1.) The Hunger (1983)

Tony Scott’s story of a love triangle between a doctor who specializes in aging research and a vampire couple played by David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve, 1983’s ‘The Hunger‘ is simultaneously terrible and wildly entertaining, with an ice-cold 80s aesthetic and scenery chewing galore. Perfect for a Valentine’s Horror pick.

2.) Dead Ringers (1988)

David Cronenberg’s ‘Dead Ringers‘ (1988) is an eerie and disturbing psychological thriller about twin gynaecologists who gradually descend into madness, played by Jeremey Irons. A different type of Valentine’s Horror (this one is particularly icky), ‘Dead Ringers’ avoids slasher chases and jump scares for a sterile, insidious dread that builds to a fever pitch by the film’s insane conclusion.

3.) Let The Right One In (2008)

Tomas Alfredson’s ‘Let The Right One In’ is an iconic tale of A 12-year-old boy who befriends a mysterious young girl during a horrifying series of murders deep in the darkness of Sweden’s winter is best watched in its original version. Dark, but ultimately a very human story, this one’s a great winter time watch and a solid Valentine’s Horror selection.

4.) Candyman (1992)

The pairing of an equally sympathetic & terrifying villain, captivating cinematography, electric performances and Philip Glass’ unforgettable score combine make ‘Candyman‘ one of horror’s best love stories. Clive Barker’s now legendary creation leaps of the screen through Tony Todd while Bernard Rose assembles a nearly perfect picture, never missing a beat in the story and making every frame a painting in what might be the perfect Valentine’s Horror film.

5.) Fear (1996)

One of the 1990’s teen horror “so bad it’s good” classics, 1996’s ‘Fear‘ has Marky Mark Wahlberg terrorizing the family of a young Reece Witherspoon in this guilty pleasure / garbage fire of a teen romance gone off the rails. Between the Alt-Grunge soundtrack, Wahlberg’s hilarious performance, casual fingerbanging and the bizarre appearance of CSI’s William Petersen as the Dad there’s way to much glorious B-movie goodness to ignore for your Valentine’s Horror watchlist.

6.) Possession (1983)

Andrzej Żuławski’s unflinching, surreal story of a woman who’s love affair with something sinister destroys everyone around her in the oppressive regime of 1980’s East Germany. Read our full review of Possession here!

7.) Midsommar (2019)

Ari Aster’s “break up movie” ‘Midsommar‘ was one of 2019’s best. A young couple tries to escape tragedy by visiting a remote Swedish commune where things aren’t what they seem. Easily one of 2019’s best, if you’ve not yet seen Midsommar, now’s the time.

8.) The Fly (1986)

Jeff Goldblum drips his way into our hearts as Seth Brundel, a scientist who’s experiments with teleportation transform him into a horrific fly monster in David Cronenberg’s legendary 1950’s b-movie reboot of ‘The Human Fly’. Glorious practical effects, tons of goopy gore, nude Goldblum…what else do you need for a perfect Valentines horror movie?

Creepy Co. Spooky Throw Blankets

On Sale At – Creepy Company

A great Horror gift idea and a perfect excuse to curl up with the horror lover in your life under these hellishly comfortable fleece blankets from the fine folks at Creepy Co. An ultra high-quality print of the cover art for R.L. Stein’s Goosebumps classic “The Haunted Mask”, Sam Raimi’s EVIL DEAD (pictured), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or the original Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark would already be a great horror gift idea, but having that print on a warm and fuzzy blanket just in time for winter? Count us in! PS: Whatever print you pick, we can confirm thorough extensive scientific / cat related testing these are a perfect addition to any bedroom or home theatre.

