20 Best ’80s Horror Comedy Movies, Ranked

From angst-filled teen movies (The Breakfast Club) and Steven Spielberg blockbusters (Raiders of the Lost Ark) to scary slashers (Friday the 13th) and big-muscled action movies (The Terminator), 1980s cinema had it all. In a great decade filled with great movies, the ’80s gave generations of movie-goers timeless and memorable classics.

However, amidst the popularity of High-Concept blockbusters, a sub-genre of films gained cult status or at least attracted a loyal and devoted fan base: horror-comedy. With the spooky season well and truly here and for those looking to add some hilarious horror to the Halloween watchlist, these are the best horror comedies the decade had to offer. Halloween is the perfect reason to revisit some of the funniest and most memorable horror comedies of the 1980s. The decade produced many of the most iconic entries in the sub-genre, cementing it as a leading player in American cinema. From iconic pictures to underrated B-movies, these horror comedies will never get old, continuing to attract intense fan devotion decades after their original release.

20 ‘Killer Klowns from Outer Space’ (1988)

Directed by Stephen Chiodo

After a comet crashes nearby, Mike Tobacco (Grant Cramer) and Debbie Stone (Suzanne Snyder) decide to go and investigate it, only to discover the comet is populated with extra-terrestrial clowns. While the young teen couple seeks help, the clowns go on a murderous rampage as they terrorize a small town.

Since its release in 1988, Killer Klowns from Outer Space has become a cult classic and horror-comedy fan-favorite. The film also stars John Vernon as Curtis Mooney, whose defining character trait is “old man hates teenagers,” and boasts a memorable theme song. With a stupid yet fun premise, some grotesque, some of the most terrifying killer clowns in film, and wildly inventive production and set designs that are wacky and creative, Killer Klowns from Outer Space is an entertaining and enjoyable festival of nightmares.

19 ‘House’ (1985)

Directed by Steve Miner

Famous horror novelist Roger Cobb moves into her aunt’s house shortly after her tragic suicide. Shortly after arriving, Roger is haunted by creepy monsters and apparitions from his troubled past.

In a great imitation of past haunted house movies, 1985’s House is a hidden gem of a horror-comedy from Steve Miner. Entertaining and bonkers, House not only tricks its main character but manages to trick the audience with all the twists and turns it takes. The special effects hold up surprisingly well, the scares are well-executed and genuinely terrifying, and George Wendt brings comic relief as Harold, Roger’s friendly neighbor.

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18 ‘Parents’ (1989)

Directed by Bob Balaban

Bob Balaban directs the 1989 horror-comedy Parents. The story revolves around Michal, a ten-year-old who suspects something is wrong with his seemingly perfect parents and their idyllic suburban life. When he goes to a school counselor for help, his family’s dark secrets come to life.

Weird and disturbing, Parents is a comedy that delivers plenty of awkward laughs and introduces two of the all-time worst movie parents. Balaban crafts a creepy atmosphere, using the film’s intriguing premise to its fullest and delivering a unique and unfairly maligned film that ranks as one of the most curious entries into the horror-comedy genre.

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17 ‘Elvira: Mistress of the Dark’ (1988)

Directed by James Signorelli

Elvira was an icon of cheesy horror comedy throughout the 80s, thanks greatly in part to her time as the horror host of Elvira’s Movie Macabre, so it was only a matter of time before Elvira herself made a big-screen debut in Elvira: Mistress of the Dark. The film sees Cassandra Peterson portraying her legendary titular character Elvira as she moves to a conservative small town in Massachusetts to claim her inheritance. However, the locals are far from enthusiastic about her arrival, with Elvira’s sinister uncle Vincent planning her downfall with his abilities as a warlock.

