Sinners is more than a box office hit; it is a cultural reckoning. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the supernatural horror film centers on Black culture as it dives deeply into the key themes of morality, family, community, generational trauma, and spirituality, all within a supernatural gothic horror backdrop. So, what do you do after Sinners?
Using Black culture and history to tell supernatural horror isn’t new; in fact, it’s part of a long history of Southern Gothic storytelling and beyond. Sinners is part of a long tradition of Black creators who have interwoven these themes and cultural commentary into their films, games, books, comics, and more.
Get BWT in your inbox!
Get BWT in your inbox!
For fans hungry for more media that explores the intersection of Black culture, horror, and the supernatural, you’re in luck. Other stories may even satisfy your thirst even more. From novels and comics rooted in African spirituality or the South, to narrative-driven games and vampire films, these works continue the tradition that Sinners has brought into the spotlight, offering fresh perspectives and unforgettable narratives. So instead of picking up a George R.R. Martin story, check out these titles as you look for your next obsession.
Now, with its high acclaim, Sinners opens the door to introduce a broader audience to the rich tapestry of stories that have long existed at the crossroads of Black culture and supernatural storytelling. This film is not the beginning, but it is a powerful amplifier. So here is our list of 17 titles to read, watch, and play after Sinners.
Things to Play
South of Midnight
South of Midnight is the perfect game for Sinners fans. The game takes place during a more modern period, in a magical, southern Gothic world inspired by places like Louisiana and Mississippi. The action-adventure, narrative-driven game follows Hazel, a young Black girl who’s on a mission to find her mother after a terrible hurricane washed their home away with her inside.
Now, Hazel must traverse her world’s mythical and eerily beautiful side as she battles legendary monsters and haunting spirits while trying to master her newfound powers as a Weaver. The game features stunning visuals and heartfelt themes, and it shines a light on Southern cultural touchstones similar to Sinners.
South of Midnight is available now on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Mafia III
Mafia III takes place in a fictionalized New Orleans during the 1960s. Although the game lacks the same supernatural elements as Sinners, it effectively combines a gritty crime drama with themes of racial injustice and legacy through the eyes of its protagonist, a Black Vietnam veteran named Lincoln Clay. The game’s dark atmosphere and storytelling make it worth checking out. Plus, there is a part of the game where you get to take down the Southern Union, a fictional criminal organization inspired by the KKK.
Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation
In Assassin’s Creed III, you play as the franchise’s first-ever Black female protagonist, Aveline de Grandpré. From Aveline’s perspective, players can experience in-depth storytelling and action-adventure gameplay. Throughout the game, Avaline’s primary objective is to aid in the liberation of enslaved Black people and dismantle the Templar Order. The game explores themes of identity, resistance, and rebellion set in 1800s New Orleans.
Liberation similarly mirrors much of the historical tension displayed in Sinners from the perspective of a Black woman protagonist, which is not commonly seen in video games. There is also a plot twist within the game where a specific antagonist attempts to profit from Avaline’s experience and memories, reminiscent of some of the antagonists in Sinners.
Things to Read
Bitter Root
Image Comics’ Bitter Root is an award-winning comic series by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown & Sanford Greene.
The series is set during the Harlem Renaissance Era, centering on a family of monster hunters battling literal and metaphorical demons rooted in racism and hate.
The series does not shy away from the harshness of racism during this period through the lens of Black and other POC characters. Not to mention the series’ stylish art style, the captivating story is a must-read for any fans of Sinners looking for a graphic novel that captures a thrilling horror action paired with social commentary.
Children of Blood and Bone Trilogy
Children of Blood and Bone is an exciting young adult Afro-fantasy novel by Tomi Adeyemi. The trilogy series follows Zélie Adebola and her companions as they set out on a divine mission to help restore magic to her kingdom and its oppressed people.
Due to the ruling class’s brutal suppression and ruling over the Maji, a class of magic practitioners, of which Zélie is a part. Although the story is not a part of the horror genre, this fantasy novel series is deeply inspired by West African mythology and explores themes of rebellion, family, and class dynamics. This makes it a perfect read for readers who want more culturally grounded fantasy and mythology with high-stakes storytelling.
