10 Romantic Comedies That Are Unintentionally Horror Films
If you'd just stop and think, really think about it for a minute…
These ten romantic comedies might seem innocuous and entertaining, but when you dig beneath the surface, they present narratives that could easily fit into the horror genre.
From ghostly exes and psychologically chilling breakups to nightmarish cases of stalking and manipulation, these films serve as a reminder that sometimes, the real horror lies not in dark, haunted houses but in the human heart and its convoluted ways of 'loving'.
1. Over Her Dead Body (2008)
The title already sounds like a horror film, doesn't it? This rom-com revolves around a controlling fiancée who dies on her wedding day, only to return as a ghost, hell-bent on sabotaging her former lover's new relationship. While it's billed as a comedy, the concept of a vengeful spirit from beyond the grave reeks of horror undertones.
2. The Break-Up (2006)
While it may not involve anything supernatural, The Break-Up presents a different kind of horror: the slow, agonizing death of a relationship. Sure, it's dressed up with humor and witticisms, but the underlying story of two people growing to despise each other is enough to send chills down anyone's spine who's been through a bad breakup.
3. Laws of Attraction (2004)
This film presents a chilling idea: two divorce lawyers who can't stand each other end up married after a drunken night. The fear here is not in monstrous creatures or bloody gore, but in the reality of waking up married to someone you despise. It's a horror story wrapped in a love-hate relationship and sprinkled with comedic relief.
4. The Other Woman (2014)
Billed as a comedy about female empowerment and friendship, The Other Woman hides a darker tale beneath its surface. The idea of three women teaming up to take revenge on a man who wronged them sounds less like a rom-com and more like a psychological thriller, doesn't it?
5. Saving Silverman (2001)
On the surface, this movie is a silly comedy about two friends trying to save their buddy from marrying the wrong woman. But dig a bit deeper, and you'll find a terrifying story of manipulation, control, and a truly unsettling rendition of Hello by Neil Diamond. The lengths to which the characters go to disrupt the impending nuptials will send shivers down your spine.
6. Addicted to Love (1997)
Sure, it's a rom-com, but Addicted to Love presents a plot that could easily fit into any horror anthology. The film revolves around two characters who team up to get back at their ex-partners. However, the lengths they go to for revenge, including borderline stalking and obsession, turns this supposed rom-com into a cautionary tale of love turned sour.
7. You, Me and Dupree (2006)
This film might seem like a harmless comedy about a third wheel, but it's genuinely frightening when you think about it. Dupree, the friend who overstays his welcome, is more of an intrusive entity disrupting the lives of a newlywed couple. His increasingly bizarre and invasive behavior turns the narrative into a home invasion horror story with a twist.
8. My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
What was meant to be a light-hearted tale of unrequited love is, in essence, a study in obsession. The lengths to which the lead character goes to sabotage her best friend's wedding is more akin to a psychological thriller than a romantic comedy. The tension, the manipulation, the suspense—it's all there, just wrapped in a package of laughs and upbeat music.
9. All About Steve (2009)
This movie is a classic example of a romantic comedy gone awry. Sandra Bullock's character chases a man she barely knows across the country, believing they're meant to be together. It's supposed to be funny, but let's face it: stalking is a mainstay of the horror genre, and this movie's blithe portrayal of it is truly horrifying.
10. The Proposal (2009)
Another Sandra Bullock classic, The Proposal presents the horror of a coerced relationship under the guise of a light-hearted comedy. The storyline revolves around a boss forcing her assistant into a sham marriage to avoid deportation. While it's all laughs and romance by the end, the real horror lies in the power imbalance and manipulation at the heart of their relationship.