Violence, gore and thrilling suspense are what most audiences associate with horror genre, but sometimes, the most unexpected plots can be the best. This is the case of horror films that address both romance and horror in their narratives, perfectly blending seemingly opposite genres. It stands to reason that love stories in horror films would appeal to viewers, as rooting for the central couple to end up together creates an added layer of stakes and tension. However, most of the time, horror films don’t provide the happily ever after that most romance films do.
Although many romance films have scary and disturbing plots, in many horror romances, the love story is the least disturbing part of the narrative. The frightening external elements are used as metaphors and allegories for the real-life obstacles that arise between the lovers. Most of the time, the relationship at the heart of horror novels is that of star-crossed lovers who have to overcome insurmountable difficulties to be together. However, this makes it even more satisfying when they find a way to make their relationship work.
10
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
The exaggerated and visually surprising Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a surreal addition to Francis Ford Coppola’s filmography, but that doesn’t lessen the impact of his novel. Although many of the best vampire TV shows and movies paint vampires as an irredeemable force of evil, Dracula it reminds the audience that the titular villain was once a man and it was an incredible loss that led him to this horrible state. Gary Oldman plays Dracula, with Winona Ryder joining him as Mina/Elisabetayour long-lost love reincarnated.
Although the audience and Mina know that Dracula is dangerous and cruel, they can’t help but feel for him and his situation.
The tragedy of their circumstances and the fact that Dracula was cursed with such a forsaken existence after his death is heartbreaking, as are all the forces that come between them when they are reunited. Although the audience and Mina know that Dracula is dangerous and cruel, they can’t help but feel for him and his situation. When they are reunited in death, it is a small mercy for the hundreds of years Dracula was tormented by his loss.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
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Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) |
69% |
79% |
9
Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
Directed by Zelda Williams
It wouldn’t be surprising if Lisa Frankenstein received a major critical reassessment in the following years. Although it didn’t have strong reviews or box office performance, the heavily stylized and offbeat horror comedy was written by Diablo Cody, who also wrote the cult classic Jennifer’s Body. As Jennifer’s Body, Lisa Frankenstein It struggled to find an audience, despite having a compelling emotional core between Lisa (Kathryn Newton) and the Creature (Cole Sprouse).
The misunderstood and death-obsessed Lisa finally meets her match in the Creature, a man from the Victorian era who never found love and is resurrected to meet Lisa. They make the perfect pair, and although they embark on a killing spree to bring the Creature back to life, that doesn’t stop the audience from rooting for them. Although they are a little different, Lisa and the Creature find solace in their once-in-a-lifetime understanding of each other.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
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Lisa Frankenstein (2024) |
52% |
81% |
8
Crimson Peak (2015)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
The horrible secret the characters are hiding in Crimson Peak consolidates the narrative into horror territory, but there is also a genuinely sensitive love story within the narrative. Mia Wasikowska plays Edith, a young woman who falls in love with the handsome and mysterious Thomas (Tom Hiddleston), only to discover that he isn’t telling her everything. At the beginning of the film, Thomas is only using Edith in the name of his evil sister, but in the end, he comes to truly love her.
In his own twisted way, Thomas ends up helping Edith escape her sister’s clutches and start a new life, even though he has been the source of her terror and mystery for so long. It’s a complicated and flawed novel, but it’s impossible not to feel sorry for Thomas and Edith as any chance they had at a normal life is destroyed. However, Edith’s love and faith in herself are what pull her out of the nightmare. and help her get over Thomas.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
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Crimson Peak (2015) |
72% |
56% |
7
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Directed by Karyn Kusama
Jennifer’s Body and Lisa Frankenstein share a cinematic universe, which makes sense since Jennifer’s Body was a previous project written by writer Diablo Cody. Today, Jennifer’s Body is considered a seminal cult classic and a true examination of childhood and the love shared by young women. Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried play Jennifer and Needy, best friends who are simultaneously jealous and in love with each other. This complex relationship becomes even more complicated when Jennifer becomes possessed by a demon.
Whether or not the audience interprets the relationship between Needy and Jennifer as entirely romantic, it doesn’t take away from the fact that the couple shares a deep bond and mutual love. Jennifer’s Body explores how adolescence affects young women and separates them see each other as competitors and objectify each other. Needy’s actions prove how much she loves the real Jennifer, as she won’t let the demon inhabit her any longer and won’t do anything to get revenge on the people who did this to her.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
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Jennifer’s Body (2009) |
46% |
35% |
6
Bones and All (2022)
Directed byLuca Guadagnino
There’s something about cannibal movies that lends itself to being such a clear and direct metaphor for the act of love, and Bones and all addresses this story. Two cannibals meet while wandering the US, played by Maren (Taylor Russell) and Lee (Timothée Chalamet). This setting allows director Luca Guadagnino to incorporate western elements and a Bonnie and Clyde-esque narrative in the film. In Bones and all, Maren and Lee can’t help being cannibals, just like they can’t stop falling in love.
