A lot of horror movies tend to have moments of humour, possibly to take a break from the scares and gore. They can range from the mildly amusing to the downright hilarious, whether intentional or not. I love these moments. They usually show that the filmmakers had fun making the movie, which is always a contributing factor to the entertainment I get from watching these. So here are 20 horror movie moments that I found the be funny. I’ve tried to stay away from horror comedies to give non comedy-centred movies a chance. I could fill the list with Thir13en Ghosts and Idle Hands alone. And yes, there will be spoilers.
I will include the links for each movie on justwatch, on which you can change the country to suit your location, so you can find out where to watch it.
1. Wolf Creek 2 (2013) – Flying Kangaroos!
Let’s start with the movie that inspired this list in the first place. I reviewed it last week after having watched it for the first time. This moment really threw me. It was so absurd that it was hilarious. The kangaroos are so obviously CG that it makes me feel less guilty about laughing so hard every time I watch it (and believe me I’ve watched this scene a lot). The reaction of Mick Taylor is probably the best part. Yelling “flying kangaroo” and “sorry, Skippy!” while laughing his filthy laugh is the biggest highlight of the film, and there are plenty of those throughout. Also, the addition of the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight as the kangaroos hop across the road and fly over the vehicles matches perfectly and contributes to the ludicrous nature of the scene. “Welcome to Australia cocksocker!”
Where to watch: Justwatch
2. Hostel (2005) – Edward Saladhands
This movie really needed a weird and funny scene, with all the torture porn ahead. There is also a scene involving a gang of children beating two grown men to death with rocks, but this one’s a bit more light-hearted. The three guys are in a train cabin travelling to Slovakia when the Dutch Businessman enters and proceeds to eat salad with his hands. Apparently kids today don’t do enough of that. Then he takes his salad hand and touches Josh’s leg, causing him to freak out and shoo the Businessman away with his salad in shame. This is definitely my favourite scene. If you missed my review of this movie, you can read it here.
Where to watch: Justwatch
3. Sleepaway Camp (1983) – Eat Shit and Live
Now I’ve heard (and used) the insult eat shit and die many times. It wasn’t until I watched this movie for the first time (last year I think, thanks to Dead Meat) that I heard this amazing come back. Now actually think about which would be worse. Living or dying after eating shit. This movie really is a joy to watch!
Where to watch: Justwatch
4. House on Haunted Hill (1999) – Give Me My Check
There are a lot of funny lines in this remake of the classic 1959 Vincent Price movie of the same name. I recently rewatched the movie on DVD and even watched all of the bonus features. They cast SNL cast member Chris Kattan as caretaker Watson Pritchett to be the comic relief. It definitely works. Just before the house goes into surprise lockdown, the reluctant Pritchett throws a tantrum and demands his pay check from Geoffrey Rush’s Steven Price. It’s like a petulant child with Tourette’s, throwing in a couple of goddammits. It’s so funny because he’s trying to be serious, and Rush just stands there and stares at him blankly. I also want to give a shout out to the amazing Taye Diggs line “What, me and y’all three? Woohoo, let’s boogie”.
Where to watch: Justwatch
5. Creep (2004) – Craig Putting on Gloves
This underrated gem of a movie really needs more attention. I included it in my Horror Movie Double Features post a few weeks back. Now, I didn’t used to find anything that funny in the movie, particularly with this scene. It wasn’t until it was pointed out to me how silly it actually is that this scene became funny. Craig is a strange little man who lives in the London Underground (wombling free) which also seems to be connected to an old abortion clinic. He has this poor homeless girl strapped to a surgical chair, so he puts on a gown, washes his hands (without water) and puts on these decrepit medical gloves. He clearly wasn’t trained in the art of glove wearing as he does a piss-poor job and clearly gives up on the first one entirely. Talk about unsanitary. Now I can’t help but laugh.
