Bill Murray Horror Comedies, Ranked From Worst to Best

Horror comedies have surged in popularity in recent years, blending laughs with terror in a way that feels uncannily suited to our chaotic cultural moment. Films like The Menu, Barbarian, and Bodies Bodies Bodies illustrate a genre at its peak, offering catharsis through humor even as they unsettle us with existential dread. But horror-comedy has always been a vital part of cinema—an uneasy but thrilling dance between absurdity and fear.

The Everyman King of Horror-Comedy

Enter Bill Murray, an actor whose comedic style makes him an anchor in this hybrid genre. Murray is an avatar of the everyman: his deadpan delivery and impeccable timing turn even the most surreal scenarios into something approachable. Whether he’s facing ghosts, zombies, or a carnivorous plant, his performances embody both disbelief and begrudging acceptance, a perfect match for horror-comedy’s tightrope walk between hilarity and terror. Murray doesn’t just participate in these films; he elevates them. With an instinctive understanding of tone, he finds humor in fear and absurdity in the macabre, leaving an indelible mark on every project he touches.

Let’s explore Murray’s contributions to this genre through a list of his most iconic horror-comedy performances. From ghost hunting to zombie survival, Murray’s work reveals how his comedic genius perfectly aligns with the demands of this peculiar but enduring genre.

11

‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ (2024)

In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Bill Murray once again dons the mantle of Peter Venkman, bringing his signature wit and charisma to a franchise that continues to redefine horror-comedy. Murray’s involvement promises a return to the elements that made the original films iconic: sharp humor, supernatural thrills, and an unshakable sense of camaraderie.

The Icy Return of a Genre Icon

As the Ghostbusters face new challenges in a frigid, otherworldly setting, Murray’s performance is expected to anchor the narrative, blending nostalgia with fresh comedic beats. His enduring presence in the series underscores his unparalleled ability to elevate the genre, proving that even in a chilling new adventure, Bill Murray’s humor remains a guiding light.

10

‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ (2021)

Reprising his role as Peter Venkman, Bill Murray brings both levity and emotional resonance to Ghostbusters: Afterlife, a film steeped in nostalgia for the original franchise. While the younger cast drives the story forward, Murray’s return bridges the past and present, reminding audiences why the original films remain so beloved.

Nostalgia with a Dose of Murray Magic

Murray’s Venkman feels older and wiser, yet his sardonic wit remains intact. In a film centered on legacy and familial connection, his performance provides a grounding force that complements the younger characters’ exuberance. With a mix of humor and heart, Murray demonstrates that even decades later, his ability to find absurdity in the supernatural remains unparalleled.

9

‘The Dead Don’t Die’ (2019)

As small-town sheriff Cliff Robertson, Bill Murray leads Jim Jarmusch’s slow-burn, surreal zombie comedy with an unshakable deadpan delivery. In a film that thrives on its subdued absurdity, Murray’s performance acts as the glue holding together an ensemble cast navigating existential despair.

Deadpan in a Dead World

What sets Murray apart here is his ability to anchor Jarmusch’s offbeat tone. Whether he’s matter-of-factly acknowledging the apocalypse or sharing awkward silences with Adam Driver’s character, Murray’s humor comes from his refusal to overplay the bizarre. His understated performance mirrors the film’s themes of futility and inevitability, proving that sometimes the best way to face a zombie apocalypse is with a shrug and a wry smile.

8

‘Zombieland’ (2009)

Bill Murray’s cameo as himself in Zombieland is a masterstroke of meta-comedy, turning his death into one of the funniest and most unexpected moments in zombie film history. The scene is emblematic of Murray’s genius: he plays a heightened version of himself, blending self-deprecation with his trademark dry humor.

Meta Brilliance in a Zombie Apocalypse

In a genre that often leans on gore and shock value, Murray’s performance is a breath of fresh air. His casual banter about blending in with the undead and his nonchalant death—at the hands of Jesse Eisenberg’s character—highlight the absurdity of the apocalypse while giving the film one of its most memorable moments. It’s a rare feat to steal a movie with just a few minutes of screen time, but Murray’s presence elevates Zombieland into something iconic.

7

‘Zombieland: Double Tap’ (2019)

If Zombieland left audiences craving more Bill Murray, Double Tap delivers, bringing the meta king back for a cameo that’s as self-aware as it is hilarious. The sequel doubles down on Murray’s knack for parody, featuring a post-credit scene that turns a mundane press junket for Garfield into an apocalyptic melee.

The Return of the Meta King

Murray’s willingness to mock his own career, particularly his involvement in Garfield, cements his status as a comedic legend who never takes himself too seriously. In a film full of over-the-top zombie kills and snarky humor, his cameo reminds us that the real genius of horror-comedy lies in its ability to laugh at even the bleakest circumstances.

6

‘What About Bob?’ (1991)

Bill Murray’s Bob Wiley is a walking nightmare—a neurotic, obsessive patient who takes co-dependence to an absurd extreme. What About Bob? turns psychological horror into comedy by presenting Bob’s escalating antics through the lens of Richard Dreyfuss’s Dr. Marvin, whose unraveling sanity serves as a counterbalance to Murray’s unflappable charm.

