The 10 Best Horror Comedies to Stream Right Now
Halloween night calls for a movie that makes you jump and then laughs at itself. Horror comedies do exactly that, trading cheap scares for sharp jokes and the occasional well timed jolt. This list gathers ten films that balance both, so you can keep the lights low without the whole evening feeling grim. All ten are streaming in the US right now, split across free ad supported services and paid subscriptions, so there is likely something for every budget. Pick a few and build a double feature.
Quick picks
- Shaun of the Dead (2004)
- Scream (1996)
- Zombieland (2009)
- An American Werewolf in London (1981)
- Beetlejuice (1988)
- The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
- Ghostbusters (1984)
- Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010)
- Ready or Not (2019)
- Happy Death Day (2017)
1. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
A low key Londoner whose biggest worries are his girlfriend, his mother and his favorite pub finds his routine interrupted when the dead start rising and wandering the city. The film follows his fumbling attempts to get his life in order while the zombie threat grows. It mixes genuinely tense moments with the kind of awkward humor that makes the chaos feel personal.
Directed by Edgar Wright. Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis. Horror, Comedy. Rated R.
Subscription: Peacock · Where to watch
2. Scream (1996)
A year after her mother's murder, a teenager is stalked by a masked killer who turns horror movie rules into a deadly game. The killer's taunts are sharp and self aware, and the mystery keeps you guessing about who is behind the mask. It is a clever pick for a crowd that loves spotting the genre references.
Directed by Wes Craven. Starring Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich, Rose McGowan, Matthew Lillard. Crime, Horror, Mystery. Rated R.
Free with ads on YouTube. Subscription: Hulu, Peacock · Where to watch
3. Zombieland (2009)
In a world overrun by zombies, two survivors with very different personalities travel together and slowly learn to rely on each other. Their road trip is full of tense encounters and playful banter. The rules they make up for surviving are funny, and the action keeps the stakes real.
Directed by Ruben Fleischer. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin. Comedy, Horror. Rated R.
Subscription: Max · Where to watch
4. An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Two American tourists are attacked by an unseen creature while hiking across the Yorkshire Moors. One survives and recuperates in the home of a kind nurse, but strange changes begin to take hold of his body and mind. The film blends dark humor with genuinely unsettling transformation scenes.
Directed by John Landis. Starring David Naughton, Griffin Dunne, Jenny Agutter, John Woodvine. Comedy, Horror, Fantasy. Rated R.
Free with ads on Tubi, Xumo Play. Subscription: Prime Video, AMC+ · Where to watch
5. Beetlejuice (1988)
A recently deceased New England couple struggles to haunt the affluent family that moves into their former home. Desperate for help, they turn to a wild and unpredictable exorcist who is more trouble than solution. The film is a manic, colorful ghost story that rarely stops being funny.
Directed by Tim Burton. Starring Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara. Fantasy, Comedy. Rated PG.
Subscription: Max · Where to watch
6. The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
Five friends head to a remote cabin for a relaxing weekend, but as night falls they find that something much stranger is going on. The film pulls back the curtain on the familiar horror setup in surprising ways. It is playful and inventive, and it rewards viewers who enjoy a twist.
Directed by Drew Goddard. Starring Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Chris Hemsworth, Jesse Williams. Horror, Mystery, Comedy. Rated R.
Subscription: AMC+, Max · Where to watch
7. Ghostbusters (1984)
Three out of work parapsychologists start a ghost catching business in New York City and soon uncover a supernatural threat that could doom the whole city. Their deadpan wit and gadget driven battles make the spooky premise feel light and fun. It is an easy crowd pleaser for a relaxed Halloween evening.
Directed by Ivan Reitman. Starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver. Comedy, Fantasy. Rated PG.
Free with ads on Fandango at Home. Subscription: Hulu · Where to watch
8. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010)
Two good natured hillbillies are mistaken for killers by a group of paranoid college students camping near their cabin. As misunderstandings pile up and the body count rises, the students' fear turns into revenge plots. The film turns slasher conventions upside down with warmth and plenty of laughs.
Directed by Eli Craig. Starring Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowden, Jesse Moss. Comedy, Horror. Rated R.
Free with ads on Tubi, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home · Where to watch
9. Ready or Not (2019)
A newlywed's wedding night takes a terrifying turn when her wealthy in-laws force her into a deadly game of hide and seek. The premise is a wicked satire of privilege, and the tension builds quickly. Expect plenty of dark comedy wrapped around a relentless chase.
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett. Starring Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O'Brien, Henry Czerny. Horror, Comedy. Rated R.
Free with ads on Tubi. Subscription: Netflix · Where to watch
10. Happy Death Day (2017)
A college student finds herself trapped in a time loop, reliving the day of her own murder again and again. She has to work out who is behind it before her chances run out. The film is a clever mix of mystery, scares and bright, cheeky humor.
Directed by Christopher Landon. Starring Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard, Charles Aitken, Ruby Modine. Comedy, Horror, Mystery. Rated PG-13.
Subscription: Peacock, Max · Where to watch
Choose a night that suits your mood, whether you want a gentle laugh or a sharper thrill. Streaming libraries change often, so check each service before you press play to confirm a title is still available.
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Streaming catalogs change often. Availability was checked the morning this was published. Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDB; this product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