Where to watch: Justwatch
6. The Happening (2008) – What? No…
To be fair I could have picked so many moments and/or made a list based entirely on this movie alone. I mean c’mon! We went from The Sixth Sense to killer plants. I’m not sure what the script did to Marky Mark’s acting ability but I’ve definitely seen better from him. He’s very deadpan and emotionless, in fact most people are in the movie. And yet I still find the movie as a whole very entertaining. Carrie’s gym teacher randomly accuses him of wanting to murder her in her sleep and his reaction is priceless. Then she just kind of wanders off instead of asking them to leave. There’s also that first scene where they come to her house and he just stares at her silently while she offers him supper. Apparently he was eyeing up her lemon drink? It’s lemonade! If you haven’t already, I highly recommend the Honest Trailer. He gets so mad at lemon drink!
Where to watch: Justwatch
7. The Lost Boys (1987) – Michael’s a Vampire
I had to include one of my favourite vampire movies. Corey Haim was amazing as the younger brother. He has so many great lines in this 7 minute scene. Let’s start with “my own brother, a goddamn shit sucking vampire. Oh you wait till Mom finds out”. My favourite line in the movie. Of course after that Michael starts levitating and flies out the window, freaking Sam out more.
Before that there is of course tubby time with Sam. He’s in the bath singing along to Ain’t Got No Home with his husky on the floor beside him. I had to include this moment, too. “What did you do to my dog you asshole?”.
Where to watch: Justwatch
8. Sleepy Hollow (1999) – Ichabod Believes
This is one of those examples of a great Johnny Depp performance. Some may argue that he has become a bit of a parody these days in Burton films, but this was only his third collaboration and is probably Burton’s darkest and most serious movie to date. This moment, taking place after his first encounter with the Headless Horseman, is funny because of Depp’s more subdued Jack Sparrow like performance. It doesn’t help that Dumbledore is there telling him we told you so.
Where to watch: Justwatch
9. The Exorcist (1973) – Regan’s Trip Down the Stairs
I remember the first time I saw this scene. I had gotten a copy of the “version you’ve never seen” VHS (which I still have), so like the subtitle suggests there were scenes that were new to me. This being one of them. Seeing Regan crab crawl her way down the stairs at such a high speed with blood pouring out of her mouth still makes me laugh to this day. I think it was just unexpected. Fun fact: did you know that Father Damien Karras’s actor Jason Miller, was Jason Patric’s father? I just found that out (because of The Lost Boys) and thought it was interesting.
Where to watch: Justwatch
10. Interview with the Vampire (1994) – Louis and the Poodles
Oh, look, it’s my other favourite vampire movie. What are the odds? Although Tom Cruise’s Lestat is the funnier of the two (that scene with him dancing with the dead body is particularly delightful), Brad Pitt’s Louis provides us with the funny moment here. He’s out walking with a wealthy widow with the idea of making her his midnight snack. She has a couple of poodles with her, who begin to bark incessantly, annoying Louis. So what does he do? He starts feeding on the dogs, much to the lady’s horror and Lestat’s amusement. And ours of course. It’s dark and a bit silly, but in the best way possible.
Where to watch: Justwatch
11. You’re Next (2011) – Family Dinner
This whole scene is funny with its natural banter and family dynamics. Before all the chaos ensues there are some genuinely great moments, particularly the improvised dialogue and argument between brothers Crispian and Drake. Even during the chaos the humour continues as everyone is panicking. This is such a good movie!
Where to watch: Justwatch
12. An American Werewolf in London (1981) – Can I Have a Piece of Toast?
Now if your best friend, who had recently been viciously ripped to shreds by a werewolf, showed up in your hospital room asking for toast, how would you react? Well David tells him to GTFO. It has got to be the best ghost arrival ever. There is also the scene where David is in Trafalgar Square trying to get arrested by screaming obscenities. It doesn’t work, no matter how loudly he insults the Queen. Oh, and let’s not forget the movie at the porno theatre. Not only does a guy walk into the wrong house, but there’s a wrong number, too. In a movie called “See You Next Wednesday”. Priceless!