There is an inherent love and charm present throughout all of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, creating an experience tailor-made for lovers of all things dark and gothic with its signature comedic edge. The film amplifies and expands upon all the quirks and attributes that have made Elvira such an enigmatic and popular figure throughout the 80s, being a horror comedy that is directly tied to 80s culture while still feeling timeless in its execution. – Robert Lee

16 ‘The Monster Squad’ (1987)

Directed by Fred Dekker

Combining some of the most recognizable monsters of all time with the same manic, coming-of-age 80s charm of a film like The Goonies, The Monster Squad is may just be one of the most 80s films to ever exist. The film sees all the greatest monsters in history, including Count Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and the Gillman, all teaming up in search of a powerful amulet that will allow them to take over the world. It becomes up to a ragtag group of monster-fighting kids known as the Monster Squad to stop them from enacting their evil plan.

While not nearly as acclaimed or recognized as other 80s coming-of-age adventure films, The Monster Squadlives up to the reputation of the era with a fun, no-nonsense thrill ride that delivers exactly what one wants out of the premise. The horror comedy angle adds an effective yet deeply inventive twist on this classic 80s, trope, amplifying these self-aware cliches and conventions to make the entire experience that much funnier. – Robert Lee

15 ‘Re-Animator’ (1985)

Directed by Stuart Gordon

When Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) starts his class and moves into his apartment, Dan (Bruce Abbott) and his girlfriend, Megan (Barbara Crampton), are involved in West’s weird scientific experiments in which dead brain tissue is re-animated and living organisms come back alive.

In under 90 minutes, 1985’s Re-Animator is full of gory horror and hammy performances from its cast. Containing a mysterious-yet-wonderful score from Richard Brand, Stuart Gordon‘s low-budget movie is a splatter fest and a treat for those looking to watch a good schlocky horror. With a razor-sharp script filled with funny lines of deadpan dialogue and some gruesome and highly effective special effects, Re-Animator is a 1980s hidden gem.

14 ‘Vampire’s Kiss’ (1988)

Directed by Robert Bierman

Nicolas Cage has given many over-the-top performances in his career, but few outrank his unhinged turn in the 1988 horror-comedy Vampire’s Kiss. The Oscar-winner plays Peter, a yuppie who gets bitten on the neck by one of his one-night stands and becomes convinced he is turning into a vampire.

Producing some of pop culture’s most iconic memes and featuring a truly chaotic performance from Cage, Vampire’s Kiss is a wild and outrageous ride that won’t be for everybody. However, Cage fans and horror-comedy enthusiasts will find plenty to love about this delirious cult classic.

13 ‘Bad Taste’ (1987)

Directed by Peter Jackson

Before he was the acclaimed award-winning director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Peter Jackson’s feature-length debut was a wild, raunchy, and over-the-top sci-fi horror comedy that pushed its low budget to its absolute limits. Bad Taste follows a group of aliens who descend upon New Zealand in hopes of harvesting humans for their intergalactic fast food franchise. The aliens face off against a ragtag paramilitary force that is set on saving humanity from the alien menace.

Even from the humble beginnings of Jackson’s career, Bad Taste shows off exactly why Jackson’s filmmaking style and execution have become so revered and beloved as one of the greatest directors of all time. The experience is certainly more chaotic and violent than his most popular works, yet Bad Taste has a distinct, low-budget amateur charm that can be equated to some of the best horror films of the era like the original Evil Dead. The comedic restaurant capitalism satire angle just further adds to the enjoyability of the film, making it still deeply enthralling all these decades later. – Robert Lee

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12 ‘Teen Wolf’ (1985)

Directed by Rod Daniel

When Scott (Michael J. Fox) mysteriously turns into a werewolf, he learns from his father, Harold (James Hampton), that this is a generational family curse. As a result, Scott decides to use his new-found wolf powers to help his high school basketball team and his chances of teen romance.

Infused with light-hearted humor and a charismatic performance from Michael J. Fox, Rod Daniel‘s Teen Wolf is a cleverly written fantasy comedy that nicely executes the horrors of growing up and the trials and tribulations of adolescence. Also filled with fantastic werewolf make-up that holds up well, 1985’s Teen Wolf has since gained cult status and has most likely left pre-teen viewers with one terrifying question: is puberty really that horrifying?

