Funny ghost movies: Top 15 ranked worst to best
Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! It’s been nearly four decades since everyone’s favorite bio-exorcist played by Michael Keaton erupted onto movie screens in 1988, and audiences have eagerly awaited his return ever since.
I recently caught part of another spirted film about mischievous ghosts, the Cary Grant classic “Topper” (1937), which is one I’ve enjoyed a few times over the years. I love a good ghost movie — scary, funny or even a little of both. With the 2024 release of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” I started thinking about the best FUNNY ghost movies — those that might offer a little bit of a scare, but are mostly about the inconveniences and embarrassing situations those who have trouble leaving this realm cause the earthly beings they haunt.
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These aren’t film that reign supreme on Oscar night, although there are a few nominations and a couple of wins in the group. In 1946, “Blithe Spirit” took the statue for Best Visual Effects, while “Beetlejuice” beat out “Scrooged” for Best Makeup in 1989. But these are mostly films beloved by generations who giggled at the antics of havoc-wreaking spirits, from the silliness of “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” in 1966 to the groundbreaking “Ghostbusters” in 1984 to the nostalgic “Casper” in 1995, with a few romantic comedies like “Ghost Town” (2008) sprinkled throughout.
In honor of the release of Tim Burton‘s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” on Friday, September 6, here are the Top 15 hauntingly funny ghost movies of all time, ranked worst to best. Scroll through our photo gallery above or click here for direct access.
Beetlejuice is the rudest, most despicable, weirdest character on this list, but Keaton makes him lovable nonetheless. With his second feature-length film, director Burton established himself as the premiere filmmaker for eccentric, dark comedies that have a box office draw. From the beguiling titular bio-exorcist to ghosts-in-training Barbara and Adam Maitland (Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) to goth teen Lydia (Winona Ryder), “Beetlejuice” brings to life some of cinema’s most memorable oddballs, and is weirdly funny as well as visually captivating, earning an Oscar for Best Makeup.
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