Josh Ruben’s Heart Eyes has just been released on digital platforms and DVD, and if you’ve seen the movie and are looking for recommendations of films to watch next, we’re here to help! This slasher comedy/horror/rom-com has something for everyone, making it the perfect film to watch on multiple occasions. Heart Eyes revolves around a serial killer who only targets couples who are in love. And what better day to do that than Valentine’s Day? That’s when we meet the Heart Eyes Killer, except that the couple he’s targeting, Ally (Olivia Holt) and Jay (Mason Gooding), is not a couple at all.
Given the Valentine’s Day setting, Heart Eyes is a fantastic film to watch if you’re looking to celebrate the holiday – which means you might also be looking up images of cupid. At the same time, it’s a horror slasher, so it will definitely appeal to gorehounds searching for something a little bit different. And on top of it, there are some elements of both comedy and romance that give it an even wider appeal. In this article, we made a list of 5 films to watch if you liked Heart Eyes that include movies from different genres that all have something in common with Josh Ruben’s film. Find them all below in alphabetical order!
1. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Tim Burton
Let’s start with an unexpected choice! Tim Burton’s sequel to his 1988 cult classic definitely isn’t a slasher, but it does have elements of horror, fantasy, romance, and even a serial killer. The film, which had its World Premiere at the Venice Film Festival last year, takes place 36 years after the original, and sees Winona Ryder’s Lydia dealing with a demanding mother (Catherine O’Hara) and a gloomy, argumentative daughter (Jenna Ortega’s Astrid), on top of a producer/boyfriend (Justin Theroux) whom she agreed to marry despite some reservations. But a lot is happening in the afterlife too, and when the Deetz women return to their hometown for a funeral, the titular “bio-exorcist” makes an appearance.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice retains the signature Tim Burton style that made the first movie so popular and adds a plot that’s just as entertaining and darkly funny. The romantic aspect is strong in this sequel, not just because of Lydia’s wedding but also of her other suitor, who wouldn’t be such a bad match after all – and that’s on top of Astrid’s own romantic plotline. Willem Dafoe and Monica Bellucci bring even more genres into play, the former playing a hilarious former actor and the latter as an acquaintance of Beetlejuice’s on a murder spree. Despite this not being a slasher, there’s plenty of blood, and it’s just so much fun to watch it all unfold.
2. Freaky (2020)
Christopher Landon
If you were expecting us to add Happy Death Day to our list, that would have been a great guess. Director Christopher Landon has made many slashers that also tap into other genres, and his 2017 teen horror-comedy about a college student forced to relive the day of his murder over and over again is one of them. It’s also one of his most popular releases, though, so we picked Freaky instead.
This 2020 hit is about a likable high schooler named Millie (Kathryn Newton) who one day swaps bodies with a serial killer (Vince Vaughn) and only has 24 hours to revert the change. If based on this synopsis, you are expecting a tense, predictable ride, think again, because Freaky is absolutely hilarious, thanks to two powerhouse performances from an always believable Newton and a wonderfully unhinged Vaughn. If Freaky Friday meets Scream is what you’re after, look no further than Freaky!
3. Scream (1996)
Wes Craven
… Speaking of which, it’s never a bad time to revisit Scream, the film from which most modern slashers originated. Wes Craven’s 1996 classic, written by Kevin Williamson, revolutionized the genre upon release, with a winning formula that combined gory, violent kills with effective, self-aware humor. If Heart Eyes’ serial killer is a “cupid” of sorts who targets couples, Scream’s Ghostface has his own quirk, as he makes it a point to ask a harmless question that becomes increasingly terrifying as the film goes on: “What’s your favorite scary movie?”.
From a seemingly simple premise comes one of the most inventive and fun slashers you’ll ever see, made even better by fantastic turn from Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, and a Drew Barrymore cameo that made movie history. It might not have a strong romantic plotline, but there are plenty of satisfying kills to make up for that.
4. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Edgar Wright
Let’s move on to one of the most popular horror rom-coms of all time. Described on its poster as a “romantic comedy with zombies”, Shaun of the Dead delivers precisely that. The film starts like an ordinary romantic comedy would: Shaun (Simon Pegg), an electronic salesman who’s disappointed with his life, is dumped by his girlfriend for forgetting yet another anniversary. On top of that, he’s just been fired, and his roommate Ed (Nick Frost) doesn’t seem to have a solution that doesn’t involve playing videogames and going to the pub. Just when all seems lost for our protagonists, the zombie apocalypse happens, and chaos unfolds.
But it turns out the zombie apocalypse is exactly what Shaun needs to take control of his life again. And so, our hero devises a plan: Shaun and Ed will go to go to Shaun’s girlfriend’s and take her to the only safe place they can think of: the pub. Needless to say, things don’t go according to plan, but that’s why Shaun of the Dead is so much fun. Even if it’s not a slasher, the film is one of the most successful and unpredictable horror-comedy hybrid you’ll ever find, because every single scene delivers exactly what you want from it, be it a childish joke, a clever quote, an unexpected twist, an emotional romantic reunion, or all the blood and gore you wanted to see. If you haven’t seen it yet, you’re in for a treat!
5. Totally Killer (2023)
Nahnatchka Khan
Let’s end our list with another slasher horror – one that, just like Heart Eyes, has a twist. If what made Josh Ruben’s movie special is the connection to Valentine’s Day, in Totally Killer it’s time travel. Just when she’s being pursued by the infamous “Sweet Sixteen Killer”, 17-year-old Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) suddenly finds herself in 1987. But our resourceful protagonist soon realizes that this accidental event might just be an opportunity: she’s going to find the serial killer in the past and prevent him from murdering anyone in the future.
Totally Killer doesn’t revolutionize the formula, but it’s a new entry in the slasher horror genre that brings in a fun sci-fi element that will have you hooked. Expect great performances from the whole cast, including Olivia Holt and Charlie Gillespie, and plenty of nostalgia.
The 5 films listed above will all make for fantastic watches if you’re looking for a new movie to stream after Heart Eyes! From cult slashers and fantasy movies to lesser known gems with elements of horror, romance, and sci-fi, the movies on this list are bound to provide scares, laughs, surprises, and even romance. Enjoy!
