The horror genre continues to produce great filmslike Hugh Grant’s heady thriller Heretic. Part of his success is how he is able to produce films that not only terrify audiences with gross-out scenes or a well-timed jump scare, but are also a lot of fun. A great example of this is the Terrifying series, with Terrible 3 funniest moments arriving between the necessary brutality and blood. Thanks mainly to Art the Clown’s silent but deadly humor.
However, it’s not just the most recent horror films that have managed to be scary as hell while also delivering a lot of fun along the way. Classic franchises gained popularity thanks to quick-witted villains like Freddy Kruegerwhich is also incredibly scary. The great advantage of the horror genre is its ability to unite the audience, to share an experience that will be intense and sometimes uncomfortable, but also very fun.
10
Trick and Treat (2007)
Directed by Michael Dougherty
There aren’t many horror films that can go from almost being shelved by the studio to becoming a beloved feature of the Halloween season. However, Michael Dougherty’s anthology series did just that, with five interconnected stories providing some brutally macabre plots along with some genuine laughs. Tricks and Treats is a horror film that was worth the wait, even if the studio wasn’t sure how to market it.
The scene in the first story, when Principal Wilkins tries to bury Charlie’s poisoned body in the backyard, is a great example of the film’s dark humor. It’s accentuated by this particular segment of the story’s focus on the family united during a bloody murder. The film also features a great villain in Sam, and although all the Halloween stories in Tricks and Treats It may not all work, but it’s still delicious.
9
M3GAN (2021)
Directed by Gerard Johnstone
Younger fans of the horror genre need films like M3GAN to help introduce them to one of the most fun and rewarding film genres. It was initially released as a more mainstream PG-13, followed by an uncut version shortly after its initial theatrical run. Fortunately, both versions offer a delightful mix of fun and frightening scares for slightly younger viewers.
There’s nothing scarier than a doll that comes to life by their human overlords, who then kill those who created them. It’s a subgenre that has thrived for years and M3GAN offers a superbly frightening antagonist, who dances, spits jokes and kills the neighbor’s dog with gleeful abandon. The uncut version kills better, but M3GANs exciting spin-off SOULM8TE it seems likely to draw on the emotions of the original.
8
The Lost Boys (1987)
Directed by Joel Schumacher
Horror films of the 1980s were essentially scary and fun in their design, knowing exactly who their audience was and how to reach them effectively. One director who had a talent for creating crowd-pleasing genre films for the studios while also delivering cult classic films with iconic imagery was Joel Schumacher.
One of his most entertaining films was the iconic, The lost boysfrom 1987. The film has everything audiences wanted at the time of release, and its longevity proves that a simple formula is often the best way to create a fun and frightening horror film.
It’s a popcorn horror film that thrills like a roller coaster.
The cast is young and cool, as well as There’s something ethereally scary about vampires. This is especially true of the iconic David, played by Keifer Sutherland, who has a poignant reason for this. The lost boys It’s a favorite. It’s a popcorn horror film that thrills like a roller coaster.
Directed by Mark Mylod
One of the best recent horror films with a taste for the macabre is the excellent The menustarring Ralph Fiennes as a sinister chef with a darkly humorous and menacing menu. Considering Much of the production’s writing talent comes from the series’ darkly funny, SuccessionIt’s no surprise that Mylod’s kitchen thriller is so well written.
The menu It’s a dish best served cold, and Fiennes leads a fantastic cast. The film’s plot, which involves an ostentatious dinner on a private island, offers a fascinating look at the dynamics between wealth and those who struggle to achieve it.
It’s also incredibly ridiculous in parts. One scene involves a plate of bread with no bread being served, while the ramblings of a pretentious food critic are indicative of the industry. However, it’s when there’s more than just food burnt to a crisp, that the strangely scary movie really comes to life.
6
Poltergeist (1982)
Directed by Tobe Hooper
A remake of the 1982 horror film of the same name Poltergeist revolves around the Bowen family, whose home has been invaded by supernatural and evil forces.
- Director
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Tobe Hooper
- Release date
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June 4, 1982
- Cast
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Jane Adams, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris, Sam Rockwell, Nicholas Braun
That’s it such a scary, scary and funny movie from the 80s with a touching family story that controversy surrounding who actually directed PoltergeistIt’s fascinating. There have been a lot of rumors about who actually took the reins on the film, but there’s no doubt that it’s still considered one of the best horrors of the era.
