Many horror movies manage to effectively infuse humor into their narrative, resulting in films that work both as comedies and scary stories. Comedy and horror are often achieved with surprisingly similar methods – typically through tension-building and perfect timing. As such, it is no surprise that some of the best horror movies of all time are also some of the funniest.
Many horror spoofs undermine the genre’s conventions and movies for humorous means. However, some movies remain genuinely frightening, as well as being genuinely funny. These horror movies, from the Scream movie franchise to Shaun of the Dead, typically become considered cult classics, largely lauded for their deft ability to be both horrifying and hilarious. Of course, the best movie directors manage to combine those seemingly contradictory tones without making the film feel like a parody.
10 Scream
Wes Craven’s 1996 slasher masterpiece perfectly toes the line between comedy and horror. It is filled with slapstick humor and jokes about slasher movies, and the wider horror genre. In fact, several scenes in Scream could easily be from the horror spoof it inspired – Scary Movie. The Ghostface killer falls over just as much and is often presented as a rather goofy, bumbling incompetent. While this is certainly humorous, it does also lend further gravitas to the final reveal – suggesting that even the most immature and clumsy characters could be turned into cold-blooded killers.
9 Bride Of Frankenstein
James Whale’s 1935 horror masterpiece, Bride of Frankenstein, is in many ways a spoof of Whale’s 1931 original, Frankenstein. Bride of Frankenstein is equal parts science-fiction horror and camp comedy. It is filled with subtle humor and several comedic references to the original, all while maintaining its gothic tone and premise. Bride of Frankenstein has become particularly notable for its camp humor and characters, with several incredibly over-the-top performances that have made Bride of Frankenstein an LGBTQ+ icon.
8 Jennifer’s Body
Karyn Kusama’s 2009 horror comedy Jennifer’s Body was pretty terribly reviewed upon its release. However, more contemporary critics have suggested that perhaps Jennifer’s Body was way ahead of its time. Regardless, Jennifer’s Body has since gained an ardent cult following, many of whom praise the humor. Throughout Jennifer’s Body, there is a deft mixture of gore-filled demonic terror and brilliant comedic performances from Adam Brody, J. K. Simmons, and Amy Sedaris, while Megan Fox delivers a surprisingly chilling performance as the movie’s eponymous villain.
7 Evil Dead 2
Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead 2 is another horror sequel that is largely a spoof of the original. In fact, Sam Raimi’s 1987 sequel has become even more beloved and respected than Evil Dead – which is an impressive feat considering the original’s legacy as one of the greatest horror movies ever. Raimi places the protagonist Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) back in the remote woodland cabin to face the demonic hordes once again. Except this time, Ash is armed with a series of violent weapons and a quick wit. The level of gore intentionally borders on the farcical, but Evil Dead 2 still manages to proffer a string of effective frights.
6 The Frighteners
Peter Jackson’s 1996 The Frighteners, received mixed reviews upon its release but is often cited as a perfect comedy horror movie. It is genuinely frightening as well as being genuinely funny. Michael J. Fox gives a particularly memorable performance as Frank Bannister – an architect who learns that he can communicate with ghosts. The Frighteners is littered with typical ghostly horror tropes, proffering many delightful scares, all while Fox delivers his trademark comedic charm. The Frighteners was almost a Tales of the Crypt movie, but thankfully it remained its own entity – which arguably allowed for the infusion of comedy to be so centered.
5 Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil
2010’s Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is a black comedy horror movie directed by Eli Craig. It stars Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk as the eponymous Tucker and Dale – a pair of well-meaning country dwellers who are mistaken for savage killers by a group of teenagers – who keep accidentally killing themselves in increasingly brutal ways. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is highly entertaining, completely subverting many classic horror tropes, and framing the narrative around two separate groups of victims. The death scenes are highly shocking, while Labine and Tudyk are hilarious. Interestingly, a lot of comedy in Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is based on subverting the horror redneck stereotype.
4 Shaun Of The Dead
It is easy to think of Shaun of the Dead as a straight horror spoof, but this isn’t really the case. The comedy and horror in Shaun of the Dead run parallel for the most part, with genuine moments of terror delivered as effectively as any horror movie. There are a series of incredibly effective jump scares, with all the trappings one might expect from a more serious zombie movie. The writers often refer to Shaun of the Dead as a “zom-rom-com,” a romantic comedy that plays out during a zombie invasion. This is a particularly apt description, as it is equally hilarious as it is scary.
3 You’re Next
The comedy in Adam Wingard’s 2011 slasher movie, You’re Next, doesn’t appear until about halfway through. This only makes it even more delightful and humorous when it crops up – catching audiences off-guard in much the same way as the horror does. You’re Next perfectly demonstrates that horror movies can use comedy to distract viewers before offering a particularly effective fright. Much of the humor in You’re Next is derived from familial relationships and sibling rivalry, all depicted as a family gathering is beset by masked killers. You’re Next is filled with terrifying and comedic twists, perfectly blending the two for a very effective movie.
2 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
Maintaining the trend established by James Whale’s Bride of Frankenstein, Tobe Hooper decided he wanted to add more humor when making a sequel to his own horror classic. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is littered with as much black comedy as it is brutal killings. Horror icon, Bill Moseley proffers a particularly entertaining performance, perfectly balancing his over-the-top exuberance with a sinister derangement. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 manages to be equally as brutal as the original, all while reframing the narrative as a dark comedy.
1 The Banana Splits Movie
The Banana Splits Movie is a riotous collision of horror and children’s entertainment. When the animatronics that play the eponymous Banana Splits go haywire, they soon turn on their studio audience. The contrast between the horrors depicted and the cuddly, familiar creatures provokes much of the movie’s comedy. The scenes in which The Banana Splits’ original television theme is playing while Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snorky, chase down hapless humans is especially funny. While several other scenes cast the titular critters as strikingly more sinister and terrifying. The Banana Splits is the perfect demonstration of how stark horror can often open up the potential for comedy in horror movies.
