If you loved the dark humor, suspense and gory thrills of the 2019 horror-comedy hit Ready or Not, you’re probably hungry for more movies that deliver a similar vibe. Luckily, there are plenty of other films out there that masterfully blend laughs and scares while keeping you on the edge of your seat. Here’s my list of the 19 best movies to watch next if you’re a fan of Ready or Not.
1. The Hunt (2020)
The Hunt is a provocative and darkly satirical thriller that caused quite a stir when it was released in 2020. The plot revolves around 12 strangers who wake up in a clearing with no idea where they are or how they got there. They soon discover they are being hunted for sport by a group of wealthy elites. But one of the hunted, Crystal (played by Betty Gilpin), turns the tables on her pursuers in a gory and suspenseful fight for survival.
With a clever script that skewers both sides of the political spectrum, The Hunt delivers biting social commentary along with its bloody thrills. Gilpin is a total badass as the resourceful and relentless Crystal. Her performance anchors the film and keeps you rooting for her even as the body count rises. While it’s not for the faint of heart, fans of Ready or Not‘s mix of horror and humor will get a kick out of The Hunt.
“The Hunt is a wild, politically charged trip that doesn’t hold back any of its punches. It’s a gory, hilarious ride that will leave you breathless by the end.” – Heather Wixson, Daily Dead
2. The Babysitter (2017)
This Netflix original horror-comedy stars Samara Weaving (who would go on to lead Ready or Not) as Bee, a super cool babysitter watching over 12-year-old Cole for the night. But after Cole’s bedtime, he discovers that Bee is actually the leader of a satanic cult that’s about to sacrifice someone in his living room. Cole must now survive the night while Bee and her murderous friends try to keep their dark secret under wraps.
Directed by McG, The Babysitter is a fun and irreverent horror flick that gleefully subverts the wholesome babysitter trope. Weaving is magnetic as the unhinged Bee, and Judah Lewis is endearing as the in-over-his-head Cole. With a game cast that also includes Bella Thorne and Robbie Amell, the movie zips along with infectious energy, inventive kills, and tons of laughs. If you want more of Samara Weaving kicking ass and taking names, check out The Babysitter.
“With a deft balance of unapologetic gore, inappropriate humor and self-aware snark, The Babysitter earns its status as an instant teen horror classic.” – Kimber Myers, The Playlist
3. Would You Rather (2012)
In this twisted thriller, a young woman named Iris (Brittany Snow) is desperate to help her terminally ill brother. A wealthy philanthropist offers to pay for her brother’s treatment if Iris wins a parlor game at a dinner party he is hosting. But this isn’t your average game of “would you rather.” The choices presented to Iris and her fellow players grow increasingly sadistic and deadly as the night wears on.
Would You Rather takes the innocent sleepover game and turns it into a taut psychological nightmare. Jeffrey Combs is chilling as the cruel mastermind Shepard Lambrick, while Snow brings vulnerability and grit to her performance as the determined Iris. The movie keeps you squirming and guessing as it builds to its grim but satisfying conclusion. It’s a must-watch for fans of high-stakes survival games.
“Combs and Snow are well-matched in this violent, bloody, and supremely disturbing film that is not for the squeamish.” – Staci Layne Wilson, Dread Central
4. Knives Out (2019)
This star-studded whodunit was one of the most purely entertaining movies of 2019. When wealthy mystery novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead from an apparent suicide, debonair detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) suspects foul play. Blanc must sift through a colorful cast of suspects, including Harlan’s dysfunctional family and devoted staff, to uncover the truth.
Writer-director Rian Johnson has crafted an affectionate and clever homage to classic murder mysteries with Knives Out. The all-star ensemble, which includes Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, and Ana de Armas, is clearly having a blast chewing the scenery. While more of a comedic thriller than outright horror, the movie’s twisty plot and eccentric characters make it a perfect chaser for Ready or Not. You’ll be grinning from ear to ear as you watch Blanc peel back the layers of this juicy mystery.