NECA Action Figures

On Sale At – Amazon

NECA continues to bring the best in b-movie and horror icons to life with their range fully posable 8″ figures. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with Herbert West from Re-Animator, become your own Dr. Loomis with a Killer Michael Meyers set or build your own “David Cronenberg Cinematic Universe” with a ghoulish Dr. Decker recreation from Clive Barker’s creature-feature classic “Nightbreed“? For the casual fan or dedicated collector this is always a great horror gift idea. These figures aren’t cheap bootlegs or movie cash-ins: NECA brings great build quality across the board and they’re easily available from Amazon or your local Comic retailer… but hurry, sine NECA figures are a sure fire hit for any horror nerd in your life, they tend to sell out FAST around the holidays!

Retro-A-Go-Go Vac-Tastic Wall Art

On Sale At – Retro-A-Go-Go

From our personal Favourite MARS ATTACKS (Pictured) to classics like The Munsters, The Creature From The Blue Lagoon and everyone’s favourite cable-tv vixen Elivra, Retro-A-Go-Go delivers kitschy, kooky fun for your spooky decor needs with their Vac-Tastic plastic wall art. Full colour and in eye popping 3D, these are ridiculously goofy fun and a great, lighthearted horror gift idea for any room in your house .. and surprisingly affordable given their impressive size.

Darcy The Mail Girl T-Shirt

On Sale At – Fright Rags

Our #1 Ho-rorr crush Diana Prince has been immortalized on her own officially licensed t-shirt from the fine folks at Fright Rags! Any true “The Last Drive In” Mutant would be happy to wear the iconic Darcy the mail girl, drawn in a super cute classic pin-up style, and show their undying support for Joe Bob and the drive-in traditions of blood, breasts and beasts! For other great horror gift ideas, dive into their site: since each style is limited you’ll be able to get something uniquely special for your special someone.

Horror Decor Candles

On Sale At – Horror Decor

From the seasonally scented Krampus candle to the more summery aromas of “Camp Crystal Lake” and our Screamish staff favourite, the beeswax based “Buffalo Bill’s Skin Lotion” wax candle, Horror Decor has a ton of cheeky choices perfect for the lair any horror fan. Going strong since 2007, be sure to take a look at the rest of the great horror gift ideas in Horror Decor’s online store, from Blockbuster pot-holders to Chop-Top plushies for the Tobe Hooper fan in your life.

Salem’s Lott Hot Sauces

On Sale At – Hot Sauce Unlimited

Hand crafted in Canada by former musician and hot-sauce afficiando Jeff Salem, we’re 100% addicted to his hot sauces after discovering them at Rue Morgue’s Spooky Flea Market last year on the hunt for more horror gift ideas. Baring the grisly visages from some classic horror icons, these super flavourful and wickedly spiced hot sauces add a punch to anything without resulting in death or dismemberment, and can be shipped anywhere in the world. We highly recommend “Be Careful” and the new “Shroom Of Doom” to have your own Hot One’s style showdown.

Dumbgood Goosebumps Collection

On Sale At – Dumbgood

Rep some inner 90s nostalgia with this super slick lime green goosebumps puffer jacket and help the Horror lover in your life find their own Killer style. Dumbgood has been coming with seriously inspired throwback looks this year and their entire line of Goosebumps and Blockbuster themed clothing are perfect horror gift ideas with an extra splash of style.

Bootleg VHS Enamel Pins

On Sale At – Bootleg VHS Goods

Enjoy a little wayback playback with these dope enamel pins that harken to the days of badly dubbed cassettes being traded between friends. From our personal favourites like Hellraiser and Videodrome (pictured) to Sci-Fi and 80s Teen Comedy Classics, Bootleg VHS has something for every movie fan to find a home for on their own super sweet jacket.

Beastwreck CTHUL-AID Hoodie

On Sale At – Beastwreck

One of our favourite illustrators working out there, Beastwreck has another perfect Horror gift idea for the H.P. Lovecraft fan in your life with their ultra-comfortable and low-key hilarious CTHUL-AID hoodie. Enjoy a refreshing beverage as you flee in terror from the hideous elder gods and stay warm all winter to boot in a classic zippered hoodie!

