The 80s were a standout decade in the horror genre and some of the best horror comedy movies stem from it. This popular subgenre is often a hit or miss as some of the movies lean too far into an over-the-top, comedic tone, completely removing any effective thrills. Therefore, the best horror comedy movies strike the right balance between the two genres and create an equally entertaining and creepy time.
Most cheesy, comedic horror movies are self-aware and make a deliberate effort to be a B-movie, but that’s where they start to differentiate themselves from the best. Movies like An American Werewolf in London They just hope to provoke some laughs with their scary concepts. The best horror comedies range from classics like Beetle juice and Ghostbusters to more underrated films like The Vampire’s Kiss.
10 Horror Comedies That Flopped And Should Have Been A Huge Hit
Some horror comedy films performed poorly at the box office, but have redeeming qualities that help prove they should have been bigger.
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10 The Vampire’s Kiss (1989)
Directed by Robert Bierman
Before playing the titular killer in Long legsNicolas Cage’s Underrated Horror MovieThe Vampire’s Kiss It was one of his scariest performances. The horror elements of the film come from the vampire turning Peter (Cage) into the supernatural creature itself, as well as a bit from Cage’s performance. While turning into a vampire, Peter begins to exhibit strange behavior that is only scary until it becomes ridiculous.
Cage’s performance, which is not entirely celebrated by critics and audiences, is largely over-the-top. Some critics have claimed that his over-the-top actions make it difficult to care about his character’s journey, and while that may be the case, audiences are sure to have fun with the film. Surprisingly, Cage’s character has many layers to it. The Vampire’s Kiss And while the exploration of these layers can sometimes be a bit much, it’s fascinating to see how it all unfolds.
9. Fright Night (1985)
Directed by Tom Holland
Child’s play and Psycho IIDirector Tom Holland made his directorial debut with Night of fearThe comedy horror film follows William Ragsdale’s teenage character Charley, who suspects that his neighbor is actually a vampire. To prove him right about his suspicions, Charley teams up with an actor to catch him. The premise, considering the retired actor used to play a vampire hunter character in movies, is pretty funny, but the real laughs come from the characters’ interactions with each other.
Chris Sarandon, as Charley’s neighbor, is equally entertaining. Sarandon brings just the right amount of humor as the film’s supposed antagonist. His loud, comical personality never comes off as overbearing and is sustained by his menacing energy. Night of fear It’s not a groundbreaking horror film by any means, but it has received praise from critics and continues to be beloved by fans of the genre.
8 The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
Directed by George Miller
While the history of The Witches of Eastwick Though the film doesn’t hold up until the end, the power of its cast is undeniable. George Miller’s film follows three women — Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer — who don’t know they’re witches, but begin to experience strange phenomena after meeting a mysterious man (Jack Nicholson). The Witches of Eastwick It is based on the novel of the same name by John Updike and, although some changes are made, the film is still very funny.
Despite unfavorable reviews, The Witches of Eastwick Still, it managed to score a few award nominations, including two Academy Awards. Additionally, Warner Bros. was rumored to be developing a remake, though no further details have been revealed as to whether plans were still in the works.
7 Killer Clowns from Outer Space (1988)
Directed by Stephen Chiodo
For all its silliness, there was still plenty for critics to praise. Killer clowns from outer space When it was first released. Killer clowns from outer space It’s about a group of aliens who take over a small town with a murderous mission in mind. For a long time, the colorful, cartoonish image of clowns has been strongly linked to scares and the main characters of the sci-fi horror film are exactly the same.
The clowns are determined to kill the local community and prove that they are not to be trifled with. Still, their image and comedic antics make them much less scary. In between their kills, the clowns engage in typical clown tricks and behavior. In addition to the clever blend of horror and comedy, Killer clowns from outer space It also features spectacular visual effects, making for an immersive viewing experience.
6 Re-Animator (1985)
Directed by Stuart Gordon
Inspired by Herbert West–Reanimator by HP Lovecraft, Re-animator is a horror-comedy film that follows a medical student’s experimentation to bring corpses back to life. Given its premise, there is a lot of gore, which is unusual in most horror-comedies. Still, there is plenty of dark humor sprinkled throughout. Re-animator because there are bloody scenes.
