Cower & Laugh: The Essential Horror Comedies
Want to be scared this Halloween, but not too much? Do you like some laughs along with your chills. Just like in real life, there can be levity and humor in scary situations, and these films have the right amount of both. Here’s the essential horror comedies to get you through this Halloween.
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Shaun of the Dead (2004): One of the better comedies, let alone horror, in recent memory, ‘Shaun of the Dead’ is brought to you by the comedy trio of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and director Edgar Wright. In the midst of a possible breakup with his girlfriend, Shaun and his roommate Ed awaken one morning to discover a full blown zombie uprising going on outside their home. Shaun must must figure out how to save his girlfriend, mother, and somehow himself as he fights the undead. While breaking and creating new zombie movie conventions, ‘Shaun of the Dead’ brings something new and funny to a genre beaten into the ground. Watch the trailer here.
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Army of Darkness (1992): The third installment in the Evil Dead franchise finds Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) in the middle ages as he tries to return to the present while battling the undead. Ash is in rare form as the time portal lands him in 1300 AD where he is captured by Lord Arthur and forced to fight his way through a slew of monsters. Impressive and creative monster make-up are a stand-out in this horror comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Well, how could you when your films hero has a chainsaw for an arm? Watch the trailer here.
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Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2011): We’ve seen the premise in numerous horror films. A group of friends heads into a rural area for some rest and relaxation only to find themselves being terrorized by the resident hillbillies. ‘Tucker & Dale vs Evil’ imagines if these scary rednecks are in the middle of a simple misunderstanding, and not murderers at all. Tucker & Dale have purchased their dream lake house when they encounter a group of young co-eds on a vacation themselves. Several misunderstandings and a lot of gore later make this indie comedy an instant comedy-horror classic. Watch the trailer here.
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Slither (2006): The directorial debut of James Gunn mixes horror, science-fiction, and comedy with a great cast to boot. When a parasite-filled meteorite crashes in a South Carolina town and infects a local car dealer. The whole town is soon overrun by the zombie-like monsters and it’s up to crowd-favorite, Nathan Fillion to save the day. Gross-out gags and Gunn’s signature zany humor lead this critically acclaimed horror comedy that will make you squirm out of your seat while cracking up. Watch the trailer here.
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Gremlins (1984): One of the original horror comedies takes over the Christmas season as little monsters take over a small town. While looking for a Christmas present for his son in Chinatown, Randall Peltzer purchases a small, furry creature called a ‘Mogwai’ with strict instructions not to expose it to sunlight (which will kill it) don’t get it wet (which will make it multiply) and never, ever feed it after midnight. The black comedy was one of the first to mix scary and violent sequences with comedy scenes led by the crazy monsters. That and Phoebe Cates’ reason why she hates Christmas are enough to make this comedy an annual viewing. Watch the trailer here.
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An American Werewolf In London (1981): None of the films on this list would exist without ‘An American Werewolf In London’, John Landis’ groundbreaking horror comedy that created a new genre. Two American friends on a backpacking trip through England are attacked by a werewolf while exploring the countries moors and experience the horrors of the attack and it’s aftermath. Groundbreaking for it’s mixing of the two genres and it’s incredible makeup and special effects ‘An American Werewolf In London’ is filmmaking at it’s best. Watch the trailer here.
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Teeth (2007): Maybe the darkest film on this list, ‘Teeth’ is horror comedy that could only be made as an indie. When high school student and outspoken abstinence advocate Dawn is the victim of an attempted rape, she discovers (get ready for it) that she has teeth in her vagina. A weird concept as you’re going to see, ‘Teeth’ mixes cringe-worthy scenes with dark humor that makes this one the better vagina-dentata movies in recent memory. Watch the trailer here.
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The Cabin in the Woods (2012): ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ breaks down horror movie cliches and offers up laughs at the same time, with great characters and a plot that zigs whenever you think it will zag. When five college friends head into the hills for a stay at an abandoned cabin, they must quickly find out the reason behind the stereotypical horror movie plot points that seem to be happening all around them. With a cast featuring Chris Hemsworth, Richard Jenkins, and Bradley Whitford, this horror comedy will keep your attention by making you want to know what the hell is going on. Watch the trailer here.
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