On paper, horror and comedy shouldn't work. They lie on the complete opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. But, when combined, they trigger two of the most visceral reactions a person can experience. Somehow this strange concoction results in its own sub-genre, horror-comedy.
This subgenre has a dedicated fan base, as it produces some of the most beloved cult films ever made. Spanning across multiple levels of horror and comedy, each of the following films has something different to offer.
The Cabin In The Woods
Drew Goddard's The Cabin in the Woods walks in the footsteps of both horror and horror-comedy giants such as The Evil Dead, The Ring, and more. That being said, what is was able to accomplish was even more beneficial to the genre than many of those films before it.
Deconstruction of a genre on its own is a powerful statement to make, but making an iconic horror comedy on its own also is a whole other accomplishment. Cabin in the Woods offers even bigger laughs nowadays as well, offering a more modern blend of humor with its parodying flavor.
Us
What Jordan Peele has been able to accomplish in just two films is more than most directors could dream of. Offering two completely different visions for his first two films, Jordan Peele has revolutionized both comedy and horror with his signature take.
His sophomore outing Us is a perfect example of this. It is arguably even funnier than Get Out, utilizing the comedic chops of Winston Duke and the immensely talented Tim Heidecker. Yet around these comedic moments is a heavily detailed and constructed piece of horror cinema. Us requires multiple viewings to understand its full scope of achievement.
The Lost Boys
Another film set on the boardwalk of Santa Cruz is the cult classic The Lost Boys. This vampire flick is one of the best out there, combining fun humor with pulp bloodsucking horror. The cast is a total time capsule and we love it. Kiefer Sutherland as the vampire David is one of the best horror villains of all time, rocking his signature bleach blonde hair and pierced ear. This is also the best film featuring the two Coreys of the 80s: Corey Feldman and Corey Haim.
The film is just a ton of fun, offering a brand new vampire story set in a completely unexpected locale. It is immensely quotable, and many of these films owe it a debt of gratitude, Us included.
What We Do In The Shadows
Keeping the vampire theme going is 2014's What We Do In The Shadows. This joint project by New Zealand filmmakers and comedians Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement is one of the most oddball comedies ever concocted. The film is a mockumentary, focussing on the lives(?) of three vampires living in New Zealand.
Although not very scary, there are homages and references to the entire canon of Vampire fiction. The designs of the vampires harken back to every iteration of Dracula, as well as elements of Blade, Twilight, and more. The film is a landmark in modern comedy and kickstarted our obsession with the dorky Taika Waititi.
Shaun Of The Dead
Edgar Wright's feature film debut is one of the best horror-comedies of all time. Shaun of the Dead from a distance looks to be nothing more than a spoof on zombie movies. In reality, the film is a romantic comedy set against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse. This recentering of the narrative means that the film has an actual story to tell while utilizing the tropes of this branch of horror.
There is not much more that can be said about this film without sounding obvious, but nearly everything works. Edgar Wright's tight hold on the editing is always a delight to watch, and the chemistry between Simon Pegg and Nick Frost never gets old.
Gremlins
Gremlins stand in the crosshairs of multiple genres. Its a creature feature horror film, a Christmas movie, a family comedy, and a Spielbergian adventure. This odd amalgamation resulted in an 80s classic, filled with heart, gags, and even some scares.
The mogwai are some of the cutest little creatures ever put on film. On the flip side, their gremlin counterparts are an utter nightmare. The havoc they spread across this tiny town is hilarious to watch, but even a bit brutal at times. It is without a doubt one of the kookiest children's movies of all time.
Young Frankenstein
The king of spoof films Mel Brooks left his mark on the horror-comedy genre with his classic take on the Frankenstein mythos: Young Frankenstein. When it comes to comedy, it doesn't get much better than this. Mel Brooks rapid-fire joke style is perfectly performed by Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, and Cloris Leachman. There is not a single break in the comedy, yet you never feel overwhelmed by the jokes.
The film isn't necessarily scary on the same level as many of these pics, but there is no doubting that this film comes from a fan of the classic Universal Monster pictures. Even parts of the sets were used and taken from the original productions of the Frankenstein films of the 30s. Young Frankenstein was made for both lovers of comedy and classic horror cinema.
Evil Dead 2
The Evil Dead series wasn't always the horror comedy franchise that it soon came to be famous for. The first film was a straight-up nightmare, solidifying the cabin in the woods trope that would become a landmark in horror. But with the introduction of its sequel, Evil Dead 2, the series began its foray into comedy.
The sequel works best as it balances the scares and the jokes perfectly. Though the core and kills are graphic, there is a strange slapstick quality to them. The horror icon Bruce Campbell is absolutely manic in his performance and solidified himself as an icon of the genre through this classic.
Scream
Scream is a landmark film in so many ways. It rejuvenated the slasher film, the horror genre, and comedy in more ways than one can count. The film speaks to the supreme talent that was the late director Wes Craven, who not only assisted with founding the slasher genre but completely rejuvenated it with Scream.
The film feels in many ways like an homage to classics from Craven and Carpenter, but calling it such would almost be an insult to its impact. The film has inventive scares, excellent performances (especially Drew Barrymore in that cold open), and a narrative twist that is both shocking and horrifying.
An American Werewolf In London
Without a doubt, the best horror-comedy ever made is An American Werewolf In London. This multifaceted werewolf flick deals with a young man backpacking across the Yorkshire moors with his best friend. After his friend and he are attacked by a mysterious beast, he finds that he has been cursed as a werewolf. John Landis directed this film, adding his witty dialogue, layered narrative choices, and excellent set-pieces.
The makeup, led by famed creature designer Rick Baker, is some of the best ever assembled. The transformation scene is the greatest werewolf transition ever made, both spellbinding and grotesque to watch. It has genuinely funny moments and quick-paced dialogue and is just strange as hell. A must watch for anyone looking for a great werewolf movie.