Happy Halloween! We decided to drop our Top Five list for you a day early to give you another October 31st treat! With that being said, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Horror Comedies. For inclusion on this list, a film needs to be intended comedy as opposed to "so bad it's good" or a horror with comedic moments.
Each writer ranks his or her top 15 films in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five.
5. GHOSTBUSTERS
When it comes to horror comedy classics, who you gonna call? For such a simple concept on paper (I wouldn't call fighting ghosts revolutionary), Ghostbusters has stood the test of time for a reason. Beyond being funny and endlessly quotable, Ghostbusters is a fun-as-hell adventure, and one that will remain in the pantheon of comedy classics until film dies out. Bill Murray steals every single scene he's in, of course, but Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, and the late, great Harold Ramis are all hysterical as well. To put it bluntly, Ghostbusters came, saw, and kicked ass. - Adriano
4. GREMLINS
Director Joe Dante's Gremlins is the definition of iconic. The silly little mogwai has been a staple of pop culture since the film's release back in '84, and you can still feel his influence today through characters like Baby Yoda, who's essentially just a dollar-bin Gizmo. It's impossible not to fall for this film's small-town charm, the incredible puppetry, and the hilarious cartoon energy. This 80s classic brings the laughs, but it’s also pretty creepy because I distinctly remember the swimming pool scene giving me nightmares as a kid. If you're looking for a great horror comedy to watch this holiday season, you can never go wrong with Gremlins. - Caleb
3. BEETLEJUICE
Beetlejuice is Tim Burton-directing at its best, and one of the most originally written comedy-horror films of its kind. Its success is somewhat self-evident… I mean, there was a Beetlejuice cartoon, several video games, a musical, and now a sequel coming next year for Beetleju…whew, that was close! This film is infinitely clever in its hilariously complicated and overly bureaucratic afterlife that forces the involvement of the aforementioned freelance “bio-exorcist” (Michael Keaton) and shifty miscreant we’ve come to love. It’s memorable and (kind of) wholesome family fun. All I need to say is “Daaaay-O,” and, yep…you know the scene! - Preston
2. SHAUN OF THE DEAD
There would be no Cornetto Trilogy if the first movie wasn’t pure perfection. Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright blend the exact right amount of comedy into the zombie genre to make something uniquely singular, but still scary enough to not feel like a parody. The entire cast fits right into place with the film’s kinetic yet dry energy (don’t ask me how those two fit together) to make an instant classic that is sure to make many a Best Of… list to come. - Amarú
1. THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
The best horror film about horror films, The Cabin in the Woods stands out as one of the single most original horror comedies ever. Despite relying entirely on tropes, well-worn stereotypes, and familiar plot points, it totally subverts all expectations and revitalises the genre by satirizing the mechanics of the horror movie. It’s extremely smart and funny, yet it doesn’t take itself too seriously while still bringing some genuine scares, fantastic special effects, and one of the most thrilling and unexpected third acts I’ve ever seen, not to mention its fantastic cast and pitch-perfect performances. - Katie
HONORABLE MENTIONS
WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS
THE FRIGHTENERS
TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL
JENNIFER'S BODY
READY OR NOT
Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Columbia Pictures; Photo 2, 3 - Warner Bros.; Photo 4 - Rogue Pictures; Photo 5 - Lionsgate