Throughout the years, there have been various types of horror movies that have expanded the film category. From the supernatural to the psychological, the horror genre has continued to push the boundaries of fear and what is considered scary.
There have been many movies that has combined romance with horror which has proven to be an interesting mix. Here are 10 romantic horror movies you should check out.
10. Horns (2013)
Horns is a 2013 adaptation of writer Joe Hill’s novel. Daniel Radcliffe in another attempt to move past his Harry Potter fame plays the main role as Ignatius “Ig” Perrish. When Ig’s girlfriend Merrin is raped and murdered, Ig is suspected of doing the crime. Ig who is torn up over Merrin’s death stays cooped up in his parent’s house to avoid the condemnation from his community.
After a memorial service is held for Merrin, Ig drinks heavily in despair and wakes up the following morning with horns protruding from his head. Ig is frightened by this horrific change to his body and goes to the doctor to remove them, however, it is unsuccessful.
Ig soon discovers that the horns have the ability to get people to tell him their most innermost secrets. With this newfound power, Ig sets out to find Merrin’s killer and clear his name.
Horns is a Kafkaesque film that follows a young man who will do everything it takes to find his girlfriend’s killer. Throughout the movie, there are several flashbacks to Ig and Merrin’s relationship that plays out like a romantic fantasy. Merrin is pictured as an angel of sorts that dances in the shining light. Ig is infatuated with her and her death leaves an empty void in his life.
The movie ends in a very cool way that shows the horns true power and leads to Ig being reunited with the love of his life.
9. Warm Bodies (2013)
Warm Bodies is an interesting take on the zombie horror genre that follows a zombie who falls in love with a human. The film takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humans live barricaded from zombies that roam the Earth. R (Nicholas Hoult) is a zombie that lives in an airplane at an airport and spends his time hunting for food with his friend M.
One day, R spots a group of humans who are out on a scavenger hunt for medical supplies. R sees Julie (Teresa Palmer) and becomes attracted to her. When Julie’s boyfriend Perry sees R, he attacks the zombie but R kills him and eats his brain. Perry’s brain gives R his memories and thoughts which leads to R developing stronger feelings for Julie.
R decides to save Julie from the rest of the zombies in the area and takes her back to his airplane home. Julie is scared and confused by R’s actions and after being rescued again by R, she begins to trust him. They begin to bond over music and playing games together as R slowly starts to come back to life. When R tells Julie that he killed Perry she becomes upset and runs away from him.
R is heartbroken by Julie’s reaction, but soon discovers that other zombies including M are also coming back to life. This is bad news to the group because the fully-undead zombies see them as potential food. R leads the group to Julie’s location which brings forth a confrontation between the zombies and the humans.
Warm Bodies is a funny horror comedy that works well on many levels. The possibility of a human and zombie romantic relationship is far-fetched but this film manages to pull it off.
8. Candyman (1992)
The 1992 horror movie Candyman has gone on to be a classic in the horror film genre. It’s relentless supernatural villain with his hook for a hand turned Candyman into an iconic figure.
The film is about Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) a graduate student who is studying urban legends in Chicago. Helen comes across the legend of Candyman, a slave who was gruesomely killed for marrying a white woman and fathering a child with her. Candyman’s ashes were scattered in the Cabrini-Green housing projects in Chicago which leads Helen there to writer her thesis paper on the inhabitants.
However, as Helen begins her research, she is attacked by a gang member who is calling himself Candyman which leads her to discount the urban legend. But, when the real Candyman comes to her and vows to kill innocent people due to her renunciation of him, Helen must fight to save herself and those around her.
As Candyman wrecks havoc on Helen’s life, she soon discovers that she is a direct descendent of Candyman’s wife. When Candyman offers her his eternal devotion and immortality if she joins him, Helen decides to take drastic measures.
Candyman does a terrific job of showing the transformation of the a man to a monster. Candyman has spent his immortality killing those that summon him, but is also seeking his lost love who he unfortunately finds in Helen. Helen not only resembles his dead wife but is a descendent. Candyman stops at nothing to get her to join him, but Helen will not go so easily.
7. Wolf (1994)
Wolf stars Jack Nicholson as Will Randal, an editor at a publishing house who is bitten by a wolf while driving home one night. Will’s life further deteriorates when he is fired from his job and is replaced by his subordinate Stewart (James Spader). Will also discovers that his wife is cheating on him with Stewart when he is able to smell Stewart’s scent on his wife’s clothes. During a confrontation with Stewart, Will bites him on the hand.
In search of a new life, Will starts a new romantic relationship with Laura (Michelle Pfeiffer) his former boss’s’ daughter. Will goes to Laura’s estate and one night he transforms into a werewolf and kills a deer. The following morning, Will awakens by a river covered in blood. No recollection of what happened to him and feeling scared, Will goes to a doctor who tells him about werewolves and gives him an amulet to help stop the transformations.
However, Will turns into a werewolf again and goes to the local zoo. When muggers are attempting to steal his wallet, Will bites the fingers off of one of them. Will again has no idea what happened to him when he awakens the previous morning. When he learns that his ex-wife has been killed, Will starts to suspect himself. He does not know that Stuart has become a werewolf as well.
A final showdown between Will and Stuart in their werewolf states is one of the best scenes from the movie. Laura discovers Will’s ability and her feelings for him doesn’t change. The movie ends with Laura displaying werewolf-like abilities.
6. Crimson Peak (2015)
Guillermo Del Toro has made a career out of eccentric and fascinating movies and Crimson Peak follows that tradition. Mia Wasikowska stars as Edith Cushing, a young woman living in New York in 1887. One night, Edith has an encounter with her dead mother who warns her about “Crimson Peak.” Edith is unsure of what this means and the words of her dead mother lingers with her as she gets older.
One day, Edith meets Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) a man who is seeking investors for his mining operation. Edith’s father rejects Tom’s proposal, however, Edith starts to develop a romantic relationship with him. Edith’s father who is against the relationship hires a private investigator to find out about Thomas. Mr. Cushing learns secrets about Thomas and his sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain) and is brutally killed.
Edith goes to live with Thomas and Lucille in a large mansion that is slowly sinking in red clay that surrounds the place. Edith soon finds herself alone in a place where she is treated coldly by Lucille and is seeing ghosts. Edith soon discovers the siblings dark secret as she races to stay alive.
Crimson Peak is a beautifully shot film that follows the plight of innocent Edith who comes to find out that her lover is not who he says he is. She is nothing but a means to an end for the siblings as they plot to kill her for her inheritance.