10 Best Horror Comedies Of The 2020s (So Far)

Our list wouldn't be complete without at least one entry based on Stephen King's work. Inspired by the 1980 short story of the same name, Osgood Perkins' The Monkey centres around twin brothers Hal and Bill, whose lives spiral out of control after coming into possession of a cursed wind-up toy.

Based on the promotions, it's easy to mistake The Monkey as a straight horror (especially since it comes from the same director as Longlegs). That's why it was surprising to learn how much of this adaptation leans into the goofiness. 

Now, that's not suggesting there's nothing here for horror purists. The death sequences are so splatter-heavy, it's reminiscent of Braindead. Similar to Final Destination, the preamble to each execution is gripping, since viewers will be trying to figure out what elaborately gory fate will befall the next victim every time the insidious monkey starts beating his drum.

As was demonstrated in Longlegs, Perkins favours slow-burn drama over cheap jump-scares. Although The Monkey isn't as fast-paced as you'd expect, it's gripping from beginning to end, due to its unyielding tension, emphasis on atmosphere, and subversive deaths.