Horror Romance

Updated May 1, 2024

For Horror Romance, there are so many movies who explored this topic. Here are 25 of the top ones.

Let the Right One In (2008)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Tomas Alfredson, starring Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl
Rated R

Let the Right One In is a 2008 Swedish romantic horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson and based on the novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist. The film tells the story of a young boy, Oskar, living in a suburb of Stockholm, who develops a strange friendship with a vampire girl, Eli. Oskar is regularly bullied at school and is desperate for a friend, while Eli is an ancient vampire, struggling with her need for human blood. Despite the differences in their backgrounds, the two form an unlikely bond and soon discover the secrets of their pasts. Together they must face the challenges of life and death, while also confronting the dark forces that threaten to tear them apart.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Edgar Wright, starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis
Rated R

Shaun of the Dead is a 2004 British zombie comedy film directed by Edgar Wright. The film follows Shaun (Simon Pegg), a slacker who is caught off guard by the sudden onset of a zombie apocalypse. Along with his best friend Ed (Nick Frost), his stepfather Philip (Bill Nighy), and other survivors, Shaun must find a way to stay alive and ultimately save the world. Along the way, he must also mend the strained relationship with his mother and his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield). With a mix of comedy, horror, and heart, Shaun of the Dead is a unique take on the zombie genre that has become a cult classic.

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall
Rated PG-13

Edward Scissorhands tells the story of an artificial man created by a scientist (Vincent Price) who has scissors for hands. After the scientist's death, Edward is taken in by a suburban family and struggles to fit in. With his scissor hands, he finds himself in a world of misunderstandings, alienation, and danger. Despite his gentle heart, the townspeople fear him and turn against him. Edward must then rely on the kindness of a young woman and a scientist to help him find his place in the world, as well as to help him discover the true purpose of his scissors.

The Fly (1986)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From David Cronenberg, starring Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz, Joy Boushel
Rated R

The Fly is a 1986 sci-fi horror film directed by David Cronenberg and starring Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle, a brilliant scientist who develops a matter-transporter machine. When he tests it on himself, he unwittingly merges his DNA with that of a housefly, transforming him into a grotesque human-fly hybrid. As his physical condition deteriorates, Seth struggles to maintain his humanity in the face of his increasingly monstrous transformation. Ultimately, his desperate search for a cure leads to a tragic end. The Fly is a tragic story of scientific hubris and the consequences of tampering with nature.

The Birds (1963)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette
Rated PG-13

The Birds is a classic horror-thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1963. The story follows a wealthy socialite, Melanie Daniels, who travels to the small town of Bodega Bay to deliver a pair of lovebirds to Mitch Brenner. As Melanie and Mitch fall for each other, the birds of the area begin to aggressively attack the townspeople. Through a series of nightmare-like scenes, the small town is terrorized by the birds, culminating in a large-scale attack at a school. In the end, the two main characters narrowly escape the town and the attack of the birds. The film ends with Melanie and Mitch looking out at the horizon, filled with the birds and wondering what is yet to come.

Deep Red (1975)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Dario Argento, starring David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Gabriele Lavia, Macha Méril
Rated R

Deep Red is an Italian horror film directed by Dario Argento. It tells the story of a jazz pianist named Marcus Daly who discovers the brutal murder of a psychic. He becomes obsessed with uncovering the identity of the murderer and eventually turns his investigation into a personal vendetta. Along the way, he encounters a variety of suspects and strange characters, including a mysterious figure known as the "Angel of Death." As he delves deeper into the mystery, Marcus finds himself the target of the killer and must use all his wits to survive. This classic giallo thriller is regarded as one of Argento's masterpieces and is noted for its surreal visuals and influential score.

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Neil Jordan, starring Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, Kirsten Dunst
Rated R

"Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles" is a 1994 film directed by Neil Jordan, based on Anne Rice's 1976 novel of the same name. The film focuses on the story of Louis de Pointe du Lac (Brad Pitt), a plantation owner turned into a vampire by the enigmatic Lestat de Lioncourt (Tom Cruise). The movie follows the two vampires as they live through centuries of turmoil, and as Louis struggles to come to terms with his vampirism. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters, including the vampire child Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) and the witch Maharet (Instina Ricci). The film ultimately culminates in a climactic confrontation between the two vampires and their enemies, as they struggle to find a way to break the spell that binds them together.

Dead Alive (1992)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Peter Jackson, starring Timothy Balme, Diana Peñalver, Elizabeth Moody, Ian Watkin
Rated R

Dead Alive is a cult classic horror-comedy directed by Peter Jackson. Set in a small, conservative New Zealand town in the 1950s, the film follows Lionel, a young man whose overbearing mother is accidentally infected with a Sumatran Rat Monkey curse. As she slowly turns into a zombie, Lionel is soon faced with an onslaught of the undead, including an army of zombie babies. With the help of his strange uncle, Lionel must find a way to contain the plague and save the town from becoming a zombie-filled wasteland. Along the creative way, Lionel discovers he has a taste for dismemberment and dismembering the undead. With outrageous gags and gruesome special effects, Dead Alive is an entertaining horror-comedy that is sure to shock and delight.

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From John Landis, starring David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Joe Belcher, Griffin Dunne
Rated R

An American Werewolf in London is a 1981 horror comedy film written and directed by John Landis. The film follows two American college students, David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne), who are backpacking through Britain when they are attacked by a werewolf. David survives the attack, but Jack does not. As David recovers in a London hospital, he is plagued by violent nightmares of his mutilated friend, who warns him that he is becoming a werewolf. When the full moon rises, David transforms into a werewolf and begins a rampage of destruction throughout London. With the help of a beautiful nurse, David attempts to contain his murderous impulses as he seeks a cure for his affliction. The film is a horror classic and features a memorable transformation scene that is considered to be one of the best special effects scenes of all time.