Jordan Peele has quickly become one of the hottest names in the film industry since his debut movie Get Out premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017. That film broke through to the mainstream in such a unique and substantial way, even earning significant Oscars buzz for a debut genre filmmaker responsible for his work in sketch comedy prior to becoming a director.
And since then, Jordan Peele has cashed in on blank check after blank check, amassing one of the most unique (yet brief) filmographies in Hollywood currently. You could order any of his films in any way and you’d have an argument – they’re all sensational and radically different, with different purposes, tones and motivations. He represents my favorite type of director: someone with big ideas and sensibilities who still loves to work within genre and convention. Jordan Peele has done more for the horror genre than nearly anyone in the last decade, and it is because of his constantly bold visions and intimate themes.
So although this is only a ranking of the three films he’s made in his brief career as a horror director, I’d imagine this will expand in tremendous ways throughout the next few years. He’s constantly working, and it seems like there’s always something coming down the road. Up until recently, he even had another new movie scheduled to come out in December 2024. That was just pushed back and taken off the calendar, but I’d imagine it is coming sooner rather than later.
But for now, this is how I think I’d rank the Jordan Peele movies, from Get Out to Nope:
3. Us (2019)
Jordan Peele’s Us was somewhat divisive when it hit theaters in 2019, but it has only grown in my estimation since. Not only did it prove that Get Out was no fluke, but it cemented Peele as a filmmaker with a knack for taking familiar horror tropes and twisting them into something fresh and conceptually bold. It’s a film that balances genre thrills with introspection, making for an experience that is as thought-provoking as it is unsettling.
Read our review of Us.
2. Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s directorial debut was an instant cultural and cinematic phenomenon—one of those rare films that completely redefines its genre while achieving both critical and commercial success. It was a movie that not only announced Peele as one of the most exciting new filmmakers of the decade but also proved that horror could be both socially charged and immensely entertaining. While Us confirmed that Get Out was no fluke, and Nope showcased Peele’s ability to handle blockbuster-scale storytelling, it all started with this razor-sharp psychological thriller that remains just as effective years later.
Read our review of Get Out (2017).
1. Nope (2022)
Nope delivers on its promise of spectacle. Its set-up helps deliver one of the most rewarding third acts of the year, and one I’ll surely return to in years to come. Those don’t come around very often, only a handful of films lend themselves to repeat viewings, and Nope is certainly one of them. A dazzling and hypnotic viewing, and one that doesn’t leave your mind once you leave your theater. The best films make you think, and Nope gives you plenty to sink your teeth into. Nope movie review