30 Funny Halloween Movies to Watch Right Now, from ‘Clue’ to ‘Scream’
Halloween is right around the corner, which leaves us with one very important task: building a list of the best scary titles to celebrate the spooky season. Thankfully, we have more than enough options to consider, from popular Halloween classics and dark mysteries to kid-friendly titles. But this time, we’re turning our attention to films that’ll give us just as many laughs as there are scares.
Whether it’s a clever parody or a silly, campy flick, we could all use a bit of humor to relieve the tension (and make the viewing experience a little less terrifying). From Scream to The Frighteners, keep reading for 30 funny Halloween movies to watch on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and more.
RELATED: The 70 Best Halloween Movies of All Time
1. ‘Clue’ (1985)
Who’s in it? Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Lesley Ann Warren
What’s it about? Arguably one of the best movies of all time, Clue boasts a star-studded cast, sharp humor, plenty of quotable moments and not one, but three endings. Revisit the classic as six strangers try to solve a murder mystery at a secluded mansion.
2. ‘Ghostbusters’ (1984)
Who’s in it? Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis
What’s it about? After getting fired from their jobs, a trio of university professors decide to launch a “Ghostbusters” service, where they investigate paranormal activity and help remove ghosts. Not only does it expertly balance comedy and horror, but it also features thrilling action sequences and great dialogue.
3. ‘Beetlejuice’ (1988)
Who’s in it? Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara, Winona Ryder
What’s it about? Way before she became the overprotective mom on Stranger Things, Ryder played a teenager who dealt with creepy ghosts haunting her parents’ new home in Beetlejuice. The horror comedy actually earned an Academy Award for Best Makeup.
4. ‘Scream’ (1996)
Who’s in it? David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan
What’s it about? Following her mom's murder, a teen and her friends start to get terrorized by a mystery killer in a ghost mask. With smart commentary, nail-biting suspense and dark humor, it's no wonder why this title is a huge classic.
5. ‘The Addams Family’ (1991)
Who’s in it? Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Christina Ricci, Jimmy Workman
What’s it about? An aristocratic family reunites with a long-lost relative who has disappeared for 25 years—or so it appears. We could never tire of Wednesday’s snappy one-liners or Morticia and Gomez’s romance.
6. ‘The Frighteners’ (1996)
Who’s in it? Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson, John Astin, Dee Wallace Stone, Jeffrey Combs
What’s it about? A former architect named Frank (Fox) starts to pose as an exorcist after he develops the ability to communicate with ghosts. The ruse appears to work, but trouble ensues when the ghost of a murderer appears and starts to target the living. This will definitely give you Ghostbusters vibes.
7. ‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)
Who’s in it? Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz
What’s it about? If you’ve yet to see this classic, then do yourself a favor and add it to your queue ASAP. The fantasy comedy follows three ancient witches, who are accidentally resurrected by a young boy on Halloween night. It’s impossible to watch these villainous ladies without cracking up.
8. ‘Under Wraps’ (1997)
Who’s in it? Adam Wylie, Mario Yedidia, Clara Bryant, Ken Campbell
What’s it about? When an Egyptian mummy accidentally comes to life, it's up to three kids to return him back to his coffin before he disappears forever. Harold’s adventures with the kids are especially entertaining and sure to have you giggling non-stop.
9. ‘ParaNorman’
Who’s in it? Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jodelle Ferland, Bernard Hill, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick
What’s it about? Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee), a young boy who’s able to communicate with the dead, is tasked with stopping an ancient curse that could destroy his entire town. A compelling, feel-good story and gorgeous animation? Sign us up.
10. ‘The House With a Clock in Its Walls’ (2018)
Who’s in it? Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Owen Vaccaro, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Sunny Suljic
What’s it about? It tells the story of a young orphan who’s sent to live with his eccentric uncle in a sleepy old town. But when he discovers that his uncle is actually a warlock, he’s introduced to a secret world filled with magic. From silly humor and stunning special effects to standout performances from Black and Blanchett, the whole family will enjoy this one.
