With Halloween quickly approaching, so come spooky season traditions! Some like to whip out gory films like the “Evil Dead,” masked villain thrillers like “Scream” or even more magic-based tales like that of the Sanderson Sisters in “Hocus Pocus.” Just because we love to be scared around the holiday doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a good laugh along the way, which is why we will be ranking the funniest horror movies you can watch this season! Whether it’s the hilarious undead antics of “Shaun of the Dead” or the zany supernatural adventures of “Ghostbusters,” the funniest horror movies offer a perfect blend of scares and laughs. So grab some popcorn and get ready to giggle your way through these side-splitting horror flicks that will keep you entertained all season long.
Watching funny horror movies is a great way to experience both the thrill of the scare and the laughter of comedy. These films often feature campy characters, over-the-top gore, and self-referential humor. While they may not be as scary as traditional horror movies, they can still be suspenseful and exciting. And of course, they’re a lot of fun to watch.
Some of the funniest horror movies of all time include “Shaun of the Dead,” “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” and “Zombieland.” These films are all well-written and well-acted, and they feature some of the most memorable comedic moments in horror history. If you’re looking for a good laugh, and you don’t mind a few scares, be sure to check out some of these silly scary flicks.
To get ready for spooky season, we at StudyFinds have researched across multiple expert sources to bring you today’s list of the funniest horror movies of all time. Don’t agree with our list? No worries, we would love to hear from you and your recommendations in the comments below!
The List: Funniest Horror Movies, According to Fans
1. “Beetlejuice” (1988)
The first spot on our list belongs to the “ghostest with the mostest,” “Beetlejuice.” This quasi-horror film from the ’80s is a must-watch for households every Halloween season, and this year should be no different! “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! This Tim Burton classic is arguably one of the best funny scary films of all time. As soon as Michael Keaton‘s character starts talking, you’ll understand why,” raves Country Living.
“When recently deceased couple-turned-ghosts Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis) need help getting the new inhabitants of their old house to move out, they call on ‘Beetlejuice’ (Michael Keaton), an over-the-top ‘bio-exorcist’ from the netherworld to scare them away,” explains Good Housekeeping.
“Back when CGI was iffy, and stop-motion animation was all the rage, Tim Burton released this morbid comedy horror, and it was an instant hit. ‘Beetlejuice’ is a huge character who is played by Michael Keaton. I don’t think I realized that until recently; there’s not one hint of any other character that he has played before, which makes ‘Beetlejuice’ even more superb. A great movie to watch with older kids, as there are a few jumpy moments, sexual references, and a bit of gore. Nothing that they wouldn’t have seen before if they’re allowed to watch Game Of Thrones *shrugs*,” says Sareta Fontaine.
2. “Scary Movie” (2000)
The second spot on our list is dedicated to the mother of all parody classics, “Scary Movie.” I mean, come on, did anyone think we’d make a list of the funniest horror movies and not include this one? “A group of teenagers accidentally killed a man, and a year later, they’re paying the price in this parody of some of pop culture’s most famous horror films,” notes Country Living.
“Throw it back with the first flick in the iconic ‘Scary Movie’ franchise, which parodies some of our fave horror films like ‘Scream,’ ‘The Sixth Sense,’ ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer,’ and ‘The Blair Witch Project.’ This hilarious movie also pokes fun at a ton of other teen movie clichés across genres,” explains Seventeen.
“Everyone loves a good parody, especially when it centers around an already popular horror story. Watch this comedy take on a group of friends who have to face justice on a gruesome crime they committed a year earlier,” comments The Pioneer Woman.
3. “Ghostbusters” (1984)
“Who you gonna call?” No, seriously, I’m having a bad ghost problem. Do you know anyone who could help? “In the 1984 classic, ‘Ghostbusters,’ three quirky parapsychologists – Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) – find themselves out of work. Unfazed, they establish a ghost removal service in New York City. When Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) reports a supernatural entity in her apartment, the Ghostbusters are thrust into a paranormal storm, battling an ancient Sumerian god, Gozer,” describes Ranker.
“‘Ghostbusters’ is the highest-grossing comedy of the 1980s and landed itself a spot on the National Film Registry for its cultural significance. It’s been nearly four decades, and its popularity hasn’t diminished, as shown by recent reboots. ‘Ghostbusters’ received critical acclaim and was nominated for two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, and won the BAFTA Award for Best Original Song,” reports Creepy Catalog.
“Name a better movie — any genre. I’ll wait. Whether you go for the OG’ Ghostbusters’ with Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray, the funny new female-led version, or the even newer, slightly darker ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife,’ they’re all superb and relatively family-friendly,” says Scary Mommy.
4. “Shaun of the Dead” (2004)
For the next spot of our ranking, we traveled across the pond to present the film “Shaun of the Dead.” “When it comes to saving the world from hungry zombies, the last people you’d expect to be your heroes are this trio of misfits. But, they take on each grueling creature at once, making for one hilarious battle,” notes The Pioneer Woman.
“‘Shaun of the Dead’ is a hilarious romp through apocalyptic London starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Directed by Edgar Wright, this zombie comedy follows the title character (played by Pegg), who is bummed after being dumped by his girlfriend, Liz, because he has no ambition and would rather slack around with his best friend, Ed. When people begin turning into zombies around him, he’s completely oblivious at first, but Shaun eventually sees it as an opportunity to win back Liz,” explains MovieWeb.
“Fans love how this movie deconstructs the zombie genre, and it’s shot and edited perfectly thanks to Edgar Wright’s style. While it helps to have some familiarity with the way that these types of stories are told, any horror fan can definitely enjoy the light-hearted and funny tone,” comments ScreenRant.
5. “Freaky” (2020)
Last on our list is a more recent film that is sure to keep you side-splitting in laughs but at the edge of your seat, looking for all exits, if you know what we mean. May we present “Freaky.” “Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton star in this ‘Freaky Friday’-style slasher flick. Vaughn plays serial killer The Butcher, who swaps places with a high school student,” describes Country Living.
“The body-swapping comedy is nothing new. Soaking the subgenre’s dynamic narrative in bloody carnage, however, is. Such is the case with Blumhouse’s ‘Freaky.’ It stars a high school senior and serial killer who change places, lending their arcs to hilarity, chaos, and mayhem,” writes Harper’s Bazaar.
“Seventeen-year-old Millie not only has to worry about surviving her senior year but actually surviving when her town’s infamous serial killer targets her as his next victim. The murderer uses a magical dagger to switch bodies with Millie, ‘Freaky Friday’ style, and she only has 24 hours to switch back into her body before she’s trapped in his forever,” concludes Seventeen.
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Sources:
- Country Living
- Sareta Fontaine
- Good Housekeeping
- Harper’s Bazaar
- Seventeen
- The Pioneer Woman
- MovieWeb
- ScreenRant
- Ranker
- Creepy Catalog
- Scary Mommy
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.