Source: Warner Bros. / Sinners
The core elements of a good thriller are suspense, a compelling storyline, and a cast of actors who are deeply invested in their roles. Thrillers subtly lure you into their plot keeping you on the edge of your seat til’ the very end. Whether it’s a mind-bending psychological thriller or a horror thriller like Ryan Coogler’s upcoming Sinners, the popcorn tastes extra good when you’re piecing together the pieces to a mental puzzle.
The best thrillers leave a lasting impression—and that’s what director Ryan Coogler and his frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan hope to achieve with their new vampire thriller, Sinners, opening April 18.
As fans get ready for new scares, chills, and plot twists, we’ve compiled a list of memorable Black thrillers that deserve a rewatch—or to be enjoyed for the very first time.
Vampire Thriller – Sinners (2025)
Ryan Coogler has given us classic films like Black Panther, Black Panther 2 and Fruitvale Station, and his latest contribution to the film, Sinners, has already piqued the interest of thriller enthusiasts. Coogler and MBJ don’t miss, and with a strong cast, including HB cover star Wunmi Mosaku, and Miles Canton starring in this Jim Crow era vampire-flick, we’re in for a sinister treat.
Romantic Thriller – Acrimony (2018)
Tyler Perry’s intense relationship drama starts out as a cute fairytale between two college students that soon turns into a deeply bitter battle to the death. When Melinda spends years supporting would-be inventor Robert using all of her inheritance, she becomes increasingly enraged once he becomes a multi-millionaire and leaves her for another woman. Taraji P. Henson is pitch perfect as a woman who is slowly descending into madness.
Horror Thriller – Get Out (2017)
One of the most critically acclaimed films released in the last 10 years, Jordan Peele’s directorial debut starring Daniel Kaluuya in his breakout role, sidesteps the traditional forms and tropes of horror—and instead taps into the deepest fears of being Black in America. Chris accompanies his white girlfriend Rose home to meet her parents, but he never expects to find himself in the middle of a terrifying horror experiment…that starts with a teacup and ends with the “sunken place.”
Action Thriller – Set It Off (1996)
When it was released in the mid-90s, there had never been an action heist thriller with a cast of all Black women. The result is one of the most beloved movies in the culture. Life-long friends Stony, Cleo, Frankie and T.T. decide to better their lives and escape the violence and poverty of their LA neighborhood through a series of bank robberies—but the good times and fast money don’t last long. The film keeps you hoping that the crew gets away with each heist, despite realizing that they won’t. Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica Fox and Kimberly Elise are powerful, but the film stands out for Queen Latifah’s career-best performance.
Psychological Thriller – Lakeview Terrace (2008)
Sometimes the things that terrify you the most are right next door. That’s the exact sentiment of this cat-and-mouse thriller starring heavyweights Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington. When interracial newlyweds Lisa and Chris move next door to LAPD officer, Abel, they couldn’t feel any safer. But things quickly turn dark and dangerous when it’s clear that Abel despises the couple’s interracial relationship and will stop at nothing to ruin their lives…and his badge lets him get away with it.
Organized Crime Thriller – Training Day (2001)
This movie doesn’t need an introduction. It’s amazing and jaw-dropping every step of the way. Responsible for earning Denzel Washington his first Best Actor Oscar, this organized crime thriller about a day-in-the-life of a dirty cop and his rookie trainee is a masterclass in acting. When the film begins, you are anticipating that more than one person won’t make it home at the end of the day—but exactly who and why is what keeps your heart racing until the very end.
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