11. ‘Boo! A Madea Halloween’ (2016)
Who’s in it? Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis, Patrice Lovely, Yousef Erakat, Bella Thorne
What’s it about? When Madea (Perry) crashes and ruins a huge college Halloween party, the students decide to get revenge by playing a series of terrifying pranks on her. Loyal Madea fans will be happy to know that there are just as many laughs as there are scares.
12. ‘Shaun of the Dead’ (2004)
Who’s in it? Simon Pegg, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Nick Frost
What’s it about? After an electronics salesman learns that a zombie apocalypse has taken over London, he rushes to rescue his loved ones and they all take refuge in a local pub. Get ready for all the gore and witty satire.
13. ‘Scary Movie’ (2000)
Who’s in it? Anna Faris, Jon Abrahams, Carmen Electra, Shannon Elizabeth, Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans
What’s it about? Anyone who enjoys a silly satire that pulls no punches will enjoy this comedy slasher. The story follows a group of six friends who accidentally kill a man. But just a year after they dispose of the body, they get stalked by a masked killer. Prepare for references to classics like Scream, The Sixth Sense and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
14. ‘Gremlins’ (1984)
Who’s in it? Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Polly Holliday
What’s it about? It follows Billy, who receives a furry little creature known as a “mogwai” as a new pet. But when Billy slips up on following three simple rules, the creature multiplies and transforms into destructive gremlins. Seeing these creatures create chaos on Christmas Eve just never gets old.
15. ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (1986)
Who’s in it? Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin
What’s it about? Seymour (Moranis), a nerdy florist shop employee, stumbles upon a unique plant after an eclipse, but as it draws several new customers, Seymour realizes that his plant is actually a monster with an appetite for human blood. The Academy Award-nominated film blends charm and humor with nightmare-worthy horror.
16. ‘Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil’ (2010)
Who’s in it? Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowden, Jesse Moss
What’s it about? As two good-natured men try to enjoy their getaway in a run-down cabin in the woods, a group of college students pass by and mistake them for killers. What could possibly go wrong?
17. ‘What We Do In The Shadows’ (2014)
Who’s in it? Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Jonathan Brugh
What’s it about? The mockumentary-style flick is quirky, incredibly funny and so smart. In the movie, a filming crew follows a group of vampire roommates as they struggle to navigate modern-day life and responsibilities, from going to parties to balancing chores. (P.S., if you enjoy this, you might also want to check out the TV series.)
18. ‘Life After Beth’ (2014)
Who’s in it? Aubrey Plaza, Dane DeHaan, Molly Shannon, Cheryl Hines, Matthew Gray Gubler
What’s it about? Following the sudden death of his girlfriend, Beth (Aubrey), Zach (DeHaan) is crushed. That is, until he finds out that Beth has magically come back to life. He realizes that his zombie girlfriend isn’t quite the same, which makes him all the more uncomfortable in this bizarre turn of events.
19. ‘The Haunted Mansion’ (2003)
Who’s in it? Eddie Murphy, Terence Stamp, Nathaniel Parker, Marsha Thomason
What’s it about? After forgetting his wedding anniversary, Jim (Murphy), a workaholic husband and father, tries to redeem himself by taking his family on a special vacation. But when they arrive at an old mansion, they learn that it’s cursed and are forced to confront old spirits.
20. ‘Young Frankenstein’ (1974)
Who’s in it? Gene Wilder, Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman
What’s it about? Often considered one of Mel Brooks’s best comedies, the critically-acclaimed movie centers on a medical expert named Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Wilder), who decides to continue his late grandfather's experiments and winds up creating a monster. It’s silly, it’s extremely quotable and you’re bound to get a few scares.
