Horror movies are obviously meant to be scary (what, did the word horror give it away?). In fact, some of the best Halloween movies may keep you up at night with one eye open, wishing you had never watched it right before bedtime.
So, what if a tried-and-true, jump-out-of-your-skin horror flick isn’t your cup of tea (you should probably avoid best werewolf movies, just sayin’), but you’re not 100% scaredy-cat status either? If you like to be spooked enough for your heart to race just a little bit but not so much that you can’t sleep, try streaming funny scary movies on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon. Funny + scary may not be the expected combination for a movie night, but you’ll be surprised by how entertaining the duo is. Plus, some good ol’ laugh-out-loud comic relief can strike a healthy balance to that edge-of-your-seat intensity horror flicks are known for.
In some cases, the funny scary movies on our list lead with comedy first and are created as hilarious spoofs on original horror films (like the popular Scary Movie franchise). Others sneak humor into a predominantly spooky storyline. Either way, here are the funniest horror movies ever made for watching this Halloween.
Here are the best funniest scary movies to watch on halloween night
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
This bait-and-switch directed by Drew Goddard (who co-wrote it with Joss Whedon) begins as your typical horror flick: A group of unwitting college students goes to a remote cabin in the middle of nowhere for a boozy, druggy, sex-filled weekend away, where monsters of varying sorts are waiting to pluck them off one-by-one. But it has a postmodern twist, turning this slasher film into a hilarious horror satire.
Zombieland (2009)
The all-American zombie apocalypse film gets a hilarious update with this road-trip comedy that sees college student Columbus heading back home to see if his family is still alive. Along the way he encounters a gun-toting badass, Tallahassee, and a pair of plucky sisters Wichita and Little Rock. Oh, and Bill Murray, too.
Happy Death Day
Happy Death Day is a murder-y twist on Bill Murray’s classic Groundhog Day: a college girl keeps re-living the day she gets killed by a person wearing a creepy babydoll mask.
Ghostbusters (1984)
The original Ghostbusters stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson as supernatural exterminators who must save New York City from a spectral apocalypse. Filled with great jokes and bad CGI, it’s a classic for a reason. Who are you gonna call?
Jennifer’s Body
A high school cheerleader (Megan Fox) is demonically possessed and starts killing her thirsty male classmates, while her friend Needy (Amanda Seyfriend) tries to stop to the bloodshed.
This Is The End (2013)
A group of celebrity comedians (Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson) attempt to survive the apocalypse as it strikes during a huge Hollywood party at James Franco’s house. Cameos from Rihanna, Emma Watson, and yes, the Backstreet Boys, make it a celeb-fest like no other.
Clue (1985)
Based on the board game of the same name, this campy murder mystery follows seven strangers who receive an anonymous invitation to attend a party at a secluded New England mansion, where (they think) they’ll finally be able to confront whoever’s been blackmailing them. They’re all given pseudonyms and try to guess who’s the bad guy. It’s full of zingy one-liners, and in the true spirit of board games, features three different endings.
Scream (1996)
A campy cult classic, this iconic slasher has inspired tons of comedy horror films in the years since its release. It’s packed with so many scary-movie tropes that you could notice something new each time you watch. (Like, did ya catch the Nightmare on Elm Street music at the beginning of the trailer?)
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2012)
We all know the story of Hansel and Gretel, but Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters takes that dynamic duo to the next level in this dark spin on a classic fairytale. Join the two grown-up siblings as they fight witches, ghouls, and family drama in what’s billed as a continuation to the original German folklore.
The Final Girls (2015)
Imagine your mom was an ’80s scream queen. Then suddenly, you find yourself in the world of one of her horror films. Do you have what it takes (ahem, *common sense*) to make it out alive?
The Babysitter (2017)
A young boy is in love with his hot babysitter (unheard of, I know). But she belongs to a satanic cult and wants to kill him (“blood of the innocent” and all that), so he has to outsmart her crew and escape. Dramatique.
Ready or Not (2019)
Taking the familiar concept of nightmare in-laws to a whole new level, Samara has to outwit her new husband’s deranged family as part of their truly evil wedding night tradition.
Scary Movie (2000)
Plot spoiler: Scary Movie is not ACTUALLY a scary movie. It’s a parody of scary movies. (Like Scream.) The spookiest thing about this series is that there are five (5!) of these movies.
Tragedy Girls (2017)
If Mean Girls were a horror movie, you’d get Tragedy Girls, a slasher about two friends who are obsessed with murder and social media clout. Spoiler: They end up killing Josh Hutcherson, who you know you’ve been missing since Hunger Games.
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
If you feel that The Twilight Saga falsely glamorizes vampires, then you should watch What We Do in the Shadows, a (fake) documentary about three blood-sucking roommates who live a surprisingly normal life together.