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11 ‘The ‘Burbs’ (1989)

Directed by Joe Dante

While Joe Dante is most commonly recognized for his work directing the Gremlins duology, The ‘Burbs is an often overlooked yet still highly entertaining horror comedy in the same vein as his other masterpieces. The film follows suburban resident Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks), who begins to grow paranoid towards his newest next-door neighbors who have been living a secretive and isolating lifestyle. As Ray and his friends sneak around to investigate what his neighbors might be up to, they begin to realize and suspect that they are the culprits of malicious, evil schemes.

The ‘Burbs certainly leans more into comedy than horror, yet its premise and themes lend themselves to a great deal of horror iconography and tone for a distinct cinematic experience. The film lives up to the legacy and reputation of Dante’s other films, finding the exact right balance between hilarious self-aware comedy, exquisite practical effects, and some top-notch comedic performances to round everything together. While the film wasn’t nearly as beloved when it was first released, it has grown to be a cult classic of the era and is considered one of the best horror comedies of the 80s. – Robert Lee

10 ‘Fright Night’ (1985)

Directed by Tom Holland

The underrated Chris Sarandon stars in 1985’s horror-comedy Fright Night. The plot centers on Charlie, a horror film fan who becomes convinced his new and mysterious new neighbor is a vampire. As his community shuns him, Charlie must find a way to expose the dangerous vampire and prevent him from killing the neighborhood.

Elevated by Sarandon’s wickedly delicious turn, Fright Night is funny and genuinely scary. It never takes itself seriously, instead going all-in on its wild premise to deliver a well-told tale of chills and laughs that will satisfy fans of the popular genre.

9 ‘The Return of the Living Dead’ (1985)

Directed by Dan O’Bannon

One of many zombie movie sequels that would follow up on the concepts and world of Night of the Living Dead, The Return of the Living Dead adds a distinct comedy element to the excess bloodshed and undead nightmares. The film sees a massive outbreak of undead flesh-eating zombies laying waste to Louisville, Kentucky after an experimental military gas is accidentally unleashed onto the populace. The undead attempt to satisfy their craving for flesh in increasingly outlandish and absurd ways, while a group of survivors attempts to fight for their lives in the process.

Long before the rules of undead stories were set in stone, The Return of the Living Dead‘s approach to the undead allowed it to take a much more unserious approach to amplify the comedic potential of the living dead. While the shift in tone proved to be shocking to fans of the classic, non-comedy zombie films, Return of the Living Dead‘s portrayal of zombies is still some of the most creative and hilarious in film history. Many modern horror comedy zombie films can find roots and inspiration from The Return of the Living Dead, with the film being one of the most influential horror comedies of the 80s. – Robert Lee

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8 ‘The Witches of Eastwick’ (1987)

Directed by George Miller

Jack Nicholson stars opposite Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer in the dark comedy horror fantasy The Witches of Eastwick. The plot follows three friends who get seduced by a mysterious and newly-arrived stranger, who eventually reveals himself as the Devil.

Featuring a spectacular cast of bonafide movie stars and a biting screenplay, The Witches of Eastwick is an acidic and campy delight that ranks among director George Miller’s best movies. It’s far funnier than scary, but Nicholson’s gleefully wicked performance and Cher, Sarandon, and Pfeiffer’s brilliant performances elevate the film, turning it into an unforgettable ride.

7 ‘An American Werewolf in London’ (1985)

Directed by John Landis

An American Werewolf in London might be the creator of the horror-comedy. Released in 1981, the film centers on David and Jack, two American backpackers attacked by a werewolf while in England. David gets bitten, becoming infected and turning into a werewolf, wreaking havoc across London.

Featuring spectacular prosthetics that made it win the first-ever Oscar for Best Make-Up, An American Werewolf in London is a classic. Balancing screams and laughs in equal measure, the film is an outstanding achievement and one of the most consistently funny and terrifying horror comedies from the 80s.

6 ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988)

Directed by Tim Burton

When they fatefully drown after a car accident, Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis) come back as ghosts and decide to haunt the family, who has recently moved into their former home, to try and scare them away. Failing, the young married couple decides to contact bio-exorcist Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton), and things soon take a twisted turn.