21. ‘The Witches’ (1990)
Who’s in it? Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling, Rowan Atkinson
What’s it about? While vacationing with his grandmother in Norway, Luke (Fisher), discovers that the witches are planning to get rid of all children by turning them into mice. But when he’s caught spying, the ladies decide to make him their first test subject. Can Luke still stop the witches as a tiny mouse?
22. ‘Death Becomes Her’ (1992)
Who’s in it? Meryl Streep, Bruce Willis, Goldie Hawn, Isabella Rossellini
What’s it about? When Helen’s (Hawn) fiancé leaves her to marry her frenemy, Madeline (Streep), she falls into depression and ends up going to a psychiatric hospital. But several years later, when Helen reunites with the married couple, they’re stunned to find she’s still glowing and youthful. Helen reveals that her secret is a secret magic potion—but drinking it comes at a high cost.
23. ‘Vampire in Brooklyn’ (1995)
Who’s in it? Eddie Murphy, Angela Bassett, Allen Payne, Kadeem Hardison, John Witherspoon
What’s it about? As we all know, nearly anything that involves Murphy is guaranteed to deliver some laughs. The cult classic follows Rita (Bassett), a young detective who, while investigating a series of brutal murders, meets the mysterious and seductive Maximilian. As he goes to extreme lengths to win her heart, Rita starts to have strange visions, causing her to question her own sanity.
24. ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (1993)
Who’s in it? Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Ken Page
What’s it about? As the leader of Halloween Town, a magical place filled with supernatural creatures and monsters, Pumpkin King Jack Skellington decides to switch things up by taking on Christmas for a change. But this turns out to be more challenging than he expected.
25. ‘Goosebumps’ (2015)
Who’s in it? Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Amy Ryan
What’s it about? Inspired by R. L. Stine's popular children's book series, Goosebumps follows a fictionalized version of Stine (Black), who tries to save his hometown with the help of a neighbor after the monsters from his book magically come to life and try to destroy the real world. This charming film has its spooky moments, but it'll definitely make you chuckle.
26. ‘Scooby-Doo: The Movie’ (2002)
Who’s in it? Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini
What’s it about? If you’re looking for a family-friendly option that’ll give you all the nostalgia, then Scooby-Doo is your best bet. After disbanding for two years, Scooby and the gang reunite to investigate a new mystery in a horror-themed tropical resort called Spooky Island.
27. ‘Casper’ (1995)
Who’s in it? Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle, Malachi Pearson (voice)
What’s it about? The life (or shall we say afterlife?) of a friendly young ghost is turned upside down when a ghost therapist and his daughter move into the mansion where he lives. There’s no shortage of funny moments in this spooky childhood classic, from the breakfast scene to Casper’s awkward first encounter with Kat.
28. ‘An American Werewolf in London’ (1981)
Who’s in it? David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine
What’s it about? When two college friends, Jack and David, are attacked by a huge wolf during their travels in England, Jack unfortunately passes away. But as David tries to recover in the hospital, he’s haunted by images of his wounded friend, who convinces him that he just might be turning into a werewolf. From creepy, gory scenes to clever one liners, this film is as terrifying as it is funny.
29. ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ (1975)
Who’s in it? Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick
What’s it about? A young couple stumbles upon a nearby castle after their car breaks down, but little do they know that the castle is occupied by a mad scientist who’s working on a mysterious new creation. Watch for the catchy tunes, the clever commentary on stereotypes and Curry’s brilliant performance as the gender-bending character, Frank.
30. ‘Freaky’ (2020)
Who’s in it? Vince Vaughn, Kathryn Newton, Katie Finneran, Celeste O'Connor
What’s it about? It’s a bit like Freaky Friday, but with a sinister twist. Newton stars as a bullied high schooler who wakes up one morning to find that she switched bodies with a serial killer. To make matters even more complicated, she also realizes she only has 24 hours before the swap becomes permanent. Will she return to her body before time runs out?
RELATED: 50 Classic Scary Movies Guaranteed to Put You in the Spooky Spirit
