As a professional Blerd, I’m always very interested in what Ryan Coogler is working on. So, I leaned forward when I discovered the man who gave us the game-changing Black Panther was finally doing a horror movie. I nearly wept tears of joy when it was announced that the movie would add more Black vampires to the canon. Sinners is already a win for the culture as far as I’m concerned. However, if it’s half as good as any of Coogler’s previous films, I will implode in a theater near me this weekend.
Because I couldn’t contain my excitement during what I have dubbed Sinners Week, I decided I needed to put this energy into a streaming guide. That’s right! I’m telling you where to find iconic Black vampires in the genre to help you prepare to sin.
While there are not nearly enough Black vampires in the media, the ones we do have sank their teeth into the genre. So, Sinners is joining a list of beloved vampires who have collectively built a magnificent legacy. I’m so geeked to share the titles I have pulled for this list. I hope you watch (or rewatch) them all while we are celebrating the new and exciting Coogler film.
Blacula (dir. William Crain)
Where You Can Watch: Pluto TV, Prime Video, and Tubi
Dracula turns an 18th-century African prince into a vampire and locks him away. When he’s inadvertently set free in 1970s Los Angeles, he begins to pursue a woman who resembles his soul mate. You cannot talk about iconic Black vampires without William Marshall’s legendary turn as Blacula. Not only was he the first Black actor to play a leading vampire, but Blacula ushered in a wave of Blaxploitation horror. This film is one of the many titles in that category that doesn’t get enough respect, but is an important horror history milestone. It’s also cool because you can still see it in the DNA of later Black vampire movies like Vampire in Brooklyn.
Plus, the sequel, Scream Blacula Scream, is also streaming on Pluto TV, Prime Video, and Tubi this month.
Blade (dir. Stephen Norrington)
Where You Can Watch: VOD
The only thing protecting humans from vampires is a half-vampire, half-mortal vampire slayer. Wesley Snipes’ turn as Blade is important for many reasons. Not only is it a fun horror action movie, but it is also the first mainstream Black superhero we had in the ’90s. Sure, The Meteor Man and Blankman are excellent stepping stones that deserve more respect. Bur, Blade is bloody, vicious, and cool, plus it avoided getting stuck in the infamous “Black famous” column. It also had a wide release and kicked off a trilogy.
This movie opens with a blood rave and then gives way for Snipes to be the coolest vampire most of us have ever seen. This film is why many of us were initially excited about the Marvel movies that followed. There is no way I could write about Black vampires without mentioning Blade, who paved the way in so many lanes and subgenres. The entire trilogy is available on VOD for those who want to see it through to the end.
Ganja & Hess (dir. Bill Gunn)
Where You Can Watch: Tubi
After being stabbed with an ancient germ-covered knife, a man discovers there are worse things than death. Ganja & Hess is the perfect hybrid of Blaxploitation and arthouse cinema. It tackles themes like religion, sexuality, addiction, and feminism as it marches to its powerful ending. Hess (Duane Jones) and Ganja (Marlene Clark) are some of the most important vampires in cinema. It is hard not to recognize their characters (and this film) in the DNA of movies like Bones and All and Only Lovers Left Alive. It’s also one of the few romantic horror titles that I defend like it’s my full-time job.
More importantly, this groundbreaking film was written and directed by the amazing and queer filmmaker Bill Gunn. So, we all owe this a rewatch while celebrating the legacy of Black vampires on film. It’s beautiful and tragic. Also, both lead actors deserved way more praise than they received during their lifetimes.
Queen of the Damned (dir. Michael Rymer)
Where You Can Watch: VOD
Lestat becomes a rock star after the events of Interview with the Vampire (1994), and his music awakens the beautiful and vicious vampire queen. Aaliyah’s Akasha is the reason this movie exists. When I think of iconic vampires, I think of Akasha and get upset all over again that she didn’t get nearly enough screen time in this project. However, Aaliyah made a feast out of what she was given, and you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t think she’s one of the few things working in this title’s favor. As a kid, I loved vampires, but the screen adaptations of Anne Rice’s work were not for me. So, I was happy to have this Black vampire queen holding court and eating hearts.
Vamp (dir. Richard Wenk)
Where You Can Watch: AMC+, Plex, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi
Two frat pledges head to a bar to find a stripper for their friends and discover vampires run the establishment. I don’t care what the movie thinks it is about. Vamp is Grace Jones’ movie and the rest of us are welcome. I have seen this title at least 15 times, but I cannot tell you what anyone is doing around Katrina (Jones). Even the other character names are always new information to me. However, I can tell you everything about Katrina, even though she’s supposedly not the main character. Katrina is alluring, vicious, and possibly the most memorable Black vampire in cinema. Having an icon play an icon elevated this horror comedy to a level that it would have never achieved on its own. I know she is an influence on other Black femme vampires you don’t want to cross. Looking at Queen of the Damned, Fright Night 2, and Interview with the Vampire (TV Series).
While we do not have as many Black vampires as we’d like, I hope Sinners changes that. If you want more Black vampires to watch now, I also highly suggest The Transfiguration. It’s very different from the other movies on the list, but it’s also an important entry to this subgenre.
Sinners is out now in theaters.
Let me know who your favorite Black vampires are at Bluesky. Bonus points if it is an international movie because I realized I am not as versed in that area.
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