Like anything, horror movies exist on a spectrum. On one side, there are horror movies like Jaws (1975) and Get Out (2017), thoughtful films with deeper stories, genuine scares, and some of the finest acting in the biz. On the other end are the cult classics, the forgotten flops, and the horror comedies that mainstream audiences aren't quite ready to admit carry a similar brilliance to the aforementioned acclaimed hits. Funny enough, those looking to impress at their next Halloween watch party will find their best bet among the latter category.
While most cinephiles will turn up their noses at cheesy B-movies, don't let that deter you. If you want stupid fun, that's where you'll find it! However, those aren't the only titles on this list. From shlocky gems that made rounds at video stores to well-loved favorites, here are the best campy horror movies for your next Halloween party. Head over to Shudder, Hulu, and even free platforms like Hoopla to get watching now.
Alligator (1980)
When it comes to horror, the list of cheesy '80s creature features is miles long. However, nothing has ever captured my heart quite the way Alligator has. Pulling from the famous urban legend, the film posits what would happen if a baby alligator flushed down the toilet took up residence in Chicago's sewer system and dined on lab animals.
The result is something between the worst episode of The X-Files (1993) and the best B-movie. While there are some suspenseful scares, the majority of Alligator is just dumb fun. If your horror tastes fluctuate from clever classics like Scream (1996) to glorious B-movie absurdity like Basket Case (1982), you get the best of both worlds here.
Motel Hell (1980)
Three words: dueling chainsaw fight! If that's not enough to pique your interest, then consider skipping Motel Hell because that’s the type of silly you’ll find here. This isn't a serious horror film; it's essentially a parody of "redneck horror" that fully embraces its B-movie sensibilities. Gore? Check. Cheesy dialogue? Check. A ridiculously bizarre plot about "planting" humans in the ground and harvesting them for meat? Yup, put a check mark next to that, too.
It's the ultimate movie for horror fans who ever thought, "Man, I wish The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 2 was funnier and weirdier." Even famed critic Robert Ebert liked Motel Hell. Perhaps he said it best, "Motel Hell is a welcome change-of-pace; it's to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as Airplane! is to Airport." Do with that what you will.
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
If you can't already tell by the title, The Return of the Living Dead is a zombie movie that influenced the subgenre in more ways than one. You know the undead's obsession with munching on brains? Well, thank The Return of the Living Dead for that.
This zombie epidemic kicks off with toxic rainfall reanimating corpses at the local cemetery. What follows is plenty of humor, horror, and gross-out gore. Oh, and a killer punk soundtrack, featuring artists like The Cramps and The Damnes. The zombie genre is still trying to reinvent itself after The Walking Dead (2010) brought it back into the mainstream. But, funny enough, its most unique entry lies in 1985. Not only are the zombies iconic, but The Return of the Living Dead will delight anyone who considers themselves a fan of cheesy '80s horror.
Maximum Overdrive (1986)
Ask me to write a list like this, and I will always include Maximum Overdrive. Perhaps one of the stupidest movies ever made (and I mean that as a compliment), Maximum Overdrive stems from a Stephen King short story and marks the famous horror author's only directorial attempt. Once you watch it, you'll see why.
Filled with goofy, yet quotable, dialogue, silly plot points, and some good old-fashioned gore of the '80s variety, Maximum Overdrive is one of the best unintentional horror comedies around. With names like Emilio Estevez, Pat Hingle, and Yeardley Smith, it's got enough familiar faces for your friends to recognize, but enough over-the-top horror action to keep B-movie lovers smiling as various machines plow through victims.
Night of the Demons (1988)
Night of the Demons is the campy alternative to possession movies like The Exorcist (1973) and The Conjuring (2013). If anything, it's more like The Evil Dead (1981), thanks to its mash-up of gore and humor. Plus, its Halloween setting, at an abandoned funeral parlor no less, makes it perfect for horror enthusiasts to boot up at their next Halloween watch party.
