Alex

Few genres are as difficult to pull off as horror comedy. Lean too heavily into the laughs and the scares disappear. Focus too much on horror and the comedy falls flat. The best horror comedies strike a delicate balance, delivering genuine scares while keeping audiences laughing throughout the experience.

From classic monster movie spoofs to zombie comedies and supernatural adventures, horror-comedy films have entertained audiences for decades. Some became cultural touchstones, while others earned devoted cult followings thanks to their unique blend of terror and humor.

For this ranking, we considered a film’s balance of horror and comedy, cultural impact, rewatchability, critical reputation, quotability, and influence on the horror-comedy genre as a whole. While there are countless movies that mix scares and laughs, these are the ten that stand above the rest.

Honorable Mentions

• Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
• The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
• Re-Animator (1985)
• Evil Dead II (1987)
• Tremors (1990)
• Slither (2006)
• Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)
• The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
• Ready or Not (2019)
• Deadstream (2022)

#10 – Zombieland (2009)

Director: Ruben Fleischer
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Bill Murray
Subgenre: Zombie Comedy
Best For: Viewers looking for an accessible gateway horror-comedy

Before they scripted Deadpool, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick brought us this hilarious zombie comedy that melded the best elements of horror and humor. Using a video game point system narrated by Jesse Eisenberg, Ruben Fleischer’s film stands alone as a fun romp through the undead but it is the instant classic cameo from Bill Murray that earns it a spot on this ranking.

#9 – What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

Director: Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement
Starring: Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Jonathan Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer
Subgenre: Vampire Mockumentary
Best For: Fans of dry humor and mockumentary filmmaking

Taika Waititi earned the directing gig on Thor: Ragnarok thanks to his brilliant work on this mockumentary. Co-written with Flight of the Conchords’ Jemaine Clement, What We Do in the Shadows is a laugh out loud send up of every variation of vampire mythology. From Nosferatu to Bela Lugosi and even a little Twilight in between, this movie ranks alongside similar films like This Is Spinal Tap and Best in Show.

#8 – Beetlejuice (1988)

Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara
Subgenre: Supernatural Fantasy Comedy
Best For: Fans of gothic humor and imaginative world-building

Tim Burton’s classic received a sequel decades after it was released, which just goes to show how strongly the original endures. Michael Keaton’s performance ranks as one of the most memorable over the last forty years. The film is the perfect blend of Burton’s quirky aesthetic which helps both the comedy and horror elements of the film mesh together. The entire cast is brilliant here and deliver scares and laughs in equal measure.

#7 – An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Director: John Landis
Starring: David Naughton, Griffin Dunne, Jenny Agutter, John Woodvine
Subgenre: Werewolf Horror Comedy
Best For: Horror fans who want genuine scares alongside comedy

John Landis is best known for his comedic films like Trading Places, Three Amigos, and Animal House, but he is also responsible for delivering this classic horror film that is as funny as it is scary. Based on the posters and trailers, you would think that An American Werewolf in London was a straight horror film, but it is also incredibly funny. Griffin Dunne’s Jack Goodman may be the funniest ghost in movie history. His decomposing visage through the film would be scary but somehow ends up hilarious thanks to the great dialogue courtesy of Landis.

#6 – Gremlins (1984)

Director: Joe Dante
Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Polly Holliday
Subgenre: Creature Feature Comedy
Best For: Families and newcomers to horror

Joe Dante’s Gremlins owes a great deal of its tone to producer Steven Spielberg. Together, the two helped create a movie that is the scariest family comedy ever made. From the cute mogwais to the horrific gremlins themselves, this movie is full of creative creature design that never feels artificial or fake. Forty years after it hit theaters, Gremlins still serves as the introduction for many into the horror genre. Might as well get scared while laughing, right?

