While the horror genre is often regarded for gruesome kills and psychological terror, not all films in the genre aim to be serious and traumatizing affairs. There are many horror films like those in the Evil Dead franchise that blend horror with comedy. While this comedy can range from tongue and cheek slap-stick to much darker and twisted humor, comedy has become ingrained within much of the horror genre.
There are many films that aim to put this comedy front and center, allowing traditionally horror-centric elements such as excessive gore to be used for the sake of jokes. So today, we're going to examine ten horror comedy films that are perfect for fans of the Evil Dead franchise!
10 The Re-Animator
A loose adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's novelette, Herbert West–Reanimator, The Re-Animator is a 1985 horror comedy that uses a great deal of macabre zombie and gore-based comedy much like the Evil Dead franchise. The film follows medical students Dan Cain and Herbert West, as they perform experiments on dead bodies utilizing a reanimation serum created by West. Between the film's combination of pseudo-science, practical gore effects, and it's undead breed of slapstick, there are few movies like The Re-Animator.
9 The Babysitter
Released in 2017, The Babysitter is a self aware horror-comedy that like the Scream franchise, is quite referential to '80s horror. The film follows an adolescent boy as he must fend off a cult of murderous baby-sitters. Like Evil Dead, the film features a great deal of over the top violent slapstick that is as terrifying as it is hilarious, resulting in numerous memorable kills. Similarly, like Evil Dead, the film does a solid job managing its tone, managing to remain simultaneously comedic and unnerving.
8 Little Monsters
Little Monsters is a 2019 zombie-based horror comedy that takes a similar approach to much of the Evil Dead franchise, using the undead as more a source of comedy and dark humor than terror.
Following the events of a zombie outbreak in the midst of a school field trip, an aspiring musician and a schoolteacher must fend off a zombie horde whilst protecting a class of children. Though the zombies in the film are indeed a threat, like in Army of Darkness they are often played off for laughs and are often not taken particularly seriously by the viewer.
7 Zombieland
Few horror-comedies of the past twenty years are as influential as Zombieland. While on the surface, the plot of Zombieland is a simple one, depicting the cast attempting to survive in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, it's the way that the film handles its zombies is what makes it shine. Treating the zombies more like test dummies for elaborate and hilarious kills, the film features an excellent blend of visual humor and character driven comedy, much like Evil Dead 2.
6 Shaun Of The Dead
One of the archetypical horror comedies of the 2000's, Shaun of the Dead has a great deal of similarities with Zombieland. Taking place during the beginning of a zombie outbreak, Shaun Of The Dead depicts the awkward namesake character Shaun attempting to survive the zombie horde whilst trying to ensure the survival of his loved ones. However, while Zombieland is primarily a comedy, Shaun of the Dead provides a more evenly weighed distribution of horror and laughs.
5 What We Do In The Shadows
Not to be confused with the series of the same name, What We Do in the Shadows is a 2014 mockumentary that follows a group of vampires living in New Zealand. Unlike many other entries on this list that put the horror at the forefront, utilizing comedic undertones, much like the third Evil Dead film, Army of Darkness, What We Do in the Shadows is first and foremost a comedy that happens to be drenched in horror iconography and themes.
4 An American Werewolf In London
Released in 1981, for fans of excellent practical effects integrated into their horror comedies, An American Werewolf in London may be for you. Following a backpacker who survived a werewolf attack while traveling through England, the film follows this character as they contemplate whether or not they'd contacted lycanthropy. Like Evil Dead, the film features memorable characters and solid comedic dialogue alongside some excellent '80s horror.
3 Killer Klowns From Outer Space
For those looking for over the top campy horror comedies, Killer Klowns From Outer Space is likely right up your alley. With a title that perfectly explains its premise, this is a film that features carnivorous alien clowns as they wreak havoc on an unsuspecting town. This film is full to the brim with twisted yet hilarious deaths that are freshly served by the film's namesake killers.
2 Tucker And Dale Vs. Evil
A meta take on the genre of horror comedies, Tucker And Dale Vs. Evil proposes the hypothetical of, "what if the setup of a horror film was just a big misunderstanding?"
Following two well-meaning hillbillies named Tucker and Dale as they travel to their recently acquired cabin in the woods, they come across a group of archetypical horror college students who believe the duo are trying to kill them. A great deal of the film is comprised of these college students accidentally killing themselves in a myriad of gruesome ways, all while they attempt to kill the unsuspecting Tucker and Dale.
1 The Cabin In The Woods
For fans of the Evil Dead franchise, The Cabin in the Woods is practically mandatory viewing. Another meta horror comedy like Tucker And Dale Vs. Evil, this film takes a unique approach, using its story to explain the origins of countless horror film scenarios, most namely, that of Evil Dead. The film lovingly teases much of the absurdity of films in the horror genre, and was even described as "a very loving hate letter" by the film's producer, Joss Whedon.
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