Killadelphia
Another title from Image Comics, Killadelphia is a gritty horror comic series created by Rodney Barnes that examines the vampire narrative through the lens of American history and racial trauma. The comic series is set against the backdrop of Philadelphia and centers on Jimmy Sangster, a small-town cop who comes home to bury his police detective father.
Jimmy’s return home leads him to discover a vampire conspiracy rooted in racial injustice and corruption. The series’s captivating art and social commentary reimagines vampire mythos through a Black lens. Like Sinners, Killadelphia uses the horror genre to examine power and legacy.
Blood Hunt
Marvel Comics’ Blood Hunt literally plunges the entire Marvel Universe into darkness. When vampires launch a coordinated global assault and block out the sun, the heroes are forced into an all-out war to survive.
The event is a stylish, action-heavy crossover that reinvigorates Marvel’s supernatural roster while highlighting survival, sacrifice, and moral ambiguity themes. For fans of Sinners, Blood Hunt offers another take on storytelling centered on vampires, but this time through a superhero lens. Blood Hunt is rich with tension, violence, and complex power dynamics.
Beloved
Toni Morrison’s Beloved is a renowned literary classic that blends the supernatural with the historical horror of slavery. Set after the Civil War, in 1873 Ohio, the book follows Sethe, a formerly enslaved woman who is haunted literally and figuratively by the ghost of her dead daughter. The book is a hefty, emotional read, and its mix of haunting narrative and supernatural elements explores themes of trauma, grief, and mother-daughter relationships. And the deeply rooted psychological effects of slavery.
Things to Watch
Castlevania: Nocturne
The latest addition to the Castlevania anime series blends gothic horror with rebellion and mysticism, featuring a diverse cast and complex themes of legacy, family, faith, and revolution. Although the series is not directly rooted in Black culture, the latest iteration focuses more on its Black characters, like Annette, whose character depth resonates with the Sinners’ thematic layers.
Annette is a Haitian woman who descends from divine Yoruba orishas, Ogun, the orisha of war and iron, and Orunmila, wisdom and divination, on her mother’s side. Through her divine connection to these deities and her ancestors, Annette can accomplish amazing feats. Making her story a point of interest for fans of Sinners.
Lovecraft Country
For Sinners fans craving another period supernatural horror drama, Lovecraft Country. Lovecraft Country is a horror series that combines supernatural terrors with the real horrors of racism in 1950s Jim Crow America. The series centers on Atticus Freeman, along with his friends and family, as they go on a journey that spans across America as Atticus tries to find his missing father.
Their journey ultimately leads to uncovering a dark world of magic, monsters, and family secrets. Much like Sinners, Lovecraft Country uses horror for suspense and thrills, but also as a tool to examine identity, generational trauma, and resilience. As a bonus for fans who loved Wunmi Mosaku’s performance as Annie in Sinners, they will enjoy seeing her again as Ruby Baptiste in Lovecraft Country.
Eve’s Bayou
Eve’s Bayou is a Southern Gothic masterpiece written and directed by Kasi Lemmons. The film leans more into psychological drama and spirituality than horror. However, the film’s eerie atmosphere, family secrets, and mystical undertones make it a nice follow-up watch to Sinners, especially for viewers looking for less blood and gore.
The film focuses on Eve Batiste, a young girl gifted with a supernatural gift called second sight, living in a Creole-American community in Louisiana. Even learns of her father’s infidelity, which spreads tension throughout her family, ultimately leading to tragedy. The film is an emotional and cinematic touchstone for Black supernatural storytelling. Eve’s Bayou was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.
