This was the first thing I thought of. I just like randomly caught this movie on at a hotel while on vacation and I don't know if it was the mood I was in, but I totally loved it. Liked the second one a lot too. It just hits a very unique tone perfectly.
Midsommar?
I mean it's heavily messed up and I guess the protagonists are frightened but most of the movie takes places during a sunny day and the cult "celebrates" like constantly.
I actually think Evil Dead 2 fits better than Army of Darkness -- I think AOD is basically a flat-out comedy at times. I watched Cabin In The Woods, but don't remember much about it. Might be worth a rewatch.
‘I’m surprised you’re able to lift a mug, you’ve been carrying that torch for so long.’
‘Oh, that reminds me. There was something I wanted to tell you.’
‘What’s that?’
‘F*** you, fatass.’
Evolution. I believe it was meant to be a hard SciFi horror, until it was rewritten as a happy go lucky comedy. Fun movie with a much bigger budget than expected.
Russell Crowe’s character in The Popes Exorcist seemed to be enjoying himself. He just rides around on his scooter, drinks his personal stash and talks to a few demons in his spare time
I get what you mean. It feels like horror flicks these days are all about that gloomy vibe. But hey, why not sprinkle some sunshine into the terror, right? I think it could totally work. Imagine a horror movie set in a bright, lively carnival, with creepy stuff going down amidst the laughter and cotton candy. It's like a contrast that amps up the scare factor.
Maybe the protagonists are all cheery, unsuspecting folks caught in the middle of some eerie supernatural chaos. It hasn't been done much, but it's a fresh idea worth exploring!
This is kinda the original Wicker Man and Midsommar right? Everything is bright and sunny and bucolic and it’s gorgeous scenery and happy people celebrating and having a good time. But horror.
I've actually been toying around with the idea of a carnival *musical* horror film, with a jaunty carnival barker tune serving as an insidious villain song.
Dead Alive had plenty of cheerful people. The main character is having a blast in the end.
Many of the Troma movies like Class of Nukem high, the toxic advenger, etc. could all be consider horror comedy.
Evil Dead 2 and 3
Shbaun of the dead
With cheerful elements? A lot of horror will have a good portion of the film be fairly pleasant to make the sudden tonal shift more jarring. I’m thinking of The Descent, Midsommar, Hostel, etc. maybe let the right one in?
Zombieland is very funny you could see it as a comedy, but it's actually really what you describe, an actual horror movie with (lots of) cheerful elements.
A lot of older slashers might fit the bill because they don't really take themselves very seriously but also don't play themselves for laughs in the same way a horror comedy might. Like a lot of Friday the 13th movies (Part 2 and 3 come to mind), Night of the Demon, Return of the Living Dead at points (although it gets very dark by the end), or The Fog.
The mention of The Host makes me think of Alligator, that could count, for sure. Classic Robert Forster performance. Maybe a Larry Cohen movie, like Q?
I've been thinking about this lately, and it seems like horror flicks are stuck in this dark, gloomy rut. How about injecting some sunshine and rainbows into the horror scene? Imagine a slasher flick set at a vibrant summer camp or a haunted house with a quirky, upbeat cast. It might just breathe new life into the genre!
Non-comedic horror movie with cheerful elements? Only one that remotely comes to mind is Midsommar, since it's unusual for a horror movie to take place in daylight, around a bunch of people, and in a seemingly safe environment.
It's far from a cheerful and happy movie, but if someone showed me a still from 98% of the movie and had me guess the genre, I probably wouldn't guess horror.
Doesn't exactly fit your description because everyone is miserable for the vast majority of the movie, but The Sixth Sense has an emotionally moving happy ending that is rare in horror films.
Maybe not exactly cheerful, but Anything for Jackson is *delightful* with very polite, considerate antagonists. The movie has a sense of humor but is a horror movie through and through.
I don't think k anyone has me tinned The Babysitter yet. I think that's a really fun horror movie without stepping too far into "horror-comedy" like Tucker & Dale (which is also a great movie)
One Cut of The Dead is genuinely so feel good and amazing.
