Take a look at the top 10 films that shaped this subversive genre.

Dark comedies have always captivated audiences for their biting humor and horrific storyline. Hulu's Fresh, starring Sebastian Stan and Daisy Edgar Jones, is just the newest in a legacy of subversive films. This unique genre has been around for decades and includes witty lines paired with terrifying concepts. To learn more about Take a look at the 10 best dark comedies of all time.&nbsp;

When you look at posters for the 1989 cult classic <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/the-trailer-for-heathers-is-out">Heathers</a>, you may assume it's a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/valentines-day-rom-com-movies-to-watch">romantic comedy</a> between '90s film icons <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/young-winona-ryder-90s-style-fashion">Winona Ryder</a> and Christian Slater. You'd be wrong. When the popular Veronica (Ryder) meets her new boyfriend, J.D. (Slater), they're committed to breaking up the toxic clique at their high school, the Heathers. When they accidentally poison the head of the Heathers and stage it to look like a suicide, Veronica realizes that J.D. is having a little too much fun with their little crime spree. Both intelligent and cynical, violent and satirical, Heathers started a legacy of dark comedies that have continued today.
Best quote: "Dear Diary: My teen angst bullshit now has a body count."

'Heathers'

"What's your favorite scary movie?" These five words changed the horror genre in 1996 when Wes Craven released the original slasher comedy, Scream. The film became a cultural sensation in 1996 with stars like <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/drew-barrymore-style-evolution-90s-fashion-kids-husband">Drew Barrymore</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/tiktok-celebrity-mother-daughter-duos-kardashian-jenner-damelio">Courtney Cox</a>, Neve Campbell, David Arquette, and Skeet Ulrich. While faced with the genuine terror of a masked murderer coming after a tight-knit group of friends in the suburbs, characters also find the time to crack a few jokes and wink to the audience. "No, please don't kill me, Mr. Ghostface! I wanna be in the sequel," <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/time-s-person-of-the-year-goes-to-the-silence-breakers">Rose McGowan</a> mocks. Critics praised the self-aware horror flick for being a subversive take on what was becoming a dying genre, and the constant self-parody along with mounting tension left audiences satisfied.&nbsp;
Best quote: "Now Sid, don't you blame the movies! Movies don't create psychos. Movies make psychos more creative!"

'Scream'

While this film wasn't met with the best critical reception in 2009, it has become a cult classic throughout the decade, especially among young women. Every <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/best-celebrity-halloween-costumes-2021-zodiac-y2k-fashion">Halloween</a>, you're guaranteed to see at least one "Jennifer" imitating the iconic scene of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/megan-fox-machine-gun-kelly-blood-ritual">Megan Fox</a> burning her tongue with a lighter. After a flesh-eating demon possesses a popular high school student's body, her best friend tries to stop the violence. "You're killing people!" Needy (<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/hulu-amanda-seyfried-elizabeth-holmes-series-first-look-the-dropout">Amanda Seyfried</a>) screams. "No, I'm killing boys," Jennifer retorts. While it may not be the most groundbreaking piece of cinema, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/y2k-inspired-halloween-costumes-legally-blonde-high-school-musical">Jennifer's Body</a> is a bloody good time.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Best quote: "Hell is a teenage girl."

'Jennifer's Body'

Perhaps the strangest film on this list, Sex and Death 101, begins with a fast-food executive, Roderick, who receives an email containing 101 names of everyone he has slept will ever sleep with. We also see a seductress, Death Nell, who's enacting revenge on men across the city. As Roderick excitedly crosses names off his list in a "conquest," and Nell continues to slaughter men in the act of vengeance, Roderick comes to realize that the only problem with his exciting escapades is that Nell is the last name on his list. Starring Simon Baker (<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/meryl-streep-the-devil-wears-prada-method-acting">The Devil Wears Prada</a>) and Heather's star <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/stranger-things-season-4-trailer-cast">Ryder</a>, this odd film is an exciting take on the phrase "be careful what you wish for."
Best quote: "My wounds are deeper than your desire."

'Sex and Death 101'

In a twisted version of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/nick-jonas-first-look-jersey-boys-movie-musical">Groundhog Day</a>, this 2017 black comedy slasher film focuses on college student Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) as she continues to relive the day of her murder until she can finally figure out who has been after her. Dying in a unique, satirical way on her birthday every day, Tree (and the audience) grow infuriated by the jumpscares she can see coming and the killer she can't seem to unmask. The ending of this film is as satisfying as it is celebratory and is a fresh take on the time-loop concept.
Best quote: "Poisoning a cupcake? Really? We're Kappas. We don't eat cupcakes."