Horror Noire
Although Horror Noire is not a narrative-driven or supernatural film, it is a must-watch documentary exploring Black horror’s history in cinema. The documentary is based on the 2011 non-fiction book Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films by Robin R. Means Coleman. The documentary, directed by Xavier Burgin, examines the history of Black horror films and African Americans’ contributions and roles. This documentary is essential for fans of Sinners who are curious to learn more about the legacy of Black Horror that Coogler’s film builds on, and the impactful cultural context behind Black representation in genre filmmaking.
Ganja & Hess
Ganja & Hess, the 1973 film directed by Bill Gunn, is a beautifully poetic and genre-defying Black vampire film that blends African spirituality, identity, vampires, and an allegory on addiction. The film follows Dr. Hess Green, a wealthy anthropologist, and Ganja, a recent widow. Both characters become vampires and quickly begin a love affair filled with bloodlust that explores the vampire mythos through a psychological lens and stunning arthouse aesthetics.
Like Sinners, Ganja & Hess uses the horror genre to make a statement through its cultural commentary. The film initially received high praise at its premiere at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival, but upon its release in the United States, it was dismissed by many White critics, which tanked its box office sales. Thankfully, Ganja & Hess eventually received the praise and adoration they deserved and became a masterpiece in Black horror cinema.
Interview with the Vampire (AMC Series)
AMC’s Interview with the Vampire series reimagines Anne Rice’s original work with a refreshing exploration of identity, race, and queerness. Like Sinners, Interview with the Vampire is a period piece set in early 20th-century New Orleans. The series focuses on Louis de Pointe du Lac, a young, wealthy Black man who navigates the complexities of desire and power after becoming a vampire by the charming Lestat. Interview with the Vampire delivers deep storytelling and engaging performances as it dives into themes of love, existential dread, and control. The show reframes the vampire narrative through a more modern and culturally commentary perspective.
Watch now on AMC+ and Netflix.
Queen of the Damned
Queen of the Damned is a 2002 horror fantasy film directed by Michael Rymer and based on novel of the same name. Over the years Queen of the Damned has grown into a beloved cult classic thanks in large part to the unforgettable presence of the late music idol, Aaliyah, as Akasha, the Queen of all Vampires. Aaliyah’s performance in the film is commanding and hypnotic, as she uses her character’s sensual power to dominate every scene.
The film’s gothic aesthetics and bold fusion of horror, style, and music reflect the same dynamic appeal seen in Sinners. Like Sinners, Queen of the Damned explores themes of power, immortality, and mystique through a distinctly Black lens, making it a standout entry in the vampire genre and a cultural touchstone for fans of alternative Black cinema.
Watch now on Netflix.
Blade Film Trilogy
We can’t talk about Black vampires and vampire slaying without mentioning Blade. The film is truly a cornerstone of Black horror action films. The first Blade film brought the stoic, day-walking vampire slayer to life in the comic book character’s live-action adaptation starring Wesley Snipes.
The Blade film franchise is notable for its mix of vampiric lore and action, and is an iconic cornerstone of the Marvel cinematic renaissance. It was ahead of its time, decades before superhero films dominated box offices. Blade is a highly recommended watch for Sinners fans seeking more horror-action, exploring themes of identity, vengeance, and supernatural elements in the modern world.
Watch now on Disney+.
Vampires vs. the Bronx
Vampires vs the Bronx is a modern-day horror comedy written by Oz Rodriguez and Blaise Hemingway and directed by Rodriguez. The film follows a group of young Black and Brown teens who become aware of a vampire’s evil scheme to invade and take over their neighborhood.
The film is witty and funny as it uses cultural commentary and a supernatural lens to unpack the subject of gentrification. Similar to Sinners, Vampires vs the Bronx is deeply rooted in community resilience and offers a meaningful take on protecting cultural legacy against powerful and systematic forces.
Watch now on Netflix.
Sinners has earned its spot in the horror genre, but it is also a significant part of the ever-growing and evolving legacy of Black supernatural storytelling. Each of the works highlighted in this list reflects a deep creative lineage that blends horror, history, and Black culture. As the genre continues to evolve, it is clear that Black horror and supernatural storytelling have always been present, and they are not going anywhere.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is in theaters now.
