I have seen a lot of horror comedies and that probably has to do with growing up in the 1980s, when there were horror comedies aplenty. So it was hard to come up with just five and I amended my list to include 10.
One caveat...I have not seen every horror comedy ever made, including "Shaun of the Dead." Since Simon Pegg is on my poop list, I probably won't see it any time soon.
1. Ghostbusters (1984)
I saw this in the theater as part of my friend Heather's 15th birthday party and things like the StayPuft Marshmallow Man or "Where do those stairs go?/They go up" have been running gags with me ever since. I loved it then and I'm amazed at how well it holds up now. They're re-releasing it briefly this week and a third installment is on the way (sadly without Bill Murray). In my opinion, it's the funniest film featuring more than one SNL alumni.
2. Beetlejuice (1988)
The eccentric Michael Keaton was put to good use as the hyperkinetic supernatural troublemaker summoned to evict New York proto-hipster couple and teenage goth Winona Ryder from a home that once belonged to Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin. The part that makes me laugh the hardest though is when Ryder attempts to write a dramatic suicide note. Only Tim Burton could make something like that funny.
3. Evil Dead 2 (1987)
One of the funniest movies of all time, period. Sam Raimi basically re-made his "Evil Dead" with slightly more money and called it a sequel. What's great is how the film combines slapstick and gore. The best part is the incredible Bruce Campbell fighting his demonically-possessed hand.
4. Young Frankenstein (1974)
A Mel Brooks classic that spoofs Universal's old '30s horror films. There are too many great moments to name, but I especially loved Peter Boyle's visit with the blind old man and "Puttin' On The Ritz."
5. An American Werewolf In London (1981)
John Landis turned the guy from the Dr. Pepper ads (you can probably find them on YouTube) into a werewolf! Michael Jackson loved this movie so much, it was the reason why Landis was hired to direct the "Thriller" video.
6. Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
How I miss Channel 6's Abbott & Costello Theater every Sunday when I used to live in Miami! In this one Abbott and Costello were encountering almost every Universal monster to great comedic effect.
7. Army of Darkness (1993)
The sequel to "Evil Dead 2" sends Ash to a strange medieval-type kingdom where he battles all kinds of creatures. When I saw this in the theater, I couldn't stop laughing. There are volumes of famous quotes from this movie. "This is my boomstick." "Hail to the King, baby." "Shop smart, shop S-Mart."
8. Gremlins (1984)
This movie came out when cute aliens/creatures were in vogue. You know, E.T. and Ewoks. This movie introduced the very adorable Gizmo who spawns destructive but hilarious ugly gremlins if you happen to get him wet, expose him to light, and feed him after midnight. Phoebe Cates's sob story about her dad's bizarre death was really funny until it happened in real life a few times :o.
9. Scream (1996)
A movie that's a slasher flick and a satire of a slasher flick all at the same time. The killer's mask has become a Halloween favorite ever since.
10. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
About the only movie that works for both Halloween and Christmas. Fun and twisted, as you might expect from Tim Burton, who wrote and produced this film.
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