10 Essential Horror Comedies

With Halloween creeping up in just a few short weeks, I like to fit in as many scary movies as time allows.  Between work and side-projects that I'm doing at home, trying to fit in a variety of classic, monster, ghost, serial killer, and family friendly Halloween movies can be quite the task.  This year I decided to make a list of movies separated into sub-genres like I mentioned above.  As I was creating my lists, I thought about how most "Top Favorite Halloween Movie" lists don't include many Comedy Horror films.  But that's a shame, because being made to jump AND laugh excessively during the same film is the BEST!   So, if you're looking for something spooky or thrilling with a sprinkle of giggles on top...be sure and add these to YOUR Halloween watch list!

What We Do In The Shadows (2014)-"A documentary team films the lives of a group of vampires for a few months.  The vampires share a house in Wellington, New Zealand.  Turns out vampires have their own domestic problems too."-IMDB

It's more than safe to say that I am a bit obsessed with this movie and anything involving Taika Waititi or Jemaine Clement.  I've probably seen it half a dozen times this year, I've watched nearly all of the special features (working on the commentary!), I have a Vlad the Cat lapel pin, and as you can see from the image at the very top of the post...I've even begun creating color pencil drawings of the characters!  A lot more comedy than horror, but still a few things that might make you jump!

I Sell The Dead (2008)-"18th Century justice catches up with a pair of grave robbers.  With only a few hours to go before his date with the guillotine, Arthur Blake (Dominic Monghan) tells his life story to Father Frances Duffy (Ron Perlman).  Before long, Arthur spills the beans on how he got started in the grim corpse peddling business with seasoned ghoul Willie Grimes."-IMDB

I saw this several years ago when it was recommended to me by a co-worker, and I was NOT disappointed.  The music makes this one so much fun

The Burbs (1989)-"An overstressed suburbanite (Tom Hanks) and two of his neighbors struggle to prove their paranoid theory that the new family on the block are part of a murderous cult."-IMDB

I was born 4 years before this one came out, and I've been watching it for as long as I can remember.  It was one of my favorites as a kid, and I still just love it to pieces.  If you haven't seen this, please do yourself a favor and grab a blanket & a bowl of popcorn, turn out the lights, and enjoy this 80's Tom Hanks movie...its a guaranteed laugh with a just a little bit of spooky!  Watch the trailer HERE!

Tusk (2014)-"When podcaster Wallace Bryton goes missing in the backwoods of Manitoba while interviewing a mysterious seafarer named Howard Howe, his best friend Teddy and girlfriend Allison team with an ex-cop to look for him."-IMDB

Alright, this one may not get much support as it's definitely a love it or hate it kind of movie (and most people seem to hate it), but I personally LOVE this movie.  It's bizarre, it's gross, and it makes me laugh SO hard.  Michael Parks as Howard Howe is SO incredibly creepy, and Johnny Depp's character is perfectly aloof and comical!  When I first sat down to watch it, I was expecting a straight up horror film...so I was pleasantly surprised by so many laughs.  If you've never seen it, just give it a shot.  You might hate it, or it could become a new favorite. 

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)-"A nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed."-IMDB

I'm not sure what took me so long to see this, but I only just saw it for the first time a couple of years ago.  Musicals are fun, but this one is fantastic!  Also, the scene between Steve Martin as the sadistic dentist and Bill Murray as the masochistic patient is THE BEST!

Beetlejuice (1988)-"A couple of recently deceased ghosts contract the services of a 'bio-exorcist' in order to remove the obnoxious new owners of their house."

Beetlejuice!  Beetlejuice!!  Beetlejuice!!!  Gaaaahhhhh!  I LOVE IT!!!  This is on everyone's favorite list, right?

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)-"A newly engaged couple have a breakdown in an isolated area and must pay a call to the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-N-Furter."

The oldest film on my list, and one of my personal favorites of all time, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a must-see for anyone who's never seen it...and a must-watch again and again for those who have.  I also have the soundtrack on vinyl, and it's one of my favorites to jam out to while working on projects.

Ghostbusters (1984)-"Three former parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service."

Pretty much all of the Ghostbusters films fall under this one.  Sadly, I haven't seen the new one-but it looks fantastic and I so badly want to see it.  Like Beetlejuice, I feel like this is just one of those that's a favorite for anyone who's seen in.  

Dead Snow (2009)-"A ski vacation turns horrific for a group of medical students, as they find themselves confronted by an unimaginable menace: Nazi zombies."

I saw this back in 2009 when it was released, and it scared the crap out of me while keeping me laughing to tears throughout.  The violence is so over the top, which is what makes it so fun.  This is a Norwegian film, the only foreign language film on my list, so be prepared to read the sub-titles!

The Lost Boys (1987)-"After moving to a new town, two brothers discover that the area is a haven for vampires."

Oh, The Lost Boys :)  It's 80's fashion clad vampires, teenage romance, and nerds out to save the day.  What else could you ask for in a perfect October movie night?  P.S.  Can I please have Jami Gertz entire wardrobe from this?! 

So there it is!  I'd love to know what your favorite Comedy Horror movies are!  What about your favorite Halloween-time movies in general?  Let me know in the comments below!