Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
1948’s Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is arguably the starting point for all comedy horror movies. When studio Universal wanted to give their ailing monsters a boost, they hit on the idea of teaming them with popular funnymen Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, and it proved a perfect combination. Famously, this was the second and last time the legendary Bela Lugosi portrayed Dracula on film.
An American Werewolf in London
After directing National Lampoon’s Animal House and The Blues Brothers, John Landis was known exclusively for funny movies. An American Werewolf in London proved that he could balance his talent for comedy with nerve-shredding terror, aided by Rick Baker’s ground-breaking practical effects. The 1981 film remains the gold standard for balancing horror and humor in the eyes of many.
Shaun of the Dead
Fresh from cult British sitcom Spaced, director/co-writer Edgar Wright reunited with actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (with Pegg also co-writing) on Shaun of the Dead, which shows a zombie apocalypse from the perspective of two twentysomething slackers in London. While hilariously funny, the 2004 film does not hold back on the horror, packing in as much shocking viscera as any ‘serious’ zombie film.
Evil Dead II
1980’s The Evil Dead is arguably a slapstick comedy disguised as horror, but it’s so intense and gruesome that not many viewers got the joke. On 1987’s Evil Dead II, director Sam Raimi and actor Bruce Campbell made sure there would be no such misunderstanding, piling on the Three Stooges-esque physical comedy and quips. The result is every bit as funny as it is scary.
Carry On Screaming!
The 12th Carry On film, 1966’s Carry On Screaming! is an affectionate spoof of Hammer horror films, mixing Gothic tropes with the bawdy, very British sense of humor that the comedy series has long been famous for. Tongue-in-cheek it may be, but Tom Clegg’s Oddbod still makes for a memorable monster, and Fenella Fielding’s Valeria is a bona fide vamp to rival Morticia Addams.
What We Do in the Shadows
TV spin-off series What We Do in the Shadows has proven a huge success in its own right, but don’t forget about the original 2014 film from writer/director/actor duo Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. A mockumentary following the lives of three ageless, dim-witted vampires living in New Zealand, it’s hysterically funny whilst also proving compelling, moving and at times creepy.
Young Frankenstein
Arguably the finest work of director Mel Brooks and his recurring collaborator Gene Wilder, 1974’s Young Frankenstein is at once a parody and a heartfelt homage to the original Frankenstein films. With its stark black and white photography and old-fashioned camerawork, at a glance it could be mistaken for an actual 1930s horror movie, until its exquisite jokes and comedy set pieces give it away.
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
After finding fame hosting schlocky horror movies on TV, Elvira was given one of her own in 1988. Cassandra Peterson takes her iconic character to the big screen in a big way, and while the emphasis is squarely on corny puns and risqué innuendo, the film also finds room for some mystical mayhem and outlandish special effects to really please horror fans.
Dead Sushi
2012’s Japanese horror comedy Dead Sushi casts Rina Takeda as a sushi chef and karate expert forced to fight back when a zombie virus somehow infects her food. Writer-director Noboru Iguchi’s gloriously absurd film is an acquired taste, but those who like it will laugh very hard indeed – and it’s also surprisingly informative when it comes to the proper etiquette and consumption of sushi.
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
What if those scary-looking hillbillies who look like they want to kill you are actually perfectly nice guys who just keep finding themselves in grisly situations by sheer coincidence? This is the hook of writer-director Eli Craig’s 2010 film Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, which plays on the cliches of backwoods horror movies to frequently hilarious, yet inescapably gruesome effect.
One Cut of the Dead
While Shaun of the Dead is a hilarious staple of the zombie horror/comedy genre, it’s not the only dazzling example out there. One Cut of the Dead was released in 2017 to great reviews and still holds a 100% Tomatometer score. Audiences said that Shinichiro Ueda’s meta-comedy about a crew filming a zombie movie is one of the smartest, sharpest, and funniest films they’ve ever seen.
Bride of Chucky
Perhaps the slasher franchise with the most comedic reputation, the Chucky franchise is hilarious. Tiny, talking dolls committing heinous acts of murder and one-liners that would make Freddy Krueger blush, Bride of Chucky takes the comedy to the next level. Jennifer Tilly sparkles in her role as Tiffany Valentine. It’s a must-see.
The Blackening
Released in 2023, this comedy horror film has incredible wit and bite. It takes the simple horror premise of seven friends trapped in a cabin with a murderer but infuses it with genuine laughs. The Blackening is written by Tracy Oliver and Dwayne Perkins and directed by Tim Story, so it’s no wonder that audiences found it a perfect summer flick.