Where to watch: Justwatch
13. Halloween (2018) – Babysitter Banter
It’s a short scene, but it was one of the few that I not only remembered, but actually liked. Kids in horror are usually entertaining, especially when they’re not the main characters, and there’s that safety of knowing they’ll survive. So babysitter has invited friends over to get high, kid says he’ll tell his mother, babysitter threatens to tell his mother about his browser history, kid tells babysitter she used to be cool then goes to bed. Classic. It’s just a fun little interaction, and an adorable kid.
Where to watch: Justwatch
14. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) – John Goodman Twerking
I only think you’ll appreciate this scene if you love John Goodman as much as I do. And that’s a lot. I don’t think even Mary or John love John as much as I do because neither of them look particularly impressed in the scene.
Where to watch: Justwatch
15. Shallow Grave (1993) – Cameron
This movie has a great chemistry between its three main actors, which of course dissolves over the course of the film. At the beginning, they are looking for a fourth flatmate. Unfortunately, these guys are dicks, so when poor Cameron shows up to be interviewed, they bombard him with stupid questions and uncomfortable mockery. They come across him again later, giving Ewan one more chance to berate him, but with consequences. This moment is probably so funny to me because I’ve never seen Christopher Eccleston laugh so hard. You can read my review of it here.
Where to watch: Justwatch
16. Creep (2014) – The Peach Fuzz Dance
Another Creep! This very well made found footage movie follows the characters of Josef and Aaron, two people who have just met through Craigslist. Aaron is a videographer who has been hired by Josef to film a video for his unborn child. Things get weird. Especially when Josef breaks out the Peach Fuzz mask, and he performs a song and dance. He really goes for it! You can’t not smile during this moment.
Where to watch: Justwatch
17. Freaks (1932) – Here’s Something for Your Eye
Ok, you may laugh at this moment out of shock. I was in complete disbelief. So Hercules and Cleopatra are in her caravan, plotting against poor Hans and such. They notice the half man-half woman watching through the window, so Hercules goes after her/him. He approaches him/her as he/she applies makeup and full on punches her/him in the face. Now in real life, it was a woman who pretended to be half and half to earn money. This makes it more disturbing. He punches this woman in the face and Cleopatra, who is watching from her window, laughs. Like full on laughs. And of course you do, too. It’s so unexpected.
Where to watch: Justwatch
18. #horror (2015) – Creepy Mask Dancing
It’s such a weird visual. Five pre-teen girls wearing dresses, fur coats and creepy masks. Who made this up?
Where to watch: Justwatch
19. Misery (1990) – He Didn’t Get Out of the Cock-a-Doodie Car!
This is why we love Kathy Bates. Annie just flips her switch at a moment’s notice and it’s quite frightening. The scene where she’s unhappy with the way Paul has written the book causes her to bring up a childhood memory of the serials she used to watch. She felt cheated by the change in Rocketman, just like she feels Paul is trying to cheat her with his lack of continuity. This results in her interesting way of using the English language. The final showdown between Paul and Annie is pretty funny too.
Where to watch: Justwatch
20. American Psycho (2000) – It’s Hip to Be Square
The set up to this is so perfect. Patrick plays Huey Lewis’s Hip to Be Square, which is very upbeat. He has laid newspapers down to keep blood from getting on the carpet. He even wears a raincoat to keep his expensive suit clean. Just look at his axe, it’s ridiculously shiny. This movie really is about the materialism of the 1980s yuppie image. You’ll never see an axe that shiny again. The guy even moonwalks. Badly, but even so. It’s so 80s. “Hey, Paul!” Great line delivery.
Where to watch: Justwatch
And that’s 20 of my favourite horror movie funny moments. Did any of those moments make you laugh, or am I just really weird? Let me know, and also drop your favourite funny moments from horror in the comments.
Linsey Loves Horror 