Unearthly laughter: the comedy line-up that's to die for

Ghosts, aliens, and origami warriors, oh my! Unwind with the quirkiest, most creepy comedies this Halloween.

Image | Cavendish - The Coven

Caption: March of the goth witches in Cavendish episode 106, 'The Coven'. (CBC Gem)

It's spooky season! But Halloween isn't just a time for gory horror or stress-inducing flicks about possessed dolls. It can also be a time to revel in the lighter side of the macabre and to remind ourselves that even the things that scare us have their quirks. Honestly, comedy is the perfect antidote to October's darker vibes. From haunted houses to alien invasions, here's a list of otherworldly comedies that'll have you laughing till you're coffin.

Ghosts

Image | Ghosts S5_Episode Two

Caption: Kitty (Lolly Adefope) and Robin (Larry Rickard) in Ghosts Season 5. (Monumental Pictures)

Spectres fighting over ancient beef? Check. Set in a country house inhabited by a motley group of hilarious ghosts, this show reminds us that sometimes our past can literally come back to haunt us.
Watch Ghosts on CBC Gem(external link)

Cavendish

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If you're into witches, creepy mannequins and things that aren't exactly as they seem, then welcome to Cavendish(external link). When Mark (Mark Little) and Andy (Andrew Bush) return to their hometown to care for their ailing father, they're thrown into a whirlwind of what appears to be supernatural chaos and comedic disasters when they take over the family-run museum of the strange. Think of it as a mix of family drama and Twilight Zone-esque escapades. Drop Fred Penner in an episode — yes, seriously! — and you get super-funny twists and turns for the entire season.
Watch Cavendish on CBC Gem(external link)

Come to Daddy

Image | Come to Daddy

Caption: (CBC Gem)

In this dark comedy, Elijah Wood is Norval Greenwood, a privileged man-child who receives an invitation to visit his estranged father's isolated beach house. However, he finds that their reunion is far from heartwarming. Come to Daddy(external link) takes viewers on a suspenseful and unexpected journey filled with family secrets and personal demons. You know, for a laugh.
Watch Come to Daddy on CBC Gem(external link)

Colossal

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Colossal(external link), starring Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis, offers a unique blend of dark comedy, science fiction, and psychological drama, making it an unexpected yet fitting choice for a Halloween watch. Colossal(external link) explores the life of Gloria, played by Hathaway, a writer who discovers a peculiar connection between herself and a giant monster terrorizing Seoul.
Watch Colossal on CBC Gem(external link)

Paris Paris

Image | Paris Paris

Caption: (CBC Gem)

In the quaint town of Paris, Ontario, Philippe stumbles upon a magical tunnel that whisks him away to... the other Paris (you know, the big one!) Swapping dad duties for baguettes and berets, he crafts a dreamy French life on the side. But juggling two "Parises" isn't easy. OK, maybe this one's not "Halloweeny" in the traditional sense, but the cultural mishaps, colourful characters and laugh-out-loud scenarios will leave you #dead (figuratively, obviously).
Watch Paris Paris on CBC Gem(external link)

The Aliens

Image | The Aliens

Caption: Lliyhot (Michaela Coel), Dominic (Jim Howick) and Lewis (Michael Socha) in The Aliens. (BBC Worldwide)

How about some extraterrestrial comedy this Halloween? When aliens crash-land on Earth and become an underclass in society, it sets the stage for an incredibly out-there situation where it's hard to tell who is an alien and who isn't, but their hair can make you high. The Aliens(external link) was created by the same producers who brought us the popular series Misfits and features a stellar cast including Michael Socha, Jim Howick and Michaela Coel.
Watch The Aliens on CBC Gem(external link)

This Blows

Image | This Blows Episode 2

Caption: Anna learns about her dangerous new power. (CBC Gem)

Anna's supernatural ability might not seem like much of a gift—when she gets stressed, she literally blows people up. While it might sound like a major downer (especially during surprise parties or tense family dinners), This Blows(external link) manages to turn every explosive moment into a comedic goldmine.
Watch This Blows on CBC Gem(external link)

Warigami

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One part action, two parts comedy, and a sprinkle of ancient magic - Warigami(external link) is not your average show. Watch as descendants of an ancient Japanese clan who crafted weapons out of paper (yes, you read that right!) battle their enemies. Think of it as a crash course in "How to defeat your enemies with paper folding and epic one-liners." If you have 97 minutes to spare you can binge the whole season tonight!
So, as you prepare to settle into a cozy night of trick-or-treating and horror flicks, remember: laughter can sometimes be the best way to ward off those Halloween chills.
Watch Warigami on CBC Gem(external link)

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