PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Horror fans witness a lot of shit, from gruesome decapitations to satanic sacrifices. It’s safe to say that hardcore fans of the genre have seen more than their fair share of carnage. Don’t let that we want blood! mentality fool you though, because, like girls, horror fans just wanna have fun. Usually, when we want to enjoy a fun movie, we revert to the classics (Evil Dead 2, Tremors, etc.) or watch the same modern masterpieces (The Cabin In The Woods, Shaun Of The Dead, Slither) repeatedly. It’s always a wonderfully safe decision to choose those movies, but actually, there have been several hilarious horror comedy films over the last ten years that have flown under the radar. Fret not, however, because turning you on to movies is the very reason we exist. For your viewing consideration, here are ten modern horror comedies you may not have seen yet.
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer (2007)
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer is a horror comedy directed by Jon Knautz that stars Trevor Matthews and Robert Englund (Freddy freakin’ Krueger). The film follows an angry plumber named Jack (Trevor Matthews) who, as a boy, witnessed his family get slaughtered by a demonic monster. When an evil force is awakened, Jack harnesses his anger to kill the monsters and avenge his family. This film is great, campy fun that features a hilarious turn by Trevor Matthews as the blood-boiling hero. I randomly came across this movie when the last video rental store in my town was closing down, and I’ve never regretted that blind purchase.
John Dies at the End (2012)
John Dies At The End is a dark fantasy horror comedy film written and directed by Don Coscarelli (the Phantasm series AND Bubba Ho-Tep) based on the novel of the same name by David Wong. The film stars Chase Williamson, Rob Mayes, and Paul Giamatti, and man, I don’t even know where to begin explaining this film. Essentially, the plot follows David and John (Williamson and Mayes) as they attempt to save the world from an otherworldly invasion, but it’s SO much more than that. The plot is intricate and bizarre, but the movie is hilarious and truly unlike anything else you’ll ever experience.
Black Sheep (2006)
Black Sheep is a dark horror comedy written and directed by Jonathan King. The film follows Henry (Nathan Meister), who is afraid of sheep, as he returns to his brother’s farm in New Zealand in hopes that his brother will buy out his share of the property. Upon arrival, however, he finds that the sheep have been genetically altered and are preying on humans, turning their victims into undead, zombie sheep. The film is certainly an interesting take on the zombie subgenre, and it provides a ton of gore… and even more laughs.
Cooties (2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzJVA0KWljk
Cooties is an independent horror comedy written by Ian Brennan (television’s Scream Queens) and Leigh Whannell (Saw, Dead Silence, the Insidious franchise). The film was directed by Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott and stars Elijah Wood, Rainn Wilson, Alison Pill, Jack McBrayer, and Whannell himself. Another unique take on the zombie subgenre, Cooties follows a group of teachers under attack by infected students. The film is gut-bustingly hilarious (namely the character Wade, played by Rainn Wilson) and may cause you to never look at children… or chicken nuggets… the same way again.
Rubber (2010)
Rubber is an independent horror comedy written and directed by Quentin Dupieux and is about a tire that comes to life and kills people with its psychic powers. No, I’m not kidding. The film begins with a group of people in a California desert who are gathered to watch a film. A sheriff then points out that many things in cinema and life happen for no reason, explaining that this film is an homage to that very subject. From the moment the tire sits up and starts rolling around on its own, I was smiling from ear to ear. The premise is ridiculous, but it’s also fun and refreshing. Try not to laugh when the tire starts blowing shit up. I dare you.
Witching & Bitching (2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISqG3zjZZVk
Witching & Bitching is a Spanish horror comedy film directed by Alex de la Iglesia, who co-wrote the script with Jorge Guerricaechevarria. The film stars Hugo Silva, Mario Casas, and Carmen Maura. Witching & Bitching follows a gang of escaping jewelry thieves as they are trapped by a coven of witches. I didn’t know a single thing about this film going in, honestly. I put on Netflix and turned on a random movie. From the opening scene, I knew I was in for a treat. The dialogue is especially witty and fast, and the film always has a darkly funny undertone even when things get rough for the characters. If you have Netflix, I strongly suggest you get on this one.
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S1Ob5bK2ZM
Poultrygeist is a musical horror comedy directed by Lloyd Kaufman (co-founder of Troma Entertainment) from a script by Kaufman, Gabriel Friedman, and Daniel Bova. One of my absolute favorite Troma productions, Poultrygeist follows a group of consumers, regular citizens, and restaurant employees who are trapped inside of a fast food joint while being attacked by (wait for it) a chicken-possessed zombie demonic alien spirit on account of the establishment being built on top of a sacred Native American burial ground. Poultrygeist is every bit as absurd and over-the-top as you’d expect from a Troma production, but it’s fun as hell to watch. The humor is dark – and often-times offensive – and the gore is outstandingly gross. Perhaps you shouldn’t watch while eating.
Dead & Breakfast (2004)
Dead & Breakfast is a musical horror comedy written and directed by Matthew Leutwyler. The film stars Ever Carradine, Gina Philips (Jeepers Creepers), Jeremy Sisto (Wrong Turn, he also played Jesus once), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Television’s Supernatural and The Walking Dead), and the late, great, David Carradine. Dead & Breakfast follows six friends, traveling by R.V. to the wedding of their friend. While on the road, they become lost in a small town and decide to spend the night at a local bed and breakfast, where all hell breaks loose. Dead & Breakfast is hilariously over-the-top and gory, paying homage to early works of Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson. There’s no conceivable way that you will dislike this movie.
I Sell the Dead (2008)
I Sell the Dead is a horror comedy film written and directed by Glenn McQuaid in his feature film debut. The story follows Arthur Blake (Dominic Monaghan), who is awaiting his execution for murder and grave robbery. He is visited by Father Duffy (Ron Perlman), to whom he denies being a murderer, although he openly admits to being a grave robber. The movie is largely a flashback as Arthur recounts his career as a grave robber alongside his already-executed former partner, Willie Grimes (Larry Fessenden). I Sell the Dead is one of my all-time favorite horror comedy films. The banter between Arthur and Willie is always funny, and their encounters with the supernatural are always side-splitting. Plus, Angus Scrimm (Phantasm‘s Tall Man) has a role in the film, so you can’t go wrong.
Bad Milo! (2013)
Bad Milo! is a horror comedy film directed by Jacob Vaughan from a script by Vaughan and Benjamin Hayes. It stars Ken Marino, Gillian Jacobs, Stephen Root, and Peter Stormare. Perhaps the funniest film on the entire list, Bad Milo! follows Duncan (Ken Marino), a stressed-out and anxious man who discovers that a tiny demon lives in his intestine. When Duncan becomes excessively stressed or anxious, the demon escapes through his ass and tries to murder anyone who may be causing Duncan torment. If it sounds weird, that’s because it is. Bad Milo! is gross, hilarious, and even sweet at times. It’s truly one of the most enjoyable films of the last several years.
Well, there you have it! Classics are great, but hopefully now you have something fresh to watch when you want a good laugh. What are some of your favorite horror comedy films that don’t get the credit they deserve? Be sure to let us know!