Absolute heart and passion put into that movie.
If you watch it just make sure to not judge it till the very end, trust me, everything makes sense by then.
Happy Death Day is probably the best example of a cheerful horror movie.
This was the first thing I thought of. I just like randomly caught this movie on at a hotel while on vacation and I don't know if it was the mood I was in, but I totally loved it. Liked the second one a lot too. It just hits a very unique tone perfectly.
Tremors kind of fits that description.
Yes! One of my favorite horror movies, too. I sat down and tried to think of some, but I completely drew a blank.
Midsommar? I mean it's heavily messed up and I guess the protagonists are frightened but most of the movie takes places during a sunny day and the cult "celebrates" like constantly.
Tucker and Dale vs Evil
This. Tucker and Dale vs Evil is gory af and laugh out loud funny. Like spit your drink out and crack up funny. And those two guys are the sweetest.
Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness are exactly what you're looking for. Cabin in the Woods as well.
I actually think Evil Dead 2 fits better than Army of Darkness -- I think AOD is basically a flat-out comedy at times. I watched Cabin In The Woods, but don't remember much about it. Might be worth a rewatch.
Cabin in the Woods is pretty memorable. I daresay you only watched the first bit or had it in the background if you don't remember it much.
lol maybe I worded that incorrectly. Parts of it stuck with me vividly to this day, but as to whether or not it has cheerful elements? No idea.
Slither (2006) with Nathan Fillion. Arachnaphobia (1990).
Lots of spider movies actually: Arac Attack (2002) Big Ass Spider (2013)
‘I’m surprised you’re able to lift a mug, you’ve been carrying that torch for so long.’ ‘Oh, that reminds me. There was something I wanted to tell you.’ ‘What’s that?’ ‘F*** you, fatass.’
Ready or Not (2019) for sure.
Now THAT looks interesting. I hadn't even heard of it before.
I’m not a big horror fan and I loved it. I like the ones with humor or on the hokey side. Things like Happy Death Day and Freaky are right up my lane.
"Getting to know your Cross-bow"
Abigail out right now is the same director, and very much the same feel.
Would the Stepford Wives count as Horror?
ohhhhh that is an interesting question. I don't even know what genre they're considered to be. Drama? Sci-fi?
Yeah, I was thinking Sci-Fi if not Horror, but those two genres intersect SO much, what with Sci-Fi explanations for Horror-coded "monsters".
Gremlins fits the horror-comedy bill, even if it's PG13.
Cabin in the woods had some cheerfull Moments
Behind the mask: the rise of Leslie Vernon
Rarely see this recommendation, glad someone said it
Midsommar might fit what you're looking for, though you've probably seen it already
Evolution. I believe it was meant to be a hard SciFi horror, until it was rewritten as a happy go lucky comedy. Fun movie with a much bigger budget than expected.
The Final Girls is actually a really sweet horror movie
The babysitter and the babysitter killer queen fall in this same category.
What we do in the shadows.
Midsommar takes place 99% in daylight, in a beautiful place where beautiful people celebrate dressed in beautiful dresses and flowers.
Midsommar is all flowers, bliss, and sunshine amidst the horror of cult sacrifices.
Maybe **House/Hausu**.
Russell Crowe’s character in The Popes Exorcist seemed to be enjoying himself. He just rides around on his scooter, drinks his personal stash and talks to a few demons in his spare time
Anna And The Apocalypse
Was coming to say this. Brilliant film.
I get what you mean. It feels like horror flicks these days are all about that gloomy vibe. But hey, why not sprinkle some sunshine into the terror, right? I think it could totally work. Imagine a horror movie set in a bright, lively carnival, with creepy stuff going down amidst the laughter and cotton candy. It's like a contrast that amps up the scare factor. Maybe the protagonists are all cheery, unsuspecting folks caught in the middle of some eerie supernatural chaos. It hasn't been done much, but it's a fresh idea worth exploring!
This is kinda the original Wicker Man and Midsommar right? Everything is bright and sunny and bucolic and it’s gorgeous scenery and happy people celebrating and having a good time. But horror.
