Much like any roller coaster, the manufactured fright of horror movies can be a lot of fun. Often times, horror is cheap to make, and consequently, it’s earned a poor reputation. Many of the stories can feel exploitative, or redundant. But fear is an unflinching, primal reflection of ourselves, and reveals what society perceives to be monstrous. Most are exciting tales of survival, but there are countless sub-genres.
While some horror can explore social commentary, horror-comedies truly stand apart. They use the irony of innate ferocity, the cinematic hyperbole, or fan knowledge to draw out big laughs. This makes them a great companion for Halloween, and more accessible for those who usually detest horror.
ParaNorman
This family-friendly film is mainly suitable for kids who already love horror. It’s actually a surprising treat, that the story takes itself so seriously. Of course, there’s still plenty of comedy, and a great deal of it is dark. There’s an entire scene of Norman struggling with the troublesome corpse of a relative.
The movie discusses the psychic phenomenon legitimately, and its relation to the antagonist is a bold, compelling dramatic reveal. The visual style is both charming and unique, befitting the subject matter. Overall, it’s a heartwarming story about hauntings, zombies, and a ‘witch’—a perfect October recipe.
The Frighteners
It’s hard to believe that the man who directed about twenty hours of Middle Earth got his start in indie horror. But Peter Jackson preceded The Lord of the Rings with this forgotten gem. The attitude of this film is quite unique, wielding a nifty premise. It builds a complete mythology for the afterlife, both tangible and intriguing.
But the film still delivers some great comedy. At times, the humor can be a little crude or silly, but Michael J. Fox is fun as ever. Even some of the slapstick works. Then, it’s all balanced out with legitimate horror, as a serial killer works from beyond the grave.
The Cabin In The Woods
It’s hard to tell if this is a love letter to horror, or an absolute criticism of the beloved genre. Either way, the comedy is fantastic, with just the right attitude of self-awareness. That’s a tricky maneuver, because it can easily get out of hand.
But the meta humor is actually the point of the film, so much that it doesn’t actually feel intrusive. The titular setting speaks for itself. At the same time, the conspiracy behind every threat is legitimately gripping. And the ending includes an absolute bloodbath, equally funny and exciting.
The Lost Boys
This is a classic vampire story, although the film is definitely a product of its time. Still, the ’80s are popular right now, and this isn’t much of a stretch from Stranger Things. The special effects are dated, sure, but they also have that unique charm of the decade. There’s a particular emphasis on comedy, which ultimately works—even when it ranges from meta jokes to the bizarre.
In fact, there isn’t much quite like it, carefully wielding a unique setting and fantastic cast to overcome clichés. The movie has undeniable style, and it isn’t afraid to embrace some playful gore.
Ghostbusters (1984)
At this point, the title speaks for itself. It hardly needs introduction, featuring one of Bill Murray’s all-time great performances. The film is an outrageous, clever parody of the horror genre, while simultaneously succeeding in all its tropes. Of course, some of the jokes and effects haven’t dated as well as you remember them.
But it’s still a thrilling, nostalgic ride, with extraordinarily fun and original ideas. None of the special effects spectacle in this film could thrive without the genius of that perfect cast. It’s a classic movie that feels great to watch anytime, let alone around Halloween.
Trick ‘R Treat
Director Michael Dougherty has established a unique interest in holidays. His underrated Krampus consistently delves deep into mythology, corrupting Christmas with genuine terror. But it also featured some fantastic comedy and character design, almost akin to Sam Raimi. Likewise, this Halloween treat boasts an equal share of laughs, horror, and mythology. Further, it happens to be an anthology, a longtime tradition of the genre.
Featuring an ensemble cast, this movie is steeped in the spirit of Halloween, enough to defeat some of its stumbles. It isn’t necessarily the most original story, and not every joke lands. But the entire point of the film is to celebrate the season, and the director’s genuine enthusiasm is infectious.
Zombieland
Bill Murray returns yet again, as himself, and pretends to be a Ghostbuster. Just that small, outstanding cameo would be enough. But this zombie movie clearly understands the sub-genre, enough to enjoy its tropes and subvert them all at once. Zombieland is a boisterous, relentlessly gory film that delivers more laughs per minute than most comedies in any genre.
The movie uses the zombie apocalypse to generate some really creative jokes. The small cast is literally perfect, with tremendous chemistry and unique charm. The resulting family feels totally organic, so their road trip would be terrific fun regardless of the zombie hordes.
Scream
Slashers are a unique sub-genre, popularized in the ’80s by the incredible success of Halloween. Hundreds of knock-offs developed a cheap formula, which almost single-handedly gave horror a bad name. Countless splashy kills, totally unnecessary nudity, and numerous tortured women offered the genre up for a beating. But a precious few slashers did transcend the genre, and Wes Craven’s classic is no exception.
Inevitable fatigue killed the slasher by the ’90s, and Craven reinvigorated it with persistent self-awareness. This 90’s time capsule delivers some extraordinarily witty, clever writing. Craven wields legitimate horror and smart comedy for addictive, superb fan service.
Evil Dead II
Sam Raimi’s original film remains an outstanding exercise in utter creativity and enthusiasm. It’s a horrifying movie from beginning to end, with awfully dark ideas and a claustrophobic atmosphere. But the film, unfortunately, didn’t exactly blow up. So, Evil Dead II is a strange blend of sequel and reboot all at once. And with it, comes a totally unique brand of comedy that only Raimi can provide.
There’s a demented splash of grotesque silliness, driven by Bruce Campbell’s undeniable sense of fun. He absolutely carries the film, allowing Raimi’s wild direction to break into a frenzy. It’s a winning combination, perfectly balancing the horror of the original and the strictly comedic final chapter.
Shaun Of The Dead
Edgar Wright served up one of the smartest comedies available anywhere, with a flawless cast. This film is nothing short of brilliant, featuring both sincere romance and the outright horror of zombie situations. The social commentary is slick, but even the slapstick is hilarious.
Visually speaking, Wright’s camera and editing are an absolute presence. He clearly had a distinct vision, and his passion radiates from every scene. A simple close-up or zoom can invoke laughter. The recurring jokes are very clever, and the drama is genuine rather than sentimental. This is one of the best movies ever made, and its breezy pacing makes it perfect for the season.