Brilliant and bonkers, Beetlejuice is a cartoonish hellscape of wacky comedic sketches and well-crafted puppetry mixed with stop-motion animation and special effects. A perfect mix of horror, humor and the bizarre, Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice is a must-watch Halloween treat for movie fans and a memorable ’80s classic. Its sequel Beetlejuice 2 came out, so this beloved IP is far from dead.

5 ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (1986)

Directed by Frank Oz

In a bid to save his failing florist shop, Seymour (Rick Moranis) purchases a plant from a local street vendor. As the plant quickly grows and demands to be fed, Seymour’s chances of romance and success are threatened.

Directed by Frank Oz, 1986’s Little Shop of Horrors is an addictive musical of horror and comedy that features a brilliantly crafted puppet with Audrey II, the giant man-eating plant. Filled with catchy and memorable songs like “Suddenly Seymour,” Little Shop of Horrors is a charming, entertaining horror-comedy and one of the best modern movie musicals.

4 ‘Gremlins’ (1984)

Directed by Joe Dante

Billy (Zach Galligan) is given an adorable pet Mogwai for Christmas with three specific instructions. However, when he breaks all three rules, Billy unleashes a group of ravenous creatures, and chaos quickly ensues in a small suburban town.

Gremlins was released at a time when child-friendly movies terrified younger viewers. Also starring Corey Feldman and Phoebe Cates, two ’80s teen movie stars, Gremlins is a wonderful mix of kid-like fun and mystery while depicting a glorious festival of violent mayhem. The charming nature, the silliness of the story, and the imagination from Joe Dante (who has crafted some underrated 1980s films like Explorers and The ‘Burbs) make Gremlins a childhood classic of horror and comedy.

3 ‘Evil Dead II’ (1987)

Directed by Sam Raimi

Bruce Campbell delivers one of the great horror-comedy movie performances in Evil Dead II. After surviving a demonic attack, Ash returns to another secluded cabin in the woods. And just like last time, he must battle evil spirits when they attack again.

Following the cult success of the first film, The Evil Dead, several years earlier, Sam Raimi and Campbell reunited and teamed up for another movie about evil books and flesh-possessing demons. Yet, where its predecessor was disgustingly horrific and genuinely terrifying, Evil Dead II introduces more comedic elements while staying true to the blood-fest of the original. Campbell returned for Evil Dead Rise, making it a must-see for fans of the now-iconic franchise.

2 ‘The Lost Boys’ (1987)

Directed by Joel Schumacher

Lucy (Dianne Wiest) and her two sons, Sam (Corey Haim) and Michael (Jason Patric), move to a new seaside town. When Michael joins a group of rebellious and troublesome bikers, however, he becomes a vampire and seeks help from Sam to break the curse.

Directed by Joel Schumacher with his signature techno-pop visual flair, 1987’s The Lost Boys is a highly entertaining movie about teen vampires. The film also features a group of popular stars of the decade (such as Corey Feldman, Kiefer Sutherland, Jami Gertz, and Alex Winter) in what is a great ’80s cast. Throw in a killer synth-infused soundtrack, wild costumes, wild hairdos, and a guy playing the sax within the first 10 minutes, and The Lost Boys is, perhaps, the most ’80s movie to ever exist.

1 ‘Ghostbusters’ (1984)

Directed by Ivan Reitman

When New York is under attack from evil spirits, a team of ghost hunters – Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) – are called into action to remove these ghoulish threats that are lurking in the city.

Helmed by Ivan Reitman, 1984’s Ghostbusters is widely regarded as an ’80s classic. From its cast of the decade’s most-loved and cherished actors to a memorable giant Stay Puft Marshmallow man, the blockbuster hit is a special effects-infused Halloween treat for any horror-comedy movie fan. Ghostbusters also contains several of the funniest supporting characters in horror and an iconic and catchy song that is fabricated into the DNA of the movie.

NEXT: ’80s Horror Movies That Should Be On Your Watchlist