Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror

Play trailer

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror

2019

1h 23m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

A look at the history of black horror films and the role of African Americans in the film genre since the beginning.

Critics Consensus

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror more than lives up to its title, offering a smart and entertaining overview of American film history through an overlooked lens.

Read Critics Reviews

Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

ABC Radio (Australia)

A powerful reminder how something as seemingly lowbrow and disposable as horror cinema can be a surprisingly successful vehicle to address broader social issues that have very real relevance.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 21, 2020

Full Review

Adam Graham

Detroit News

People go to horror films to scream and squirm and have a good time. "Horror Noire" shows that to many, horror films are more than just blood and guts. It's a matter of life and death.

Rated: B

Mar 15, 2019

Full Review

Kristen Lopez

Citizen Dame

Horror Noire is essential viewing for any cinema fan. A documentary that isn't afraid to have the subjects praise, and just as often damn, the features that have inspired countless people to pursue horror.

Feb 7, 2019

Full Review

Bee Delores

B-Sides & Badlands

Directed by Xavier Burgin, the streaming site’s new documentary on the role Black Americans have played in Hollywood horror is sketched through new and archival interviews, and it’s truly an enlightening, passionate, and moving experience.

Jun 23, 2025

Full Review

Jessica Scott

We Who Walk Here

If you care about this genre, Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror is essential viewing.

Jun 21, 2025

Full Review

BJ Colangelo

Fangoria

For horror fans (especially white ones), this isn’t extra credit — this is required viewing. If horror is about facing uncomfortable truths, then it’s time to sit back, listen, and learn.

Jun 19, 2025

Full Review

Read all reviews

sharon k

My all time favorite thing to watch is horror genre documentaries. While I can't say this is my favorite one- I can say that I learned a lot! If you think you already know it all, and you are not a POC(I am white), then I assure you that you will learn something new! Fantastic cast- including my one of my favorite actors of all time Tony Todd-RIP beautiful man!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

Kev D

Smart and insightful, Horror Noir is an absolute love letter to black excellence in film. Should be considered required viewing for any film fan, horror or otherwise.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

Full Review

Emma C

Incredibly compelling and interesting history of horror cinema through Black filmmakers, actors, and audiences. Highly recommend!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

Full Review

Brooklyn A

Gave me so many gems to put on my watchlist. Also, I'm a total nerd for horror history.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

Full Review

samuel s

It wasn't great. I was expecting something different and a little more imaginative and thoughtful with the horror but man there was just some vile horror in this. Mostly blood and guts. Just not pleasant stuff. Very carnal. I was also expecting more Jordan Peele. He was good in it. It was cool seeing and hearing Keith David in there, rocking his Gargoyles hat which gave me joy. It wasn't as educational as I thought it was going to be. There was some good info but I felt like some of the people were reaching for metaphors that weren't there like with the King Kong metaphor, but who knows. There was just a lot of carnal hatred from both sides of the racial spectrum in the film, but there is also some light. It is good to see that people can feel strengthened by seeing someone that looks like them. And of course seeing past race and connecting with someone who may not look like them as was addressed in the film with Get Out. Not a great doc, but I feel there's probably a better documentary out there perhaps on the more general film genre on this issue.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

A A

Divisive narrative was on display.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/04/22

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Xavier Burgin

Director

Jordan Peele

Actor

Tony Todd

Actor

Ken Foree

Actor

Ashlee Blackwell

Writer

Danielle Burrows

Writer

Disclosure

98%

86%

Disclosure

Watchlist

In Search of Darkness: A Journey Into Iconic 80s Horror

100%

91%

In Search of Darkness: A Journey Into Iconic 80s Horror

Watchlist

Up From The Streets: New Orleans: The City Of Music

90%

%

Up From The Streets: New Orleans: The City Of Music

Watchlist

Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror

100%

91%

Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror

Watchlist

Is That Black Enough for You?!?

100%

62%

Is That Black Enough for You?!?

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Is That Black Enough for You?!?

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

A look at the history of black horror films and the role of African Americans in the film genre since the beginning.

Director: Xavier Burgin
Producer: Ashlee Blackwell, Danielle Burrows
Screenwriter: Ashlee Blackwell, Danielle Burrows
Production Co: Stage 3 Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 27, 2019
Runtime: 1h 23m

Most Popular at Home Now