15 Greatest Horror Movie Comedies

15. Young Frankenstein

Young Frankenstein is one of the most loving tributes to classic horror cinema and is arguably Mel Brooks’ finest work. Shot beautifully and with a quickfire hit rate on the gags, it is a wonderful homage to Whale’s 1931 Frankenstein.

The film represents an early peak for spoof movies before the Abrahams/Zucker domination of the ‘80s. It follows Gene Wilder’s Victor Frankenstein, a New York medical professor trying to escape the family reputation and name, to Transylvania following the discovery of his Grandfather’s will. There he completes his Grandfather’s work, reanimating a corpse and giving us the monster of the movie.

The moments involving Peter Boyle’s sympathetic monster are true highlights as he interacts with a little girl and a blind hermit. The introductions of several key characters are terrifically funny scenes – notably our first meeting with Victor as he teaches a class with hilarious consequences. Marty Feldman’s Igor and Cloris Leachman’s Frau Blucher are also wonderful portrayals.

The set design, photography and excellent script all serve to lift the film above many of the other films of the genre.