Jordan Peele’s Greatest Hits
Jordan Peele is one of the contemporary kings of horror and a breath of fresh air in the film and television industry. The modern horror genre desperately needed a shake-up, and he delivered. Peele’s work has challenged audiences that love his movies even if they admittedly “don’t get it,” which is the ultimate artistic flex—making experimental weird stuff that your audience “doesn’t get” but still buys? The dream!
Here are some of Jordan Peele’s best works. If you’re still craving some good horror, check out the 10 best Netflix original horror movies.
Produced by Jordan Peele
Okay, these works aren’t written or directed by Peele, but he produced them. They deserve just as much attention as his other titles because they’re all compelling and well-made.
Moshari (2022)
Peele is an executive producer for this award-winning horror short film. Moshari is a post-apocalyptic tale of two sisters who must survive under a mosquito net every night. It’s bad enough that this mysterious physical threat took down Western civilization, and now these adolescent sisters must learn to get along despite their differences. While only 22 minutes long, Moshari is a punch in the gut. The juxtaposition between the naive younger sister and the older sister who will do anything for her younger sibling is fascinating.
Lovecraft Country (2020)
Alright, perhaps this is recency bias, but Lovecraft Country is one of the best horror science-fiction shows. It has brilliant commentary on the historical racism in the genre, then flips it and centers non-white characters by weaving in real history—which is often more horrific than classic horror. It’s a damn shame this show was canceled right before Courtney B. Vance won an Emmy for the episode “Whitey’s on the Moon,” just one of 18 Emmy nominations the series received. I guess it’s better to be gone too soon than to be ruined by syndication.
Hair Love (2020)
This animated short film is beautiful. Based on the book by Matthew A. Cherry, Hair Love tells the story of a young girl and her father’s journey styling her hair. The first time I watched it, I cried. It’s been a book I have recommended to young readers ever since. When researching this list, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Jordan Peele was a producer.
Jordan Peele’s best movies and shows
Weird City (2019)
This bizarre Youtube Original show is created and written by Jordan Peele. It was released in 2019 and has a stellar cast that includes future Nope star Steven Yeun. In the first episode, you can watch Maze Runner and Teen Wolf star Dylan O’Brien and Modern Family’s favorite problematic grandfather Ed O’Neil fall in love. The second episode has Michael Cera being kicked out of his electrolyte support group and fired. Think of this show as a weirder, wackier cousin of Black Mirror. It’s six episodes, so prepare for a short but intense ride.
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul (2020)
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is shot in a satirical mockumentary style, similar to The Office or Abbott Elementary, and presented as a doc made by a pastor and his wife to save their church’s image. We follow Regina Hall, who plays the wife of a Southern Baptist megachurch pastor, played by Sterling K. Brown. Surprise, surprise, her husband is caught in a sex scandal. This is a glorious (pun intended) depiction of hypocrisy, addiction to power, sexual misconduct, sexism, and the bullshit a wife puts up with that goes on in these megachurches.
The Twilight Zone (2019-2020)
I don’t recommend binging this star-studded reimaging of the classic The Twilight Zone. In fact, after each episode, take a cute walk outside because you’ll be contemplating life once you reach the twisty conclusion. Considering there are 20 episodes and each is about an hour long, you’ll be getting plenty of fresh air.
Candyman (2021)
1992’s Candyman was my first favorite horror movie. The original is about how an artist became an undead urban legend because he was Black and loved a white woman whose father rounded up a mob to lynch him. Nia DaCosta and Peele’s modern version updates the classic story by including modern Black issues that led to the creation of this version’s Candyman. He feels more fleshed out and nuanced than the ’90s version, which waters down the generational trauma and racism the character experienced during life.
Wendell & Wild (2022)
Peele wrote Wendell & Wild, which was directed by famed animator Henry Selick of The Nightmare Before Christmas fame. The stop-motion animated film also reunites Peele with comedy partner Keegan-Michael Key; the two voice the titular demonic characters, who are trying to get summoned by the green-haired protagonist, Kat. Filled with spooky humor, Wendell & Wild is a great story about coping with loss, and the soundtrack is on point for a movie that deals with the prison industrial complex.
The Last O.G. (2018-2021)
The Last O.G. is a vastly underrated show. It’s a fantastic commentary about the gentrification of Brooklyn. Tracy Morgan plays an old-head who just got released from prison after 15 years. This show is both about him acclimating to new Brooklyn while repping old school Brooklyn. This comedy hits, especially for current and old Brooklynites.
Keanu (2016)
How can Keanu not be on the list? The best contemporary comedy duo made a movie about a lost cat that takes inspiration from John Wick. Naming the movie after a missing pet that kickstarts an action-packed adventure to retrieve said pet—it’s perfectly on the nose.
Nope (2022)
Nope is a fantastic blend of sci-fi, humor, and horror. This close encounters tale has a lot of body horror, so I don’t recommend it if you’re squeamish. The cast is perfect, but to be fair, Keke Palmer is always perfect. Nope is a great commentary on Hollywood’s exploitative nature and man’s futile attempt to domesticate everything. This movie causes strong reactions. Those who love Nope, love it, and those who don’t, don’t.
Us (2019)
Peele’s sophomore directorial effort is an eerie commentary on the inequities in the United States. Us offers a brilliant metaphor of how an environment and a couple of lucky breaks can lead a person’s life in two completely different directions. This movie also accomplishes my dream of using an upbeat Beach Boys song in an intense horror movie.
Get Out (2017)
Peele’s directorial debut is legendary. Get Out was well-received by audiences and critics alike. Peele’s signature style blends horror, social commentary, and science-fiction. Get Out has become a horror staple. It’s been endlessly referenced and parodied, and being in “the sunken place” has become a colloquialism. This is Peele’s most impactful work—for now.
(featured image: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
Have a tip we should know? tips@themarysue.com
