Essential Horror Movies Featuring Black Women as the Final Girl

For a long time, horror movies haven’t been very diverse, often giving characters of color limited roles or killing them off quickly. But that’s been changing lately, with more filmmakers choosing to feature strong, Black women as the heroes who overcome the monsters. These characters are smart and resourceful, surviving everything from masked killers to ghosts and demons. This list showcases films where Black women are the ones who ultimately make it to the end as the ‘final girl’.

‘AvP: Alien vs. Predator’ (2004)

Alexa Woods, a skilled technician, travels to Antarctica and finds herself caught between a battle between two alien races. She quickly proves her strength and earns the admiration of a Predator hunter. Together, they fight to defeat the Xenomorph queen in the icy wilderness. This story was groundbreaking for the horror genre, featuring a Black woman as the only human to survive.

’28 Days Later’ (2002)

Selena is a tough, resourceful survivor who saves Jim as they navigate the dangerous, infected streets of London. She’s practical and often ruthless, qualities necessary to live in this post-apocalyptic world. Over the course of the film, she changes from a lone fighter into someone who fiercely protects the remaining survivors. The movie is also known for bringing a fresh, fast-paced energy to zombie films.

‘Us’ (2019)

In the chilling horror film, Adelaide Wilson goes back to her family’s beach house and finds herself facing terrifying duplicates of herself and her loved ones – a group known as the Tethered. Armed and determined, she battles to defend her family from these sinister counterparts, who wield scissors as weapons. As the story unfolds, secrets about Adelaide’s past and the origins of the Tethered are revealed. Lupita Nyong’o’s powerful performance as both Adelaide and her doppelgänger was widely praised by critics.

‘Barbarian’ (2022)

When Tess Marshall arrives at a Detroit rental, she’s shocked to find someone else already staying there. This discovery leads her to a hidden network of tunnels under the house, and a frightening presence known as The Mother. Tess must navigate these dangerous tunnels, trying to rescue others who have disappeared, relying on her courage and compassion in this suspenseful and surprising story.

‘Nope’ (2022)

Emerald and OJ Haywood work together to document a strange UFO hovering over their family’s horse ranch. Emerald uses her charm and skills to come up with a risky plan to confront the creature. While she initially hopes for fame and wealth, she ultimately focuses on staying alive and protecting her family’s heritage. The movie combines elements of science fiction and horror, and it looks at how we turn extraordinary events into entertainment, often at a cost.

‘Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight’ (1995)

Jeryline finds herself protecting a boarding house when it’s threatened by a dangerous demon seeking a key with incredible power. After the previous guardian is defeated, Jeryline steps up to take their place. She uses the holy power within the key – a special blood – to fight off the demons and make it through the night. The film concludes with Jeryline setting out on a quest to keep the artifact safe from future threats.

‘Escape Room’ (2019)

Zoey Davis is incredibly smart and uses her understanding of physics to escape from dangerous, puzzle-filled rooms. She battles with the emotional scars of a past plane crash while cleverly outmaneuvering the people who created the traps. Ultimately, Zoey pretends to die and uncovers the corrupt company responsible for the cruel games. Driven by her success, she then begins to investigate the origin of some mysterious coordinates, setting the stage for another adventure.

‘I Still Know What You Did Last Summer’ (1998)

Karla Wilson takes a trip to the Bahamas with her friend Julie James, but their vacation quickly turns dangerous. When a storm hits, guests are stranded and terrorized by a fisherman wielding a hook. Karla fights to survive, getting hurt in the process, but ultimately manages to escape the violence. She’s best known for her bravery and unwavering support of the main character in the film’s sequel.

‘Gothika’ (2003)

Dr. Miranda Grey finds herself as a patient in the psychiatric hospital where she once worked. Now, she must fight to prove she isn’t insane, all while being tormented by a ghost determined to reveal a hidden truth. As Miranda investigates, she discovers a conspiracy among her former coworkers and a terrifying secret: a serial killer is operating within the hospital’s walls, and she must escape to expose them.