“Johnson has used the whodunit genre to fashion a riotously funny, smartly constructed, and unexpectedly moving film that feels very much of the moment.” – Leah Greenblatt, Entertainment Weekly
5. You’re Next (2011)
Before directing Ready or Not, the filmmaking collective Radio Silence made this lean and mean home invasion thriller. The movie follows the wealthy Davison family, who come under attack from a group of animal-masked assailants during a wedding anniversary getaway. But one of the guests, Erin (Sharni Vinson), has a few survival skills up her sleeve that the killers weren’t counting on.
You’re Next is a master class in building tension and unleashing mayhem, with several sequences that will have you watching through your fingers. Vinson makes for a ferocious and resourceful Final Girl, and the movie has a wicked sense of humor to go along with its brutal kills. It’s a must-see for slasher fans and a perfect appetizer before the main course of Ready or Not.
“You’re Next is an energetic, crowd-pleasing horror picture that finds its inspiration in the classics of the genre.” – Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
6. The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
This deconstructionist horror-comedy from writer-producer Joss Whedon and director Drew Goddard is a must-see for genre fans. Five college students head to a remote cabin for a weekend getaway, but their trip takes a deadly turn as they fall victim to backwoods zombies. Little do they know, their gory plight is being manipulated by mysterious scientists who are controlling the cabin from an underground lab.
The Cabin in the Woods gleefully subverts and skewers horror movie tropes while also delivering genuine scares and laughs. It’s endlessly inventive, with a bonkers third act that has to be seen to be believed. Like Ready or Not, it’s a movie that rewards horror fans for their knowledge of the genre while still working as a wildly entertaining ride for more casual viewers.
“The Cabin in the Woods is a deliriously fun and wickedly smart send-up of the horror genre that manages to be both a loving homage and a clever deconstruction.” – Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly
7. Villains (2019)
This darkly comedic thriller follows Mickey and Jules, a down-on-their-luck pair of petty criminals and lovers. After a gas station robbery goes wrong, they break into a nearby house looking for a new getaway car. But they get more than they bargained for when they discover the homeowners have a dark secret locked in their basement.
Powered by four live-wire performances from Bill Skarsgård, Maika Monroe, Jeffrey Donovan, and Kyra Sedgwick, Villains is a stylish and twisty ride. Directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen keep the tension and laughs coming at a steady clip. And the movie has one of the best uses of “Hungry Eyes” from Dirty Dancing you’ll ever see. If you want a crime caper with some horror edge, Villains is for you.
“Villains is a gripping, twisted thriller with a wicked sense of humor and stellar performances from its cast.” – Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting
8. Mayhem (2017)
In this action-horror-comedy, a dangerous virus that lowers inhibitions and increases aggression is unleashed in a corporate law office. Amid the spreading chaos, attorney Derek Cho (Steven Yeun) teams up with wronged client Melanie Cross (Samara Weaving) to fight their way to the executive level and settle the score with the corrupt higher-ups.
Mayhem is a gonzo thrill ride that mixes Office Space with The Purge. Yeun and Weaving have electric chemistry, and the movie keeps the adrenaline pumping with wild action and pitch-black humor. It’s a cathartic blast that will have you cheering as the unlikeable yuppies get their violent comeuppance. And it’s further proof that Samara Weaving is a total scream queen badass.
“Mayhem delivers the goods, with Yeun and Weaving proving to be a winning combo as they bash, slice and shoot their way through an army of infected office drones.” – Joey Keogh, Wicked Horror
9. Cheap Thrills (2013)
This nasty little thriller follows Craig (Pat Healy), a down-on-his-luck family man who runs into an old friend (Ethan Embry) at a bar. They meet a wealthy couple (David Koechner and Sara Paxton) who start paying them to complete increasingly daring and degrading challenges. As the cash offers rise, Craig and his buddy engage in an escalating battle of will and depravity.
Cheap Thrills is a stomach-churning look at how far people will go for money when pushed to the edge. Healy is riveting as the desperate Craig, and Koechner has never been better as the sadistic puppet master. It’s a movie that will make you squirm, gag, and nervously laugh as it barrels towards its grim conclusion. Not for the weak-stomached, but a must-see for fans of transgressive cinema.
