No matter how seriously you take your love of horror movies, you've got to admit that there is a lot to make fun of.
Sometimes it's the low budgets, sometimes it's how ridiculously over the top the violence and gore can get. Other times it might be the clear inexperience of the actors.
We're approaching "parody" in a loose sense here, because let's face it: nobody wants a steady diet of Scary Movie-style out-and-out horror parodies. Even those get old after a while.
Some of the movies on this list are funnier than others, but they all go for the same thing: an attempt to poke fun at (or pay homage to) classic horror movie tropes and themes.
7. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)
Okay, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark isn't really a horror parody as much as it is a take-off on Footloose, except instead of dancing, the people in the town don't like Elvira?
This also isn't really spooky unless you're terrified of punk rock poodles. And really, who isn't?
6. It Came From the Desert (2017)
It Came from the Desert is NOT a documentary about the Palm Desert rock scene. It's actually a horror-comedy loosely based on the 1989 computer game of the same name, which was itself based on 1950s-era horror movies. So it's a parody of a parody?
5. Stan Against Evil (2016–2018)
If nothing else, Stan Against Evil serves as proof that John C. McGinley should just be in everything.
In this comedy-horror TV series, McKinley stars as Stan Miller, sheriff of a small New Hampshire town perpetually plagued by demons, spirits, witches, and the supernatural in general.
Even better, it was created by comedian Dana Gould (aka the voice of Gex in the video game series of the same name).
4. WolfCop (2014)
You'd be forgiven for thinking that WolfCop was created by the same 5-year-old behind Axe Cop, but you'd be wrong. Instead, this horror comedy follows an alcoholic cop who becomes a werewolf—but still works as a cop, even in wolf form.
3. The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
Another Joss Whedon horror homage, The Cabin in the Woods is probably the most legitimately spooky film on this list. But that doesn't mean it's a full-on scary movie.
It starts off pretty normal, but gradually becomes more and more absurd with unconventional elements, capping off with several moments of sheer parody. If you're familiar with any horror tropes, The Cabin in the Woods is downright hilarious.
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
Hey, what do you know, it's another movie that has the same name as a TV show. In this case, the 1992 movie (starring Kristy Swanson) spawned the TV series (starring Sarah Michelle Gellar).
Joss Whedon fans will tell you the series is much better than the movie. They're not wrong, but the movie is still worth a watch!
1. What We Do In The Shadows (2015)
What We Do In The Shadows is the name of a 2015 movie that eventually went on to become a TV series on the FX network.
Both are available to stream in several places, and both are hilarious. You'll find more moments in the movie that are in line with traditional horror movies than in the TV series.
More Horror Movies That Play With Tropes
If you aren't looking for a blood-soaked gore fest but still want something that pokes fun at the horror movie genre, check out our other article on zombie movies brimming with comedy.