Freaky
Freaky Friday, but with murderers and Vince Vaughn playing a teenage girl? It exists, and it’s marvelous. Freaky is a seriously funny meta slasher with body swap hijinks directed by Christopher Landon (of Happy Death Day 2U, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, and Paranormal Activity sequel fame) and released in 2020.
Slaxx
The antagonists of horror films can oftentimes be the most memorable and iconic part of the movie. Freddy, Jason, Chucky – and now a possessed pair of jeans? Slaxx is a Canadian horror comedy released in 2020 and tells the story of a sales clerk who is forced to stop a possessed pair of pants from killing everyone in the store. Retail workers will love it.
Ready Or Not
In-laws can be difficult, but you’ve never seen in-laws like this before. After Grace (played by the incredible Samara Weaving) marries the love of her life, she’s forced to play a deadly game of hide and seek to become a part of his family. It’s full of great quips, physical comedy, and an ending that’s so good it’ll make your brain explode.
Student Bodies
Promoted as the ‘world’s first comedy-horror film’, Student Bodies was released in 1981 at the height of the slasher craze, and spoofs both slashers, teen horrors, and Giallo films. Mickey Rose’s film follows a killer nicknamed ‘The Breather’ terrorizing students at a school after they’re found having sex. Student Bodies delivers the kills but also the rubber chickens.
Idle Hands
Featuring an incredibly impressive cast including Devon Sawa one year before Final Destination, and Seth Green post his first appearance as Oz on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Idle Hands is a beloved 1999 slacker comedy horror. After a teenager wakes up to find his parents murdered, he realizes that one of his hands has become murderous and is working all of its own accord.
All Cheerleaders Die
All Cheerleaders Die is an underrated, unseen gem of a horror film. With zombies, supernatural powers, high school parries, and girl drama, 2013’s All Cheerleaders Die has so much to offer horror fans. It mixes genuine gore with subversive comedy as you begin to root for the Cheerleaders in the same vein as Jennifer from Jennifer’s Body, or Ginger from Ginger Snaps.
The Final Girls
A true meta exploration of camp slasher films, The Final Girls tackles the final girl trope that has given horror fans their favorite characters, such as Laurie Strode and Sidney Prescott. The cast of Todd Strauss-Schulson’s 2015 film is star-studded, with Adam Levine delivering so many funny moments. It’s fun, it’s campy, and it has genuine heart too.
Deathgasm
The directorial debut of Jason Lei Howden is a uniquely brilliant and funny horror film about metal heads who summon an evil entity known as The Blind One. Since 2015 the film has won 15 awards, has gone on to gain a substantial fanbase, and has created a viral meme.
Willy’s Wonderland
Fans of Nicolas Cage, Five Nights at Freddy’s, nostalgic video games, and horror comedies will all be delighted by Willy’s Wonderland. This relatively low-budget horror film directed by Kevin Lewis is utterly unique and a stellar release. It’s not a perfect film but the acting is great (even Cage’s silent performance), the animatronics are terrifying, and it’s silly enough to induce more than a few laughs.
Bodies Bodies Bodies
One of the best horror films of 2022, Bodies, Bodies Bodies is a shining example of dark comedies and the way in which studios can poke fun at Gen Z without the dialogue appearing aged or inducing cringe. Rachel Sennott is the hilarious highlight of the film. Every line she delivers is quotable, but you remain invested in the character all the way to the end.
Killer Klowns From Outer Space
Killer Klowns from Outer Space is intentionally extremely bizarre, wacky, and completely campy. It may not be the go-to comedy film for those with coulrophobia, but if you can get past the disturbing appearances of these extraterrestrials, you’ll find yourself adoring the cheesy ride of Stephen Chiodo’s 1988 cult classic.
Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers
Like many slasher franchises, Sleepaway Camp becomes funnier and campier (if you can forgive the pun) as the sequels go. The second of the series follows Angela returning to the camp as a counselor this time. The deaths are gory, and the black comedy bites, making the 1988 sequel the perfect film to watch with a group of pals.
Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse
From Christopher Landon, the director of horror comedies Happy Death Day 2 U and Freaky, The Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse is one of the most fun horror movies to be released in the last decade. A twist on the zombie genre, this 2015 film has enough deaths to satisfy horror fans with fun, gross-out humor that is perfect for young adults.
