Planning to stay in this Halloween weekend but not sure what to watch? Enjoy horror but also looking for something a little lighter? Check out some of EnVi’s favorite horror movies that are filled with comedy and campy fun, just as much as blood and guts.
WARNING: Spoilers ahead!
Ginger Snaps (2000)
Directed by John Fawcett, Ginger Snaps is a Canadian supernatural horror film that follows sisters Ginger (Katherine Isabelle) and Brigitte (Emily Perkins) Fitzgerald in the suburbs of Ontario. The tight-knit sisters are outcasts who have a deep fascination with death, going so far as staging death scenarios and discussing the best way to kill themselves. Since they were young, they made a blood pact to either get out of suburbia by 16, or die together. However, in the midst of their daily disdain for the status quo, there have been multiple brutal dog attacks around town with no explanation as to what could be doing this and why. One night during a full moon where the girls seek revenge on a school bully by kidnapping her dog, Ginger starts her period and attracts the beast that’s been mauling the other animals in the neighborhood. While Brigitte tries to save her big sister during this brutal attack, she manages to get a picture of the beast in the process: a wolf. After the bite, Ginger begins to act differently. However, the girls wonder whether these changes are from the bite of the werewolf, the start of her period, or both?
Though not technically classified as a comedy, this film combines dark comedic elements and has many funny and relatable moments, especially for those who experience menstruation or felt ostracized from those around you. If you’re interested in watching a movie about werewolves mixed with early 2000s teen angst, this is the one for you.
Ginger Snaps is available to watch on Tubi.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Following the success of her 2007 coming-of-age dramedy Juno, writer Diablo Cody stepped into the horror genre with 2009’s Jennifer’s Body. Directed by the notable Karyn Kusama, the film follows “best friends” Needy (Amanda Seyfried) and Jennifer (Megan Fox), who are experiencing changes within their relationship and themselves individually following the aftermath of a fire at a local dive bar that tragically claimed the lives of multiple people during the performance of indie band, Low Shoulder. Although Needy and Jennifer were able to escape before the building engulfed in flames, they are approached by the frontman of Low Shoulder, who takes Jennifer away in his band’s van. Later that night, as Needy talks on the phone with her boyfriend explaining what happened at the tavern and how she’s worried about Jennifer’s whereabouts, her doorbell rings. She comes downstairs and opens the door to find that there’s no one there. However, soon after, she begins to hear a noise coming from the kitchen. As she cautiously walks in, she doesn’t see anything but turns to find Jennifer standing in front of her, looking disheveled and covered in blood. While at school, Needy starts to notice how off Jennifer is. On some days she’s confident and glowing even more than usual, where other days she looks completely drained and lifeless. On top of that, there are male students who are winding up dead. Needy tries to investigate what’s going on with Jennifer and if she’s connected with the strange happenings around town.
Drawing comparisons to the previously mentioned Ginger Snaps, this late 2000s film may not have been well-received when it first opened (primarily due to misguided marketing), but has garnered popularity in recent years and now become a cult classic. Beyond the campiness, this film explores topics of assault, sexuality, and codependency. This is definitely a great watch for a spooky girls night in!
Jennifer’s Body is currently available to stream on Hulu and MAX.
Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
Following the resurgence in popularity of Jennifer’s Body within the past few years, Diablo Cody once again delves into the horror comedy sphere with 2024’s Lisa Frankenstein. Set in 1989 suburbia, the story follows teenager Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton). After the brutal murder of her mother some time ago, she and her dad move to live with her new, evil stepmother (Carla Gugino) and popular, well-meaning stepsister (Liza Soberano). Feeling like an outcast both at home and at school while coping with the loss of her mother, she takes solace in visiting a local cemetery where she reads, rubbing tombstones, and tending to the graves. However, there is a specific tombstone that is her favorite, one of a young man with a stone head bust. One night after an awful experience at a party, Lisa stumbles into the graveyard to her favorite grave and says, “I wish I was with you.” Soon after returning home, lightning strikes the head bust. The next night, while alone in the house, Lisa is startled by someone busting through her living room window, almost mirroring what happened during her mother’s murder. After the initial shock, she soon realizes that the zombie creature is actually the man from her favorite grave. Lisa takes in the creature (Cole Sprouse) and they soon begin to bond. However, with him missing some of his body parts, how will they go about finding them to make him whole again?
This film marks the directorial debut of Zelda Williams, daughter of the late actor/comedian Robin Williams. Going beyond the horror and romcom elements, this film explores themes of grief, growth, and the acceptance of being authentically weird. Filled with comedy, romance, hatchets, and an amazing late 1980s aesthetic, this future cult classic is great to watch alone or with friends this Halloween.
The film is currently available to purchase on Amazon Prime Video.
The Blackening (2023)
Directed by famed director Tim Story, co-written and starring Dewayne Perkins, The Blackening follows a group of friends traveling to a cabin for Juneteenth festivities. However, shortly after arriving and partying, they realize that one of their two friends who arrived earlier is trapped and in danger of being killed like the other friend. The only way to save her, and themselves, is by playing a game with a Sambo character that tests players on their knowledge of Black American trivia and culture. If they answer incorrectly, they’re in danger of getting killed. While they try to play this game to save their lives, there’s other threats waiting for them outside the cabin. But who’s waiting for them outside? Are they connected to the board game of death? Will they be able to survive and subvert common horror tropes, or will both their Black cards and lives be revoked? The only way to know is watch and know your Black trivia!
For fans of the Scary Movie franchise, be sure to check out this smartly comedic film that subverts not only various tropes in horror but also stereotypes about Black people. Grab your popcorn and be prepared to laugh until your stomach hurts!
The Blackening is available to watch now on Netflix.
Spree (2020)
Starring Joe Keery, the Eugene Kotlyarenko-directed Spree is a found footage film that follows Kurt Kunkle, a young man in his 20s who is a rideshare driver but ultimately seeks online fame and virality. After multiple failed attempts to grow his online audience and garner popularity like his self-proclaimed friend Bobby (Josh Ovalle), Kurt begins a new series called “The Lesson” to show how to quickly get famous by doing the most extreme things imaginable. One day, he goes on a murder spree during his rideshare job where he livestreams various aspects of “The Lesson,” including discreetly poisoning water bottles, how to dispose of a dead body, and having riders trapped and attacked by vicious dogs. While things seem to start off slow with low viewership and taunting from Bobby despite actively killing people, he eventually gets a large audience. But, inspired by one of his rideshare riders Jessie (Sasheer Zamata) and a speech during her comedy act, Kurt questions if virality is really that important.
For those who are fans of found footage films and enjoy clever commentary on influencer culture, this is right up your alley. However, be warned that this is the bloodiest entry on the list!
Spree is available to stream on Tubi and Shudder.
Ready to laugh and scream from terror? Be sure to check out these horror comedies, now available to buy, rent, or stream on your favorite platforms.
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