9 Romantic Horror Movies That Are Perfect for a Spooky Date Night

Hungry for a scary movie, with a touch of romance? We've got all the monstrous delights you're looking for. From pining, love-sick vampires, to heart-rending zombie epics, these romantic horror movies prove spooky season is the perfect time to Netflix and chill.

The 2008 Swedish adaptation of the novel of the same name is a must-watch.

12-year old Oskar is bullied every day, and copes by imagining enacting revenge. When Eli meets a girl who appears to be his age, they quickly become friends. However, Eli isn’t at all what she seems.

The movie is filled with undertones of horror, but its enduring popularity is due to its poignant themes of friendship and young love.

movies like the shape of water — Photo Credit: Summit Entertainment

This rom-com teen movie follows the classic Romeo and Juliet trope, but with zombies as the Montagues and humans as the Capulets. The film showcases a romance between an undead boy and an alive girl, and is a harmonious blend of gore and bloodshed.

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Turn the classic Jane Austen book on its head, keep Mr. Darcy, and throw in some zombies, and you've got this romance-horror-comedy mashup.

The Bennet sisters are dedicated to slaying the undead. The movie follows the sister’s quirky journey as they both defend people against zombies, and find love. It's a silly movie, but ultimately quite charming.

best Halloween movies — Photo Credit: Universal Pictures

If you're looking for a few laughs with your romantic horror, Shaun of the Dead is the obvious choice.

This hilarious British zombie movie follows electronic salesman Shaun, who has no direction in life. No one respects Shaun, except for his best friend, Ed.

When a zombie apocalypse breaks out, Shaun is thrust into a position to step up like he’s never done before — to survive, tell the woman he loves how he truly feels, and make it to his favorite pub for a pint.

The Shape of Water — Photo Credit: Searchlight

Guillermo del Toro is a visionary in the horror genre, and this Academy Award-winning film is evidence of his incomparable imagination.

The magic film follows an amphibian man and a Deaf woman who fall in love. The visuals are beautifully shot, and although no words are exchanged between the woman and the fish-man, their love radiates through the screen.

As the woman’s once-lonely life fills with hope, danger lurks around the corner, since the government is intent on keeping the unique amphibian entrapped.

romantic horror movies Dracula — Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures

This 90s adaption of the 19th-century gothic horror novel won three Academy Awards.

Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder star opposite each other as Dracula and Mina. Their performances are sensual, sultry, and utterly dangerous. The film paints Dracula in a spellbinding new light, and draws viewers in.

Another Guillermo del Toro film, this gothic romance follows a young heiress with dreams of becoming an author. When she marries after a family tragedy and moves to her new husband’s estate, she finds a dangerous mystery etched into the walls of the house.

best Halloween movies Only Lovers Left Alive — Photo Credit: Soda Pictures

This movie flips the idea of Adam and Eve, and turns the Biblical figures into a long-suffering vampire couple who have been together for almost as long as they can remember.

Adam and Eve have been separated for some time, but reunite when Adam becomes depressed and disgusted with humanity. Reconciliation is on the horizon, but when Eve's sister wants to party with the couple, her presence threatens Adam and Eve’s relationship.

When an American man travels to Italy looking for adventure, he meets a mysterious woman called Louise. However, everything isn’t as it seems — the beautiful woman has a disgusting secret.

Spring is a weird combination of body-horror, and the intoxication of young love. Prepare to be surprised by the twists and turns.