10 Best Horror Comedies Of The 1980s

The '80s were a prominent decade in the horror genre and branching off from that are some of the best comedy horror films. The popular subgenre is often a hit or miss as some of the films lean too far into a campy, comedic tone, fully taking away from any effective thrills. Therefore, the best horror comedy films strike the right balance between the two genres and create an equally entertaining and spooky time.

Most comical, cheesy horror films are self-aware and make a deliberate effort to be a B-movie, but that's where they begin to differ from the best. Films like An American Werewolf in London are merely hoping to provide a few laughs with their frightening concepts. The best horror comedies range from classics like Beetlejuice and Ghostbusters to more underrated films such as Vampire's Kiss.

10 Vampire's Kiss (1989)

Directed by Robert Bierman

Before playing the titular killer in Longlegs, Nicolas Cage's underrated horror filmVampire's Kiss was among his scariest performances. The horror elements of the film come from the vampire that turns Cage's Peter into the same supernatural creature, as well as a bit of Cage's performance. As he's turning into a vampire, Peter begins exhibiting strange behavior that's only so terrifying before it turns silly.

Cage's performance, which isn't entirely celebrated by critics and audiences, is largely over-the-top. Some critics have stated his exaggerated actions make it difficult to care about his character's journey, and though that may be the case, audiences are still sure to have a good time with the film. Surprisingly, there are many layers to Cage's character in Vampire's Kiss and though the exploration of said layers can be a bit much at times, it's fascinating to watch it all unfold.

9 Fright Night (1985)

Directed by Tom Holland

Child's Play and Psycho IIdirector Tom Holland made his directorial debut with Fright Night. The comedy horror film follows William Ragsdale's teenage character, Charley, who suspects his neighbor is actually a vampire. To prove he's right about his suspicions, Charley teams up with an actor to catch him. The premise, considering the retired actor used to portray a vampire hunter character in films, is humorous enough, but the real laughter comes from the characters' interactions with one another.

Chris Sarandon as Charley's neighbor is equally funny. Sarandon gives just the right amount of campiness as the film's assumed antagonist. His loud, comical personality is never overbearing and is anchored by his menacing energy. Fright Night isn't a revolutionary horror film by any means, but it has received acclaim from critics and continues to be beloved by fans of the genre.

8 The Witches Of Eastwick (1987)

Directed by George Miller

While the story of The Witches of Eastwick doesn't hold up all the way through, the power of its cast is undeniable. George Miller's film follows three women — Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer — who are unaware of the fact that they are witches, but begin experiencing strange phenomena after meeting a mysterious man (Jack Nicholson). The Witches of Eastwick is based on John Updike's novel of the same name and though a few changes are made, the film is still a lot of fun.

Despite any unfavorable critical reviews, The Witches of Eastwick still managed to grab a few award nominations, including two Academy Awards. Additionally, a remake was rumored to be in development with Warner Bros., though no further details have been revealed about whether the plans were still in the works.

7 Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)

Directed by Stephen Chiodo

Deep within all of its silliness, there was still plenty for critics to praise in Killer Klowns from Outer Space when it was first released. Killer Klowns from Outer Space is about a group of aliens that take over a small town with a murderous mission in mind. For the longest time, the colorful and cartoonish image of clowns has been strongly tied to scares and the titular characters in the sci-fi horror film are just the same.

The Klowns are out to kill the local community and show they are not to be messed with. Still, their image and comical antics make them a lot less frightening. Between their kills, the Klowns participate in typical clown tricks and behavior. In addition to the clever blend of horror and comedy, Killer Klowns from Outer Space also has spectacular visuals, making for an all-around immersive viewing experience.

6 Re-Animator (1985)

Directed by Stuart Gordon

Inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's Herbert West–Reanimator, Re-Animator is a comedy horror film that follows a medical student's experimentation with bringing back to life dead bodies. Considering its premise, there is a large amount of gory scenes, which isn't common for most horror comedies. Still, there is just as much dark humor sprinkled throughout Re-Animator as there are bloody scenes.

