Summary
There’s comfort found in watching a hair-raising horror movie with others, but a similar community can be just as appreciated for comedy horror films that are beyond ridiculous. Many horror films lack scares but excel in outlandish plots, wild and over-the-top acts of violence, and, especially when it pertains to the ’80s, aged special effects. Horror films have yet to wane in popularity, butthe genre saw a peak in the ’80s.
The decade introducediconic horror charactersand saw a rise in the popularity ofslasher films.These elements are found in the defining and acclaimed horror films such asThe ShiningandA Nightmare on Elm Street, as well as the cheesiest films the decade has to offer. As enjoyable as it is to watch films likeChopping MallandStudent Bodiesalone, gathering with friends to laugh and have a good time is even better.
Why 80’s Horror Franchises Had So Many Comedy Sequels
Many horror franchises like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Evil Dead produce comedic sequels to solidify their status as iconic horror franchises.
15TerrorVision (1986)
An Alien Lands On Earth
The over-the-top nature of Ted Nicolaou’sTerrorVisionmakes for a cheesy horror film that should only be enjoyed with others.Many things inTerrorVisiondon’t fully work — the timing of the jokes being one of them. However, pointing out the flaws in the film with a group of friends and following along on the Putterman’s wild journey with a mutant creature is what makesTerrorVisionworthwhile.
TerrorVisionis a"so-bad-it’s-good" horror moviethat has an unconventional way of scaring audiences.There aren’t many moments inTerrorVisionthat prompt viewers to jump out of their seats, but rather the scariness in the film comes from the hideous and detailed design of the main monster and its means of killing.
14Return Of The Killer Tomatoes (1988)
An Army Of Humans Is Created From Tomatoes
Though no film in theKiller Tomatoesseries compares to the first, its sequel,Return of the Killer Tomatoes, comes close. Set 10 years after the events of the first film, tomatoes are now banned, butProfessor Gangreen is looking to cause more harm with the food by placing them in toxic waste and putting them in a chamber that transforms them into people.
In line with other films in the series,Return of the Killer Tomatoesnever tries to be serious, made clear by the film’s overall premise.The film also includes scenes where the music of Michael Jackson transforms Gangreen’s tomatoes into clones of the famous singerand a moment where characters in the film break the fourth wall and promote various products.
April Fool’s Day
Cast
April Fool’s Day is a 1986 horror film directed by Fred Walton. The story revolves around a group of college friends who gather at a remote island mansion to celebrate spring break. Their weekend of fun quickly turns into a nightmare as they fall victim to a series of vicious pranks and mysterious events. Starring Deborah Foreman, Griffin O’Neal, and Clayton Rohner, the film explores themes of deception and survival.
Withfilms likeThanksgivingandBlack Christmas, it’s not uncommon for horror films to take place on other holidays. One of the more underrated examples of this subgenre isApril Fool’s Day.The black comedy slasher film sees a group of friends vacationing during the titular holiday weekend.
Most of the laughs don’t come until the end, butApril Fool’s Dayis entertaining the whole way through. During their trip, chaos ensues and the characters are made to fight for their lives against a mysterious killer. The ending ofApril Fool’s Day, while dividing many critics, is surprising and could only work in a film like this.
12Student Bodies (1981)
High School Students Are Killed By A Stalker
Parodying many of the classic tropes found in the horror genre,Student Bodiesis delightfully cheesy and imperfect.Student Bodieschronicles the number of deaths of high school students acted out by a killer and stalker known as “the Breather.“Many negative reviews ofStudent Bodiespoint out the repetitive nature of the jokes and how the film slows down towards the end.
While the critiques are valid, what makesStudent Bodiesfun is seeing the different horror films that are referenced.As one of the first films to satirize the popular slasher subgenre of the decade, iconic moments in films likeWhen a Stranger Calls,Prom Night, andCarrieare comically reworked inStudent Bodies.
Galaxy of Terror
Galaxy of Terror is a 1981 sci-fi horror film directed by Bruce D. Clark. The film follows a rescue mission to a distant planet, where the crew encounters a deadly alien force that manifests their deepest fears. Galaxy of Terror features performances by Edward Albert, Erin Moran, and Ray Walston.
Following the success ofAlien, many duplicates were made. Horror films that aimed for similar success shared similar creatures and themes at the center of their films. Of these films,Galaxy of Terroris one of the betterAlienrip-offs.Galaxy of Terrortakes the general premise ofAlienand makes it weirder and darker.
