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Horror movies with a good hook and humor can be rare, but a few manage to capture both. Some of the best horror movies from the 1980s present far-fetched humor and a good story, while many of those from the 1990s are all about suspense and satirical humor.
Even decades later, horror movies surprise audiences with intriguing premises that integrate comedic moments. Some horror movies have strong cult followings for their humor, and that wouldn't be possible without a strong starting point. These movies show that audiences will always enjoy an absurd moment or two, adding a nice contrast to the suspense and making the film even more enjoyable.
10 Gremlins (1984)
Creatures Terrorize A Town During The Holidays
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8/10
Gremlins
When a father gives his son Billy a magical creature known as a Mogwai as a gift, the boy is given strict rules to follow regarding its care. When a lapse in judgment creates the mischievous Gremlins - creatures intent on destruction that threaten to ruin Christmas for the entire town of Kingston Falls - it's up to Billy and his Mogwai companion Gizmo to save the town from the army of little monsters.
Director Joe Dante
Release Date June 7, 1984
Writers Chris Columbus
Cast Phoebe Cates , Corey Feldman , Zach Galligan , Hoyt Axton , Polly Holliday , Howie Mandel
Many quirky and entertaining horror films came out of the 1980s, but Gremlins, directed by Joe Dante, stands out for its combination of adorable, frightening creatures and a teenage adventure story. The menacing characters in the movie instill terror and chaos in a small town during the holidays. The creatures have simple rules to follow: they can't be exposed to light or water or be fed after midnight. This fairly basic premise is nevertheless very effective and paves the way for some of the movie's sillier moments.
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The Original Gremlins Movie Was Almost Darker (& Had Bigger Deaths)
Joe Dante's Gremlins is a dark movie, but the original Gremlins script had some incredibly gory deaths that were cut from the final film.
For example, during one of the movie's standout scenes, the Gremlins are watching Snow White, eating popcorn, and generally causing chaos. It shows that no other film combines mischievous creatures with such over-the-top humor quite like Gremlins. With its specific rules for the creatures and the Christmas setting, this narrative remains unique and is a fantastic blend of horror and comedy.
9 Tusk (2014)
A Man Transforms Into A Human-Walrus Hybrid
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Tusk
When Wallace Bryton interviews an eccentric old sailor, Howard Howe, for his podcast, the old man tells him of a walrus named "Mr. Tusk" who once saved his life. Unfortunately, the story doesn't end there, as Howard's obsession with Mr. Tusk means he has some disturbing plans for Wallace.
Release Date September 6, 2014
Tusk, released in 2014 and directed by Kevin Smith, is an extreme body horror movie. The movie's premise centers around Wallace Bryton, portrayed by Justin Long, who becomes a victim of a crazed man who transforms Wallace into a human-walrus hybrid.
"Tusk highlights all of Long's inherent appeal as an everyman while also hinting at a darkness just beneath the surface, something which his host exploits (and he is punished for) by being turned into a wild animal."
Wallace's transformation into a walrus hybrid is, on the surface, quite silly, but the film’s ending shows the genius of its premise when Wallace's friends see his new body and treat him like an animal, even tossing him some fish to eat. Wallace, in his new form, reluctantly looks at his friends and cries out, trying to speak to them, but only moans in pain. This conclusion is so surprising that it leaves the audience uncertain about whether to perceive it as shocking or funny. At is core, Tusk is unsettling, intense, and incredibly humorous, notable for its outrageous visceral mutilation.
8 Happy Death Day (2017)
A Sorority Girl Must Relive The Same Day Over And Over
Happy Death Day is a horror-comedy film directed by Christopher Landon. Released in 2017, it follows college student Tree Gelbman, played by Jessica Rothe, who is forced to relive the day of her murder repeatedly until she can identify her killer and stop her death. The film blends elements of slasher horror with dark humor, creating a unique entry in the genre.
Director Christopher Landon
Release Date October 13, 2017
Writers Christopher Landon , Scott Lobdell
Cast Jessica Rothe , Israel Broussard , Ruby Modine , Rachel Matthews , Billy Slaughter , Charles Aitken , Jimmy Gonzales , Jason Bayle , Rob Mello , Phi Vu , Caleb Spillyards , Laura Clifton , Cariella Smith , Tran Tran , Blaine Kern III , Dane Rhodes , Tenea Intriago , Missy Yager , Rachel Black , Donna DuPlantier , GiGi Erneta , Ramsey Anderson , Brady Lewis
Character(s) Theresa ‘Tree’ Gelbman , Carter Davis , Lori Spengler , Danielle Bouseman , Dr. Winter , Gregory Butler , Police Officer , David Gelbman , John Tombs , Ryan Phan , Tim Bauer , Stephanie Butler , Becky Shepard , Emily , Nick Sims , Officer Santora , Student Protester , Mrs. Gelbman , Danielle , Nurse Danna , News Reporter , Keith Lumbly , Frat Brother
Released in 2017, Christopher Landon's Happy Death Day is a dark comedy that centers around the main character, Tree, being killed and having to repeat the same day over and over again while trying to figure out her killer's identity. Some elements of the movie may seem silly on the surface, such as its numerous musical montages and outrageous intentional kills. However, it stands out by cleverly embodying the ultimate sorority girl horror trope in a new way.