The humor in Re-Animator is a result of its cast, which is made up of actors like Jeffrey Combs and Bruce Abbott. This balance of humor and horror has earned the film a consistent number of positive reviews and Re-Animator is now seen as a cult film. Following the success of Re-Animator, two sequel films were made, in addition to a musical adaption that opened in 2011.

5 Little Shop Of Horrors (1986)

Directed by Frank Oz

Supported by the collection of catchy music in Little Shop of Horrors is a dark plot that follows a floral shop worker, Seymour, overwhelmed by the job of keeping a carnivorous plant, Audrey II, away from his customers. Adapted from the Broadway musical from just a few years earlier — which itself is based on a '60s film — Rick Moranis takes on the role of Seymour and acts alongside the giant plant puppet voiced by Levi Stubbs.

The humor in Little Shop of Horrors comes from the giant plant itself which demands to be fed human blood, no matter how difficult it proves to be for Seymour. Additionally, while all the songs add bits of levity to the film, the funniest song by far is performed by Steve Martin. The famed comedic actor plays a sadistic dentist and his character's song shows just how comically eccentric and dangerous he is.

4 Ghostbusters (1984)

Directed by Ivan Reitman

Starring the iconic ghost-catching group made up of Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Bill Murray, Ghostbusters is a prime example of how to blend comedy and the supernatural. The film, in which the titular service investigates and confronts paranormal creatures, was thought up by Aykroyd and inspired by his personal interest in the supernatural.

The source of laughter in Ghostbusters comes from the talents of the film's comedic cast. Whether it's in their interactions with one another or the various catchphrases ad-libbed by the cast, particularly those by Murray, there's never a dull moment in Ghostbusters. Though the creatures in the film likely won't cause nightmares for audiences, there is still a thrill present in the Ghostbusters' confrontations with the paranormal. With the continued additions to the Ghostbusters franchise, the collection of films has grown a considerable fan base.

3 Beetlejuice (1988)

Directed by Tim Burton

Tim Burton's Beetlejuice follows a recently deceased couple, the Maitlands, who are stuck within the perimeter of their old home but are bothered by its new tenants, the Deetz family. Wishing to get rid of the Deetz, the ghostly couple summon Betelgeuse, a bio-exorcist who claims he can help them out. In true Tim Burton fashion, there are bold horror images throughout the film.

Whether it's the variety of dead individuals the Maitlands come across in the Neitherworld or the tactics the couple try out to spook the Deetz, such as pulling their eyeballs from their sockets or dangling their bodies in a closet. However, with Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse, there's no shortage of laughter. Betelgeuse is crude and talkative, which is meant to annoy the characters within the film, but Keaton's entertaining and cartoonish behavior prevents audiences from feeling the same way.

2 An American Werewolf In London (1981)

Directed by John Landis

Thought up by Trading Places and National Lampoon's Animal House director John Landis, initial reviews of his film An American Werewolf in London weren't entirely positive. A few critics viewed An American Werewolf in London as unfinished, but retrospective reviews have been kinder and the film is now seen as a quintessential example of the horror comedy subgenre. With his prior experience in mind, it's no wonder Landis' An American Werewolf in London is chock-full of dark humor.

Yet, there is still a decent amount of horror, mainly in the transformation scenes of David Naughton's werewolf character. The impressive horror makeup done by Rick Baker — who went on to work with Michael Jackson for his "Thriller" music video — earned the film an Academy Award for Best Makeup, making it 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 within a horror film is often associated with George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead. However, the way audiences expect zombies to act comes from Dan O'Bannon's The Return of the Living Dead. The '80s horror comedy introduced the concept of zombies' favorite part of the human body being the brain and zombies being invincible against a gunshot to their skulls.

O'Bannon's film, which follows the efforts to contain a batch of zombies accidentally released in a small town, is a fun time the whole way through. The film, which is described by many as a punk comedy, is accompanied by a fitting rock soundtrack with artists like The Cramps and The Flesh Eaters. While the humor in The Return of the Living Dead can be outrageous at times, there is always a well-timed thrill to keep the film from straying too far out of the horror genre.