Love is in the air this week for V-day but horror movies are always in our hearts, so why not have both? While there are tons of Valentine’s Day horror movie rec’s out there, here are 5 that skew a little more toward the ladies — so they’re the perfect horror movie picks for Galentine’s Day (read: they’re stories told from the female perspective and/or centered around strong female characters).
This list is short and sweet: Although it’s opting to skip the usual suspects like My Bloody Valentine and The Loved Ones, you can expect a couple of picks that are unexpected and fun additions to the standard Valentine’s Day horror movie list (#1 is criminally underrated in this category and notably absent from many popular Valentine’s Day horror lists).
So grab some popcorn and a bottle of rosé, cozy up, and tune in to one of these Valentine’s (nay, Galentine’s) Day horror picks…
5. It Follows (2014)
If you want to feel thankful you’re not dating right now
Those who are single and sexless on Valentine’s Day can rejoice that at least they are not at risk of a sexually transmitted, supernatural curse that all but guarantees death. It Follows takes what could be an outrageous plot line and executes it with a chillingly ominous tone that treats its subject matter seriously, just as you would expect from a horror film that’s metaphorically commenting on the very real fear for our safety (sexual and otherwise) that we all experience when it comes to dating. Fair warning, this movie will give you trust issues about who you sleep with.
4. Valentine (2001)
If you’re in the mood to make fun of some Chads
I would be remiss if I didn’t include the eponymously named, Valentine on this list. Aptly described as “deliciously dated” by Culture Crypt, Valentine features a killer serving Cupid vibes in a cherub mask and seeking revenge on the women who cruelly snubbed him in high school (played by a stacked cast of early aughts romantic comedy regulars including Denise Richards, Marley Shelton, Jessica Cauffiel, and Katherine Heigl). Plus, Buffy stans can enjoy the eye candy that is David Boreanaz playing a brooding love interest.
While some aspects of the film haven’t aged well (most notably the slut-shaming endured by Denise Richard’s character, Paige — both inadvertent and overt — by her friends), the overall female empowerment vibe of the film is fitting for a post-MeToo era. Underneath its B-horror slasher veneer, Valentine is a well-executed critique of men (particularly heterosexual men) and their mistreatment of women in a male-dominated world. You and your friends will enjoy empathizing with the women while laughing along with the movie’s assault on classic male stereotypes (some exaggerated almost to the point of parody) and then cheering on their gruesome demise.
3. Ready Or Not (2019)
If you can’t stand your in-laws
Described by Variety as the perfect movie for “the romantically disinclined”, Ready Or Not is darkly comedic and unhinged in the best way. This movie checks off some of the usual romance movie boxes: 1) A beautiful wedding; 2) A Gothic Revival castle-style mansion; 3) The poor-girl-marries-into-a-rich-family trope — except this time, it ends bloody. Centered around a deadly game of hide-and-seek, a bride is forced to fight off her rich husband’s family to save her life (and leading lady Samara Weaving does it all in a wedding dress).
2. Jennifer’s Body (2009)
If you’re secretly in love with your best friend
This one’s for the queers.
Galentine’s Day is a day dedicated to showing your besties how much you love them — and in Jennifer’s Body, these two best friends really love each other (in a lesbigay kinda way). If you find yourself pining for a friend, then this horror comedy is for you. The sexual and romantic tension between the lead characters, best friends Needy Lesnicki (Amanda Seyfriend) and Jennifer Check (Megan Fox) will make for a relatable watch that is both bittersweet and tragic. It should also be noted that although the friendship-turned-romance between Needy and Jennifer is at the core of this film, viewers will also enjoy the tender moments between Needy and her boyfriend Chip. Bottom line: the romance in this movie is perfectly juxtaposed with gore to create an entertaining and memorable film that is as scary as it is sexy.
Editor’s Note: Bonus! It’s female-directed and written by Karyn Kusama and Diablo Cody, respectively.
1. Fresh (2022)
If you want to feel better about your dating horror stories
Sparing any possible spoilers, we’ll sum it up for you: Categorized as a “social thriller”, Fresh is the perfect pick for a Valentine’s (especially Galentine’s) Day movie as it is a terrifying (sometimes darkly humorous) commentary on modern dating and the disappointing reality that women face navigating dating in the app-age. It has the usual tropes of a romantic comedy movie in the first act — girl goes on a relatably bad first date, girl struggles with dating app douchebags, girl has a meet-cute with a guy at the supermarket, girl falls for guy [insert dating montage filled with hookups and dancing here]. But when it smash cuts to the second act, you won’t know what hit you as things between the two leads turn rotten in the worst way imaginable. Even if you think you know what’s coming based on the title, be prepared to be shook. We recommend you go in blind and enjoy the ride.
Editor’s Note: Bonus! It’s female-directed and written by first-timer MiMi Cave and Lauryn Kahn, respectively.
Honourable Mentions
Bride Of Chucky (1998)
Featuring one of the most iconic couples in horror history, what’s not to love? This title that reinvigorated the Childs Play franchise needs no introduction.
Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
From aforementioned Jennifer’s Body writer, Diablo Cody comes a John Hughes-meets-Tim-Burton love story where a girl falls in love with a reanimated corpse. It’s 80s camp and horror comedy in perfect harmony.
Horns (2013)
Don’t sleep on this book-to-screen adaptation of Joe Hill’s Horns. This underrated horror film is 2 hours of our main protagonist, Daniel Radcliffe being devilishly handsome (err, a sexy anti-hero) while avenging the murder of his girlfriend. The catch is, one morning he wakes up with horns randomly sprouting from his head. With a plot like this, darkly comedic beats are to be expected, but rest assured this film has its tense moments and plenty of heart.
What’s your favourite Valentine’s Day horror movie on this list? Did we miss any? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.