10 Classic Horror Movies Draw a Halloween Chuckle

Relive the cheesy classics of the drive-in movie era that had theater-goers gripping the car seats or huddling frightened in a dark movie house. Below are ten classic horrors whose chills will draw a few chuckles this Halloween (except for the youngest minds who envision monsters under the bed).

White Zombie

Classic horror star Bela Lugosi casts his spell over a tortured love triangle taking place in the heart of dark zombie practices. The legendary Lugosi is reason enough to watch this film, although the lumbering zombies themselves aren’t a bad bonus.

One Body Too Many

Another Lugosi classic, there’s a Bob Hope-esque comedy theme running through this horror classic about an insurance salesman locked for the night in house occupied by scheming dead relatives, a wealthy dead man, and a murderous presence.

Attack of the Killer Shrews

The ROUS’s of Princess Bride fame (or something close) make a stunning film appearance in this killer rodent film. Watch these real stars devour their human victims and hold the hero at bay for what seems like a mere half hour.

The Terror

In a forgettable performance, Jack Nicholson appears opposite horror legend Boris Karloff as a young French soldier haunted by the apparition of a beautiful young woman buried in the local cliffside manor’s creepy crypt. Watching the dimwitted soldier hero accidentally finish off most of the cast are a few of this film’s highlights.

Plan Nine from Outer Space

Aliens (led by Bela Lugosi in his final film appearance) attempt to take over the world using the ambiguous plan nine from outer space. Lugosi’s untimely passing before the film wrapped led to an interesting substitution: the actor who finished Lugosi’s fiendish scenes is forced to shield his lower face with a cape to hide his identity from the audience.

The Giant Gila Monster

An oversized lizard stomps his way through miniature cars in pursuit of some fun-loving teenagers hanging out at the local joint. With exploding fossil fuels and panicky natives, this classic is a don’t-miss in any cheesy horror collection.

The Brain that Wouldn’t Die

What’s better than keeping your girlfriend’s head alive after a tragic car accident? Spending the whole movie in a gristly search for her new “body”, for starters. As the evil doctor conducts his quest, take note of the showgirl “catfight” scene and the script’s compelling lines, like “Told you to let me die!”.

The Haunting of Hill House

Another horror film legend makes a “chilling” appearance: Vincent Price presides over a haunted house party that locks a series of greedy strangers in the creepy mansion for the night. Ghoulish appearances include the ghostly “suicide” victim, a dangling skeleton, and the creepy hag housekeeper playing on the nerves of Price’s young, naive secretary.

Creature from the Haunted Sea

Another comic endeavour with chilling creatures, the Get Smart-esque hero embarks on a Cuban escape cruise haunted by a rubbery sea creature with ping-pong ball eyes and cheesy lines and characters that make this film one of the top laugh-generator of the list.

Beast of Yucca Flats

The only horror film possibly funnier than “Creature from the Haunted Sea” is this one, featuring the nuclear-modified Russian scientist as “the beast” and a series of dim-witted side characters who bumble their way through the pursuit. The “sharpshooter” scene with the former marksman/paratrooper turned cop is only surpassed by the monster’s actual pursuit of two lost children in the desert — and those are only highlights of the laugh fest.

Who says scary is only slash and gore? The ghosts, ghouls, and bumps in the night featured in these chilling tales will shake the laughs right out of you this Halloween.