2. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Shaun of the Dead is not at all a scary film - let's get that out of the way right now. However, it kick-started the renaissance of British comedy horror films, and remains probably the best of the lot, while making household names out of Nick Frost, Simon Pegg and director Edgar Wright. Though it initially seems to follow many of the familiar tropes of the zombie film, Shaun of the Dead quickly establishes itself as a smart piss-take, loaded with knowing references to other genre greats, and keeping a steady stream of gags - more often gory than not - flying at the viewer. Mocking the self-seriousness of straight-up horror flicks, the protagonists here are primarily lazy lay-abouts who love playing video games and getting wrecked; when they finally have to spring into action and, you know, actually do something, the results are absolutely riotous. Committed firmly to its gory premise while letting the laughs dictate the pace, Shaun of the Dead succeeds because it's so inscrutably funny, well-acted, and quite unlike anything we've seen before or since. We're still looking out for that sequel, From Dusk til Shaun, though.