‘The Invitation’ (2022)

Evie learns she has family in England and travels to a grand wedding in the countryside. She soon discovers her aristocratic relatives are secretly a dangerous vampire cult, and they plan to force her into marriage. Evie fights back, leading a fierce revolt and ultimately destroying their home to escape. The movie offers a fresh take on the Dracula story, using it to explore modern social issues.

‘Antebellum’ (2020)

Veronica Henley, a talented sociologist, wakes up in a terrifying situation – a world that feels like the pre-Civil War South. She’s held captive at a plantation by a group of white supremacists, but she’s determined to escape. In a bold move, Veronica fights back, kills her captors, and flees to freedom, revealing that her captivity was part of a disturbing, modern-day reenactment park. The film uses horror to explore the deep-rooted issues of systemic racism and the lasting impact of historical trauma.

‘His House’ (2020)

Rial Majur escapes the war in South Sudan with her husband, seeking safety in England. But she soon discovers a terrifying presence – a supernatural being from her homeland that thrives on her feelings of guilt. To overcome this entity and build a new life, Rial must confront and accept the painful memories she’s tried to leave behind. This British horror movie combines chilling supernatural elements with the harsh realities faced by refugees.

‘Sweetheart’ (2019)

Jenn finds herself stranded on a deserted island, facing not only the harsh environment but also a terrifying sea monster. She has to use her intelligence and strength to build weapons and traps to defend herself. Even when other survivors doubt her, Jenn remains determined to defeat the creature. The movie is a focused, intense survival horror story that highlights how capable and resourceful the main character is.

‘The First Purge’ (2018)

Nya is a local activist in Staten Island who fights against the Purge, a government experiment that allows widespread violence. She battles hired mercenaries who are trying to create chaos and leads a group of people to safety while protecting her community from violent attackers. Her story embodies the fight against the government’s approval of violence in this earlier installment of the Purge series.

‘Fear Street: 1994’ (2021)

Deena Johnson is fighting a centuries-old curse that causes repeated killings in the town of Shadyside. She’s determined to protect her girlfriend and friends from the undead monsters brought back by a witch. Deena is central to the entire story, linking events that happen in three different eras. In the end, her courage not only breaks the curse but also reveals the true identity of the person responsible for everything.

‘Candyman’ (2021)

Brianna Cartwright, an art gallery director, finds her life unraveling as her partner succumbs to the terrifying legend of Candyman. She’s ultimately forced to confront the supernatural killer herself, and while she survives, she witnesses the emergence of a new Candyman. The film is a modern continuation of the original 1992 horror story, exploring similar themes in a new context.

‘Vampire in Brooklyn’ (1995)

Detective Rita Veder uncovers a shocking secret: she’s half-vampire and the target of the last remaining vampire on Earth. As she investigates a string of disturbing murders, she must also resist his dangerous allure. Ultimately, Rita breaks free from the vampire, Maximillian, and destroys him with sunlight. The movie blends horror and humor and is notable for featuring a black female lead – a rarity in 90s vampire films.

‘There’s Someone Inside Your House’ (2021)

Makani Young, a new student in Nebraska, finds herself targeted by a killer who reveals the hidden secrets of everyone around her. As she tries to unmask the attacker, she’s forced to confront a painful hazing experience from her own past. In a dramatic showdown at the school festival, Makani fights back and ultimately stops the murderer. The film is based on a young adult novel and explores themes of cancel culture.

‘Sissy’ (2022)

Cecilia, a popular wellness influencer, unexpectedly runs into her childhood bully during a bachelorette party. The encounter triggers a violent reaction, leading her to lash out at those who have hurt her. She skillfully covers up her actions, making it appear as self-defense, and ultimately escapes without consequences. The film is a darkly comedic take on social media and the long-term impact of bullying.

‘The Blackening’ (2022)

Lisa heads to a cabin in the woods for a Juneteenth celebration with friends, but their reunion is disrupted by a masked killer. She steps up as a leader, helping the group play a challenging trivia game that explores their experiences as Black individuals. Lisa and her friends manage to survive the night, cleverly outwit the attacker, and ultimately deliver their own form of justice. The movie is a horror-comedy that intentionally flips the common horror trope of Black characters being the first to die.

Tell us which final girl performance impressed you the most in the comments.

2025-12-17 05:47