Top 10 Funniest Moments in Horror Comedy Movies
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Funniest Moments in Horror Comedy Movies. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most hilarious scenes from films within the horror comedy genre that made us laugh and scream on repeat. Which of these spots left you smiling through the scares? Let us know what your favorite funny fright moment is in the comments below.
#10: Ash vs. Evil Ash
Top 10 Ash Williams Evil Dead Moments
“Army of Darkness” (1992)
Sam Raimi continued his shift from horror to hilarity in his third “Evil Dead” installment starring Bruce Campbell. Our hero Ash Williams finds himself in the Middle Ages, leading an unprepared village against an army of Deadites. But before any war with anyone else, he fights a familiar foe. His reflections from a broken mirror first disperse into tiny, terrorizing versions of himself. He hilariously attempts to destroy them one by one, until one jumps into his mouth. However, Mini-Ash isn’t drowned by our hero drinking boiling water. Instead, the Ash seedling is accidentally watered into an evil, mirrored appendage of himself. They then fight to the surreal, hilarious death.
#9: Mahalik & CJ
“Scary Movie 3” (2003) & “Scary Movie 4” (2006)
The “Scary Movie” franchise was never quite known for being a fear fest. Each installment is a collection of parodies, based on both classic movies and films popular at the time of various genres, like horror. “Scary Movie 3” was no exception with its funny, gross, and nonstop raunchy references. That’s why Mahalik and CJ’s serious arguments on semantics are hilariously out of place. In one, instead of trying to find out more about a deadly video, CJ begins to question Mahalik’s turn of phrase. In another, they have a debate about mice and rats that borders on the philosophical. The running gag even appears in “Scary Movie 4”!
#8: Meeting Petyr
Top 10 Awkward Meeting the Parents Movie Scenes
“What We Do in the Shadows” (2014)
Before Taika Waititi took Marvel by storm, he gave us “What We Do in the Shadows”, a mockumentary following vampires in various stages of undead, from newly turned to decrepit. Petyr is 8,000 years old and serves both as the house’s eldest and as the film’s straight man, er vamp, we guess. He is responsible for one roommate’s turn, and even worse… he’s apparently a messy roommate. Viago’s attempt to resolve this conflict by inviting Petyr to a flat meeting is interrupted by the vampire hissing at him from a stone coffin, and Viago can’t leave soon enough. Petyr is a combination of every scary vampire stereotype rolled into one and would likely chill Dracula himself. The comedy he brings comes from the out of place terror he evokes in a film that’s filled with so many funny moments.
#7: College Kids’ Catastrophe
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“Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” (2010)
Tucker and Dale just bought their dream vacation home, and go off to make renovations on the cabin in the woods. When the weekend’s tone shifts from drunken celebration to horrified confusion after a group of college students begin to gruesomely “decorate” the new property, Despite almost finding love at first sight with Allison when he meets her, Dale is thrust into having to save her from her own friends, who’ve completely misunderstood the situation. They believe the crass Tucker and Dale are kidnappers/murderers - much to the confusion of the friendly titular characters. Meanwhile, Tucker and Dale are well-intentioned at best, but largely ill-equipped at worst. Neither side understands why such horrible things are happening, but the audience, who is watching and laughing along, certainly does!
#6: Record-Throwing
Is Record-Breaking IT the BEST Horror Movie of the Year? – The CineFiles Ep. 37
“Shaun of the Dead” (2004)
You can’t talk about horror-comedies without mentioning “Shaun of The Dead”. Shaun begins his week with a breakup, a dead end job, a strained relationship with his stepfather, and a relentless flatmate. Somehow, through the zombie apocalypse, his problems are solved though. He misses the start of the apocalypse through a drunken night, and even further thanks to a hangover. His first encounter is “a girl in the garden,” as described by Ed. Mary, the undead trespasser, is inevitably joined by other zombies, so Shaun and Ed must use on-hand items as weapons to defend themselves. They creatively and ineffectively choose Shaun’s vinyls, cheekily choosing which ones are worthy for destruction. Spoiler: records are terrible at taking out zombies.