By the end of the film, it becomes clear that they love each other for their flaws, not despite them.
Coming of age and search for acceptance unfold through their growing connection and the isolation they impose on themselves to cultivate their lifestyle. Of course, being a cannibal isn’t sustainable, and it’s not long before their past catches up with them, cementing the couple as star-crossed lovers forever. However, through each other, Lee and Maren find some peace and face the darkest parts of themselves. By the end of the film, it becomes clear that they love each other for their flaws, not despite them.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
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Bones and All (2022) |
82% |
62% |
5
Hot Bodies (2013)
Directed by Jonathan Levine
Love conquers everything, even a plague of zombies, in Warm bodiesone of the most hopeful horror novels of recent decades. Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer play the lovers in this take-off of Cheese and guava, as he plays a zombie, R, who wants to be human and does so through this romance with Julie (Palmer). Of all the post-apocalyptic stories out there, Warm bodies tells a more moving and hopelessly romantic story than most.
Through Julie’s belief in him R is able to begin transforming back into a human demonstrating that the cure for the undead is acceptance and love. While this narrative could have easily veered into sentimental or cheesy territory, Warm bodies balances its sincerity with plenty of zombie humor and compelling stakes. R’s life hangs in the balance as the pair try to convince others that he is not like other zombies and that there is a way to save the world.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
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Hot Bodies (2013) |
81% |
73% |
4
Corpse Bride (2005)
Directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson
There is not just one love story in Corpse Bridebut a love triangle between Victor, his human fiancée Victoria and his deceased wife Emily. Although Victor is determined to return to the land of the living and marry Victoria, he can’t help but fall in love with Emily and feel her tragic story. In life, Emily never found true love. She was deceived by a malicious suitor and murdered for money, cursed to always be a bride waiting for her groom.
It’s clear everywhere Corpse Bride that the line between life and death cannot be easily crossed and that Victor’s place is with the living.
It’s clear everywhere Corpse Bride that the line between life and death cannot be easily crossed and that Victor’s place is with the living. By allowing Victor to return to his world, Emily finds peace within herself and Victor becomes a better, more caring man. during his time with Emily. The visuals set the brilliant tone for their tragic story. Of the many impressive stop-motion animation films, Corpse Bride makes good use of its medium, even if it’s not as visually complex as similar works like Coraline or The Nightmare Before Christmas.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
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Corpse Bride (2005) |
84% |
77% |
3
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)
Directed by Burr Steers
Of the many cinematic iterations of Jane Austen’s seminal work, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is one of the most unexpected, but charming. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies it is not intended to be a deep or thorough exploration of humanity and society as its source material. However, it’s a lot of fun and lives up to the iconic novel. Lily James tries to play the well-known heroine Elizabeth Bennet with Sam Riley as her love interest, Mr. Darcy.
Simultaneously hitting the story beats of romance while interweaving zombies into the narrative, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies it doesn’t let the action and blood detract from the romance. James and Riley have good chemistry, exploring the characters’ banter and mental struggle as much as their physical attraction. The fact that the characters are also highly skilled fighters makes their scenes even more dynamic and intriguing. Happily, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies It ends with a white wedding, just like the romance.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) |
47% |
45% |
2
Underworld (2003)
Directed by Len Wiseman
Kate Beckinsale stars as Selene, the lethal vampire assassin in Underworld, who begins to question what he believes thanks to his relationship with Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman). When audiences first meet Selene, she vehemently hates Lycans, also known as werewolves, and does everything she can to stop them. However, it turns out that Michael is a hybrid of Lycans and vampires, which could disrupt the war and awaken Selene to the truth about her past.
It soon turns out that Selene must choose between her loyalty to vampires and her new love for Michael, pitting them both against the most powerful forces in the world.
Although she is hesitant to trust him, It doesn’t take long for Selene to start letting down her walls when Michael shows genuine interest. in her. It soon turns out that Selene must choose between her loyalty to vampires and her new love for Michael, pitting them both against the most powerful forces in the world. However, because of their connection and deep love, the choice is obvious.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
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Underworld (2003) |
31% |
79% |
1
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Directed by Frank Oz
The classic campy musical film Little Shop of Horrors adapted the stage musical of the same name and became considered one of the best horror comedies of all time. However, that’s not to say that romance isn’t a big part of why audiences love it. Little Shop of Horrorsas the relationship between Seymour (Rick Moranis) and Audrey (Ellen Greene) is iconic. Even as Seymour delves deeper into his doomed partnership with the evil plant, Audrey II, all he wants is to be with the real Audrey.
It takes a long time for Audrey and Seymour to admit their mutual feelings, but when they do, it results in an explosion of music and passion. However Little Shop of Horrors is a distinctly comical addition to the horror genre, there are some haunting moments that juxtapose the overarching love story between Seymour and Audrey. Although none of the characters are perfect, they fit together and make a beautiful pair.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes critic score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
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Little Shop of Horrors (1986) |
91% |
79% |