12 Valentine’s Day Horror Movies to Watch If You’re Horrified by Valentine’s Day

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Originally, this list came out on February 10, 2021. I’ve recently added the newly released horror comedy “Heart Eyes” to it.

February, often known as the month with the most chill in the air, can be quite intense – especially if you haven’t found someone to snuggle up with for the season. Or perhaps you aren’t a fan of public displays of affection or commercialized events. Regardless of your relationship status, February, and particularly Valentine’s Day, carries a significant emotional weight. Emotions run high during this time, not all of which are warm and fuzzy.

Navigating love, from finding a partner to nurturing a relationship, can sometimes feel downright terrifying, even without the added stress of a Hallmark holiday urging you to act overly sweet towards your significant other. Remember, you’re not alone in feeling this way. These nerve-wracking, intriguing titles might give you Schadenfreude. Misadventures at picnics and parties, partners who aren’t as they seem, lethal Cupids, and awkward first encounters – Valentine’s Day may seem challenging, but it could always be more complicated.

On Valentine’s Day this year, choose your favorite treat, and let yourself be pampered. Remember, love can be quite daunting, just like any holiday that focuses on expressing it openly. So, why not lean into the spooky charm of the season instead?

Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)

In the 1900s, a group composed of schoolgirls and their two teachers from a private girls’ school in Victoria, Australia, embarked on a hike to Hanging Rock, a notable geological feature. It was Valentine’s Day, and they aimed to have a peaceful picnic nearby. However, an unexpected and eerie incident occurred when three students and a teacher disappeared after experiencing a strange trance atop the rock formation.

According to Joan Lindsay’s 1967 novel, where the story’s truth was left unclear, Picnic at Hanging Rock maintains an eerie, potentially real vibe, maximizing its chilling effect throughout. You can now stream it on Max.

My Bloody Valentine (1981)

In a chilling twist, the slasher movie that Quentin Tarantino favors, titled “My Bloody Valentine,” moves the celebration of Valentine’s Day into an underworld setting. After a methane explosion during a Valentine’s Day party in a mine causes some miners to be trapped underground by negligent supervisors, one miner resorts to an extreme measure: consuming his deceased colleagues to stay alive until he is eventually rescued a week later. The horrifying ordeal drives the miner insane, leading him to carry out a bloody rampage on the following Valentine’s Day, intending to prevent any future Valentine’s Day celebrations in the mining town.

20 years have passed, and I find myself reminiscing about the infamous Valentine’s Day dance that once brought our city together, but alas, its return seems to have unleashed a wave of violence all over again. This gripping tale unfolds on AMC+ and Pluto TV.

Bride of Re-Animator (1989)

In the sequel to “Re-Animator,” titled “Bride of Re-Animator,” released on Valentine’s Day, the obsessive scientist Herbert West endeavors to construct the ideal woman… using deceased bodies. Capitalizing on Dan Cain’s sorrow following his fiancée’s tragic death in the original “Re-Animator” film, West embarks on assembling limbs and tissues in a humorous retelling of “The Bride of Frankenstein.” Buckle up for some rolling heads. Now available to rent on Fandango.

Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Released on Valentine’s Day, “Silence of the Lambs” isn’t your average romantic film. While Hannibal Lecter seems infatuated with Agent Starling, she merely seeks to save a woman from harm. The film serves as a reminder of the perils of obsession and being desired, lessons particularly relevant for this holiday. In essence, avoid envying coupled-up couples or flaunting your relationships on social media out of spite towards singles; rather, invite an old friend over for dinner instead. “Silence of the Lambs” is now available to rent on Prime Video.

Valentine (2001)

As a cinephile, I can’t help but reminisce about the time when Jamie Blanks, director of ‘Urban Legend’, brought together the likes of Denise Richards, David Boreanaz, Marley Shelton, Jessica Capshaw, and Katherine Heigl. The question he posed was intriguing: “What if a man in a Cupid mask started murdering college students on Valentine’s Day?” And boy, did he deliver!

Although some critics dismissed it as too reminiscent of ’80s slasher flicks (a criticism I find hard to understand), this film is a delightful romp that serves as a witty reminder about the pitfalls of relationships. It’s a must-watch for anyone who needs a gentle nudge to remember that love isn’t always what it seems.