Humor in Re-animator is the result of its cast, which includes actors such as Jeffrey Combs and Bruce Abbott. This balance between humor and terror has earned the film a constant number of positive reviews and Re-animator It is now considered a cult film. After the success of Re-animatorTwo sequel films were made, as well as a musical adaptation that was released in 2011.
5 Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Directed by Frank Oz
With the support of the catchy music collection in The little shop of horrors is a dark plot that follows a flower shop worker, Seymour, overwhelmed by the job of keeping a carnivorous plant, Audrey II, away from his customers. Adapted from the Broadway musical from a few years earlier, which in turn is based on a 1960s film, Rick Moranis takes on the role of Seymour and acts alongside the plant’s giant puppet voiced by Levi Stubbs.
Humor in The little shop of horrors It comes from the giant plant itself that demands to be fed human blood, no matter how difficult it is for Seymour. Also, while all the songs add a touch of levity to the film, the funniest song by far is the one performed by Steve Martin. The famous comic actor plays a sadistic dentist and his character’s song shows how comically eccentric and dangerous he is.
4 Ghostbusters (1984)
Directed by Ivan Reitman
Starring the iconic ghost-hunting group of Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Bill Murray, Ghostbusters is an excellent example of how to combine comedy and the supernatural. The film, in which the lead actor investigates and confronts paranormal creatures, was the brainchild of Aykroyd and inspired by his personal interest in the supernatural.
The source of laughter in Ghostbusters The film’s comedic cast’s talent comes from their interactions with each other or from the various one-liners improvised by the cast, particularly Murray’s, and there is never a dull moment. GhostbustersWhile the creatures in the film probably won’t give viewers nightmares, there’s still excitement in the Ghostbusters’ run-ins with the paranormal. With continued additions to the cast, Ghostbusters franchise, the collection of films has grown to have a sizable fan base.
3 Beetlejuice (1988)
Directed by Tim Burton
By Tim Burton Beetle juice The film follows a recently deceased couple, the Maitlands, who are trapped within the perimeter of their former home but are resented by its new tenants, the Deetze family. Wanting to be rid of the Deetzes, the ghostly couple summons Betelgeuse, a bio-exorcist who claims he can help them. In true Tim Burton fashion, there are bold horror imagery throughout the film.
Whether it’s the variety of dead individuals the Maitlands encounter on the Nimundo or the tactics the pair try to scare the Deetzes, such as gouging their eyes out of their sockets or hanging their bodies in a closet, there’s no shortage of laughs with Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse, though. Betelgeuse is rude and talkative, which is meant to annoy the film’s characters, but Keaton’s entertainingly cartoonish demeanor keeps the audience from feeling the same.
2 An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Directed by John Landis
Thought by Exchange of places and National Lampoon’s Animal House Director John Landis, first reviews of his film An American Werewolf in London They were not entirely positive. Some critics considered An American Werewolf in London as unfinished, but retrospective reviews have been more benevolent and the film is now considered a quintessential example of the horror comedy subgenre. Given his previous experience, it’s no surprise that Landis An American Werewolf in London It’s full of black humor.
There is still a good dose of horror, however, most notably in the transformation scenes of the werewolf character played by David Naughton. The impressive horror makeup done by Rick Baker, who later worked with Michael Jackson for his “Thriller” music video, earned the film an Academy Award for Best Makeup, becoming the first film to win in this category.
1 The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
Directed by Dan O’Bannon
The introduction of zombie characters into a horror film is often associated with the work of George A. Romero. Night of the Living DeadHowever, the way audiences expect zombies to act comes from Dan O’Bannon. The return of the living deadThe 1980s horror comedy introduced the concept that zombies’ favorite body part is the brain and that zombies are invincible when shot in the skull.
O’Bannon’s film, which chronicles the efforts to contain a flock of zombies accidentally released in a small town, is funny from start to finish. The film, which many describe as a punk comedy, is accompanied by a suitable rock soundtrack featuring artists such as The Cramps and The Flesh Eaters. While the humor in The return of the living dead It can be shocking at times, but there is always a well-timed suspense that keeps the film from straying too far from the horror genre.