8 Best Parody Films To Watch If You Love Scary Movie

Parody movies, especially those poking fun at popular horror series or genres, have been around for a while. However, the Scary Movie franchise is often considered one of the best. While the first three Scary Movie films are generally remembered for being genuinely funny, the sequels weren’t as successful.

I remember loving the original Scary Movie when it came out back in 2000, and it’s awesome to hear it’s getting a reboot this year! But if you’re like me and can’t wait until June for some good parody laughs, don’t worry – there are plenty of other hilarious movies out there to keep you entertained in the meantime.

Parody movies can be hit or miss, especially those made in the early 2000s. But here are a few that have held up well and are sure to please fans of the Scary Movie franchise.

8. A Haunted House (2013)

While A Haunted House might seem like an obvious choice for fans of Scary Movie, the two films actually share a lot of similar humor, which is a good thing.

Marlon Wayans helped write A Haunted House, so it feels comfortably familiar. It’s a funny, though somewhat predictable, movie that largely makes fun of the Paranormal Activity films.

The movie A Haunted House isn’t just scary – it also playfully mocks other horror films made in the same style. It makes fun of tropes from movies like Sinister and Insidious, and even directly references a scene from The Devil Inside.

If you’re a fan of Scary Movie, you’ll probably like A Haunted House because they share a very similar comedic style. The sequel, A Haunted House 2, is also funny in the same way, although some of the jokes aren’t quite as good as in the first movie.

7. Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

Shawn of the Dead is critically acclaimed and arguably one of the best horror comedies ever made.

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost play Shaun and Ed, two ordinary guys whose lives are turned upside down when a zombie apocalypse breaks out, forcing them to fight to survive. Though Shaun of the Dead doesn’t specifically spoof one movie, it playfully mocks the entire zombie movie genre.

The movie includes clever nods to classic zombie films, especially George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, and playfully pokes fun at everyday life. For example, there’s a scene showing people walking to work like zombies, mimicking the slow, shuffling movements we often see in the movies.

While Shaun of the Dead avoids the overly obvious and crude humor of films like Scary Movie, it’s packed with jokes – some of which actually reappear in other movies starring Simon Pegg.

6. The Cabin In The Woods (2011)

The Cabin in the Woods is a beloved horror film that cleverly takes apart common horror movie clichés. It’s highly praised by critics and has a compelling story that appeals to viewers even if they don’t usually like horror.

This movie has a shocking twist I won’t reveal, and it playfully subverts common horror movie clichés, like the usual character types you see in slasher films. There’s a clear sense of unease surrounding the cabin, and it all builds to a reveal that’s completely unexpected.

Featuring a talented cast including Chris Hemsworth and Kristen Connolly, Cabin in the Woods is both funny and genuinely scary. If you appreciate how Scary Movie playfully pokes fun at horror tropes, you’ll really enjoy the clever way Cabin in the Woods approaches the genre.

5. Not Another Teen Movie (2001)

Most parody films from the early 2000s weren’t very successful, and didn’t receive good reviews. However, Not Another Teen Movie stands out. Though it isn’t strictly a horror parody, it playfully pokes fun at some popular horror films.

Joel Gallen’s comedy focuses on poking fun at 90s teen movies, particularly using the plot of She’s All That as a base. It’s full of silly, sometimes inappropriate humor, and Not Another Teen Movie doesn’t shy away from making fun of classic films in the genre.

This movie is a lot like Scary Movie, but it spoofs a different type of film. If you like over-the-top, silly humor and are familiar with movies from that time period, Not Another Teen Movie is definitely worth watching.

Joel Gallen’s film stands out from other teen movies of its era because it’s actually humorous. While the broad, over-the-top jokes work, it’s the clever, witty lines that poke fun at common teen movie clichés that really make it memorable and still feel fresh today.

4. Hot Fuzz (2007)

Both Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead share a similar comedic style and are part of the ‘Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy’.

In Hot Fuzz, Nicholas Angel (played by Simon Pegg) is an incredibly talented police officer – so good, in fact, that he unintentionally makes his fellow officers seem less capable. As a result, he’s transferred to a seemingly peaceful village, but he soon discovers that something dangerous is happening beneath the surface.

Similar to Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz playfully references other films, for example, the quiet, idyllic village setting reminiscent of The Wicker Man. It’s a very funny movie, but it generally avoids directly copying scenes from other films, unlike the Scary Movie franchise.

If you like comedies like Scary Movie and Shaun of the Dead, you’ll probably enjoy Hot Fuzz. It’s another well-regarded comedy, though its humor is a bit more subtle than those films.

3. The Final Girls

As a horror fan, I really appreciate how The Final Girls playfully makes fun of so many classic slasher films – things like Halloween are definitely referenced! It doesn’t just copy, though; it really gets the genre and pokes fun at all its tropes. Even the title feels like a wink to movies like Scream, letting you know it’s in on the joke.

If you like the self-aware horror of movies like Scream, you’ll probably enjoy The Final Girls. The movie follows a group of people who unexpectedly find themselves inside a slasher film. Because they’re familiar with horror movie clichés, they try to use that knowledge to stay alive.

It’s clear the movie takes cues from classic slasher films like Friday the 13th, as well as other horror movies from the 80s and 90s. While The Final Girls is rated PG-13, so those hoping for overly crude or shocking humor might be let down. Fortunately, the comedy generally works well, and the story unexpectedly focuses on a touching relationship between a mother and daughter.

Even though it’s not highly rated, The Final Girls is a must-see for horror fans because it playfully references and spoofs many classic 1980s slasher films.

2. Tucker & Dale Vs Evil (2010)

Tucker & Dale vs Evil is a hilarious movie that’s also surprisingly sweet. It playfully references classic horror films while still managing to tell a good story.

In the film, Tucker and Dale buy a rundown cabin in the woods hoping to fix it up. They accidentally encounter a group of unpleasant teenagers who wrongly assume they’re dangerous.

Without giving away any plot details, Tucker & Dale vs Evil cleverly turns traditional horror movie clichés on their head. It offers a fresh take on these familiar ideas, and even playfully imitates iconic films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

I really enjoyed this movie! It’s surprisingly smart and doesn’t shy away from being silly and over-the-top. It’s not quite like the Scary Movie films, but it’s still a fantastic horror comedy, and I loved how much it clearly respects and celebrates the horror genre as a whole. It’s a really memorable experience!

1. What We Do In The Shadows (2014)

What We Do in the Shadows is a very funny dark comedy that’s presented like a real documentary. It was created by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, who also directed the movie Thor: Ragnarok.

This movie centers around a group of vampires and explores their lives, challenges, and experiences living together. The actors deliver outstanding performances, bringing the story to life.

As a huge vampire movie fan, I have to say What We Do In The Shadows really gets what makes these creatures so fun! It plays with all the classic vampire tropes you’ve seen before. You can totally tell where they got inspiration – I immediately spotted nods to movies like The Lost Boys and even Nosferatu. It’s not a straight-up spoof, but if you know your vampire lore, you’ll pick up on a lot of familiar references.

The story starts with a lot of comedic potential, and really digs into the challenges classic vampires would face trying to live in today’s world. Like, how would a vampire even get into a nightclub without an invitation?

If you’re a fan of the Scary Movie series, you’ll likely love What We Do In The Shadows, especially if you’re into vampire films.

2026-03-14 00:04