You can catch this classic on iTunes, Prime Video, and Vudu. Enjoy the ride!

Warm Bodies (2013)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=07s-cNFffDM

In a modern twist on the classic tale of “Romeo and Juliet”, a zombie named R saves a living human named Julie, and as they journey together, she discovers his unique qualities that set him apart from other mindless undead creatures. As their friendship develops, it becomes clear that R is not like the rest – he’s growing more human-like by the day. This heartwarming story, filled with humor and romance, veers away from traditional horror tropes but still delivers a dose of the undead. You can stream “Warm Bodies” on Amazon Prime Video.

The Love Witch (2016)

Despite its vintage appearance, reminiscent of the psychedelic ’60s (but actually filmed in 35mm Technicolor as a tribute), The Love Witch is a contemporary tale about a contemporary woman’s quest for love, with a trail of victims left behind. Director Anna Biller masterfully combines the realm of female dreams with the archetype of the femme fatale. This film is perfect for those who are single and need a nudge that solitude is preferable to death, or for those in relationships seeking to issue a toxic warning to their partner. The Love Witch can be streamed on platforms such as Peacock, Pluto TV, and Tubi.

Happy Death Day 2U (2019)

Are there times when you find yourself and your partner seemingly caught in a monotonous cycle, living the same routine day after day? Was this sensation familiar to you even before 2020?

The follow-up film to Happy Death Day, released on Valentine’s Day, presents an intriguing scenario: what if you were trapped in a parallel world where your partner is with someone else, and you must die repeatedly to prevent them from witnessing the murders of your loved ones. This movie will undoubtedly make you value your current situation more or even be thankful for what you don’t have – the constant burden of sacrificing yourself for another person. In either case, this blend of sci-fi, horror, and comedy offers a thrilling, action-packed adventure. You can rent it on iTunes and Prime Video.

Down (2019) and My Valentine (2020)

As a cinephile, I eagerly anticipated Blumhouse Productions’ chilling Valentine’s Day installments of their holiday-themed horror anthology series, “Into the Dark.” Last year, we were gripped by the eerie tale titled “Down,” and this year, it was “My Valentine” that sent shivers down our spines. Each story offers a unique twist on the chilling lore of February 14th.

In “Down,” two coworkers, who work in different parts of the same office building, find themselves in a terrifying predicament – trapped in an elevator malfunctioning on Friday the 13th, just a day before the weekend and Valentine’s Day. Despite the potential for romance in this meet-cute, things quickly take a dark turn.

This film titled “My Valentine” presents a unique take on love and betrayal, focusing on a woman who encounters her ex-lover and his current girlfriend in a confined setting – a small concert hall. Instead of an elevator, the stage becomes their trapped space, where they revisit old emotional scars that escalate into real injuries. You can catch it streaming online on Hulu.

Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=POOeA3zCuUY

In the movie Lisa Frankenstein, penned by Diablo Cody and directed by Zelda Williams, we have a unique reimagining of the classic tale. Here, the mad scientist is a mourning teenager, the creature is an elegant pianist from the 1900s, and a malfunctioning tanning bed takes on the role of the medical table that brings dead tissue to life. With its vibrant ’80s soundtrack and bright neon-pink hues, Cody and Williams have crafted a film that explores the intricacies of adolescence and the unexpected consequences of reanimating a corpse who develops feelings beyond friendship for you. This entertaining production can be streamed on Prime Video.

Heart Eyes (2025)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=P6rkV4NVrOg

A rare combination, it’s not common to find a film that successfully blends horror and romance genres. In this movie, a ruthless serial killer known as “Heart Eyes” has been leaving a trail of heartbroken lovers in his wake across various cities. When Heart Eyes arrives in Seattle, jewelry designer Ally makes an insensitive marketing mistake, which lands her in trouble with her boss and forces her to work with another designer named Jay. As their enforced proximity develops into a romantic relationship, they find themselves in grave danger as Heart Eyes sets his sights on them. With plenty of unexpected plot twists that keep the audience guessing until the end, and some sweet moments along the way, this movie appeals to both horror fans and those who enjoy heartwarming stories. Now playing in theaters.

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2025-02-11 21:55