Best Horror Comedies

Though it may not seem like the most appropriate pairing on paper, horror and comedy often go hand and hand in creating some of the most iconic and enjoyable films for both genres. Throughout the years, horror comedy movies have found both cult and general success by blending the often serious horror genre, with the often absurd comedy genre, to meet at a perfectly satisfying middle point.

That’s why today, in the lead up to spooky season, we’ve decided to look at some of the best horror comedies for viewers who are looking to scratch that Halloween itch, but don’t want anything too intense. That being said, while this list has some very funny scary movies, some of them are still pretty scary movies, but don’t worry! We’ll let you know which movies lean more into the horror, and which lean more into the comedy. With that being said, let’s dive into my personal favourite subgenre of horror movies, and get talking about some horror comedies!

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Beetlejuice (1988)

Image by Warner Bros.

Ever since 1988, Beetlejuice has remained an iconic staple of the horror-comedy genre, but since the recent release of 2024’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Tim Burton’s widely celebrated Halloween essential has skyrocketed in both relevance and popularity. This means that, if you’ve never watched Beetlejuice, there’s really no better time than the present! Beetlejuice tells the story of a recently deceased ghost couple who, set on scaring their home’s new tenants away, call for assistance from the titular master of mayhem himself.

Beetlejuice’s ingenious premise, combined with Burton’s trademark wackiness combine to make one of the greatest horror comedies of all time, but admittedly, this film likely wouldn’t be what it is today were it not for its incredible cast. Starring Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder, Beetlejuice was destined to be a hit from the beginning, but it’s Michael Keaton’s performance as Betelgeuse himself that steals the show. Beetlejuice is a bonkers thrill-ride, that’s as equally charming as it is grotesque. It’s practically impossible to not be hooked on every scene, and for that reason, it’s more than deserving of kicking off our list.

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Evil Dead II (1987)

Image by Rosebud Releasing Corporation

For viewers unfamiliar with Evil Dead II, this entry may come as somewhat of a shock. After all, the original Evil Dead is far from a horror comedy, and the continuation of the series with 2013’s Evil Dead remake solidified the Evil Dead franchise as one of the most gruesome and terrifying horror IPs of all time. It may be a surprise to some, then, that 1987’s Evil Dead II is a genuinely hilarious film, and it fully intends to be, at times even feeling like a satirical take on its 1981 predecessor. Evil Dead II has been patented as a ‘re-quel’, meaning that it’s attempting to be both a remake, and a sequel to the original film – and honestly, it succeeds in both arenas.

For many, this is the quintessential Evil Dead movie which, given what a departure it is from the series’ usual formula, is quite the accolade. The plot here is your typical, Evil Dead story – a group of people vacation in a cabin, discover some sort of demon-possessed object, and unleash hell on themselves. If you needed any more convincing that Evil Dead II is a crazy, great horror-comedy time, this is known as one of Sam Raimi’s most stylistically potent films. If you’re familiar with Raimi’s work on Spider-Man, Drag Me To Hell, or the recent Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, you’ll know that he likes to let his filmmaking go wild, and Evil Dead II is no exception. It’s a little more visceral than some of the other entries on this list, but if you’ve got a strong stomach, Evil Dead II is a perfect choice.

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Jennifer’s Body (2009)

Image by 20th Century Fox

Diablo Cody and horror-comedy is a match made in heaven for many fans of the genre, and if there was any movie needed to prove that point, it would be this one. Before 2024’s Lisa Frankenstein (which would be a great addition to this list itself), there was Jennifer’s Body, a movie that has gained such cult-classic status in recent years that it’s hard to believe it was relatively disparaged when it first came out. The story of a demon high-school student played by Megan Fox who murders and cannibalises her male classmates while maintaining one of the most soaked in unresolved sexual tension relationships with Amanda Seyfried’s character to ever hit the big screen, Jennifer’s Body’s plot is just crazy enough to work.

In the world of pop culture, to say that Jennifer’s Body has left an impact would be an understatement. Many scenes from the movie are instantly recognisable, even to first-time viewers, being parodied and referenced unrelentingly across television, cinema, and music. In recent years, the film has also been praised as a feminist-horror essential, and given the dynamic of gender in the movie, it’s not hard to see why. All in all, Jennifer’s Body was pretty unappreciated for what it was in its time, which is why revisiting it nowadays as a horror-comedy classic is all the more important.

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Death Becomes Her (1992)

Image by Universal Pictures

This is a movie that’s become a major talking point recently, with many only now coming to appreciate Death Becomes Her for what it is – one of the most iconic horror comedies of all time. With Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn in the driver’s seat on this one, viewers know that they’re in good hands with this 1992 satire, centred around two women who fight for the love of the same man, with an immortality potion mixed-in to add to the chaotic bickering.

Streep and Hawn are both equally hilarious in their portrayals of Madeline and Helen in this movie, but it’s the hilariously gnarly visual effects here that allow Death Becomes Her to truly thrive, and solidify itself as the all-time great it really is. Physical comedy and horror mix very well when done right, and Death Becomes Her could honestly be used as a case study in that very mix. It’s the perfect choice for a horror-comedy that allows its viewer to relax, and take in the thrills of a sublime dark satire. Alos, there’s nothing particularly scary in this movie, so readers weary of horror can rest easy. Death Becomes Her is a dark comedy perfect for all viewers, regardless of how they feel towards the horror genre as a whole.