The film is so inspiring that many paranormal thrillers would not exist without it. Poltergeist was partially inspired by the real-life tale of The Hermann House, in which a family was apparently terrorized by poltergeists in their home in the 1950s.
Whether you believe that the events in Poltergeist are they true or not, the effect it had on pop culture was extremely influential. The franchise is surrounded by controversy and considered cursed by some, after star Heather O’Rourke tragically passed away, along with some of her co-stars. The film is an excellent example of how to blend family dynamics into a chilling tale of the supernatural.
5
Drag Me to Hell (2009)
Directed by Sam Raimi
By 2009, director Sam Raimi had already proven that he could deliver scares and fun, with the popular film evil Dead series. It was no surprise, then, that he managed to do exactly the same thing in the extremely entertaining, albeit less bloody than his other work, Drag me to hell. The film has gained cult status among horror fans, so it’s no surprise that Drag Me to Hell 2 has been confirmed and is in the development phase.
Drag me to Hell effortlessly fuses comedy with the slapstick scares that have become Raimi’s trademark. The best scene in the film is when a black goat is possessed by a demon during a séance and begins spouting obscenities and abuse with great force. Up until that point, the film had largely played out like an extremely scary horror film, replete with a message about not disturbing the local witch. However, it is the talking goat that elevates the film to classic status, no matter how absurd the scene is.
4
The Substance (2024)
Directed by Coralie Fargeat
It’s not often that an instant horror classic comes along but with its themes of aging and the search for eternal youth The substance which made Demi Moore’s character an Oscar winner, it’s one of the scariest and most fun horror films of modern times. The film focuses on a dying celebrity who takes a black market drug that temporarily creates a younger version of herself. However, his desperate plan goes wrong.
The premise is extremely original, but nothing can prepare you for the level of disgusting body horror that permeates the entire film. The scenes in which Moore’s character gives birth to her new, better self are some of the scariest images on screen this year. Plus, if you’re a bloodhound who loves body horror, there are moments of extreme carnage that will make you The substance one of the most fun and harrowing horror films of the year.
3
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Directed by Wes Craven
Horror icons don’t come much bigger than Freddy Krueger and the man responsible for bringing the iconic teenage wrecker to life, the late, great Wes Craven. The 80s brought horror fans countless villains who became synonymous with the genre, but It’s the burned Krueger that rises, killing teenagers in their dreams while hurling insults.
The horror genre hasn’t offered a villain capable of terrifying and entertaining audiences since the arrival of Freddy Krueger in 1984. The film is beyond scary thanks to its premise in which Krueger infiltrates your dreams and kills you while you sleep.
It brought audiences many iconic death scenes; most notably Johnny Depp’s character Glen, who dies in a horrific geyser of blood in his bed, as well as Tina’s equally horrific death in her sleep. Equally notable, however, are Freddy’s multiple insults which, although they may have become very cheesy over time, are a wicked delight in the first film.
2
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Directed by John Landis
John Landis’ furry creature’s most well-known, iconic, and impressive moment comes at the very beginning of the film. The transformation scene is still considered one of the best visual and practical effects moments today, and with good reason.
Landis’ horror film is a classic example of iconic genre cinema, and he expertly fused the more comedic aspect with the carnage.
However, as impressive as the ominous scene is, it’s the films’ overall ability to not only shock but consistently entertain audiences that makes it so entertaining. Landis’ horror film is a classic example of iconic genre cinemaand he skillfully fused the more comical aspect with the carnage.
It acts as a commentary on Margaret Thatcher’s insular 1980s Britain, with its sly critiques of the country’s attitude towards tourism and the elite, whilst also scaring anyone away from setting foot on the Yorkshire Moors (which were actually filmed in Wales) again. . The scenes with David’s dead friend slowly decomposing also bring some macabre fun to the film.
1
Bad Dead II (1987)
Directed by Sam Raimi
It’s crazy to think that Evil Dead II secretly started the ‘requel’ trend in the ’80s, but the film not only manages to flesh out the entertaining first installment, is totally over the top with some weirdly funny and bloody scenarios. The first film was darker and featured some controversial scenes, which made it a video nasty in the UK.
The decision to almost remake evil Dead Having a bigger budget meant that director Sam Raimi could unleash his extreme camera movements and heighten the effect of the comedic elements. The flying eyeball scene is one of horror’s greatest jokeswhile the film also offers enough chills to haunt more susceptible viewers. The moment when Ted Raimi’s dead man sings the Mockingbird song in the basement is hauntingly creepy.