Last Updated on August 5, 2021
#1 – GHOSTBUSTERS
Who else would you call for the number one spot? Everyone involved with GHOSTBUSTERS was at the top of their game. Flawless supporting roles from Annie Potts and Rick Moranis to the awesome final act, Ivan Reitman’s film fires on all cylinders and to this day remains a fan favorite for generations of movie fans. While the sequel may not have lived up to the original, it is a testament to how good this movie is that fans are so divided over the merits of the reboot.
#2 – SHAUN OF THE DEAD
Released the same year as Zack Snyder’s DAWN OF THE DEAD remake, SHAUN OF THE DEAD introduced North American audiences to Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and director Edgar Wright. Fans of Spaced already knew about this trio, but they hit the pinnacle of their fanboy abilities with the world’s first rom-zom-com. Non-horror fans can appreciate the heartfelt comedy at the core of this film while gorehounds will enjoy the top notch special effects on display.
#3 – BRAINDEAD (aka DEAD-ALIVE)
Peter Jackson may be known to mainstream audiences for THE LORD OF THE RINGS and KING KONG, but movie buffs recall his New Zealand films including this ultra-violent comedy. Known for some of the goriest scenes in movie history, this movie kicks ass for the lord. If you don’t know what that means, you absolutely need to see this movie right away. You will never look at lawnmowers the same way again.
#4 – ARMY OF DARKNESS
Sam Raimi’s EVIL DEAD films always had comedic undertones, but never so much as in the third film in the series. Taking all seriousness out of the mix, ARMY OF DARKNESS transplants Ash Williams into a medieval landscape full of Deadites. Gory, funny, and incredibly quotable, ARMY OF DARKNESS manages to fit alongside the previous films while also setting the tone for the awesomely over the top Starz series ASH VS EVIL DEAD. Hail to the king, baby!
#5 – YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Mel Brooks’ send-up of classic Universal Monsters may be his most memorable film. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN showcases Gene Wilder at his best while looking like it could have been made in the 1930s alongside the Boris Karloff original. A parody, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN manages to make us laugh nonstop for the entire running time while never forgetting that we are watching a movie about an undead man brought to life. Plus, “Puttin’ On the Ritz” is one of the best closing numbers in movie history.
#6 – GREMLINS
Joe Dante’s GREMLINS owes a great deal of it’s tone to producer Steven Spielberg. Together, the two helped create a movie that is the scariest family comedy ever made. From the cute mogwais to the horrific gremlins themselves, this movie is full of creative creature design that never feels artificial or fake. Thirty years after it hit theaters, GREMLINS still serves as the introduction for many into the horror genre. Might as well get scared while laughing, right?
#7 – AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON
John Landis is best known for his comedic films like TRADING PLACES, THREE AMIGOS, and ANIMAL HOUSE, but he is also responsible for delivering this classic horror film that is as funny as it is scary. Based on the posters and trailers, you would think that AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON was a straight horror film, but it is also incredibly funny. Griffin Dunne’s Jack Goodman may be the funniest ghost in movie history. His decomposing visage through the film would be scary but somehow ends up hilarious thanks to the great dialogue courtesy of Landis.
#8 – BEETLEJUICE
Tim Burton’s classic has long been on the radar for a sequel and for good reason. Michael Keaton’s performance ranks as one of the most memorable over the last thirty years. The film is the perfect blend of Burton’s quirky aesthetic which helps both the comedy and horror elements of the film mesh together. The entire cast is brilliant here and deliver scares and laughs in equal measure.
#9 – WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS
Taika Waititi earned the directing gig on THOR: RAGNAROK thanks to his brilliant work on this mockumentary. Co-written with Flight of the Conchords’ Jemaine Clement, WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS is a laugh out loud send up of every variation of the vampire mythology. From NOSFERATU to Bela Lugosi and even a little TWILIGHT in between, this movie ranks alongside similar films like THIS IS SPINAL TAP and BEST IN SHOW.
#10 – ZOMBIELAND
Before they scripted DEADPOOL, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick brought us this hilarious zombie comedy that melded the best elements of horror and humor. Using a video game point system narrated by Jesse Eisenberg, Ruben Fleischer’s film stands alone as a fun romp through the undead but it is the instant classic cameo from Bill Murray that earns it a spot on this ranking.
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