The topic of vampires has fascinated the cinematic world ever since the clawed Nosferatu made its appearance in 1922. While most modern movies take the topic quite seriously, with vampires divided into bloodthirsty monsters or misunderstood and tortured anti-heroes conflicted about the morality of their nature, some prefer to lighten the mood and substitute horror with lighthearted comedy and outright parody.
The tales of vampires, both in media and folklore, are meant to spread cold terror — after all, the creatures, no matter how seductive, attractive, or conflicted, are killers — so when a movie decides to present them comically, it helps to take away the fear and allow the audience to regain control. These 5 horror comedies take a bite at the associated horror with such ease and irreverent humor that even the most terrified viewer can’t help but burst into laughter.
Vamps (2012)
Directed by Clueless’ Amy Heckerling, this underappreciated horror-comedy features former Batgirl Alicia Silverstone and Jessica Jones’ Krysten Ritter as two kind-hearted, party-hopping vamps, Goody and Stacy, who live off rat blood and navigate the intricacies of the modern-day New York and its dating scene. The film is filled with good-natured humor and takes a stab at the common tropes like Stacy attending vampire anonymous support meetings or decorating her coffin as a high-school locker. Wallace Shawn’s performance as Dr. Van Helsing, who is surprisingly okay with his son dating Stacy, brings in some of the biggest laughs, and Sigourney Weaver’s portrayal of an indulgent old vampire and Goody’s ‘maker’ is so over the top that it becomes hilarious.
Vamps doesn’t pretend to be anything else but a sweet and lighthearted buddy rom-com that plays to its strengths. The special effects are goofy and deliberate, and the plot is sometimes sloppy, but the movie more than makes up for it with Ritter and Silverstone’s on-screen chemistry and a surprising, genuinely emotional ending. Despite its awkward faults, Vamps is well worth a watch when one is in the mood for a lighthearted vampire comedy.
Dark Shadows (2012)
In this adaptation of the 1966 cult gothic soap opera of the same name, Tim Burton once again joins his select favorites Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Eva Green on set, aided by the rest of the star-studded cast that includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Chloë Grace Moretz, and even an appearance from Christopher Lee. The story follows an ancient vampire Barnabas Collins (Depp), who is suddenly released from the 200-year-long imprisonment and finds himself in the shaggy-haired ‘70s, with the moldering family mansion now inhabited by his down-on-their-luck descendants. Barnabas sets about restoring the family’s fortune and re-discovering his lost love, all the while being pursued by a jealous witch.
Dark Shadows might not be considered Burton’s best work, but it retains the director’s unmistakable style, neatly wrapped with a gothic flair, ‘70s disco spirit, and deadpan jokes. Depp is excellent in portraying the out-of-touch vampire, bewildered by modern ways and technology, and the often over-the-top humor perfectly fits the movie’s soapy roots. This underrated culture-clash vampire comedy is well worth a watch.
Vampire’s Kiss (1988)
With its table-hopping, plastic vampire teeth, rage-induced reciting of the alphabet, ranting outcries of “I’m a vampire!” and the actual consumption of a live cockroach, Vampire’s Kiss became the blueprint for Nicolas Cage’s absurd and so-bad-it’s-good movies to come. Though the film desperately flopped on its release, this outrageous piece coming from under the pen of Joseph Minion, who previously worked on Martin Scorsese’s After Hours, became a cult classic over the years.
The story follows a literary agent Peter Loew (Cage), who becomes convinced he’s turning into a vampire after being passionately bitten by a one-night stand (Jennifer Beals). Minion plays with the audience’s perceptions, never fully confirming whether Peter is hallucinating or truly becoming a creature of the night. Regardless, the protagonist’s — if you can call him that — behavior grows more erratic, and Cage’s unhinged and somewhat deranged performance pushes the already bizarre premise right off the edge.
Some fans believe the movie to be an allegory of Minion’s depression and reportedly toxic relationship, others see the main character’s obsession and torment of his secretary as a supernaturally-flavored commentary on toxic masculinity and abuse, and others see it as just an avenue for the combined eccentricity of Cage and Minion. Whatever it is, Vampire’s Kiss is one heck of a hilarious ride.
What We Do In The Shadows (2014)
The future director of Thor: Ragnarok, Taika Waititi, and Flight of the Concord’s Jemaine Clement joined forces to direct and star in this hilarious Kiwi mockumentary. It follows four vampire flatmates — Viago, a 17th century Dandy in love; 862-year-old Vladislav the Poker; Deacon, a young rebel of the group; and Peter, an ancient vampire turned feral — and depicts their day-to-day lives, with all the associated challenges, mundane chores, and meaningless squabbles. While retaining some clear horror elements and working off familiar tropes, What We Do In the Shadows offers a fresh take on the topic and puts the farcical, eccentric comedy to the forefront, revealing the brutal and often dull realities of being a modern vampire.
This clever, odd, and hilarious vampire comedy gained a cult status and launched a successful franchise, with the critically-acclaimed eponymous TV show already prolonged for the fourth season. Without a doubt, it is well worth sinking one’s teeth in.
Vampires Vs. The Bronx (2020)
This fantastic Netflix horror-comedy, written and directed by The Last Man on Earth’s Oz Rodriguez, takes all the best elements from The Monster Squad, The Lost Boys, and classic Dracula movies and turns it into something fresh, surprisingly clever, genuine, and hilarious all at the same time. The story follows a group of teenagers — Miguel (Jaden Michael), Bobby (Gerald W. Jones III), and Luis (Gregory Diaz IV) — who are trying to save their Bronx from gentrification and a group of ruthless vampires turned real estate developers behind it. The trio can’t stand by and watch the monsters suck the life out of the inhabitants and drain the neighborhood of everything that makes it unique, so, armed with the comic book and Blade-binge-inspired wisdom, they decide to fight back.
The young cast’s superb and genuine performances bring the fleshed-out characters to life, excellently portraying their very real troubles, motivations, and values. Even though the movie shamelessly works off the most basic tropes, the allegories of the rich, entitled, white-skinned vampires trying to appropriate Bronx’s culture and identity are a bit in your face, and the floating, hypnotizing monsters look somewhat kitschy, Vampires vs. The Bronx manages to remain utterly endearing while boldly tackling such complex topics as gang violence, xenophobia, and racism. This exceptional vampire comedy is a must-watch for any genre fan.