Read update
There are many ways to make a horror film. It can be a bloody slasher, a creative folk horror recurring to audiences' most primitive fears, or a grotesque body horror twisting and contorting viewers' minds. Among these genres, one stands out among the most fun and exciting: Campy horror movies.
These are the kinds of films that are absurd, exaggerated, overly stylized, and—if done right—as funny as they can be scary. They can be full-on comedies poking fun at genre conventions likeThe Cabin in the Woods, or gory horror movies with just a healthy dose of camp sprinkled in, likeThe Evil Dead. Often, they become unforgettable cult classics.
Updated on August 25, 2025, by Diego Pineda Pacheco:
So far, 2023 has been a pretty good year for horror movies. Fans of campy horror in particular have been treated to instant cult classics likeM3GAN, proving that those who enjoy the genre are always eager to experience a film that’s as scary as it is silly and fun.
18’Sleepaway Camp' (1983)
One of the most infamous cult classic slashers ever made, as well-known for its controversial ending as it is for its contributions to the genre,Sleepaway Campis a must-see for horror fans. It’s about a shy young girl who’s sent to summer camp, where anyone with sinister intentions toward her gets their comeuppance.
The 45 Best Slasher Movies of All Time, Ranked
From classics like Peeping Tom and Psycho to game changer Scream, this is Collider’s ranking of the greatest slasher movies ever made.
Whether you love or hate the ending, it’s hard to deny thatSleepaway Campis an unforgettable experience. Just like its title would suggest, it has camp to spare, which makes it all the more shocking when it takes a series of dark turns.
Watch on Peacock
17’Leprechaun' (1993)
There are multiple reasons why you’d want to watchLeprechaun: A cheesy so-bad-it’s-good tone that’s very easy to enjoy, a sillyvillain with an exorbitantly high kill count, andJennifer Aniston’s first big role are but a few.
Prior to spanning a long-running campy franchise that was very much aware of its dumbness, the people behind the firstLeprechaunactually seem to have felt that they were making a proper scary movie. While there are admittedly some creepy elements in the film, it’s best suited for you to sit down with your friends for an hour and a half to have a few good laughs.
Watch on Starz
16’Plan 9 from Outer Space' (1959)
Ed Woodis typically regarded as the single worst filmmaker of all time, and all it takes is one look atPlan 9 from Outer Spaceto see why. A strange blend of horror and sci-fi, it’s about evil aliens attacking Earth and setting a terrible plan into action.
If you enjoy campy scary movies,Plan 9should be right up your alley. The fear factor is pretty much gone by now (if it ever was there in the first place), but reveling in the dumbness of the story and the impressive technical incompetence of everyone involved never ceases to be an absolute delight.
Watch on Mubi
15’Killer Klowns from Outer Space' (1988)
Killer Klowns from Outer Space, about aliens shaped like clowns who terrorize a small town, is the kind of movie that will have you constantly wondering who came up with the idea and why no one stopped them.
If the cult following that the film has garnered over the years is any indication, then the world is lucky that no one told theChiodo brothers, the American filmmaking trio behind this classic, that their idea was just a little bit too silly.Killer Klownsis intense, ridiculous, and an awful lot of fun. It’s the kind of film that’ll show you why audiences lovesome ridiculous horror movies.
Watch on Tubi
14’Death Becomes Her' (1992)
Robert Zemeckistends to be a pretty hit-or-miss director, and althoughDeath Becomes Her(about a fading actress who discovers an immortality treatment) wasn’t particularly well-received at the time of its release, audiences today have grown largely fond of it.
The 25 Best Meryl Streep Movies, Ranked
From ‘The Deer Hunter’ to ‘Sophie’s Choice’ to ‘Silkwood,’ this is Collider’s ranking of Meryl Streep’s greatest movies.
Goofy, clever, and undeniably funny, the movie sports a creative satirical critique of show business, as well asMeryl StreepandGoldie Hawkin one of the most entertaining performances of their respective careers. It’s not a comedy suited for everyone’s sense of humor, but it’s very much worth watching to see if it’s your kind of thing.
13’Rubber' (2010)
There’s a certain charm inludicrous low-budget horror B-movies, and few are as self-aware and delightful asQuentin Dupieux’sRubber, about a homicidal tire named Robert who goes on a rampage through a desert town.
If the movie’s premise sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is, in the best possible way. It’s a hilarious slasher satire full of meta-humor and wild amounts of creativity, proving that no one understands absurdist comedy quite like Dupieux.
12’The Blob' (1988)
A remake of a less successful 1958 horror sci-fi film, 1988’sThe Blobfollows a deadly blob spawned by a secret government project, which consumes everyone in its path.
Written by the sameFrank Darabontwho directedThe Shawshank RedemptionandThe Green Mile,The Blobis full of winks to classic horror that fans of the genre will adore. Fully aware of its ridiculous nature, the film wears its camp on its sleeve and uses it to deliver a fun, gory experience unlike any other.
11’M3GAN' (2023)
It’s no surprise that a camp-fest as fun and fresh asM3GANbecame the Internet sensation that it did when it came out. It’s a clever, purely fun story about a life-like doll programmed to bond with her creator’s newly orphaned niece.
Killer doll movies tend to be pretty hit-or-miss, butM3GANis definitely one of the stronger ones. It’s fully aware of how ridiculous it can be, resulting in the most delightful mixture of comedy and horror. It’s one of thebest horror films of 2023thus far, and a really entertaining experience.
Watch on Prime Video
Before he became famous for his legendaryThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy, the Kiwi directorPeter Jacksonwas well known and praised as a horror director.Dead Alive, one of his best earlier works, is about a mama’s boy mother, who comes back from the dead to kill and eat anything that comes in her path.
9 Video Nasties Worth Watching, From ‘Cannibal Holocaust’ to ‘Last House On The Left’
Seize the video nasties… and watch them!
Gory, grisly, funny, and entertaining from beginning to end,Dead Alivehas just the right amount of camp to make it an unforgettable classic. Made with incredible enthusiasm and energy, it’s one of Jackson’s most unique films.
9’Gremlins 2: The New Batch' (1990)
1984’s originalGremlinsis, by its own merits, an effectively campy horror extravaganza. However, directorJoe Dante(popular for his absurdist style) one-upped the proposal in every single way, delivering withGremlins 2one of the most colorful, exuberant, and dynamic horror sequels ever made.
The Gremlins' designs are wonderfully creative and silly, the plot is satirical and ridiculous, and Dante even managed to throw in some brilliant commentary on pop culture, civilized society, and the state of commercial cinema at the time.