H. H. HOLMES MURDER CASTLE PRINT

On Sale At – Holly Carden

A classy way to let people know you’re a sick and twisted individual, this incredible cut-away print of notorious World’s Fair serial murder H.H. Holmes from artist Holly Harden offers a “the way things work” style guide to his murder castle that’s a perfect horror gift idea equally suited for any true crime fanatic or history buff. See each of his ghastly traps in an adorable illustration printed on archival paper in a super cutes 12x12in size you can handily frame.

Profondo Rosso – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

On Sale At – Mondo Tees

A great horror gift idea equally suited to vinyl junkies or cinephile alike, this absolutely gorgeous double LP from Death Waltz is a stunning remaster of Goblin’s seminal score to Giallo master Dario Argento’s untouchable classic Profundo Rosso (Deep Red). Printed on heavyweight 180 gram vinyl and packaged in a beautiful gatefold sleeve, this is some serious collector business sure to please even the harshest critics and provide a much better holiday soundtrack than whatever Michael Buble might be singing.

Subscription To SHUDDER

On Sale At – Shudder

If you’re a last minute shopper and need a guaranteed great horror gift idea for someone in your life, don’t forget that you can pre-pay for a year of AMC’s amazing SHUDDER steaming service and turn over the login to your friend or loved one. With hundreds of movies and shows to choose from, Shudder is a no-brainer for any horror fan to have, and who doesn’t love being able to have a year of guaranteed blood and guts to come home to?

Literally ANYTHING from Vinegar Syndrome

On Sale At – Vinegar Syndrome

Restoration experts and exploitation archivists Vinegar Syndrome are amongst the very best when it comes to unearthing forgotten films and returning then to all their horrible glory. With a deep library of Horror gift ideas to choose from, like the classic Mutant-Cat-On-A-Cruise-Ship mayhem of “Uninvited” and the late, great Rowdy Roddy Piper’s “Hell Comes To Frogtown” to actually good classics like Mausoleum and the original Amityville Horror, Vinegar Syndrome offers up rarities that any movie fan will fiend for.  With in-house 4k restorations, endless extra features and always incredible box art, these are great additions to any collection. Beyond horror, their drive-in era and exploitation movie selections run deep, with truly bizarre, amazing and otherwise obscure oddities galore, so there is literally nothing you couldn’t choose that won’t make somebody happy.

Here’s the story: Boone (Craig Sheffer) is an 80s bad boy (you can tell by his leather jacket!) who is head over heels in love with plot device girl Lori.  Small problem: he is plagued by nightmarish visions of monsters, murder and a bizarre world called Midian, a kind of demilitarized zone between the world of the living and dead. Treating the visions in Boone’s psyche is Dr. Decker (played with a glorious, deadpan weirdness by David Cronenberg!), a man who moonlights as a mass murderer in a scarecrow mask with button eyes and a zippered mouth.  Cronenberg successfully convinces Boone that he is actually the city’s most wanted serial killer and pins his own crimes on his patient.  The resulting manhunt forces Boone into hiding below a cemetery, where he discovers a cadre of monsters, mutants, and misfits living in secret…. after being murdered by the police.

What results is a bloody battle between good and evil, reality and dream that quickly spins out of control, as Dr. Becker seeks to learn the secrets of the Cabal for his own nefarious purposes. And while Nightbreed is no winner, it’s definitely earned it’s place in genre history on sheer audacity alone. The creature designs are stunning, the energy in the sets and Barker’s own artwork popping off the screen with B-Movie magic. One wonders what could have been if Barker’s originally budgeted and filmed vision came to life, instead of what’s widely considered to be a “Frankenstein” version of his original screenplay, with some reports saying over an HOUR of footage was dropped from the theatrical cut. So while not a masterpiece by any means, Nightbreed is a great and goofy watch for Spooky Season, and streaming on Shudder now with a great restoration, but the director’s cut is the ONLY versions worth a watch.