By Katie Gowrie
Halloween is just around the corner, and along the thrills and chills we can all expect from fright night, it’s a great time of year to cozy up with a romance—of the horrific kind, that is. Here’s a roundup of some of some wonderfully creepy romances you should treat yourself to this Halloween!
Crimson Peak (2015)
This Gothic romance, directed by Guillermo de Toro, is worth a watch if you haven’t seen it. The Victorian era love story follows American heiress Edith (Mia Wasikowska) as she marries a charming British gent (Tom Hiddleston) and follows him back to his eerie mansion in rural England. There are plenty of gruesome ghosts, haunted happenings and some tender moments, too, to keep you satisfied from beginning to end!
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
This adaptation of the classic was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and stars heavy-hitters Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves and Gary Oldman. Most people have their opinions on this one—they love it, hate it, love to hate it! All that aside, it did win three Oscars, and it had an impact on how we perceive vampires in pop culture today.
Ghost (1990)
This romantic thriller is another classic with an all-star cast. When potter Molly (Demi Moore) is in jeopardy, the ghost of her deceased boyfriend, Sam (Patrick Swayze), comes back to warn her with the help of psychic Oda Mae (Whoopi Goldberg). Love beyond the grave—what’s not to like?
Warm Bodies (2013)
Ticks a few boxes—paranormal romance, dark comedy, zombie apocalypse. We’re in! It shows the developing relationship between a human woman, Julie (Teresa Palmer) and a zombie named “R” (Nicholas Hoult). These two have their work cut out for them as they fight for love and tolerance for zombies, all while evading some sinister skeletal enemies.
The Fly (1986)
This sci-fi horror, written and directed by David Cronenberg, was praised by viewers and critics—including for Jeff Goldblum’s leading performance and the special effects. It portrays a romance gone very awry when eccentric scientist Seth (Goldblum) falls for journalist Veronica (Geena Davis—yay!) and uses his Telepod invention to tamper with human life. Let’s just say it doesn’t end well.
Let the Right One In (2008)
A Swedish romantic horror that tells the story of a bullied twelve-year-old boy and his unlikely friendship with a child vampire. Set in 1980s Stockholm with a focus on preteens, this might not be the first vampire flick that comes to mind for some, but the critical acclaim it received plus the slew of positive reviews online means it’s probably worth checking out. (I intend to!)
Anything Hitchcock…?
Who doesn’t love an Alfred Hitchcock thriller with romantic elements, just in time for Halloween—or anytime, for that matter! There are plenty to choose from in the director’s repertoire, but why not check out the award-winning Rebecca (1940), based on the Gothic classic by Daphne Du Maurier. Or Vertigo (1958), a psychological thriller film noir, starring King James Stewart and Kim Novak. A retired detective is hired to follow his friend’s wife, and she’s been acting…strange.
Bonus Watch: Casper (1995)
Nary a Halloween goes by that I don’t indulge in this childhood classic. When teenager Kat (Christina Ricci) moves into a haunted mansion with her ghost therapist father (Bill Pullman—double yay!), she has more to worry about than fitting in at a new school. Her relationship with a certain friendly ghost (who turns out to be Devon Sawa—I’m on board for the 90s mayhem to ensue…) makes her new home a little less scary, despite the hauntings of The Ghostly Trio, Casper’s vulgar uncles. Watch, and melt into a Casper-shaped marshmallow (or fried egg…if you don’t know, you’re about to).
What do you say? This weekend, settle in with a love flick that will make you squee—or squirm!
What are your favorite spooky romances? Share what you love to watch and read around Halloween in the comments below!
3 replies on “7 Spooky Romances to Watch This Halloween”
I love love love the film and book versions of Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. The film version stars Alden Ehrenreich, who will absolutely charm the pants off you! Fright Night, the Chris Sarandon version, was one I loved from my teen years. I always rooted for the vampire rather than whiny Charlie myself. There’s always Practical Magic as well. I could go on, but I think these are must-sees around this time of year!
Definitely Ghost! Also Practical Magic! Fun and kinda scary too. (to a kid anyway). My all time fav ghost story is The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, the 1947 version with Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney. Another fav is an old 1983 movie called The Keep. It stars Scott Glen and Ian McKellen. Then for fun, there are High Spirits with Darryl Hannah and Steve Guttenberg, and who doesn’t laugh at Hocus Pocus with Bette Middler and Sara Jessica Parker. I am not into gore or movies that hit too close to home with the real psychos we have in this world. 🙁
These are some great recommendations I’ll have to check out! I must say though I’m a sucker for a good witchcraft movie, so Practical Magic and Hocus Pocus are faves of mine! 🙂
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I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!