman 3
The Crow
The Eden Formula
Minotaur
Murder-Set-Pieces
Night of the Living Dead
Nite Tales
Scarecrow Slayer
Shadow: Dead Riot
Shadow Puppets
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Wishmaster
Pam Grier (6)
Bones
Class...
Snakes on the Brain: Racial Representation in Snakes on a Plane
Like every other Internet gnome trolling the Web for treasure, I traced the progress of the film Snakes on a Plane for months, drinking in the online parodies and speculating on the possibility of sequels (Giraffes on a Speedboat) or even prequels (Dodos on a Frigate). I cheered when New Line Studios ordered five days of re-shoots to bump...
The Black Die Young: The Internal Struggle of a Black Horror Movie Fan
Originally published on PopMatters.com
I have a secret passion; the less addicted of you might call it an addiction. I like to watch. I rent base, filthy movies and slip them into brown paper bags so no one can tell. I sit alone in seedy, near-empty theaters, pleasuring myself with this trash. I'm too embarrassed to tell anyone about my...
Best Black Horror Movies of 2025
My choices for the best horror movies of 2025 featuring Black performers are a bit more top-heavy than last year's, but there’s still a remarkable number of films worth recommending. If, like me, you're of a certain age, you have to marvel at the fact that there are actually 30 Black horror movies in one year worth recommending, whereas...
If Horror Movies Had Black Casts
Re-imagining your favorite horror movies with black casts.





