The possession plotline is fast-paced, dark, and crudely funny. It's mindless '80s horror with enough gory practical effects to remind you why the decade still reigns superior in that department. Really, it's the perfect movie to throw on in the background with like-minded friends, who understand cheese doesn't always mean bad. In fact, sometimes, it can mean perfection. (Also, Roger deserves special mention for stealing hearts and subverting horror tropes about Black characters.)
Troll 2 (1990)
There is "so bad, it's good," and then there is Troll 2, which I would argue is "so bad, it's freaking iconic!" In some ways, it has the set up of a Goosebumps book: A young boy's vacation to a creepy, half-empty town gets upended by monstrous creatures. And if you think these "creatures" in question are trolls. Well, think again.
Without a troll in sight, Troll 2 rightly earns cult status for its nonsensical script, bizarre humor, and, of course, some less-than-noteworthy acting. If that all sounds like a good time to you, then you're in the right place. Despite being billed as a sequel to Troll (1986), Troll 2 stands on its own, meaning anyone can jump right in and start screaming at their television in gleeful frustration.
Scream (1996)
Chances are that if you haven't seen Scream already, you've at least heard of it. This fun slasher by A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) creator Wes Craven might be even more iconic than Freddy Krueger himself. A little bit whodunnit, and a little bit comedy, Scream tells a twisty mystery story loaded with jokes about the horror genre as a whole.
Really, it's the ultimate movie for a Halloween watch party. The R-rating ensures it stays bloody. However, the humor and high school setting add a certain amount of lightheartedness that makes it relatively welcoming to newer genre fans. Not to mention, Scream holds up on the rewatch, so even those who've seen it before probably won't say no to seeing it again. After all, you need somebody in the group to yell, "Hello, Sidney" when the time comes.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
If you want something less cheesy than The Return of the Living Dead but still just as iconic, look no further than Shaun of the Dead. Comedy duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost play two Londoners who find themselves caught in a zombie apocalypse. Pulling inspiration from classics like Night of the Living Dead (1968), the movie features no shortage of jokes, gags, and references to the George Romero classic and the larger horror genre.
Those familiar with director Edgar Wright's other work, including Spaced (1999) and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), will find a similar brand of genre-blending wit and pop culture homages. Even with all the humor, Shaun of the Dead still manages to hit the right emotional beats, making it perfect for a watch party or anyone in need of a good horror comedy. Trust me. This one has endless rewatch potential.
Slaxx (2020)
Want to play Slaxx at your next Halloween watch party? Well, all you have to do is flip on the trailer for Elza Kephart's horror comedy for a few seconds. I promise your friends will be so intrigued by a pair of sentient, murderous jeans that they'll demand you put Slaxx on immediately. Because, yeah, the trailer leaves questions, and they'll need answers.
Like Scream and Shaun of the Dead, Slaxx balances its horror with quick wit, social commentary, and a dash of meta humor. Believe it or not, there is a deeper message beneath the madness. If horror comedies are your thing, Slaxx will not disappoint. It's got some seriously funny jokes, with a pair of killer jeans that could hold their own against the likes of Michael Myers.
Deadstream (2022)
If you like found footage horror movies like The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Hell House LLC (2015), Deadstream was made for you. However, even if shaky cameras aren't usually your thing, Vanessa and Joseph Winter's directorial debut might surprise you. Loaded with B-movie fun, Deadstream knows exactly the type of movie it wants to be: a genuine horror comedy.
The story unfolds via livestream, with a disgraced content creator (played by Joseph Winter) spending the night in a haunted manor, going as far as to toss his car keys into a sewer grate and his only vehicle's spark plugs into the woods. What follows is an apt satire of social media (keep an eye on the livestream chat for some solid laughs) coupled with plenty of cheesy practical effects and scares. If anything, Deadstream's low budget adds to its authenticity. This one isn't to be missed.
