The Best 1980s Horror Comedies, Ranked

While the 1970s gave us classics like Black Christmas, Halloween, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and the 2010s brought a new wave of sophisticated horror, many fans still consider the 1980s the golden age of scary movies. The decade delivered straightforward classics such as The Thing, The Shining, Friday the 13th, The Evil Dead, and The Fly. But it also excelled at horror comedies – so much so that even choosing just 10 of the best meant leaving out great films like Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers, Little Shop of Horrors, April Fool’s Day, The Monster Squad, Motel Hell, and Night of the Comet.

Those movies were all either really good or outstanding, and each one influenced two different types of film. However, the next ten movies on this list had an even bigger impact.

10) Killer Klowns from Outer Space

The Chiodo brothers’ Killer Klowns from Outer Space is definitely a low-budget film, but it’s surprisingly creative and full of fantastic practical effects. It’s remained popular for years – so much so that it recently inspired a video game! Despite its enduring appeal, a sequel has never been made, though it’s been talked about for a long time.

The success of Killer Klowns – and really, all great horror comedies – comes down to its playful self-awareness. It doesn’t try to be anything more than entertaining, and it bombards viewers with over-the-top moments – like shadowy T. rex attacks and giant alien clowns (or Klowns!) – until something truly hits home.

Stream Killer Klowns from Outer Space on Prime Video.

9) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2

While The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 shares a director and continues the story of the first film, it’s not really a fair comparison. The two movies are deliberately quite distinct from each other.

What really sets Part 2 apart is its unexpected tone. The first film was so grounded and realistic, it’s remarkable that the sequel, released ten years later, embraced dark comedy. Yet, it still manages to be disturbing, just in a different way. In some ways, the film’s lighthearted approach to horrific events actually makes them more frightening than if it had been played seriously. And while many consider Marilyn Burns’ Sally Hardesty the best hero of the series, Caroline Williams’ Vanita ‘Stretch’ Brock is truly the standout character.

Stream The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 on Prime Video.

8) Night of the Creeps

Night of the Creeps isn’t just a clever mix of horror and comedy—it successfully blends science fiction and action too. It’s a true jack-of-all-trades cult classic from the 1980s.

What makes this film truly special is its focus on developing interesting characters. It doesn’t shy away from taking risks with the story either, jumping wildly between different ideas – one minute it’s a satire of fraternity life, the next it’s reminiscent of classic 1950s alien invasion films. There’s even a scene with a cat infected by an alien slug, and a little alien running around a spaceship! It’s a consistently strange and fun ride, almost like if John Hughes had directed a horror comedy.

7) The Return of the Living Dead

Though clearly made for horror fans, The Return of the Living Dead is a surprisingly clever and entertaining film, standing out as a modern classic alongside George A. Romero’s work. It’s a fun movie that really gets what makes the genre great, even if those unfamiliar with horror might not fully grasp its appeal.

This movie is important because it’s where the idea of zombies craving brains originated. Beyond that, it brought a punk rock energy to the zombie genre and proved that a grittier, more rebellious style could be successful.

Stream The Return of the Living Dead on Prime Video.

6) The Lost Boys

As a total movie buff, I have to say Joel Schumacher’s The Lost Boys is one of the best vampire films of the 80s – and definitely the most visually striking. What really makes it stand out is how it takes a familiar story and does something new with it. Plus, the cast was perfect. Everyone seemed to completely get the vibe the filmmakers were going for, and they really delivered.

Similar to Night of the Creeps, The Lost Boys really shows how much its creators enjoyed the horror genre. This is especially evident with the Frog brothers, who practically live in a comic book shop, constantly reading horror stories as if they’re training for a real-life adventure.

5) Creepshow

The first Stephen King movie adaptation is also considered one of the most successful at capturing the essence of his horror style. Many viewers feel the young boy who appears throughout Creepshow represents King himself – which makes sense, since King not only wrote the screenplay but also acted in one of the story segments.

Each of the five segments in this film is truly excellent, and they actually improve as the movie goes on. “Father’s Day” is simple but unsettling, “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill”—which features Stephen King himself—is delightfully strange and creative, “Something to Tide You Over” delivers a clever story of double revenge, “The Crate” offers a fresh take on the monster genre, and “They’re Creeping Up on You” is a terrifying experience for anyone afraid of bugs.

4) Re-Animator

Blending Stuart Gordon’s imaginative visuals with the compelling and personal stories of H.P. Lovecraft, Re-Animator is a playfully gruesome horror film that delights in exploring the limits of the human body—and what it means to have a soul.

I have to say, this movie really walks the line between over-the-top and genuinely scary, and it never stumbles. A lot of that is down to director Gordon’s incredibly focused vision, but honestly, Jeffrey Combs is Herbert West. He embodies the role so perfectly, it’s impossible to picture anyone else in it. He completely carries the film, and it’s a truly memorable performance.

Stream Re-Animator for free with ads on The Roku Channel.

3) An American Werewolf in London

Along with classics like The Thing and The Fly, An American Werewolf in London is renowned for having some of the most impressive practical effects ever seen in horror – and in film overall.

What truly makes An American Werewolf a classic isn’t just its famous transformation scene. The film also expertly builds tension from the very beginning with its unsettling opening on the moors, and it thoughtfully explores the psychological impact of becoming a werewolf on the main character. Add in a genuinely touching love story, and you have one of John Landis’s finest works.

Stream An American Werewolf in London for free on Kanopy.

2) Gremlins

A third Gremlins movie is finally happening! Hopefully, it will capture the same mix of scares and laughs as the original, which perfectly balanced small-town charm, monster movie thrills, and dark humor. While Gremlins 2: The New Batch was successful in its own way, it leaned more heavily into comedy, and the first film’s unique blend is what really made it special.

Everything in Gremlins, from the music to the acting by Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates, came together flawlessly. Add in the familiar, heartwarming touch of Spielberg’s Amblin productions, and you’ve got a true classic from the 1980s.

Stream Gremlins on Hulu.

1) Evil Dead II

Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead II isn’t just the greatest horror comedy of the 1980s—it’s the greatest of all time. The film revisits the spooky cabin setting of the original, but amps up the chaos and energy, transforming it into something like a classic Looney Tunes cartoon.

Given how over-the-top and violent the Evil Dead II story is, it’s surprising how well the horror and humor blend together. The movie is incredibly inventive, constantly one-upping itself with increasingly strange and funny moments, and it flies by before you realize it’s over. Importantly, it doesn’t feel rushed or too long – it’s perfectly paced. A less skilled film might have dragged on or left audiences wanting more, but Evil Dead II avoids both pitfalls, especially considering how outlandish the story is.

Stream Evil Dead II for free on Kanopy.

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2025-12-06 04:14