“Cheap Thrills lives up to its name, delivering just what fans of this sort of thing want to see.” – Rob Humanick, Slant Magazine
10. 31 (2016)
Written and directed by Rob Zombie, 31 follows five carnival workers who are kidnapped and forced to play a deadly game on Halloween night 1976. The group must survive 12 hours in a maze-like compound while being hunted by murderous clowns and maniacs. It’s up to final girl Charly (Sheri Moon Zombie) to fight her way through the night of horrors.
Like Zombie’s other films, 31 is a grungy, grindhouse-inspired nightmare fueled by his love of classic exploitation movies. The movie delivers brutal kills, creepy villains, and a ferocious lead performance from Sheri Moon Zombie. It’s a bit rough around the edges, but for fans of Zombie’s brand of hardcore horror, 31 is a suitably nasty treat.
“31 is Rob Zombie at his grungiest and most unfiltered. For better or worse, it delivers everything you expect from the rock star turned filmmaker.” – Trace Thurman, Bloody Disgusting
11. Satanic Panic (2019)
In this horror-comedy, a cash-strapped pizza delivery girl named Sam (Hayley Griffith) takes a delivery in a wealthy neighborhood, hoping for a big tip. Instead, she stumbles into a Satanic coven led by the glamorous Danica (Rebecca Romijn). Sam must fight for her life and soul as the cultists try to use her as a virgin sacrifice.
Satanic Panic is a campy and gory delight that mixes Drag Me to Hell with The Babysitter. Romijn is clearly having a blast as the wicked Danica, and Griffith makes for a spunky and likable heroine. With plenty of gooey practical effects and tongue-in-cheek humor, it’s a perfect midnight movie for fans of over-the-top horror.
“Satanic Panic is a blood-soaked horror comedy that wears its influences on its sleeve and delivers a fun, gory romp.” – Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting
12. Mom and Dad (2017)
In this pitch-black horror-comedy, a mysterious mass hysteria causes parents to violently turn on their own children. Teenager Carly (Anne Winters) and her little brother Josh must survive the night as their formerly loving mom (Selma Blair) and dad (Nicolas Cage) try to brutally murder them.
Written and directed by Brian Taylor (Crank), Mom and Dad is an outrageous and gleefully demented film that lets Cage and Blair go fully unhinged. Cage in particular devours the scenery, delivering a performance of manic intensity that ranks among his wildest. It’s a jet-black satire of family dysfunction that’s definitely not for everyone, but if you like your horror with a side of crazy, Mom and Dad is a must-see.
“Mom and Dad is a deliriously entertaining horror-comedy that takes helicopter parenting to a whole new level of crazy.” – Chris Evangelista, Slashfilm
13. Tragedy Girls (2017)
Tragedy Girls is a clever and subversive horror-comedy about two death-obsessed teenage girls who use serial murder to boost their social media brand. McKayla (Alexandra Shipp) and Sadie (Brianna Hildebrand) are budding sociopaths who kidnap a serial killer (Kevin Durand) and force him to teach them his murderous ways. As the bodies pile up in their small Midwestern town, the girls become social media celebrities.
Directed by Tyler MacIntyre, Tragedy Girls is a biting satire of true crime fandom and influencer culture. Shipp and Hildebrand are a delight as the gleefully amoral McKayla and Sadie, and the movie has style and wit to spare. It’s Heathers meets Scream for the social media age, and it’s a bloody good time.
“Tragedy Girls is a fresh, biting satire for the digital age that boasts two killer performances from Alexandra Shipp and Brianna Hildebrand.” – Kimber Myers, Los Angeles Times
14. Better Watch Out (2016)
This clever holiday horror-comedy follows 12-year-old Luke (Levi Miller) as he tries to woo his babysitter Ashley (Olivia DeJonge) before she moves away for college. But Luke’s romantic night takes a dark turn when dangerous intruders break into the house. Or so it seems. To say more would spoil the fun, but let’s just say Better Watch Out has more than a few tricks up its sleeve.
