9 Horror Films to Watch on Valentine’s Day

Blood, death and love are in the air this Valentine’s Day. For those who prefer to keep things spooky when February 14^th rolls around, I’ve curated just the list for your viewing pleasure. If your plans are to stay in and watch a movie, why not make it a horror movie? As the holiday of romance draws nearer, I got to thinking about creepy and tragic love stories. Of course my incessant need to give every holiday a macabre makeover is part of it too. So, following is a selection of films I’ve personally handpicked and seen that I find appropriate for Valoween. They’re a delightful mix of dark comedy, gothic and scary, and I present them here in chronological order. Enjoy!

The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

I know silent films may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but you won’t regret diving into this horrific gem. The 1925 The Phantom of the Opera is part of the Universal Classic Monsters series and features Lon Chaney as the Phantom. The mysterious figure dwells within the cellars below the opera house and pines for performer Christine Daaé. He demands Christine sing in the starring role of all upcoming productions; otherwise, he’ll unleash his wrath. Not only that, but he holds the damsel under his spell and wants her all to himself. His love borders on obsession, and he’s willing to even kill the one he covets so no one else can have her. Lon Chaney is terrifying as the Phantom, and the villain’s desire for reciprocated affection is just as disturbing.

My Bloody Valentine (1981)

I saw this film for the first time specifically so I could add it to this roundup. I watched the 2009 remake when it was initially released but had never seen the original. I think it definitely embodies the campy vibe that is present in a lot of 80s horror movies. It’s a classic slasher with annoying and horny young adults, a ruthless killer and loads of bloodshed. A large group of friends decide to throw a Valentine’s Day bash and begin to freak out when peers start turning up dead. The action hits its climax in the depths of a mine. Supposedly, the motion picture caused quite a stir, and a total of nine minutes was dropped from the final cut because it was too gory. I found it funny and cheesy, but you’ll have to judge for yourself.

The Addams Family (1991)

Awhile back on my blog, I created a list of the most iconic goth couples, and of course, Morticia and Gomez Addams made the roundup. So needless to say, I had to include the 90s The Addams Family movie here. Morticia and Gomez share an undying love for each other, can’t keep their hands off one another, and are the ultimate spooky couple. Morticia’s devotion to her husband and the way Gomez worships his wife in the film are transparent. Despite the tribulations they encounter when individuals they trusted turn on them, their passion burns fiercely and rescues them and their family from the madness.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

I absolutely die for Francis Ford Coppola’s take on the classic vampire tale. It’s an amorous, gothic story that entraps Dracula, Mina and Jonathan Harker in a sinister love triangle. The passion in the film is transcendent, and I can’t help but feel sad for Vlad Tepes who believes Mina is the reincarnation of his beloved wife. Plus, my heart melts when I hear lines like the following that Dracula speaks to Mina, “I have crossed oceans of time to find you.” Let’s also not forget the fiery, sexy energy Mina’s dear friend Lucy brings to the narrative. It’s all an enticing entanglement of love and lust.

Bride of Chucky (1998)

This is a twisted and humorous tale of romance begging the question, “How far would you go for the one you love?” Jennifer Tilly plays Tiffany who gets her hands on the Chucky doll that houses the soul of her former lover and serial killer, Charles Lee Ray. She performs a ritual to resurrect his spirit, and he comes back to life via the toy figure. However, it’s not happily ever after when the two have a spat, leading Chucky to murder his darling partner in crime and transfer her spirit into a doll. From that point, they’re on the prowl to lure a naïve couple who they plan to kill so they can possess their bodies. I can’t express enough how much I adore Jennifer Tilly in this flick. Hands down, her character Tiffany is definitely ride or die, although I think she’s too good for Chucky.

May (2002)

My next selection is a unique horror film I first watched around the time it was released. I was obsessed with the demented storyline. May is at the center of the narrative and experienced a traumatic childhood where she was rejected by her parents and the peers she tried to befriend. As an adult, she yearns to find companionship and acceptance, but her quirky, quiet nature isolates her. She thinks she may have found a special connection with a mechanic named Adam, but situations eventually go south. The plot takes a bloody turn when May decides to take matters into her own hands and “create” her own friend. Regardless of how crazy things become, at the root of the film is a lonely individual who just wants someone to love and who will love her in return.  

Wuthering Heights (2009)

Now, this is a film you won’t see on other lists about Valentine’s Day horror movies, but it should be included! In 2009, a British TV miniseries was released starring Tom Hardy as the brooding and hot-blooded Heathcliff and Charlotte Riley as the spirited Catherine Earnshaw. If you’ve read the novel, you may understand why it makes for a suitable Valoween movie selection. The two central characters share a deep connection that surpasses this earthly realm, but differences in class and upbringing eventually get in the way of their love. It’s a haunting gothic romance filled with tragedy, morbidity and ghostly spirits.

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

Another vampire motion picture I had to recommend for Valoween. Vampires Adam and Eve have been married for centuries, and it’s interesting they’re named after a couple that’s been around since the dawn of time according to the holy bible, despite themselves being unholy creatures. At the opening of the movie, the two have been living on opposite sides of the globe, but after a phone conversation, Eve senses her mate is on the verge of suicide and goes to him. The tale is simultaneously dark and amusing, peeling back the layers of an immortal love and what it means to the individuals in that relationship. It’s an exquisitely done vampire movie, and I recommend it for Valentine’s Day or any time of the year.

The Love Witch (2016)

This delightful horror comedy is what inspired the list you’re reading. I was rewatching it recently and started thinking what a perfect Valentine’s Day movie it is for those with a dark sense of humor. I first saw The Love Witch a few years ago and was immediately smitten with the main character, Elaine. She’s a beautiful witch obsessed with love and will stop at nothing to get it. She uses her charm, looks, magic and spells to entrap her knight in shining armor, but you’ll have to watch it to see if she gets her fairytale ending.