Horror Movie Date Night: 25 Picks for Every Mood

A horror movie date night is one of the best dates there is. You get built-in excuses to grab each other's arm, plenty to talk about afterward, and a shared reaction test: if you both scream at the same moment, that's a good sign. Here are 25 picks sorted by mood, plus tips to make the night great.

How to pick the right horror movie for a date

Before you hit play, think about who you're watching with:

• First or second date? Go for horror comedy or a fun slasher. You want laughs and chatter, not two hours of silent dread.
• Dating a while? Try a slow burn you can unpack together after.
• One of you is a scaredy-cat? Pick something spooky but cozy. No shame in it.
• Both hardcore fans? Go weird, go foreign, go deep cuts.

And a simple rule: agree on the movie before the date, so nobody spends 40 minutes scrolling.

Fun and funny: perfect for early dates

These keep things light while still giving you a few good jumps.

1. Shaun of the Dead (2004). A slacker tries to win back his girlfriend during a zombie outbreak. Funny, sweet and full of quotable moments.
2. What We Do in the Shadows (2014). A mockumentary about vampire flatmates in Wellington. Perfect for goths who like to laugh at themselves.
3. Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010). Two good-natured guys keep getting mistaken for killers by college kids. Silly and gory in the best way.
4. Ready or Not (2019). A new bride has to survive her rich in-laws' deadly game of hide-and-seek on her wedding night.
5. Happy Death Day (2017). A college student relives the day of her murder over and over until she figures out who did it.
6. Fright Night (1985). A teen is sure his new neighbor is a vampire. Nobody believes him. Classic 80s fun.
7. Evil Dead II (1987). Equal parts horror and slapstick. Bruce Campbell versus his own possessed hand.

Classic slashers and crowd-pleasers

8. Scream (1996). The meta slasher that made everyone rethink the rules. Great for spotting the twists together.
9. The Cabin in the Woods (2012). Five friends, one cabin, and a story that turns into something much bigger. Go in knowing as little as possible.
10. Get Out (2017). Jordan Peele's sharp, tense debut. You'll want to talk about it for hours after.
11. Barbarian (2022). A woman finds her rental house is double-booked, and that's the least of her problems. Wild turns throughout.
12. Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022). A party game goes very wrong during a hurricane. Funny and chaotic.

Spooky romance: horror with a heart

These are the perfect fit for a date because there's actually a love story in there.

13. The Lost Boys (1987). Vampires, a boardwalk, a crush and an iconic soundtrack.
14. Warm Bodies (2013). A zombie falls for a living girl. A zom-rom-com that's surprisingly sweet.
15. Spring (2014). An American traveler in Italy falls for a mysterious woman with a monstrous secret. Romantic and strange.
16. Crimson Peak (2015). Gothic romance in a haunted mansion, with gorgeous gowns and a lot of red.
17. The Love Witch (2016). A witch uses love magic to find a man, with dreamy 60s-style visuals. Campy and stylish.
18. Only Lovers Left Alive (2013). Two ancient vampires in love. More mood than scares.

For more films that fit the aesthetic, see our list of the best goth movies.

Slow burns and deep scares: for couples who love horror

Save these for when you know each other's horror limits.

19. It Follows (2014). A supernatural curse that walks slowly toward you, forever. Paranoid and unforgettable, with a great synth score.
20. The Babadook (2014). A creepy pop-up book and a monster that won't leave. A modern classic.
21. Hereditary (2018). A family unravels after a death. Truly terrifying, so maybe keep the lights on.
22. Midsommar (2019). A breakup movie disguised as a folk horror film in sunny Sweden. Watch only if your relationship is solid.
23. Talk to Me (2023). Teens get hooked on contacting spirits through an embalmed hand. Tense and very rewatchable.
24. Train to Busan (2016). Zombies on a speeding train in South Korea. Exciting and emotional.
25. The Conjuring (2013). Old-fashioned haunted house scares done really well.

Pairing ideas for a double feature

Two movies make the night feel like an event. Try pairing:

• Vampire night: The Lost Boys + What We Do in the Shadows
• Old vs. new: Fright Night + Barbarian
• Laugh, then scream: Shaun of the Dead + Train to Busan
• Spooky romance: Spring + Crimson Peak
• Wedding chaos: Ready or Not + Midsommar (bold choice)

How to set up the perfect horror movie date night

At home

• Lights low, maybe a few candles (keep them away from the blanket).
• One big blanket instead of two. You know why.
• Phones face down. Missing the big scare because you were checking a text is a crime.
• Snacks: popcorn, gummy worms, anything red. A homemade pizza is a solid move.

Out and about

• Check local indie cinemas for horror revivals, especially in October.
• Some cities have outdoor screenings in cemeteries or parks in summer and fall.
• Horror film festivals pop up in a lot of places. Look up what's near you.

After the movie

Don't rush the ending. Talk about it. Who would survive? What was the scariest moment? Would you go into the basement? The post-movie conversation is often the best part of the date. Our goth first date ideas has more plans if you want a full evening around it.

Finding someone to scream with

If you're single and love horror, look for someone who gets excited about a movie list like this one instead of rolling their eyes. On Alt Chat, lots of people mention their favorite horror films on their profiles, and "What's your comfort horror movie?" is an easy opener in chat. Already coupled up? Check out our goth couple ideas for more things to do together, and save a few of these picks for your goth Halloween ideas plans.

FAQ

Is a horror movie a good first date?

It can be, as long as you pick something fun rather than extremely intense. Horror comedies like Shaun of the Dead or Ready or Not give you plenty to laugh and talk about, and the jump scares break the ice.

What is a good scary movie to watch with your partner?

Scream, The Cabin in the Woods and Get Out are crowd-pleasers that work for most couples. If you both love horror, go for a slow-burn pick like It Follows or Hereditary and talk it over afterward.

How do you set up a horror movie night at home?

Turn the lights down, grab a big blanket and some snacks, and put your phones away. Agree on the movie ahead of time and keep a lighter backup ready in case one of you wants something less intense.