Happy Death Day more than makes the most of its premise. Each day, Tree faces her fate, and she decides to start having fun with her unfortunate situation, even walking down the street naked. While the time-loop subgenre has grown in popularity recently, it's never been done quite as uniquely as in this film, combining a bawdy wit with horror and sci-fi.
7 Piranha 3D (2010)
Prehistoric Piranhas Are Out For Blood
Pirana 3D is a remake of the horror comedy Piranha, released in 1978, that sees a disaster unleash a wave of hungry piranas on an unsuspecting population. When a tectonic shift happens underground near Lake Victoria, a mass of prehistoric man-eating piranhas is released, forcing an officer, tourists, and other strangers to band together to wipe them out before they become fish food.
Director John Gulager
Release Date May 11, 2012
Piranha 3D, released in 2010 and directed by Alexandre Aja, follows a group of young adults on spring break who become prey for ravenous piranhas. While it's fairly common for horror movies to tap into the common fear of something lurking in the water, there aren't many movies about prehistoric piranhas, which helps set it apart from similar sea monster movies.
The film is, of course, over-the-top at the times, featuring nudity and campy jokes, as well as excessive gore. Still, though, its premise makes for memorable moments, including one of the chaotic attack scenes when the piranhas go after lake-goers, during the serene day into a bloodbath. People struggle in the water, calling out for help while trying to swim towards nearby boats and holding onto their bloodied, injured parts. Underneath the water, the very animated piranhas munch on limbs and attack everything in sight, a scene quite unlike other horror movies.
6 Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
Giant Arachnids Take Over A Town
Eight Legged Freaks is a horror-comedy film that takes place in the Arizona town of Prosperity, where toxic waste dumping has caused spiders to grow to enormous size and become aggressive. The spiders begin to attack the town's residents, and a group of survivors, including a spider expert and the local sheriff, must band together to stop the eight-legged menace.
Director Ellory Elkayem
Release Date July 17, 2002
Writers Ellory Elkayem , Jesse Alexander
Eight Legged Freaks, directed by Ellory Elkayem, revolves around a chemical spill that leads to a spider farm producing gigantic spiders that attack a local town. The terrified townsfolk band together to try to defeat the spiders, though they aren't exactly skilled fighters, making their attempts against the creatures quite comical.
Although it features a star-studded cast, including Scarlett Johansson and David Arquette, Eight Legged Freaks is a cheesy and campy film. The arachnids chase a man on his motorcycle, play hide-and-seek, and even flip over cars. The oversized creatures look and sound awkward and clumsy, and there's no doubt that by and large, the movie is quite silly. However, its premise is inarguably unique, with few horror movies focused on spiders. The premise and cast add a playful charm that helps the film stand out.
5 Thanksgiving (2023)
A Thanksgiving-Themed Killer Punishes A Town
Originally conceived as a parody trailer in 2007's Grindhouse, Thanksgiving is a 2023 horror-slasher film from director Eli Roth. The movie centers around a serial killer who heads to a small town in Massachusetts that creates a huge event out of Thanksgiving each year with the intent of turning the residents into the main course.
Director Eli Roth
Release Date November 17, 2023
Writers Eli Roth , Jeff Rendell
Eli Roth's Thanksgiving, released in 2023, is a slasher horror movie that follows a killer seeking revenge on a town one year after a tragic Black Friday event that killed multiple people. The movie examines the issue of excessive consumerism in America, emphasizing the absurd lengths to which people will go in pursuit of great deals. The premise effectively highlights the lack of empathy individuals have for one another and punishes them in the most extreme ways possible - by murdering them.
Thanksgiving 2 is set to start shooting in 2025, and Nell Verlaque and Rick Hoffman are expected to return.
Of course, the movie is fairly silly at times as well. In classic Eli Roth fashion, the murders are outrageous, bloody, and excessive. In one of the scenes, a restaurant worker is chased by the killer, pushed against the wall of a freezer where half her face is peeled off, and then severed in half against a dumpster. Still, Thanksgiving is a great holiday-themed horror movie with exciting jump scares and silly, gory kills.
4 Final Destination 3 (2006)
Death Comes After People In Unsuspecting Ways
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Final Destination 3
Director James Wong
Release Date February 9, 2006
The Final Destination movies are well-known for their realistic and terrifying death scenes. The first movie was released in 2000, and its sequels gained immense popularity. Final Destination 3, directed by James Wong, has one of the most terrifying premises in the franchise revolving around a faulty rollercoaster that ejects everyone from the tracks and sends them to their deaths.
