Comic Horror Movie DVD New Releases

Shaun of the Dead, Creepshow and More Just in Time for Halloween

Sep 18, 2009 Leslie C. Halpern

Who says horror can't be funny, too? These great new DVD releases offer a mixture of scares and giggles.

In addition to the onslaught of gory horror films heading this way for Halloween, a few comic horror movies offer a break from the suspense. Look for the Scary Movie series, a special edition of American Werewolf in London, George Romero’s classic Creepshow now on Blu-ray, and the zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead also on Blu-ray.

September 8 Comedy Horror DVD Releases: Scary Movie Triple Pack and Creepshow

Scary Movie Triple Pack

This triple pack contains the first three spoof films in the Scary Movie series. In Scary Movie (2000), a group of teens is stalked by a serial killer due to a car accident last Halloween. In Scary Movie 2 (2001), college students are tricked into visiting a haunted house for a planned sleep disorder study. In Scary Movie 3 (2003), a news reporter tries to uncover the truth behind a mysterious circulating videotape that has disastrous effects on those who watch it.

Starring Anna Faris, Marlon Wayans, Regina Hall, (Scary Movie, Scary Movie 2, Scary Movie 3), Shawn Wayans (Scary Movie, Scary Movie 2)
Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans (Scary Movie, Scary Movie 2); David Zucker (Scary Movie 3)
Number of Discs: 3
Run Time: 254 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Additional Information: Scary Movie 4 (2006) is not included on this DVD.

Creepshow (1982) Blu-ray

Five tales of comic book terror including animated segues that attempt to duplicate E.C. Comics from the 1950s. Blending true horror and silly campy bits, the movie begins with “Father’s Day,” in which Daddy rises from the grave to visit his not-so-devoted daughter. Creepy scenes of gore, violence, and terror with an occasional comic twist earned this compilation of stories an R rating.

Starring Leslie Nielsen, Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, E.G. Marshall, Ed Harris, Ted Danson, Stephen King, Fritz Weaver
Director: George A. Romero
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 120 minutes
Rating: R (for gore and violence, some language)
Additional Information: Stephen King wrote the screenplay based on his short stories.

September 15 Comedy Horror DVD Release: An American Werewolf in London

An American Werewolf in London (1981) Special Full Moon Edition and Blu-ray

Two American tourists (David Naughton and Griffin Dunne) traveling through England are attacked by a werewolf on the moors at night. The locals live in a state of denial and offer little assistance to the young backpackers from the States. Director John Landis (Animal House, Coming to America) keeps things funny despite some scary attack scenes and gory transformations from human to werewolf.

Also starring Jenny Agutter, John Woodvine, Lila Kaye, Paddy Ryan, Anne-Marie Davies, Frank Oz, Don McKillop, Paul Kember
Director: John Landis
Number of Discs: 2 (Special Edition); 1 (Blu-ray)
Run Time: 97 minutes
Rating: R (sexual content, nudity, violence, and gore)
Additional Information: The film won an Academy Award for Best Makeup (Rick Baker). A new version of An American Werewolf in London is in development.

September 22 Comedy Horror DVD Release: Shaun of the Dead

Shaun of the Dead (2004) Blu-ray

Now on Blu-ray, this new cult classicmakes zombie-killing lots of fun. A slacker, recently dumped by his girlfriend and living in London, England, notices that the city’s zombie population keeps growing astronomically. Luckily he has a pub, a few shovels, a cricket bat, and a sense of humor to fight off the undead. Gory and gross at times, Shaun of the Dead remains too funny to be truly scary. The film was shot in more than a dozen different London locations.

Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Lucy Davis, Jessica Stevenson, Kate Ashfield, Dylan Moran
Director: Edgar Wright
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 100 minutes
Rating: R (for zombie violence and language)
Additional Information: The film won several awards for its writing, acting, and overall filmmaking, including the Saturn Award for Best Horror Film (2005) from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (USA) and the British Independent Film Award for Best Screenplay (2004) from the British Independent Film Awards.

For more information about recent scary movie releases, read New Halloween DVDs for Children.

The copyright of the article Comic Horror Movie DVD New Releases in Romantic Films/Comedies is owned by Leslie C. Halpern. Permission to republish Comic Horror Movie DVD New Releases in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.