Not everyone loves horror movies. Shocking. I know. But there are people out there that just don’t like to be scared, at least not completely. That’s why so many horror movies throw in comic relief from time to time.
So for those people who need a little more laughs than shivers, here’s the Fright Owl’s Top 20 Horror Movies to Make You Laugh.
Warning: Here be spoilers.
20) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994): Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zelwegger both star in this TCM sequel. It’s got a terrible rating on IMDB, but I recommend it just for the absurdity of it all. Plus, Renee Zelwegger bellows a menacing “You sit the fuck down!” at a rising Leatherface. Instant classic moment.
19) House (1986): The monsters in this remind me of a Looney Tunes episode. Just a bunch of craziness and some classic 80s sweaters.
18) Lake Placid (1999): Betty White plays an old lady who has been feeding alligators along with her husband in her lake for years. Who cares that one got so big it started eating people? You leave her babies alone.
17) Gremlins 2 (1990): This was so entertaining to me when I was a kid, and it still has some good value today. The gremlins dress up in all sorts of fun little costumes, and remember the theater scene? Love it.
16) American Werewolf in London (1981): This one’s a little scarier than some on the list, but it’s got some comedic value, mostly in the form of David’s deceased buddy, Jack.
15) Slither (2006): Gross and funny, this one stars fan-favorite Nathan Fillion and boasts some great laughs and many nasty moments to make you cringe.
14) The Lost Boys (1987): Corey Haim and Corey Feldman team up to take down the vampire menace plaguing their town, and while there are some serious moments, there are a ton of laughs.
13) Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2007): This innovative horror film cracked me up when I first saw it. It’s a very different take on the genre, taken from the point of view of a documentary film crew who interviews an up-and-coming slasher.
12) Jennifer’s Body (2009): This movie was dogged when it first came out, maybe because it starred Megan Fox. But believe me when I say that this one is crazy entertaining.
11) Zombieland (2009): Just give Woody Harrelson some twinkies! I’m not a fan of Jesse Eisenberg, but this horror comedy had a lot of great moments and some great laughs. And I, of course, have to mention THE cameo from Bill Murray. I mean, how great was that?
10) Young Frankenstein (1974): Such a classic movie starring the late, great Gene Wilder. The ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ dance is a classic movie moment, and although I’ve seen it over and over, I laugh every time.
9) The ‘Burbs (1989): Tom Hanks just wants to have a quiet vacation at his home, but his neighbor isn’t having it and wants him to help investigate the creepy newcomers who just moved next door. So many shenanigans. And another one with Corey Feldman.
8) Ghostbusters (1984): I don’t think I need to go into any description of this one, a classic comedy with ghosts aplenty.
7) Seed of Chucky (2004): The Child’s Play movies started off scary, but Chucky went full funny in this one.
6) Tremors (1990): Kevin Bacon has to deal with crazy creatures under the dirt in his desert home, but no worries, Reba McEntire is there to help.
5) Cabin in the Woods (2012): Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard made a classic when they made this one. It’s a different take on the origin of scary movies, and it delivers laugh after laugh along with the scary moments.
4) Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil (2010): Just a big misunderstanding leads to some hilarious situations in this movie starring Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine.
3) Evil Dead II (1987) & Army of Darkness (1992): I let these two share a number because I just couldn’t decide which one to put on top. Bruce Campbell is amazing in both.
2) Beetlejuice (1988): This movie delivers a ghost story with some hilarity and a fantastic I performance from Michael Keaton.
1) Shaun of the Dead (2004): I LOVE THIS MOVIE. This is the first of the Cornetto Trilogy from Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, and it’s a crazy-fun ride through the zombie apocalypse.
So are there any that should have been on this list that I missed?