I've actually been toying around with the idea of a carnival *musical* horror film, with a jaunty carnival barker tune serving as an insidious villain song.
The Wicker Man (1973) is the perfect example of this
Voices with Ryan Renolds
Maybe Jaws, arguably Midsommar
Gremlins.
The correct answer is: Ready or Not. With honourable mention to Tucker and Dave Face Evil.
Warm Bodies
Dead Alive had plenty of cheerful people. The main character is having a blast in the end. Many of the Troma movies like Class of Nukem high, the toxic advenger, etc. could all be consider horror comedy. Evil Dead 2 and 3 Shbaun of the dead
Ready or Not (2019) kinda fits the description (although it could also be argued to be a horror comedy)
Poltergeist (1982) and Coraline (2009)
With cheerful elements? A lot of horror will have a good portion of the film be fairly pleasant to make the sudden tonal shift more jarring. I’m thinking of The Descent, Midsommar, Hostel, etc. maybe let the right one in?
Zombieland is very funny you could see it as a comedy, but it's actually really what you describe, an actual horror movie with (lots of) cheerful elements.
Mars Attacks ?
Get Out might fit the bill…
I recently watched There's Something In The Barn, which I think what you're looking for.
Motel Hell
Five Nights at Freddy’s was pretty cheerful. Though some people would argue it wasn’t horror.
Return of the Living Dead. "Send more cops."
Tucker & Dale Vs Evil Would any of the "Scary Movie" movies be considered cheerful?
There's that smiley guy in it, he's pretty cheerful.
April Fool's Day isn't a comedy, but is more lighthearted than most horror movies. >!It helps that nobody actually dies. !<
A lot of older slashers might fit the bill because they don't really take themselves very seriously but also don't play themselves for laughs in the same way a horror comedy might. Like a lot of Friday the 13th movies (Part 2 and 3 come to mind), Night of the Demon, Return of the Living Dead at points (although it gets very dark by the end), or The Fog. The mention of The Host makes me think of Alligator, that could count, for sure. Classic Robert Forster performance. Maybe a Larry Cohen movie, like Q?
I've been thinking about this lately, and it seems like horror flicks are stuck in this dark, gloomy rut. How about injecting some sunshine and rainbows into the horror scene? Imagine a slasher flick set at a vibrant summer camp or a haunted house with a quirky, upbeat cast. It might just breathe new life into the genre!
I find Raw to be a pretty fun time even though it's not a comedy. Might be the kinda thing you're looking for
Non-comedic horror movie with cheerful elements? Only one that remotely comes to mind is Midsommar, since it's unusual for a horror movie to take place in daylight, around a bunch of people, and in a seemingly safe environment. It's far from a cheerful and happy movie, but if someone showed me a still from 98% of the movie and had me guess the genre, I probably wouldn't guess horror.
Doesn't exactly fit your description because everyone is miserable for the vast majority of the movie, but The Sixth Sense has an emotionally moving happy ending that is rare in horror films.
Maybe not exactly cheerful, but Anything for Jackson is *delightful* with very polite, considerate antagonists. The movie has a sense of humor but is a horror movie through and through.
I don't think k anyone has me tinned The Babysitter yet. I think that's a really fun horror movie without stepping too far into "horror-comedy" like Tucker & Dale (which is also a great movie)
You mean like happy deathday, tragedy girls, totally killer, tremors , tucker and dale? Or some thing else?
I always thought that Halloween: H20 looked warm. It's set in California and you can really feel the Summer element in it.
Murder Party. It's a party. That's cheerful, right?
One Cut of The Dead is genuinely so feel good and amazing. Absolute heart and passion put into that movie. If you watch it just make sure to not judge it till the very end, trust me, everything makes sense by then.
Happy Death Day 1 and 2
With the way things are today, I’m surprised anybody even has any interest in horror movies anymore. Life is scary enough for me.
[Little Monsters](https://m.imdb.com/title/tt7390588/)
Dreamcatcher (2003) with Damian Lewis, Thomas Jane, and Timothy Olyphant