#5: “Puttin' on the Ritz”
“Young Frankenstein” (1974)
When it comes to comedy-horror, “Young Frankenstein” is a classic. The story follows Frederick Frankenstein, the grandson of the notorious Dr. Victor Frankenstein, after he’s bequeathed the family’s Transylvanian estate. Humorous liberties are taken in the film, starting with Dr. Frederick’s distancing himself from the family name. Every character is more wacky than the last. Most of all, the usually intimidating Monster is filled with artistic tendencies. In an attempt to show this to the town, Frederick joins The Creature in an elaborate musical number of “Putting On The Ritz”. What follows is a scene still recognizable nearly fifty years after its 1974 release.
#4: “The Banana Boat Song” Possession
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“Beetlejuice” (1988)
“Beetlejuice” features a quaint country home with occupants living, deceased, and everything in between. Barbara and Adam perish early when their car submerges into a body of water and subsequently find themselves - or rather their souls - stuck in a desert world with massive sandworms. After the Maitlands discover how to travel to a waiting room for souls, the Deetz family arrives and the deceased are told they’re bound to said home. With the exception of their daughter Lydia, the Deetzes prove to be extremely frustrating so the Maitlands approach Beetlejuice for help. His unorthodox methods may not be condoned by their undead case worker, but we can’t complain, especially since they include possessing mortals to dance to an incredibly catchy tune, complete with a shrimp-hand face grab finale.
#3: Bill Murray’s Death
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“Zombieland” (2009)
What has two thumbs, a hole in the chest, and reminds us all these years later to not prank your friends during the zombie apocalypse? That would be the accidental killing of Bill Murray in “Zombieland.” The zom-com perfectly balances fun and fear, sometimes with a literal zombie clown. Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and her younger sister Little Rock join us and decide to try surviving together. Part of their ridiculous shared journey, other than not being eaten alive, includes Tallahassee’s seemingly unending and hilarious search for a Twinkie. But this entry’s focus is on when they make their way to Hollywood, and treat themselves to a stay at the assumed deceased Bill Murray’s mansion. Columbus then turns the assumption into shocking reality after Bill Murray pulls a poorly timed prank.
#2: Explaining the Rules
“Scream” (1996)
The “Scream” franchise is self aware, much like the “Scary Movie” franchise, but sticks close to its horror roots. Sidney Prescott is the woman that each Ghostface across the years wants to finish, but she somehow always manages to survive. The film that started it all is not without comic relief though, and thrives on irony. A group surrounded by beer and popcorn while watching a horror flick is interrupted by Sidney’s friend Randy Meeks. He becomes frustrated by his friends’ apparent lack of understanding of how to survive a horror movie scenario. In fact, his impromptu presentation is almost more humorous than when the rule-breakers meet their predicted fates. Almost.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Summer Camp Revenge, “Addams Family Values” (1993)
Nothing Screams Summer for the Addams Family Like Burning the Camp Down.
The Betting Pool, “The Cabin in the Woods” (2011)
Top 10 Cabin in the Woods Horror Movies
Adding Insult to Injury, as if Surviving Wasn’t Hard Enough
“Backstreet’s Back!” “This Is the End” (2013)
The Boys Are Back in a More Heavenly SenseBar Gremlins, “Gremlins” (1984)
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The Similarities Between Drunks & Toddlers Extends to Gremlins
“I Put a Spell on You”, “Hocus Pocus” (1993)
Hocus Pocus VS. Hocus Pocus 2
We’re Still Spellbound All These Years Later
#1: Mr. Stay-Puft Comes to Life
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“Ghostbusters” (1984)
Everyone knows who you’re gonna call, so we’re not going to ask. “Ghostbusters” seamlessly combined horror and comedy with nearly every supernatural entity the crew of four faced, from the grotesque, and somehow lovable Slimer, to the possession of Dana. We watched with glee and bated breath as Gozer asked the paranormal investigators to choose their opponent with a simple thought. Blank heads prevailed until Ghostbuster Ray accidentally imagined the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Instead of being tiny and adorable, however, the mascot towers over buildings, and leaves destruction behind his every move. The Ghostbusters may initially be in disbelief, but ultimately make s’mores of the giant monster in the end!