Directed by Chris Peckover, Better Watch Out is a delightfully twisted film that keeps you guessing until the very end. Miller and DeJonge are both excellent, and the movie has a wicked sense of humor to go along with its shocking twists. It’s the perfect holiday horror treat for fans of films like Gremlins and The Babysitter.
“Better Watch Out is the kind of twisted horror-comedy that upends your expectations at every turn. It’s a real holiday treat for genre fans.” – Katie Rife, The A.V. Club
15. Prevenge (2016)
Written and directed by Alice Lowe, who also stars while pregnant in real life, Prevenge follows Ruth, a pregnant woman who believes her unborn child is telling her to kill. Ruth embarks on a darkly funny murder spree, dispatching anyone who crosses her path with gleeful abandon.
Prevenge is a pitch-black comedy that explores the anxieties and horrors of impending motherhood. Lowe is a revelation as the murderous mom-to-be, delivering a performance that’s equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. It’s a wholly original film that mixes slasher movie tropes with biting social satire, and it’s not to be missed.
“Prevenge is a daring and original film that announces Alice Lowe as a major talent to watch. It’s a bloody funny and emotionally raw exploration of the dark side of motherhood.” – Kat Hughes, The Hollywood News
16. Hush (2016)
Directed by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House), Hush follows Maddie (Kate Siegel), a deaf-mute writer who lives alone in the woods. One night, a masked killer (John Gallagher Jr.) begins stalking Maddie, tormenting her in a deadly game of cat and mouse. With no one to hear her screams, Maddie must rely on her wits and will to survive to outlast her sadistic attacker.
Hush is a lean and mean home invasion thriller that wrings maximum tension from its simple premise. Siegel is fantastic as the resourceful Maddie, and Flanagan directs with skill and precision. It’s a masterclass in suspense that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
“Hush is a master class in tension, a taut and relentless thriller that never lets up. Mike Flanagan proves himself a horror filmmaker to watch.” – Chris Evangelista, /Film
17. Green Room (2015)
In this intense thriller from writer-director Jeremy Saulnier, a punk rock band (including Anton Yelchin and Alia Shawkat) find themselves trapped in a remote venue after witnessing a murder committed by a group of white supremacists (led by a terrifying Patrick Stewart). The band must fight for survival against the heavily armed neo-Nazis who are determined to eliminate any witnesses.
Green Room is a brutally effective siege movie that ratchets up the tension to almost unbearable levels. Yelchin and Shawkat are both excellent as the desperate musicians, and Stewart is chilling as the cold-blooded villain. With realistic violence and a palpable sense of dread, Green Room is a must-see for fans of hardcore horror-thrillers.
“Green Room is a relentless, pulse-pounding thriller that grabs you by the throat and never lets go. It’s a movie that leaves a mark.” – Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly
18. Creep (2014)
In this found-footage horror-comedy, a cash-strapped videographer named Aaron (director Patrick Brice) answers a cryptic online ad for a one-day job. He drives to a remote cabin where he meets Josef (Mark Duplass), an eccentric man who wants Aaron to film him for a personal project. But as the day goes on, it becomes clear that Josef’s intentions are far from harmless.
Creep is a darkly funny and genuinely unnerving two-hander that showcases the improvisational talents of Brice and Duplass. Shot on a shoestring budget, the movie wrings maximum creepiness from its simple setup, slowly building a sense of dread as Josef’s true nature is revealed. It’s a masterful exercise in less-is-more horror that will get under your skin and stay there.
“Creep is a lo-fi psychological thriller that proves you don’t need a big budget to create big scares. Mark Duplass is unforgettable as the titular creep.” – Scott Weinberg, Nerdist
So there you have it, 18 killer movies to watch if you loved the darkly comedic thrills of Ready or Not. From gory slashers to subversive satires, these films all deliver the goods for fans of horror-comedy. So grab some popcorn, lock the doors, and get ready for a wild ride. Just remember, in this game, there can only be one survivor. Happy watching!
