Valentine´s Day Horror: A Niche Genre

Valentine's day has been around for centuries but most people don't know why. Around 269 - 270 A.D an emperor named Claudius the second banned marriage for young men because of the belief that unwed soldiers were better for war. Because of this a roman priest by the name of saint Valentine secretly married hundreds of couples over the span of a year until he was tried for his crimes and executed on February 14th. Putting a new meaning to the saying dying for love, as tragic as the past event was, it makes great grounds for amazing potential valentines day horror movies, right? 

My Bloody Valentine

My Bloody Valentine was released January 16th, 2009. One whole year after i was born but some movies are just done so well that they continue to terrify long after their peak in popularity. The story takes place ten years after an accident in the coal mines caused by a man named Tom Hanniger. An accident that would kill five men and put a sixth, Harry Warden, into a coma. A year later on valentines day Harry wakes up and kills 22 people before dying. Now present day Tom Hanniger, still haunted by his past is back in the town of Harmony where someone has been waiting for him.

Valentine

Released February 2nd 2001, Valentine follows the story of a group of young adults all the way from their pre teen years to present day. Outcast junior high student, Jeremey asks four popular girls to dance at a Valentine´s day dance. Their overweight, awkward friend Dorothy accepts Jeremy's invitation, and they proceed to kiss behind the bleachers. A group of boys find and mock them, leading Dorothy to falsely claim Jeremy attacked her. Jeremy is expelled and, eventually, institutionalized. Years later someone stalks and kills the group of girls as they look for a ¨date to die for” for valentines day and this year they just might get exactly what they ask for. 

Lovers Lane

Lovers lane is a 2000s slasher film released on February 5th and it follows the aftermath of the death of two teenage couples at a couples spot called lovers lane. Thirteen years later the killer deemed the hook escapes his institution and goes on a valentines day rampage returning to the spot still frequented by couples even after what happened all those years ago.

Heart Eyes

Heart eyes was released on february 7th 2025 and is one of very few romantic comedy slasher films. A maniac with a glowing mask returns every valentines day to kill unsuspecting couples, after the main character a cynical ad executive and her hopelessly romantic colleague are mistaken for a couple they become the next target for the killer. While I wouldn't recommend this movie if you're looking for an actual scare, it is good for a laugh. 

Broken Hearts

Broken hearts is a 2010 low budget horror movie written about a masked killer looking to win the heart of a college girl on valentines day by killing off all of her other potential suitors in the most gruesome ways possible.