Axes and Ohs: 6 Valentine's Day horror movies
Some romances just rip your heart out.
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Every holiday could stand to be a bit more Halloweeny, in my opinion, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. It’s already got some prime ingredients: named after a murdered saint, favorited by stalkers, symbolized by a blood factory. I mean, the holiday is practically begging for a rebrand.
But since the powers that be are unlikely to give Valentine's the terrifying touchup it deserves, I’ve come up with a way you can celebrate in your own spooky way. Here are Popverse’s top five Valentine’s Day Horror movies for you and your somebody (or just some body) to snuggle up to. Enjoy.
Valentine (2001)
David Boreanaz takes a break from playing a dreamy hunk with a dark side on Buffy the Vampire Slayer to play... well, that, but not on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Part of the much beloved early 2000s brand of frosted-tipped, low-rise horror, this slasher boasts a soundtrack with the likes of Linkin Park, Deftones, and horrormeister Rob Zombie.
Heart-breakingly, Valentine is not streaming anywhere at the moment. But you can rent it on Amazon or AppleTV+.
Fresh (2022)
Maybe you don’t have a Valentine this year; we’ve all been there, and I promise things get better. Plus, things could get a lot worse. Case in point, Fresh, the story of a date gone horribly, horribly wrong. It’s a tight thriller with a fantastic, resourceful protagonist and a villain that could make even the sincerest of Bucky stans question their crush.
Not lose it, though. That shit’s forever.
Fix something to eat (or maybe don’t) and watch Fresh, streaming on Hulu.
The Hunger (1983)
So maybe this wasn’t the vampire romance you were hoping to see on this list, but do you know how many of those there are? Truly, every vampire movie borders on a romance in some way or another, even if that’s just because I, personally, am in love with Blade. Anyway, I went with my gut in including this tale of immortal and immoral love; why?
David Bowie, obviously.
Unfortunately, people thirsty for The Hunger are going to have to pay to eat - no streaming service currently shows the film.
The Love Witch (2016)
This throwback to the technicolor terrors of the 1960s and 70s will have you seeing stars quite literally, so gorgeous are its visuals. But just like in the case of the main character, witch Elaine Parks, beauty and horror go hand in hand a lot more easily than you'd think.
The Love Witch is waiting for you over at on Peacock.
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
One of the preeminent films in the subgenre of folk horror, Picnic at Hanging Rock features no monster or killer in the traditional sense of the words. Instead, it relies on atmosphere and gorgeous South Australian scenery to send chills up the viewer's spine. Probably the most unsettling film on this list, this is a perfect date-night experience... so long as you're not camping.
Hang out with Picnic at Hanging Rock, available to stream on Max.
My Bloody Valentine (1981)
What better way to say "Be Mine" than with a B-movie about mining?
Even if this movie wasn't set on Lovers' Day, it's a must see for fans of the slasher genre. Sadly underseen and underappreciated, this flick did manage to score a mixed-reviews remake in 2009 and a much more hotly anticipated novelization by Armando Muñoz. If you're old-fashioned in love and in the horror genre, this one's for you.
Pucker up for My Bloody Valentine, available to stream on MGM+.
Horror and romance actually go together quite well, as you can see from Popverse's Horniest Horror Movies, by Chloe Maveal.
Happy Valentine's! To get you into the season of romance, here's our guide to our six best romantic movies to watch on Netflix and six best romantic shows to binge for the big occassion. If you're a reader here's our six best romantic comics to check out for V-day. Or if you want something a little more off beat, why not check out our six tips for surviving a date with Deadpool? If that doesn't sound horrific enough, we've got six horror movies to enjoy during Valentine's day.
