8 horror comedies similar to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

While movies that traditionally stick to a single genre are fun to watch, movies like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which expands its horizons and becomes subversive, are even better. It is easy to get stuck by the usual tropes of a genre, hindering creativity. But when movies experiment by mixing two polar opposite genres together, it gets a whole lot more interesting.

A sequel to the iconic Beetlejuice, the film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, brings back its principal cast and takes place after more than three decades. Directed by Tim Burton and starring Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega, the movie has become one of 2024’s hit movies. Viewers who like to watch such unique movies that mix horror and comedy can check the list below for some similarly-themed movies.

Fresh, Meet the Blacks, and other horror comedies like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

1) Ready or Not - Netflix

Still from the movie (Image via Netflix)

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Ready or Not, is a horror-comedy starring Samara Weaving and Adam Brody, with others. The movie is about a newly-wed bride, who realizes that her in-laws worship the devil and conduct bizarre games, including hunting the bride on the wedding night.

The film received positive reviews and was appreciated for its dark humor, slick action, and themes of taking down the wealthy. Like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the movie is a horror-comedy, revolves around marriage, and has eccentric characters.

2) Velvet Buzzsaw - Netflix

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and others, Velvet Buzzsaw, is a satirical black comedy-horror that has a unique premise. With a commentary upon the artificial world of art, the movie revolves around a dead, eccentric man, whose scribblings are stolen and sold as prestigious art.

Irked by the vandalism of his creations, he decides to go on a murder spree and gets revenge on everyone. Like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the movie is frantic, chaotic, and bizarre.

3) Fresh - Disney Plus

This Mimi Cave directorial, starring Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar-Jones, starts normally but goes on a different tangent altogether. When Noa meets a charming man at the supermarket, named Steve, the two start dating and Steve whisks her away to an isolated getaway.

But Noa soon realizes, that Steve has specific food tastes, which puts her in danger. The movie has a darkly funny atmosphere and like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, it is a true horror-comedy movie. The movie received positive reviews and is an interesting watch.

4) Freaky - Amazon Prime Video

Still from The Movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Starring Kathryn Newton and Vince Vaughn, Freaky is a horror-comedy directed by Christopher Landon. The movie twists the premise of Freaky Friday and adds its black comedy and slasher twist to it. The movie is eccentrically funny and has equal amounts of thrilling scenes.

The movie is about a bullied high school student, Millie, who unintentionally exchanges bodies with a middle-aged serial killer, known as the Blissfield Butcher. Like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the movie has both horror and comedy and is a unique watch.

5) Meet the Blacks - Amazon Prime Video

Directed by Deon Taylor, Meet the Blacks, is a comedy-horror that parodies The Purge. A black man, Carl (Mike Epps) steals money from a drug lord and takes his family to settle in Beverly Hills. But they make the mistake of moving in on a day when all crimes are legal for 12 hours.

After learning about the annual purge from his neighbors, Carl must protect his family and new home from the transformed neighbors, who do not have good intentions at heart. Like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the movie is an acclaimed horror comedy and has a stellar star cast.

6) Shaun of the Dead - Amazon Prime Video

One of the most iconic horror comedies of the early aughts, this cult classic stars Simon Pegg, and is directed by Edgar Wright. The movie is the first part of a trilogy and revolves around a salesman in London, Shaun (Pegg), who comes to know of an incoming zombie apocalypse and must run against time to save his friends and family.

The movie has some of the funniest scenes but it is equally juxtaposed with scary zombies running around. The scene where the jukebox plays Queen, while the gang fights off zombies is memorable. Like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the movie has horror and comedy and is an iconic franchise.

7) Cocaine Bear - Netflix

Starring Keri Russell, Ray Liotta, and others, Cocaine Bear is directed by Elizabeth Banks and is based on a true event where a black bear ate a huge quantity of cocaine. The movie is set around the Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest, where a bear ingests cocaine and becomes aggressive.

The movie follows several characters, including hikers, a mother and her children, and the security staff, who all try to protect themselves from the animal. Equal parts funny and horrifying, the movie is eccentric and bizarre like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

8) Come to Daddy - Amazon Prime Video

Directed by Ant Timpson and starring Elijah Wood, Come to Daddy, is a black comedy-slasher movie. The thrilling movie has twists and turns at every corner. A young boy, Norval, goes to meet his estranged father at a secluded cabin and gets involved in a chain of mysteries.

The movie received positive reviews and audiences liked its blending of witty dialogues and grotesque horror. A great recommendation for those who like slasher movies, it has the same mix of horror and comedy as Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and is weirdly engrossing.

Horror comedy is a genre that takes time to get used to. From its over-the-top scenes to its unique premise, it is a highly experimental form of cinema. Viewers should definitely check the list out and choose a quirky movie for their next binge.

Edited by Apoorva Jujjavarapu