Death Drop Gorgeous
While this may be more of a niche, deep cut than many traditional horror comedies, queer audiences are guaranteed to love this neo-giallo. Death Drop Gorgeous is a slasher where the victims (and perhaps the killers) are drag queens and members of the community, leading to hilarious reads, fun quips, and references that will make audiences squeal with delight.
Detention
It’s hard to categorize the genre of Detention. While the 2011 film is a horror comedy, it mixes elements of teen flicks, science fiction, and romance to create something completely unique. Josh Hutcherson shines in the Joseph Kahn directed film, as does most of the young cast, delivering laugh-out-loud campy performances.
The Faculty
It’s a real shame that over the years The Faculty has been forgotten about by mainstream horror audiences. With a cast like Elijah Wood, Clea DuVall, and Usher, the teen twist on Invasion of the Body Snatchers was guaranteed to be worthwhile, but the science fiction horror film definitely has some sequences that will induce a giggle.
Peelers
A Canadian horror film about a small-town strip club owner defending her bar against zombies – that’s all you need to be able to sell Peelers to most horror fans. The violence is disturbing, with disembowelments and the infected packing serious scares, but it also has some great visual gags. The 2016 film isn’t for everyone, but for those who love some saucy, scary fun, it will become a new favorite.
Superhost
Horror loves to prey on new fears and the 2021 Shudder original SuperHost does a great job of being completely original in its concept. After a YouTube couple checks into an Airbnb they meet their host and fear she’s a little too eager to please. Grace Phipps packs a stellar performance as the creepy host and her mania borders on the absurd to the point of hilarity.
Deadstream
Poking fun at internet celebrities and live streamers, Deadstream follows a disgraced internet personality live-streaming a night in a haunted house in order to win back the affection of his followers. Joseph and Vanessa Winter’s 2022 Shudder original delivers tonal shifts that unexpectedly hit you with terrifying sequences, making the laughs even more impactful.
Who’s Watching Oliver?
Who’s Watching Oliver is a real slow burn of a horror film that works primarily through solidly building characters that the audience can invest in – even if they’re strange and disturbing like the titular Oliver. While the 2017 hidden gem is comical, it’s also very difficult to watch at times, terrifying audiences with brutal scenes.
Mayhem
If you enjoyed 2016’s The Belko Experiment but wanted some comedy to help lighten the tone at times, then you have to watch Mayhem. Modern scream queen Samara Weaving has incredible chemistry with Steven Yeun in this Joe Lynch flick. Mayhem isn’t a cheap spoof and isn’t so bad that it’s funny. Instead, it’s an incredibly clever mash-up of genres.
Slither
Written and directed by the phenomenally talented James Gunn (director of the Guardians of the Galaxy films), Slither is an award-winning comedy horror. Released in 2006 and starring Nathan Fillion and Elizabeth Banks, Slither is a film about a small town taken over by a strange alien plague.
Braindead
The world has seen many horror comedies about zombies – but never one like Braindead. It’s completely over the top and fantastical, which makes sense once you realize that it comes from the genius of Peter Jackon, director of the Lord of the Rings films. Reviews say it’s a ‘gross-out comedy’ but Braindead is much more than just that, with terrifying scenes and an actually engaging romance.
The Babysitter
Scary stories often feature a babysitter terrorized by an unknown killer, but 2017’s The Babysitter explores what happens when the babysitter is the very source of the threat. The occult comedy features funny lines, subversions of the genre, and physical comedy – including a great scene involving Bella Thorne and some breast implants.
Jennifer’s Body
While at the time of its release, a mixture of miss-marketing and an audience unready for this type of smart horror comedy meant Jennifer’s Body didn’t get the kudos it deserved, nowadays it’s adored by horror fans. With whip-sharp dialogue from the writer of Juno (Diablo Cody) and incredible performances from Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer’s Body is a must-see!
Dead Snow
The low-budget Norwegian horror film is utterly ridiculous in its premise and that’s precisely why it’s so beloved by certain audiences. A group of medical students finds themselves facing a nightmare beyond comprehension – zombie Nazis. The kills are nasty and the gore is gruesome but it’s silly in the best way, balancing scares with laughs effortlessly.
Chopping Mall
Released in 1986, Chopping Mall was part of a wave of fun, campy B movie slashers that continue to delight horror fans to this day. Jim Wynorski’s horror comedy features a group of teens staying late at a shopping mall when the security system malfunctions and they find themselves hunted by the robots meant to protect them. It’s trashy fun for everyone.
