Scares with a Side of Laughter
It’s no secret that I’m not the biggest fan of horror, but over time, I’ve found ways to ease into the more chilling corners of a story. A compelling narrative and relatable characters always help, and when all else fails, nothing beats the ability to laugh at the ridiculous.
I grew up in a comedy-loving household, so it was always a surprise when my classmates couldn’t quote Monty Python and the Holy Grail word-for-word. (Apparently, shouting “Ni!” or declaring “It’s only a flesh wound!” while clacking together imaginary coconuts wasn’t universal playground behavior.)
So when I stumbled upon a strange little show called Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K), I was immediately hooked.
The premise was absurd in the best way: a regular guy gets trapped in space and forced to watch terrible movies as part of an evil experiment. His only way to stay sane? Two wisecracking robot companions who heckle the films alongside him. It was campy, chaotic, and absolutely perfect.
The show became a favorite of mine, and as an adult, I was thrilled to learn that several of its stars—Mike Nelson, Bill Corbett, and Kevin Murphy (along with Mary Jo Pehl and Bridget Jones Nelson)—had launched a new project for fans like me: RiffTrax.
RiffTrax carries on the MST3K spirit by offering hilarious, satirical commentary for both classic and modern films, plus a treasure trove of old educational reels that teach some wildly questionable life lessons. I dove headfirst into their library and discovered that laughter can make even the cheesiest horror films surprisingly watchable.
So, if you’re like me and prefer to chuckle instead of shriek, or just enjoy talking through bad movies, here are a few RiffTrax horror riffs perfect for spooky season:
Fever Lake (1997, dir. Ralph E. Portillo)
A bizarre twist on the classic “teens at a cabin in the woods” trope. A group of friends heads to a lakeside cabin for a relaxing weekend, only to find themselves tangled in a dark mystery surrounding the house, the lake, and maybe the entire town.
Bonus points: it stars a young Mario Lopez and Corey Haim. Expect over-the-top melodrama, plenty of awkward interactions, and RiffTrax commentary that turns every scare into a punchline.
House on Haunted Hill (1959, dir. William Castle)
This Vincent Price classic gets a fresh comedic treatment from the RiffTrax crew. A wealthy eccentric offers a cash prize to anyone who can survive a night in his haunted mansion. What could possibly go wrong?
Between the practical effects, campy performances, and a ghost that looks suspiciously like it wandered in from Disney’s Haunted Mansion, this one’s a treat. (You can find both a live show version and an audio-only commentary.)
The Bermuda Triangle (1978, dir. René Cardona Jr.)
I was sold on the title alone. Like many kids, I grew up thinking the Bermuda Triangle would play a much bigger role in my adult life. So a foreign B-movie exploring its mysteries combined with RiffTrax commentary was irresistible.
Expect nautical nonsense, family drama, and a creepy doll that somehow becomes the film’s central horror element. (Because obviously, the true terror of the high seas… is dolls.)
Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966, dir. Harold P. Warren)
No RiffTrax list would be complete without this cult classic which is often cited as one of the worst films ever made. Originally riffed on MST3K, the RiffTrax team returned to give it a modern twist with brand-new jokes.
The setup is a classic horror recipe: a family takes a wrong turn, seeks shelter in the worst possible house, and finds themselves at the mercy of a cult leader named The Master and his unsettling servant, Torgo.
If you check this one out, I recommend the live version for the added audience energy and intro sketches—it’s half horror, half comedy event.
These are just a taste of what RiffTrax has to offer. If horror still isn’t your cup of tea, their library includes hundreds of riffs on everything from blockbuster hits to forgotten oddities. You can explore their collection or purchase riffs directly at RiffTrax.com, or stream them on several platforms, including a dedicated RiffTrax TV channel available on Samsung TVs.
So this spooky season, whether you’re braving haunted houses or hiding under a blanket with popcorn, I hope you find a few scares worth laughing through.
Image Credit: Screenshots and imagery belong to RiffTrax, used here under fair use for commentary and review purposes.
Note: This post is not sponsored by RiffTrax. I just wanted to share something that brings me joy (and a lot of laughter).
