Five Horror Films Ready to Be Parodied in the New Scary Movie
With a fresh Scary Movie reboot on the horizon, courtesy of Neal H. Moritz (the Fast & Furious producer behind the scenes), the franchise is poised to mine decades of terror for big laughs. Set for a June 12, 2026 release, the revival could pull from a broader horror canon beyond the franchise’s Scream roots. Here are five titles that look primed for spoof material, with playful angles that a modern Scary Movie could mine without giving away all the punchlines.
The Babadook (2014) A chilling tale about a single mother and a mysterious book that unleashes fear enters a ripe parody zone because beneath the dread there’s room for deadpan humor. The Babadook’s alter ego—an oddly charismatic, Memes-ready creature—offers built-in opportunities for sly, visual gags and awkward family dynamics. In a Scary Movie reboot, expect the Book Monster to pop up at the most inconvenient times, turning tense scenes into pratfalls and one-liners that undercut genuine fright.
The Witch (2015) The Puritan farmstead and its unsettling atmosphere provide fertile ground for spoofing, from the goat-drawn pastoral creepiness to the superstition-soaked dialogue. The standout here would be a cheeky take on Black Phillip, the goat who becomes a slyly orchestrated source of menace. A cameo from a sinister, talking animal could become a running joke, as characters misinterpret the rustic terror around them. The film’s period flavor also invites spoofers to lampoon serious tone with modern, cartoonish punchlines.
Get Out (2017) A masterclass in social satire, Get Out offers abundant material for spoofing, from the predictable “polite horror” of suburban life to the film’s unforgettable, tense set pieces. The blend of horror and sharp social commentary translates well to parody: the house party, the unsettling grip of the unknown, and the dynamics between Chris and Rose all lend themselves to exaggerated, comic reinterpretation. Given Jordan Peele’s prominence in horror, there’s ample opportunity for nods to Us and Nope as playful pastiches rather than straight imitations.
Smile (2022) The horror of an unnerving grin that spreads fear is visually arresting and ripe for spoofing, especially given the movie’s aggressive marketing push. The poster, trailers, and the way fear is communicated through a wide, unsettling smile offer perfect spoof fuel: a character who keeps flashing that grin in increasingly ridiculous settings, turning dread into a running gag. The film’s global hype and meme-worthy moments provide rich ground for comic reversals and over-the-top peril.
M3GAN (2022) A lifelike doll designed to protect a child that becomes increasingly unhinged is a goldmine for parody, especially since M3GAN leans into campy, meme-friendly moments. Expect spoofable beats around a too-perfect companion robot, the doll’s uncanny behavior, and a dance that has already become a pop-culture touchstone. A Scary Movie spoof could set M3GAN in a goofy, neon-lit locale—perhaps an abandoned arcade or a robotic‑themed party—where the doll’s techno-spookiness collides with silly slapstick.
For more scary stuff, check out our list of the best horror movies ever.