Looking for a laugh while you scream? You’ve come to the right place. Horror comedies are like The Shining but with more giggles—“Here’s Johnny!” and Johnny’s cracking jokes. From chainsaws to sloths (yes, sloths), these Horror Comedies prove that blood and belly laughs are the perfect pair. If you thought surviving a zombie apocalypse was rough, wait until you try doing it with a sense of humor. Ready for a good time? Keep reading—just don’t look behind you.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Zombies and British humor—what could possibly go wrong? Shaun of the Dead stars Simon Pegg as an everyday bloke who must save his friends and family during the apocalypse… by heading to his favorite pub. The film combines bloody good zombie action with absurdly dry humor. If you’ve ever thought about how you’d survive a zombie apocalypse, this movie will convince you that your plan is probably terrible—but hilarious. This first entry of the trilogy by Edgar Wright, is justifiably one of the top horror comedies done by Brits.
Here are 5 lesser-known film gems based on true stories that remain in the shadows, waiting to be discovered.
Dead Alive (1992)
Peter Jackson’s Dead Alive (aka Braindead) is one of the bloodiest horror comedies you’ll ever see—literally. When a Sumatran rat-monkey bites a guy’s mom, things get, well, messy. And by messy, I mean you’re going to need a mop for all the ridiculous gore. But under all that blood, guts, and slapstick, there’s a charm that makes this movie a cult classic. It’s a wild ride, but you’d be lying if you said you didn’t laugh.
Deathgasm (2015)
Heavy metal, demons, and teenagers who probably should’ve read the fine print. Deathgasm is what happens when a group of metalheads accidentally summon evil forces from hell. This New Zealand flick is like The Exorcist met up with your high school band—chaos ensues, but everyone’s headbanging through it. Equal parts gross and giggle-worthy, this one’s a head trip for sure.
Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)
Two well-meaning hillbillies. A group of clueless college kids. A series of extremely unfortunate misunderstandings. Tucker and Dale vs Evil turns the slasher genre on its backwoods head and delivers one of the best horror comedies. It’s like if you went camping, only to find out the scariest thing around is how dumb people can be. You’ll be laughing too hard to notice how much blood is being spilt.
Housebound (2014)
Being under house arrest sucks, but being under house arrest in a haunted house? That’s nightmare fuel… or comedy gold, depending on your sense of humor. Housebound takes the haunted house genre and adds just the right amount of snark. With a sarcastic heroine and plenty of plot twists, this New Zealand horror comedy makes being stuck at home a lot more entertaining.
Return of the Living Dead (1985)
If you’ve ever wondered where the idea of zombies craving “braaains” came from, Return of the Living Dead is your answer. This punk rock zombie flick delivers laughs, thrills, and a soundtrack that’ll make you want to dance… while running from the undead. It’s campy, it’s gory, and it doesn’t take itself seriously at all, which is why it’s a top-tier horror comedy.
Happy Death Day (2017)
Think Groundhog Day, but instead of waking up to the same morning, you wake up to your own murder… again and again. Happy Death Day finds its humor in the absurdity of living through a slasher film on repeat. Each reset gives the lead character more chances to survive, and more opportunities for us to laugh at her misfortune. Who knew dying could be so funny?
Evil Dead 2 & Army of Darkness (1987/1992)
Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead 2 is basically The Three Stooges with chainsaws and demons. Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) isn’t just battling the undead—he’s battling bad luck in the most hilarious way possible. The sequel, Army of Darkness, takes him back in time to the Middle Ages, where slapstick and skeletons go hand in rotting hand. It’s absurd, and it knows it, which is what makes these films so brilliant.
Ready or Not (2019)
A game of hide-and-seek that quickly turns deadly, Ready or Not is a sharp satire wrapped in gore. Grace, the protagonist, is forced to fight for her life after marrying into a seriously twisted family. It’s like Clue, but with a crossbow and a lot more screaming. The movie is as much about the absurdity of wealth as it is about survival, with a side of dark humor that’ll keep you grinning.
Idle Hands (1999)
What happens when your hand becomes possessed and develops a mind of its own? Nothing good, as Idle Hands shows us. This 90s teen horror comedy brings together lazy stoners and a killer hand—literally. The humor is as ridiculous as you’d expect, but the over-the-top absurdity is what makes it an oddly lovable classic.
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
Imagine a group of friends heading out to a remote cabin for some much-needed relaxation. Now, imagine that cabin hiding every horror trope known to mankind. Yeah, The Cabin in the Woods isn’t your average scary flick. Directed by Drew Goddard and co-written by Joss Whedon, this movie flips the horror genre on its head and makes fun of it in the process. It’s like ordering a pizza and getting a gourmet meal. You’re expecting cheese, but instead, you get something much more… mind-blowing.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Mean girls and man-eating demons, all rolled into one sharp-tongued horror flick. Megan Fox plays Jennifer, a cheerleader with a dark secret—she’s feasting on the boys in town. Diablo Cody’s snappy dialogue combined with biting humor makes Jennifer’s Body a uniquely feminist horror comedy. It’s wicked, funny, and full of bite—pun intended.
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein is proof that horror can be hilarious without spilling a drop of blood. It’s a love letter to classic monster movies, with a cast of comedians who nail the deadpan humor. Gene Wilder’s iconic performance as Dr. Frankenstein (that’s “Fronkensteen,” by the way) is just one reason this film is timelessly funny. It’s a classic that’s aged like a fine wine… or a stiff corpse.
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Ever wondered what vampires get up to when they’re not hunting for blood? Turns out, they’re just like us—except they don’t age, and sunlight makes them combust. What We Do in the Shadows is a hilarious mockumentary about undead roommates trying to navigate the modern world. It’s as if The Office went gothic, and it’s absolutely brilliant.
One Cut of the Dead (2017)
The less you know about One Cut of the Dead, the better. Trust me. It starts as your typical zombie film but quickly turns into something much smarter and funnier than you’d expect. It’s a love letter to low-budget filmmaking, with one of the best payoffs in horror-comedy history. You’ll be laughing before you even realize how clever it is.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
British comedy meets small-town murder mystery. Hot Fuzz is the second of the Edgar Wright trilogy after “Shaun of the Dead”, so expect plenty of sharp dialogue and even sharper plot twists. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are in top form as they take on conspiracy theorists, village secrets, and swan chases. It’s proof that no genre is safe from comedy when Edgar Wright is involved.
Slotherhouse (2023)
Finally, a horror comedy about the deadliest creature on Earth… a sloth. Slotherhouse is exactly what it sounds like—a slow, methodical killer is on the loose, and it’s adorable. The movie plays up the ridiculousness of its premise with a straight face, which makes it even funnier. It’s so ridiculous, you can’t help but root for the sloth.
There are certain movies that even the most skilled directors would never dare to remake. Can you guess which ones they are?