Psychological Horror as Comedy Gold

What makes this performance so compelling is Murray’s ability to make Bob both maddening and oddly endearing. His gleeful ignorance of social boundaries transforms what could have been a one-note character into a layered exploration of how humor can diffuse tension—even as it creates more chaos. In What About Bob?, the horror isn’t a ghost or a zombie; it’s the human condition itself, and Murray’s unrelenting optimism turns this existential dread into comedy gold.

5

‘Ghostbusters II’ (1989)

Sequels are often thankless endeavors, but Ghostbusters II allows Bill Murray to deepen his portrayal of Peter Venkman without losing the dry humor that made him so iconic in the original. This time, the stakes are higher—not just for the Ghostbusters, but for the characters themselves, as they navigate faded fame and new personal challenges.

Ghosts, Slime, and Sequel Charm

Murray’s performance continues to anchor the chaos, his sardonic wit serving as the film’s emotional throughline. Whether he’s confronting sentient slime or an ancient Carpathian warlord, his delivery remains unflappable, underscoring the absurdity of the escalating threats. Yet Murray also allows glimpses of vulnerability, particularly in his interactions with Dana (Sigourney Weaver), that hint at the everyman’s quiet yearning for connection amid the madness.

Ghostbusters II might not surpass its predecessor, but it solidifies Murray’s role as a cornerstone of the horror-comedy genre—proof that even in a sequel, his comedic genius can find fresh ways to surprise.

4

‘Scrooged’ (1988)

With Scrooged, Bill Murray takes on Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol and filters it through the lens of late-80s corporate greed and satire. His Frank Cross is a man consumed by self-interest, whose caustic wit and dismissive humor serve as armor against vulnerability. Murray balances the character’s repulsiveness with enough charisma to keep audiences rooting for his redemption.

A Cynic’s Redemption Through the Supernatural

The film’s supernatural elements—the chilling visitations of ghosts past, present, and future—provide fertile ground for Murray’s comedic instincts, but it’s his moments of quiet terror that linger. His horror feels personal, a recognition of his own decay, and it makes the humor sharper by contrast. In Murray’s hands, Cross’s transformation feels earned, turning a holiday staple into a meditation on mortality and the fragile humanity we cling to in the face of it.

3

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (1986)

Bill Murray’s cameo in Little Shop of Horrors is a masterclass in scene-stealing. As Arthur Denton, a dental patient whose masochistic tendencies know no bounds, Murray injects a layer of absurdist comedy into a film already teetering on the edge of camp. The scene, shared with Steve Martin’s deranged dentist, becomes a surreal pas de deux of pain and pleasure, where Murray’s gleeful anticipation of torture somehow renders him endearing.

Masochistic Hilarity in a Man-Eating World

This brief appearance encapsulates Murray’s ability to find humanity within the grotesque. Denton’s eccentricity doesn’t just serve the comedy; it highlights the dark undercurrent of the film’s world, where carnivorous plants sing and murder lurks just beneath the surface. In a film where the horror and humor often lean heavily on spectacle, Murray’s performance feels intimate—a reminder that in the right hands, even the most peripheral characters can become unforgettable.

2

‘Ghostbusters’ (1984)

Bill Murray’s portrayal of Dr. Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters is the touchstone for horror-comedy—a performance that stitches irreverence into a supernatural framework. Venkman, as written, could have easily veered into caricature, but Murray imbues the character with a nuanced self-awareness that feels oddly grounded. His dry humor becomes a counterweight to the film’s escalating absurdity: ghost traps, demonic possessions, and a giant marshmallow man.

The Blueprint for Horror-Comedy

In Murray’s hands, Venkman’s skepticism never tips into cynicism. Instead, it becomes a lens for the audience to navigate a bizarre, ectoplasm-drenched world. His improvised lines—“Back off, man, I’m a scientist”—disarm both his spectral foes and the genre’s inherent tension, reminding us that laughter can thrive even in the face of existential dread. Ghostbusters may be about a ragtag team saving New York from paranormal chaos, but it’s Murray who elevates the material, proving that horror-comedy doesn’t just coexist—it thrives when its absurdity feels human.

1

Honorable Mention: ‘Ed Wood’ (1994)

While Ed Wood isn’t a traditional horror-comedy, Bill Murray’s turn as Bunny Breckinridge in Tim Burton’s biopic of the infamous filmmaker nods affectionately to the horror genre. Ed Wood’s world revolves around his passion for low-budget monster movies, and Murray’s performance captures the eccentric, offbeat charm of the era’s cinematic misfits.

A Love Letter to Horror through Campy Comedy

As Bunny, Murray leans into camp with an understated flamboyance, creating a character both hilarious and deeply human. His portrayal reflects the broader spirit of the film: a celebration of outsiders and their love of the macabre.

Though the film focuses on Wood’s earnest but inept filmmaking, Murray’s Bunny adds a layer of wry humor that underscores the intersection of horror, absurdity, and heartfelt ambition. It’s a testament to Murray’s versatility that even in a supporting role, he leaves an indelible mark, honoring horror’s campy past while celebrating its enduring spirit.