Whether someone is single, with friends, or in a relationship, watching movies can be a great way to spend Valentine’s Day. However, for those who are bored by cheesy romantic comedies, it can be hard to find entertaining thrills that still have a romance element to them. Luckily, the subgenre of Valentine’s Day Horror exists. The subgenre has been around since the creation of horror movies, so I’ve found an older and a newer Valentine’s Day horror movie to see how they compare to each other.

“My Bloody Valentine,” released in 1981, is what most horror fans think of when they hear “Valentine’s Day horror movie.” It’s considered a classic and for good reasons. There was a remake in 2009, but it’s a complete disgrace to the original with a wildly different plot. The movie revolves around a small town on Valentine’s Day, ten years after a mining accident killed five people and sent miner Harry Warden, played by Peter Cowper, into a coma. A year after the accident, Warden woke up and went on a large killing spree. Up until the movie takes place, Valentine’s Day had not been celebrated in fear of the killer returning. However, a group of miners and their lovers party anyway, suffering the consequences as Warden hunts them down.

This movie has some of the most creative and gorey kills in film. It’s a blood-packed thrill, living up to its name. The characters are stereotypical and dumb, but they’re so lovable you can’t help but feel bad when they die. The small town setting mixed with the dark mines creates a great atmosphere that does a great job at immersing the audience. The twist is predictable, so the grand reveal falls a bit flat. Despite how interesting they are, many of the deaths could have been prevented, making them feel a bit annoying. The ending could have been executed better, but it doesn’t stain the film too much.

I give “My Bloody Valentine” an 8/10.

“Valentine DayZ” has a more modern feel than “My Bloody Valentine,” as it was released in 2018. In the movie, ex-assassin Max, played by Dallas Valdez, falls in love with Sara, played by Carrie Keagan. However, their newfound romance is interrupted as a zombie apocalypse breaks out across the world. During the fallout, Sara becomes a zombie, and Max is forced to fight for his survival as he mourns his lost relationship. Several other characters have little storylines that tell their experience with the apocalypse, but it mostly revolves around Max.

It’s a very comedic movie, but it still falls within the horror genre. Sometimes the humor is intentional, but other times the comedy comes from bad acting or direction. There are some odd edits and scene transitions, with some scenes cut together in confusing ways. That’s not to say the movie is bad, as despite its faults there are some shockingly beautiful shots and emotional moments. It takes awhile for the film to start up, but the humor along the way keeps the audience entertained until the action commences.

I give “Valentine DayZ” a 6/10.

So which movie is better? The answer is clear: “My Bloody Valentine.” “Valentine DayZ” is still an excellent film that should definitely be watched, but it falls flat when compared to the other movie. “Valentine DayZ” certainly takes itself less seriously than “My Bloody Valentine,” but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. “My Bloody Valentine” definitely deserves the praise it gets and should be everyone’s first choice to watch on Valentine’s Day.