While some elements of Final Destination 3 are certainly familiar, particularly as it is part of a wider franchise, its premise is specific enough to help it stand out. However, the movie has plenty of silly moments as well. In one of the most infamous scenes, two girls are electrocuted in their tanning beds after a seemingly natural-looking accident. This blend of comedy and fear helps maintain a balance that enhances Final Destination 3's overall premise.
3 House of Wax (2005)
A Deserted Town With A Wax Museum Has A Dark Secret
House of Wax is a horror thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray, and Paris Hilton. The plot revolves around a group of friends who discover a house filled with wax figures that may be extremely realistic for an unnerving reason. The 2005 slasher is a remake of the 1953 horror film of the same name.
Director Jaume Collet-Serra
Release Date May 6, 2005
Writers Carey W. Hayes , Chad Hayes
The early 2000s produced many remarkable horror movies, including House of Wax, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. This movie stars several well-known actors, including Paris Hilton, Chad Michael Murray, and Jared Padalecki. In the film, a group of friends finds themselves in a small, seemingly deserted town after experiencing car trouble. The premise centers around them fighting for their survival against a maniacal individual who encases his victims in wax. The movie is unique for centering around a pair of siblings, instead of the typical love interest.
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Who Was The Killer In House Of Wax? Identity & Motives Explained
House of Wax follows a group of teens who wind up in the remote town of Ambrose, home to a strange and eerily lifelike museum of wax figures.
While a unique premise, House of Wax has plenty of silly moments as well. Viewers can expect to see striking scenes of people's faces dissolving and the entire structure of a house melting. House of Wax feels surreal, as one scene might evoke laughter while the next can create a sense of dread, making it an effective and humorous movie that more than makes the most of its unique premise.
2 House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
A Demented Family Torments A Group Of Stranded Friends
Rob Zombie steps into the world of filmmaking with House of 1000 Corpses, the first film in the Firefly trilogy. In the film, a group of teenagers heads across the country to compile a book of strange and unique roadside attractions. Unfortunately for them, they happen upon "The Museum of Monsters & Madmen," which may be their last stop.
Release Date April 11, 2003
Cast Chad Bannon , William Bassett , Karen Black , Erin Daniels , Joe Dobbs III , Judith Drake
Released in 2003 and directed by Rob Zombie, House of 1000 Corpses resembles a found-footage horror movie about a menacing family that takes pleasure in murder. Watching this murderous family kill for the sake of killing is terrifying and presents a straightforward and compelling premise. However, this premise is overshadowed at times by the explicitness of the film and the absurd behaviors of the family, who revel in their own crazed antics.
"The gritty aesthetic, bizarre characters, and surreal narrative created an almost cartoon-like appearance and tone, which disarms audiences before delivering a truly horrifying narrative."
In one particularly shocking scene, Otis, portrayed by Bill Moseley, displays a mutilated corpse, played by Rainn Wilson. The exaggerated nature of this moment shines as a hilarious highlight in the movie and the entire franchise. Baby's quirky performance, brought to life by Sheri Moon Zombie, is one of the reasons the strange humor works so well; she's a convincingly menacing villain who teases her victims and has a careless attitude. Coupled with the family's bizarre, twisted games, this film stands out as one of the silliest entries in the horror genre.
1 It Chapter 2 (2019)
A Terrifying Shape-Shifting Clown Becomes A Town's Worst Nightmare
Every 27 years, evil revisits the town of Derry, Maine. It: Chapter Two brings the characters—who have long since gone their separate ways—back together as adults, nearly three decades after the events of the first film. Together, the reunited Losers Club might have a chance to stop Pennywise once and for all.
Director Andres Muschietti
Release Date September 6, 2019
Writers Gary Dauberman
Franchise(s) IT
Before Art the Clown captivated the horror community with his extreme and horrifying kills, there was Pennywise. Directed by Andrés Muschietti, the new franchise features Pennywise, played by Bill Skarsgård, who has a unique and more frightening appearance compared to Tim Curry's portrayal in the 1990s miniseries. Pennywise's updated appearance contributes to an intriguing storyline while giving more insight into his character and origin story, making it a refreshing premise for the franchise.
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It: Chapter 3 Looks A Lot More Likely After New Pennywise Update
It: Chapter 3 may have a bright future ahead of it as a recent Pennywise update hints that Bill Skarsgård could return for a third movie after all.
In a scene from It Chapter Two, the Loser's Club gathers their strength to take down Pennywise, and they force him to transform into a small creature. While this concept may sound entertaining, it's hard to take seriously because of Pennywise's new baby-like form. The entire movie is filled with silly moments, especially since the characters of the Loser's Club bring their own lightheartedness to their roles. It Chapter 2 is filled with comedic moments that sharply contrast with the tone of the first franchise installment, giving it room to stand out on its own.
English (US) ·