The ‘Scream‘ franchise stands as one of the rare horror franchises that masterfully blends slasher thrills with sharp humor, making it the gold standard for horror-comedy. With ‘Scream 7‘ fresh in theaters, it’s time to check out more films that mix genuine scares with laughs and clever genre commentary.
Here are our top 5 horror comedy picks that you should dive into if you’re still riding the Ghostface vibe. These titles echo the ‘Scream‘ spirit, consisting of small twists, quotable lines, and plenty of bloody fun.
5. The Babysitter (2017)
Boasting an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 70%, this Netflix original horror film was directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol and stars Samara Weaving and Judah Lewis as the main leads. The film follows a 12-year-old who discovers that his bold and beautiful babysitter is a part of a satanic cult and has deadly intentions.
Even though the movie never made it to top lists, it is full of inventive kills, dark humor, and a fast-paced slasher romp featuring ‘Scream‘-like ensemble antics.
Related: Top 10 Best Slasher Films Of All Time
4. Totally Killer (2023)
This Prime Video slasher comedy horror film, directed by Nahnatchka Khan, has a solid 85% critics’ approval on Rotten Tomatoes. Indeed, a rare feat for a horror movie. Starring Kiernan Shipka of ‘The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina‘ fame, the film follows Jamie. She avenges her mother’s murder at the hands of the infamous Sweet 16 killer, who went on a murdering spree three decades earlier.
Jamie travels back to 1987 to reunite with her mother and stop the killer during his original killing spree. The film blends time-travel hijinks with slasher tropes, making it a natural follow-up for fans of the ‘Scream‘ franchise.
3. The Final Girls (2015)
This is a heartfelt meta-slasher starring Taissa Fermiga (known for her performance in ‘The Nun‘ franchise). It is also a critical favorite, with 76% Rotten Tomatoes score. The story follows a group of high school students who are transported into a 1986 slasher film called Camp Bloodbath.
The film is packed with genuine emotions and hilarious, over-the-top fourth-wall breaks, making it a loving homage that mirrors Scream’s self-awareness.
In Case You Missed It: ‘Scream 7’ Breaks Its Own Ghostface Formula In Bold New Twist
2. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010)
A 2010 horror comedy slasher boasting a rare Rotten Tomatoes approval of 86%, ‘Tucker and Dale vs. Evil‘ stars Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk as a pair of well-meaning hillbillies who are mistaken for murderers by a group of clueless college students.
The dark comedy thrives on misunderstandings and over-the-top gore, delivering laughs that flip ‘Scream‘-style paranoia on its head.
1. Happy Death Day (2017)
Often described as ‘Groundhog Day meets Scream,’ this 2017 black comedy slasher earned an astounding $125.4 million worldwide on a modest $4 million budget. Starring Jessica Rothe and Israel Broussard, the film follows a college student, Tree Gelbman, who gets killed on the night of her birthday, only to relive the day over and over again.
Just like ‘Scream,’ it features a college setting and mystery where the protagonist uses knowledge from smart horror movies to survive. The film balances genuine tension with hilarious absurdity, making it perfect for fans who love ‘Scream‘s rule-breaking commentary.
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