#5 – Young Frankenstein (1974)

Director: Mel Brooks
Starring: Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman, Madeline Kahn
Subgenre: Monster Movie Parody
Best For: Fans of classic Hollywood comedy

Mel Brooks’ send-up of classic Universal Monsters may be his most memorable film. Young Frankenstein showcases Gene Wilder at his best while looking like it could have been made in the 1930s alongside the Boris Karloff original. A parody, Young Frankenstein manages to make us laugh nonstop for the entire running time while never forgetting that we are watching a movie about an undead man brought to life. Plus, “Puttin’ On the Ritz” is one of the best closing numbers in movie history.

#4 – Army of Darkness (1992)

Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert, Ian Abercrombie
Subgenre: Fantasy Horror Comedy
Best For: Fans of cult movies and endlessly quotable dialogue

Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead films always had comedic undertones, but never so much as in the third film in the series. Taking all seriousness out of the mix, Army of Darkness transplants Ash Williams into a medieval landscape full of Deadites. Gory, funny, and incredibly quotable, Army of Darkness manages to fit alongside the previous films while also setting the tone for the awesomely over-the-top series Ash vs Evil Dead. Hail to the king, baby!

#3 – Braindead (1992) / Dead Alive

Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Timothy Balme, Diana Peñalver, Elizabeth Moody, Ian Watkin
Subgenre: Splatstick Horror Comedy
Best For: Gorehounds and cult horror fans

Peter Jackson may be known to mainstream audiences for The Lord of the Rings and King Kong, but movie buffs recall his New Zealand films including this ultra-violent comedy. Known for some of the goriest scenes in movie history, this movie kicks ass for the lord. If you don’t know what that means, you absolutely need to see this movie right away. You will never look at lawnmowers the same way again.

#2 – Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran
Subgenre: Zombie Romantic Comedy
Best For: Viewers who normally do not watch horror movies

Released the same year as Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead remake, Shaun of the Dead introduced North American audiences to Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and director Edgar Wright. Fans of Spaced already knew about this trio, but they hit the pinnacle of their fanboy abilities with the world’s first rom-zom-com. Non-horror fans can appreciate the heartfelt comedy at the core of this film while gorehounds will enjoy the top-notch special effects on display.

#1 – Ghostbusters (1984)

Director: Ivan Reitman
Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis
Subgenre: Supernatural Comedy
Best For: First-time horror-comedy viewers and family movie nights

Who else would you call for the number one spot? Everyone involved with Ghostbusters was at the top of their game. Flawless supporting roles from Annie Potts and Rick Moranis to the awesome final act, Ivan Reitman’s film fires on all cylinders and to this day remains a fan favorite for generations of movie fans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a horror comedy?

A horror comedy is a film that combines horror and comedy elements, aiming to scare audiences while also making them laugh. The genre can range from lighthearted supernatural adventures to extremely gory splatter films.

What is the funniest horror movie ever made?

There is no universal consensus, but films such as Ghostbusters, Shaun of the Dead, Young Frankenstein, and What We Do in the Shadows are frequently cited among the funniest horror comedies ever made.

What is the scariest movie on this list?

An American Werewolf in London, Gremlins, and Braindead (Dead Alive) are generally considered among the most horror-focused entries in this ranking.

Which horror comedy is best for beginners?

Ghostbusters, Gremlins, and Shaun of the Dead are excellent entry points because they balance accessible humor with recognizable horror elements.

What is the difference between horror comedy and parody?

A horror comedy can tell an original story while mixing scares and laughs. A parody specifically satirizes existing films, genres, or tropes. Movies like Young Frankenstein function as both.

What are the best zombie horror comedies?

Some of the most acclaimed zombie horror comedies include Shaun of the Dead, Zombieland, The Return of the Living Dead, Braindead (Dead Alive), and One Cut of the Dead.

Which horror comedy has the most gore?

Peter Jackson’s Braindead (Dead Alive) is widely regarded as one of the goriest horror comedies ever made, featuring some of the most extreme practical-effects sequences in genre cinema.