Warning: Contains potential SPOILERS for Nope

With three acclaimed and successful horror movies to his name at this point, Jordan Peele have become a subgenre of their own. Peele gained fame as an onscreen performer, spending years as part of the Mad TV cast before forming the Key & Peele duo alongside longtime colleague Keegan-Michael Key. Back then it is highly unlikely audiences foresaw Peele's transition into a filmmaker, much less someone who plies his trade not in comedy but complex, intelligent horror. That part is at least more understandable when realizing just how big a horror follower Peele is.

Peele surprised just about everyone with his debut movie Get Out in 2017, which not only earned rave reviews and eventual Oscar nominations but also dominated the box office, hauling in over $250 million on a budget of less than $5 million. His 2019 follow-up Us followed a similar trajectory, earning mostly positive reviews and making a huge profit for producer Blumhouse and distributor Universal. As mysterious as the plot was kept going into release, many wondered if Nope only to be another critical and financial hit. Though there are some who have used the word "overrated" and even Peele himself pushed back at being called the greatest horror director. However, each Jordan Peele movie offered something interesting and ranking the three is no easy task.

3 Nope (2022)

While Peele's most recent movie Nope did well with critics and audiences, it definitely represents the biggest creative risk Jordan Peele has taken so far as a writer and director. It is an extremely distinctive film that tells a very unique story, all the while paying clear homage to the iconic blockbusters directed by Steven Spielberg in the 1970s and 1980s. The movie is a bold and exciting alien invasion story about an adult brother and sister who attempt to capture footage of an extraterrestrial visitor. Of course, as with Peele's other movies, what Nope is really about goes much deeper.

Besides its surprising but terrifying antagonist and its unusual for horror western cowboy setting, Nope is blessed with a stellar cast, led by terrific performances from his Get Out star Daniel Kaluuya, breakout star Keke Palmer, and a great supporting turn from Steven Yeun. However, it is worth noting that Nope is not going to be to everyone's tastes. Its first half can be slow-moving at times. Still, those willing to stick it out will be rewarded with twists and turns they likely did not see coming, and a surprisingly terrifying subplot about Nope's now-infamous chimp Gordie. It is a testament to just how good Peele's first two films are that Nope can sit at the bottom of this or any movie ranking.

2 Us (2019)

The concept of evil doppelgangers is one that is about as old as horror fiction, but that did not stop Jordan Peele from crafting a take on it with Us that is about as original as possible. The concept of The Tethered is both endlessly intriguing and nightmareishly scary, and while the logic behind it does not entirely hold up to intense scrutiny, Us is a thrilling and never boring ride through a scenario of possibly apocalyptic proportions. As is usual for Peele, the cast more than holds up their end of the bargain, led by Black Panther veterans Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke.

While Get Out mostly preferred to keep its horrors limited to the psychological variety, Us is a more straightforward exercise in horror, featuring a good amount of blood and guts along the way. Peele makes excellent use of light of shadow as well, showing off his eye for interesting shots and unusual camera moves. There are also dozens of horror movie easter eggs and pop culture references sprinkled throughout Us for those paying attention, as well as clues that point toward the story's later twists.

Us is not a perfect movie, but it is a very good one, and almost begs for a sequel that offers more information on how The Tethered came to be. Considering how many if not most horror sequels turn out though, perhaps it is best for Peele to leave the viewer wanting more instead.

1 Get Out (2017)

All in all, it is a very close race for the title of Jordan Peele's best movie as a director. Arguments can and will be made for all three, but one factor that helps Get Out claim the top spot here is its unrelenting tension and suspense. From the beginning it is clear that something bad is going to befall Daniel Kaluuya's Chris Washington, but what exactly that ends up being is likely to throw any first time viewer for a loop. In the meantime, each scene - especially those after Chris and his girlfriend Rose arrive at the Armitage estate - steadily ratchets up the tension, with the audience on the edge of their seat waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Get Out set the standard for Peele's ability to get great performances out of his cast, with the then mostly unknown Kaluuya shining brightest, but ably being backed up by Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford and Catherine Keener. Special mention is also due for Lil Rel Howery's work as Chris' hilarious best friend Rod, who provides laughs at just the right moments and allows for a brief respite from the suspense. Along with Peele winning Best Original Screenplay, Get Out was a rare horror movie nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.

Get Out, as well as Us and Nope, are arguably worthy of the "elevated horror" designation bestowed on films like Hereditary and The Witch, but it is likely Peele would reject that, as to him horror movies are not a thing that should need elevation to be taken seriously. Jordan Peele bows at the altar of filmmakers like John Carpenter and Stanley Kubrick, and whether he would admit it or not, Peele's filmography so far serves as a loving tribute to those masters.

Jordan Peele's Future Movies

Jordan Peele's movies have become some of the most anticipated cinematic events for moviegoers. Luckily, those fans already have a new one on the horizon with confirmation of Jordan Peele's next movie which will be released on December 25, 2024. As expected with Peele's movies at this point, details of the story are being kept under wraps for the time being. However, despite what the release date suggests, it is not likely Peele is making a Christmas-themed movie, though the prominent holiday release date at the end of the awards season suggests there is a lot of faith behind this movie.

Along with his directorial efforts, Peele has also been a prominent producer through his Monkeypaw Productions. Though his next movie as a writer-director is getting all the attention, that announcement also included news of the latest Monkeypaw project arriving on September 27, 2024. Again, there is no news about what that movie could be, but considering Peele's production company has delivered Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman, the reboot of Candyman, and the recent animated fantasy Wendell & Wild, there is no telling what they are cooking up.