The film also has notable names attached to its crew, including James Cameron, who worked as a Production Designer and Second Unit Director, and Robert Englund.The former would go on to directAlien’s sequel,Aliens, pulling tonal elements present inGalaxy of Terror. Despite being full of B-movie tropes,Galaxy of Terrorhas had an unappreciated influence on the genre — and it’s also a lot of fun.
Why Galaxy Of Terror Is The Best Alien Rip-Off Movie
Galaxy of Terror (1981) was the best of the low-budget Alien rip-offs. The campy film includes enough bizarre elements to set it apart from the rest.
10Ghoulies II (1987)
The Mischievous Monsters Take Over A Carnival
As the second installment in theGhouliesfilm series,Ghoulies IIhas a stronger focus on the titular creatures.Unrelated to the events in its predecessor,Ghoulies IIplaces the creatures at a carnival where they cause trouble for attendees looking for a good time in a funhouse.
The Ghoulies draw many comparisons to the characters inGremlinsandMunchies, and like their counterparts,there is an odd charm to the Ghoulies that makes it difficult to look away. The Ghoulies are also endlessly mischievous, resulting in a thrilling film that keeps audiences engaged the whole time.
Night of the Comet
Night of the Comet, released in 1984, follows two teenage sisters in a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles after a comet wipes out most of humanity. They navigate a landscape of red dust and zombie-like mutants, eventually joining forces with a truck driver to combat a malevolent scientific group.
The fight for survival against zombies is at the center of plenty of horror films, butNight of the Cometcomes out on top as having one of the cheesiest zombie origin stories. In the film, a rare comet is passing through the sky. The cosmiceffects of the comet turn everyone into either red dust or zombies, but for various reasons,Night of the Comet’s main characters are sheltered throughout the night and survive such a dreadful fate.
The laughs inNight of the Cometcome fromwatching inept teenagers quickly learn how to fight off the brain-hungry creatures.
The Monster Squad
The Monster Squad is a 1987 film by director Fred Dekker that revolves around the Universal Monsters, a group of classic creatures including Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Wolf Man, Gill-Man, and the Mummy. The film follows a group of teenagers that use a book written by Van Helsing to help protect the world from the monsters.
AlthoughThe Monster Squadis aimed at a younger audience,there’s material everyone can enjoy.The Monster Squadplaces various classic monster figures in a battle with a young group of kids who are trying to prevent them from taking over the world.
The Monster Squadhas its flaws, but it’s fun to see iconic monster characters fight young kids. Monsters likeCount Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Mummy are just some of the Universal Monsters that appear in the film. With a comparable adventurous tone toThe Little RascalsandThe Goonies,The Monster Squadstrikes a chord with audiences and brings up joyful feelings of nostalgia.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a 1988 science fiction horror comedy in which aliens resembling circus clowns invade a rural town. They capture unsuspecting victims using unconventional methods, including entrapment in cotton candy cocoons, leading local residents to confront the bizarre extraterrestrial threat.
As one of the more critically praised cheesy horror films of the decade,Killer Klowns from Outer Spaceis wonderfully entertaining.Killer Klowns from Outer Spacefollows the events that occur after murderous aliens take over a small town. TheKlowns in the film are equal parts terrifying and humorous.
It’s proven the Klowns are not to be messed with, but they also participate in typical clown gags.In addition to the characterization of extraterrestrials,Killer Klowns from Outer Spacehas strong visuals, as seen in its sets and special effects.Since the ’80s,Killer Klowns from Outer Spacehas become a cult classic, and it’s for a good reason.
6The Stuff (1985)
A Popular Treat Turns People Into Zombies
Larry Cohen felt as thoughThe Stuffwasn’t as successful as it could’ve been because it was heavily marketed as a horror film, rather than a satirical comedy. With that in mind,The Stuffdoesn’t have goosebump-inducing scares, but its premise can be unsettling.The Stuffgets its name from the sweet and addictive substance in the film that has the American population hooked.
However, the mysterious, cream-like treat isn’t what it appears to be as it takes over people’s bodies and turns them into zombies.The Stuffhas a lot to say about consumerism and greedy corporations, but the bizarre and humorous elements take away from any serious messaging.
10 Horror Comedy Flops That Absolutely Should’ve Been Bigger Hits
A few horror comedy films performed poorly at the box office, but have redeeming qualities that help prove they should have been bigger.
