Horror-comedy and comedy-horror are two sub-genres that many mainstream viewers don’t seem to understand. I touched on this back in the very first post I wrote for Bloody Disgusting, but people just don’t seem to understand when something is supposed to be funny in a horror movie. So many times I’ve walked out of a theater for one of these films and audience members will utter that it wasn’t very scary (The Visit) or that it was really stupid (Drag Me To Hell), not realizing that it was trying to be funny. Some people even think that the sub-genres are new things that they invented. There is a difference between horror-comedy and comedy-horror though, and I’m interested to know which one all of you prefer, if you prefer one at all.
I’m sure I don’t need to explain this to all of you, since you are clearly fans of the horror genre if you come to this site, but just humor me while I catch up anyone who may not be as horror-savvy as some of you.
Horror-Comedy
Horror-comedies are first and foremost horror movies, but they have comedic elements. Granted, many horror films have some comedic elements, but a horror-comedy goes just a little further with the comedy aspects. Examples of horror-comedies include:
- Drag Me To Hell
- Evil Dead 2
- Gremlins
- Cabin In The Woods
- Fright Night
- Sorority Row
- Zombie Strippers
- Tremors
- Scream
- Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon
Comedy-Horror
Comedy-horror films are first and foremost comedies, but they have horror elements. Examples of comedy-horror films include:
- Zombieland
- What We Do In The Shadows
- Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
- Scary Movie
- Detention
- Zombeavers
- Serial Mom
- Beetlejuice
- Dracula: Dead and Loving It
- Club Dread
Some people may disagree with a few of the films’ placements on the above lists. What I deem a horror-comedy some of you may deem a comedy-horror and vice versa. It all depends on your sense of humor, I suppose.
I’ve seen people in the comments mention how they prefer their horror to be hard-hitting, with no humor involved. I certainly understand that, but if you are knowingly walking into a horror-comedy or comedy-horror film, then you really have no excuse to be disappointed when you walk out of the theater.
Personally, I prefer the gallows humor of horror-comedies. Comedy-horror films are fun and all, but there’s something about the way that horror-comedies (usually) strike the perfect tonal balance between the dark horror aspects and more lighthearted comedy aspects. What do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below or Tweet me!