'Happy Death Day'

Be prepared to see hide and seek in an entirely new light with this 2019 comedic-horror film. When Grace marries into the Le Domas family, board game moguls, she doesn't realize that they take their games very seriously. To consummate her marriage, Grace must survive her in-laws' attempts to kill her with creative weapons. Stars of this explosive thriller include Samara Weaving, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/sebastian-stan-iconic-roles-tommy-lee-winter-soldier-bucky-barnes-gossip-girl-fresh">Adam Brody</a>, and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/music/swimsuit-issue-andie-macdowell-ep3">Andie MacDowell</a>. Gory, yet satisfying, Ready or Not keeps the audience on their toes until the end.
Best quote: "Don't take it personally. They're just trying to figure out if you're a gold-digging whore. You know, like my wife."

'Ready or Not'

This <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/women-make-history-2021-oscars-chloe-zhao">Oscar-winning film</a> leaves audiences questioning how far the main character Cassie (<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/carey-mulligan-promising-young-woman-variety-movie-review-apology-response">Carey Mulligan</a>) is willing to go on her <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/promising-young-woman-carey-mulligan-costumes-nancy-steiner-emerald-fennell">quest for vengeance</a>. From the opening sequence to the final scene, viewers can expect a satisfying take on "every man's worst nightmare" of being falsely accused of sexual abuse. Cassie gives no opportunities for excuses ("If I hear [we were kids] one more time&hellip;"), using her cunning persona to lure men in and teach them a thing or two about consent. The all-star cast includes Bo Burnham, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/jennifer-coolidge-actress-roles-legally-blonde-white-lotus">Jennifer Coolidge</a>, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/politics-culture/alison-brie-responds-to-allegations-against-james-franco">Alison Brie</a>, and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/7-celebrities-with-twins">Laverne Cox</a>.&nbsp;
Best quote: "You might be surprised to hear that gentlemen are sometimes the worst."

'Promising Young Woman'

Everyone loves a good body swap and creepy town legend "The Butcher" is no exception. In this hilarious yet horrific film, 17-year-old Millie Kessler finds herself in the body of a murderer and has 24 hours to get back to her actual form. On the other hand, The Butcher is taking advantage of his petite blonde form to lure victims in maniacal ways. Starring comedic legend <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/dua-lipa-acting-debut-new-spy-film-argylle">Vince Vaughn</a> and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/big-little-lies-season-2-finale-recap-2019">Big Little Lies</a> actress Kathryn Newton, this film will have you peeking through your fingers in fear while laughing simultaneously.&nbsp;
Best quote: "Don't underestimate a straight white man's propensity for violence. I don't care how fucking old they are."

'Freaky'

<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/pamela-anderson-netflix-documentary-true-story-pam-and-tommy">Netflix's</a> 2020 satirical thriller presents an interesting perspective on abuse of power, greed, and male violence. Starring Gone Girl's <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/rosamund-pike-movies-to-watch-i-care-a-lot-netflix-golden-globes">Rosamund Pike</a> and Game of Thrones star <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/critics-choice-awards-2022-postponed-how-to-watch">Peter Dinklage</a>, the film looks at a con woman taking advantage of "sweet" senior citizens who accidentally targets the mother of a highly violent gangster. I Care a Lot is filled with delightful quotes and shocking twists until the very end.&nbsp;
Best quote: "This 'playing fair,' 'being scared?' That gets you nowhere. That gets you beat."

'I Care a Lot'

<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/men/sebastian-stan-fresh-pam-and-tommy-bucky-barnes-marvel-rom-coms">Sebastian Stan</a> and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/daisy-edgar-jones-interview-simone-rocha-hm-collaboration-white-dress">Daisy Edgar-Jones</a> star in this genuinely creepy yet comedic film about the hidden horrors of dating in the 21st century. "It starts out like a romantic comedy, and you're supposed to see that there's a potential between the main characters, but the truth is this guy is sort of obsessed with her," Stan says in his <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/men/sebastian-stan-margot-robbie-interview-pam-and-tommy-fresh-i-tonya-gossip-girl">cover story</a> with L'OFFICIEL USA. "We've been raised with this narrative that you're going to meet someone who will instantly open up and understand you, and then you'll be together for the rest of your lives. The movie's a little bit of a commentary on that&mdash;how you fall for somebody because you're starved for real connection, but is that person really who they say they are?" Stan and Edgar-Jones give standout performances in this dark comedy.&nbsp;
Best quote: "Come on. Give me a smile."

The 10 Best Dark Comedies of All Time

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