This time of year everybody is hyping themselves up for Halloween by gulping down their collection of horror films. People generally switch things up between beloved classics and undiscovered gems. What happens, though, if one starts getting too scared? Maybe all the blood, psychological torture, and physical harm become too much for a fragile little human mind to handle.
Should that happens, then check out any of these ten horror comedies to take the edge off for a short ninety minutes. Most of these are still scary in their own ways but provide an equal amount of laughs. These are all just movies, after all.
Tremors
This cult classic monster film delivers scares, adventure, and laughs. The comedy doesn't necessarily come from quips and conventional jokes, but it is simply a joyous time being with all the characters.
Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward's chemistry makes one believe the duo could be best friends in real life. Additionally, Burt Gummer's gung-ho attitude is a delight to behold. The sequels to Tremors delivered diminishing returns, but Michael Gross always puts on a fantastic show when stepping into the shoes of the gun-totting Gummer.
Zombieland
People are a little tired of zombies these days, with shows like The Walking Dead beginning its tenth season and countless video games using them as the enemy. What people never tire of, however, is Woody Harrelson's gusto as Tallahassee in Zombieland. This dark comedy follows an unlikely group and their comic antics as they demolish zombies across the United States.
An undead apocalypse is usually treated as hopelessly morbid, but this film looks at it like a roller coaster ride. Don't be mistaken, though; a surprising amount of heart is found within the adventure, too.
Bubba Ho-Tep
Bubba Ho-Tep stars Bruce Campbell as an aging Elvis in a retirement home. His character claims the Elvis who died in 1977 was an impersonator with whom he switched places, and all proof of the exchange was lost in an explosion.
This premise and the encoming themes about aging and society's devaluing of the elderly would be more than enough for a compelling film. However, Elvis and a friend claiming to be John F. Kennedy are also fighting off a malicious mummy. Campbell pulls off one of the best performances of his career in the surprisingly somber, reflective role.
Re-Animator
While Re-Animator is based on an H.P. Lovecraft work, it differs significantly in its plot and tone. Director Stuart Gordon originally intended the adaptation for the stage, but eventually made it a film. Later in life, he would bring the story to the theater as a musical.
The undead effects are especially impressive, and it takes a certain type of attitude to see it as a black comedy and not a straightforward horror movie. However, whether one is scared or humorously delighted by the modern mad scientist story, it will certainly thrill a viewer.
Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil
Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk play two innocent hillbillies mistaken as vicious killers by a group of young vacationers in Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil. The college students keep on accidentally maiming or killing themselves while their peers continue to believe it is all Tucker and Dale's doing.
The violence is brutal, but one cannot help but laugh at the maintained misunderstanding. Labine and Tudyk also pull off brilliantly hilarious performances as best buddies. A sequel has been in talks for some time, but it is unclear if it will ever get off the ground.
Return Of The Living Dead
1985's Return of the Living Dead brought several new tropes to the zombie table. In it, the undead cannot simply be killed with a shot to the head or decapitation and some of them even talk.
This is where some of the humor comes from, because the characters are already familiar with zombie fiction, and become bewildered when these promised methods of disposal fail. Director Dan O'Bannon made it a point not to copy George A. Romero's work, and this dedication to something original helped the horror-comedy standout. It also helps when the creature effects are jaw-dropping in their rancidness.
Cabin In The Woods
This horror-comedy featuring Chris Hemsworth starts off like every other run-of-the-mill film audiences immediately forget. Later on, viewers learn that's exactly what the architects of the protagonists' torments want. It's better to go into the movie knowing nothing, but just know the film gets delightfully insane in its second half.
The movie was slated for a 2010 release but ended up coming out two years later due to financial difficulties within MGM at the time. Eventually, Lionsgate distributed the project.
Young Frankenstein
This one isn't necessarily scary but it deserves mention for its extreme dedication to recreating the look and feel of the original Frankenstein and usage of the story's pop culture relevance for much of its humor.
Like any good parody, one can still appreciate a good chunk of the humor without having seen the original film. Peter Boyle pulls off an impressive performance as the monster, as well. Comedy does not always age well, but Young Frankenstein continues to make younger generations tear up from laughter.
Shaun Of The Dead
Part of Shaun of the Dead is how brilliantly it mixes off-the-wall humor with a genuinely scary zombie movie. No expense was spared in making the undead convincing and the gore stomach-churning.
It's also a touching story about the hesitation to grow up and what becoming an adult means. The film was the first part of a thematically connected trilogy, followed by Hot Fuzz and The World's End.
Evil Dead 2 & Army Of Darkness
Because they belong to the same trilogy and are simultaneously radically different, both Army of Darkness deserve equal billing in the number one spot. The first Evil Dead is a straight-up horror film, but one can find humor in its performances and overabundance of blood. The second film is a full-on horror-comedy, with a standout performance by Bruce Campbell, showcasing his impressive physicality.
Army of Darkness feels more like an adventure movie, paying tribute to old classics like Jason and the Argonauts. Together, they make an incredible trilogy worth tackling in a single sitting. If one is still hungry for more afterward, feel free to take on Ash Vs. Evil Dead. Sadly, it doesn't look like Bruce Campbell will return to the Ash Williams character anytime soon.
