When you think of horror movies, the words romance or love don’t really come to mind. We think of being scared or we think of blood and guts and all types of gore. Over the years though, horror has come a long way. There are many different subgenres of horror and that includes horror movies with romantic themes. There are plenty out but here are 5 ones that you should definitely check out, and just in time for Valentine’s day too.
Valentine
A group of friends live their lives normally in San Francisco. One by one though they start to get picked off and it just so happens that the prime suspect could be a boy they used to pick on in junior high.
Valentine was released in 2001 and kind of fell by the wayside and it really is unfortunate because this is a solid slasher film. There are some inventive kills, fun cheesy characters, and dialogue, as well as an interesting story. Denise Richards and Marley Shelton are great in their roles and the movie is just a fun time overall.
The mask of the killer is a cupid mask. It is so weird looking that it somehow becomes frightening. We get a couple of Valentine’s day cards throughout the movie sent by the killer with messages such as “Roses are red, violets are blue, they’ll need dental records to identify you.” Isn’t that just romantic?
Original kills, a great cast and soundtrack, and a great tagline that read, “remember that kid everyone ignored on Valentine’s Day? He remembers you.” It’s a creepy tagline that draws you in. Definitely give this one a shot if you haven’t.
Let the Right One In
12-year-old Oskar is a shy, sensitive bullied boy who keeps to himself most of the time. He soon meets his new neighbor named Eli and they develop a strong bond. When murders start being reported, Oskar finds out that Eli is not what she seems. Oskar will do what he can to protect his new friend.
This is a great coming-of-age horror movie filled with gore, suspense, and above all, young love. Eli is a vampire. She kills or has others kill for her in order to feed her thirst and to survive. When Oskar finds this out he doesn’t run away from it. He doesn’t want to take any chance of losing his friend. Oskar and Eli are two outsiders that rely on each other and their love grows over time.
This is a great story of friendship and first love while also being a well-written scary bloody vampire flick.
Bones and All
Two lovers who just so happen to be cannibals go on a road trip together to escape their past and keep clean from eating human flesh.
Timothee Chalamet and Taylor Russell have great chemistry in this and that helps the overall story because this is a romantic film surrounded by a hard-to-stomach plot. A Romeo and Juliet tale for modern times basically. It’s beautifully shot and well-directed.
At times it can be a little slow but it is never boring. The performances from our leads just transport the audience and we want to travel on this road trip with them. The movie, while being romantic is extremely gruesome and does not shy away from violence but at the center is a fresh way to tell a tale of the hardships of love.
Tammy and the T-Rex
A teenage girl has just recently lost her boyfriend. She soon finds out though that a crazy scientist has actually inserted his brain into an animatronic dinosaur.
Yes, this movie sounds bonkers and that is because it is. Still, it is one of those you have to see to believe. Originally the film was released in 1994 with a PG-13 rating to appeal to family audiences. It didn’t work. The movie has gained a cult following as of late due to its re-release with an R rating that put back scenes that were originally cut out.
Paul Walker and Denise Richards star in this gory horror comedy that knows exactly what it is. It is silly romantic fun with a woman who loves her man even if he is a dinosaur from now on. The great Terry Kiser is hamming it up as the evil scientist and it’s just a weird movie that puts a smile on your face. A young Paul Walker is reason enough to check it out.
My Bloody Valentine (1981, 2009)
Teens who throw a party in a mine must face off against a maniac wearing mining gear.
My Bloody Valentine from 1981 is a damn good slasher movie. In the ’80s there were tons of slashers. Ever since Halloween, everyone wanted to cash in on what was hot at the time. The thing that set this movie apart from the rest is the location and the characters. A mine is a scary place to be and there are plenty of claustrophobic scenes to show that. Also, the character is developed well enough in this movie where a lot of other slashers focus more on the kills than the characters. Plus the ending of this film is pretty intense and fun to watch.
I also have to give credit to the 2009 remake. The main plot points are here but this one is more of a mystery and a whodunnit. I give credit to them for wanting to do something different. This was also during the time when 3D was everywhere but I feel this movie uses it correctly. It isn’t just random stuff flying at the screen. It’s blood and guts and weapons. For a horror movie, the 3D works. We also get to see Jensen Ackles from Supernatural fame and the great horror legend that is Tom Atkins.
How are you spending Valentine’s Day? What romantic-themed horror movies do you like? Let us know in the comments below.
