Rom-coms are to romantic dramas the same way horror comedies are to horror movies. While most horror movies seek to shock and terrify, horror comedies excel at lighthearted scares and laugh-out-loud jokes. Often, they seek to satirize or parody the horror genre itself, throwing shade at all the tropes, stereotypes, and clichés audiences both love and hate.
Halloween is a great excuse to watch horror comedies, but really, these types of films make for solid year-round viewing. Whether you like the old-school practical effects of the '80s or the sharp meta-commentary of modern hits, here are the 10 best horror-comedy movies to watch on Shudder, Netflix, and more.
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
After toxic rain raises the corpses in a local cemetery, a motley group of locals must contend with the undead. While brain-hungry zombies seem cliché now, The Return of the Living Dead actually did it first. However, the zombies here don't just feast on brains; they demand them. This isn't like The Walking Dead (2010); these zombies talk.
If that alone doesn't pique your interest, maybe the movie's punk rock vibes will. Yes, The Return of the Living Dead is punk, fun, and loaded with ridiculously quotable one-liners. It's got enough gory special effects to keep most horror fans satisfied, but this one is really for B-movie lovers who appreciate the guerrilla artistry behind low-budget, genre-defining movies like this one.
Elvira Mistress of the Dark (1988)
If you're someone who loves tossing around movie quotes so much that you annoy your friend group, just know that Elvira Mistress of the Dark might be one of the most quotable films of all time. After the success of Elvira's Movie Macabre (1981), it was only a matter of time before the Queen of Halloween hit the big screen, and if you're asking me, it's one heck of a debut.
Elvira Mistress of the Dark balances genuinely clever jokes with Elvira's trademark gratuitous humor to deliver no shortage of laugh-out-loud moments. Underneath it all, though, is a surprisingly touching message about acceptance. Whether you're already a fan of Elvira or just a purveyor of '80s B-movie cheese, you'll adore this.
Idle Hands (1999)
What happens when a teenager's right hand gets possessed by a demonic force? Well, you get one of the goofiest teen horror comedies out there. Idle Hands is part stoner movie, part teen drama, and part gory slasher. Think I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) or Urban Legend (1998), but with slapstick humor that feels reminiscent of a toned-down Evil Dead 2 (1987)—right down to the demonic hand.
Idle Hands might have been a critical and commercial failure upon its 1999 release, but now, it ranks as a premier cult classic. Perfect for when you want something ridiculous and filled with stupid fun, this one makes a solid horror movie for a Halloween watch party. You'll also likely recognize a few faces among the cast, including Seth Green and Jessica Alba.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
The neat thing about Shaun of the Dead is its mass appeal. While some horror comedies are too cheesy or darkly comical for the average audience, Shaun of the Dead possesses enough charm that even your grandmother can overlook a horde of zombies tearing out a man's intestines. (Well, maybe.) All jokes aside, Edgar Wright's horror comedy remains a classic thanks to its sharp humor, clever social satire, and the heart that permeates throughout the entire thing.
Shaun of the Dead is the zombie movie to show your non-horror-loving friends. It's got likeable characters, relatable themes, and just enough tension and gore to remind you that, yes, you're still watching a horror movie. I like to think of it as the Clerks (1994) of zombie movies, considering Simon Pegg's character has a similar "slacker" archetype going on.
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)
Truthfully, no movie deserves a spot on this list more than Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. Poking fun at slasher tropes, the film sets up a scenario where a group of twenty-somethings think two hillbillies are killing them off, but they actually just end up getting themselves killed in some pretty stupid and creative ways.
If you're familiar with "hillbilly horror" like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) or Wrong Turn (2021), you'll know the exact stereotypes Tucker & Dale hitches its plot to. However, I've seen horror newcomers also laugh out loud alongside genre veterans. That's the fun of Tucker & Dale. It's got widespread appeal, and like Shaun of the Dead, a whole lot of heart buried beneath its humor.
Little Evil (2017)
While Tucker & Dale pokes fun at slashers, Little Evil puts a comical spin on the "evil child" trope popularized by movies like The Exorcist (1973) and Village of the Damned (1960). Here, we watch Adam Scott come to the slow but hilarious realization that his stepson, Lucas (Owen Atlas), is the Antichrist.
Fans of The Omen (1976) will recognize a lot of similarities between Damien and Lucas, including the dapper little suit both boys wear. However, Little Evil flips the script, delivering humor, heart, and a rare case of supportive parenting in a horror movie. (Who would've thought?) Frequently compared to Shaun of the Dead, Little Evil will appeal to a similar type of audience who craves pop culture nods and ridiculous premises, but with a grounded heart.
One Cut of the Dead (2017)
If this list is anything to judge by, apparently, some of the best horror comedies fall into the zombie subgenre. However, unlike The Return of the Living Dead and Shaun of the Dead, it's a bit hard to describe One Cut of the Dead without spoiling its twist. Really, what you need to know is that One Cut of the Dead is a Korean zombie flick with two unique halves. (It will make sense once you watch. I promise.)
With a similar dose of meta-commentary to Scream (1996), the movie not only parodies the zombie subgenre but also low-budget filmmaking as a whole. There's something gritty and raw about One Cut of the Dead that makes it so unique. Better suited for true horror fans, this one has got some substantial gore.
The Babysitter (2017)
The Babysitter might be a slasher, but it also has the charm of a coming-of-age story. To quote a now-deleted Reddit user, "The film feels like a rated R nickelodeon horror movie," and honestly, that kind of nails it on the head. The Babysitter puts us into the POV of a 12-year-old boy who learns his babysitter is actually the sadistic leader of a satanic cult.
It's fast-paced, fun, and loaded with satirical humor about slashers and the wider horror genre. If it feels cheesy at times, that's because it's supposed to. The Babysitter is purposeful in its humor and never feels like a retread of the meta-commentary approach made famous by Wes Craven in Scream. If you love horror comedies with zany plots, The Babysitter will put a smile on your face.
The Blackening (2022)
Even audiences outside of the horror fandom know Black characters often get a raw deal in horror movies. From the "Black guy dies first" trope to the "magical negro” trope, horror and the Black community have a complicated history, to say the least, and that's where The Blackening comes in. The movie cleverly satirizes slashers, using an all-Black cast to bring awareness to these stereotypes.
In some ways, The Blackening exists on a spectrum between the clever social commentary of Get Out (2017) and the tropey meta-comedy of The Cabin in the Woods (2011). (These characters are also held up at a remote cabin.) If you like subversive horror comedies, The Blackening is a fun slasher with likable characters that will keep you invested.
Destroy All Neighbors (2024)
Compared to the other entries on this list, Destroy All Neighbors is the best choice for fans of dark comedy and splatter horror. The movie stars Jonah Ray as William Brown, a wannabe musician who accidentally kills his neighbor (Alex Winter), who keeps complaining about the noise. What follows is a wild, bloody, and unexpected team-up between William and his neighbor's decapitated head.
To describe Destroy All Neighbors as weird feels like an understatement. However, perhaps what's most surprising about the whole thing is the heartfelt, almost inspirational message at the core of the film. If you like the grungy, rock aesthetic of The Return of the Living Dead, you'll find something similar here. Destroy All Neighbors is all about practical effects, B-movie camp, and gallons of the red stuff.