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Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Image by Universal Pictures

Shaun of the Dead celebrated its 20th anniversary recently, and what better time than now to really look at the first film in Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg’s Cornetto Trilogy, and what made it such a hit? For horror fans, Shaun of the Dead is an excellent zombie movie, with the gang at the centre of the film engaging in all of the typical, undead thriller tropes in glorious fashion. For comedy fans, the movie plays right into the heart of UK-centric comedy, and as the only British film on this list, I have to credit its unique approach to humour as opposed to the other entries here.

That, in essence, is why Shaun of the Dead works so well – it’s got something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a genuine, hardcore zombie-horror flick, or a comedic, heartfelt time. The plot of the movie is simple – a man living in London looks to take refuge in his local pub in the midst of a zombie outbreak – but this simplicity allows for the film’s characters to shine against a relatively simple backdrop, and when you have performances as strong as Simon Pegg’s and Nick Frost’s, this is a perfect move. Like many other movies on this list, Shaun of the Dead has earned deserved cult-status over the years, and one watch of this horror-comedy classic will tell you exactly why.

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Bride of Chucky (1998)

Image by Universal Pictures

The Child’s Play franchise is my all-time favourite horror series, but admittedly, Child’s Play 3 seemed to herald a stagnation for the killer doll. Chucky had been desperately pursuing Andy Barclay for three movies now, and as great as that storyline was, it was time for a change of pace. A ‘change of pace’ is exactly what Bride of Chucky marked for the Child’s Play franchise, and it wasn’t only a step in the right direction, it was a full-on leap. The baseline idea of Chucky has always been a little funnier when compared with his slasher counterparts. In a genius move, Bride of Chucky embraced this more comedy-oriented side of Child’s Play, and shaped Chucky and his franchise into what we know it to be today – with a major assist from Jennifer Tilly.

Many have praised Jennifer Tilly’s performance as Tiffany Valentine over the years since her debut, but I still think that we don’t appreciate what this character did for Child’s Play, and horror-comedy as a whole, enough. Whether in human or doll form, Tilly captures the spotlight in every single scene, and that’s not easy to do when you’re acting across from Brad Dourif’s Chucky. The two have such a perfect dynamic though, that it’s hard not to root for them, even when their entire goal is to, in typical Chucky fashion, kill people. Combining Dourif and Tilly, and embracing the more humorous side of the Child’s Play franchise, ultimately marks Bride of Chucky as one of the greatest horror-comedy movies of all time, and a must-watch for slasher fans looking for something with a little more comedic character. Still though, this is a slasher at its core, so be warned! It still has its fair share of gore and terror on offer.

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Ready or Not (2019)

Image by Fox Searchlight Pictures

By far the most modern movie on this list, Ready or Not, for me, revitalised the horror-comedy genre that had been somewhat dwindling upon its release in 2019. Luckily, the film is so good at what it sets out to do, that it’s allowed horror comedies to find their footing again. The movie’s story centres on Samara Weaving’s Grace, a recently married bride who is hunted in a deadly game of hide-and-seek by her husband’s wealthy family. The premise is a perfect setup for a film that blends action, horror, and comedy into one fast-paced thriller, and Ready or Not delivers in all of those categories.

I also give this film credit for bringing Samara Weaving a platform in horror to be the ‘scream queen’ she was destined to be – while she had previously appeared in 2017’s The Babysitter, Weaving’s performance here stands out as one of the greatest from a modern-day horror female lead, and she elevates this movie even further beyond its already great premise. Directing duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett would also go on to direct the equally hilarious and fright-filled Abigail in 2024, which is a definite recommendation if you enjoy Ready or Not. This movie can lean quite heavily into its horror side at times, but don’t fear! There’s enough humour to make the movie enjoyable for all sorts of viewers – the more squeamish of people out there might have to look away during a few scenes though.

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Scary Movie (2000)

Image by Dimension Films

Concluding this list is the absolute pinnacle of horror-comedy, and the movie that likely comes to mind when people think of the genre at all. 2000’s Scary Movie, and the subsequent films it generated, are the perfect choice for viewers looking for a movie that equal parts ridicules and embraces the horror genre for all of its highs and lows. The film is incredibly crass, adult, and indecorous, but there’s no other movie on this list that had me laughing consistently throughout it like this one.

Admittedly, this movie will hit much harder for horror fans who know the genre it’s satirising inside and out, but really, a quick viewing of Scream should set anyone up for the ride. There’s never a dull moment in Scary Movie, and in many ways, this can be owed to the performances on offer from Anna Faris and Regina Hall, both of whom have solidified themselves as horror icons, in a franchise dedicated to making fun of horror – that’s how good these characters are. The movie is jam-packed full of iconic scenes, and never lets up on the gas pedal once which is why, for many, it is the greatest horror-comedy of all time. Also, if you enjoy Scary Movie, be sure to show the other entries in the franchise some love. They’re often controversial amongst fans, but I think that at least the first three movies are all very good, mindlessly fun times.

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Conclusion

With the spooky season incoming, now is the perfect time to gear up for some genuinely scary horror movies in the near future, and I hope you’ll use this list to make your selection for funny scary movies to watch. Did we miss out on any iconic horror comedies on this list? Be sure to let us know your recommendations in the comment section, and thanks for reading!

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