Valentine's Day and sickly sweet romances go together like milk and cookies. The perfect pairing? Sure, but not everyone gravitates toward typical romance fare with happy endings, big feelings, and dramatic love declarations. In fact, if you're anything like me, that sappy stuff might even make you cringe. If you're nodding your head right now, thinking, "Yes! Yes! That's me," then this list is for you.
The couples below didn't take traditional means to their relationships, or they defied the odds in the first place. Most of them declare their love for each other in whispers as opposed to sweeping gestures riddled with tropes and clichés. Although the majority of them have happy endings, there are a few exceptions, but I promise the ride is still worth it. Here are the best alternative couples to spend Valentine's Day with and where to watch them on HBO Max, Hulu, and more.
Batman and Catwoman - Batman Returns (1992)
Batman and Catwoman have been defying the odds since 1940, when they first kissed. You'd think a do-good, no-nonsense vigilante and a rule-bending cat burglar wouldn't work (and sometimes they don't), but their mutual attraction and chemistry frequently pull them together. Perhaps no live-action movie captures that sizzling yet antagonistic heat between them quite like Batman Returns.
Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman and Michael Keaton's Batman have some pretty sexy scenes together that are sure to make audiences blush. Tim Burton's signature style of dark whimsy gives Batman Returns almost a gothic romance feel. If you're not opposed to animation, Batman: Hush (2019) and Batman: The Long Halloween (2021) also offer compelling Batman/Catwoman romances. However, if you want raw sexual tension where it's unclear if they want to kiss or kill each other, it's Batman Returns all the way.
Scully and Mulder - The X-Files (1993-2018)
No one does yearning and romance better than Scully and Mulder, with actors Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny sharing some type of otherworldly chemistry that remains unmatched across television. The X-Files ensures Mulder and Scully's eventual coupling is based on trust, respect, and intellectual admiration. Yes, they're both hot, but these two care more about what's going on in each other's brains than the external package.
Scully and Mulder's slow-burn romance (emphasis on the "slow") is perfect for audiences who typically squirm when the leads fall into clichés or make big, showy love declarations. You won't get that here. In fact, you're lucky if they talk about their feelings at all. While I recommend watching the series in order for the full effect, The X-Files' monster-of-the-week format makes jumping in and out of the show a breeze. Some shipper episode recommendations include "Pilot," "Detour," and "The Rain King," with the latter being a Valentine's Day episode of sorts.
Julie and Kurt - Return of the Living Dead III (1993)
Warm Bodies (2013), who? Let me introduce you to the lesser-known Return of the Living Dead III. This romantic horror movie is a relatively standalone continuation of the Return of the Living Dead series, which kicked off in 1985 and changed the zombie genre as we know it. This time, the movie focuses on Julie Walker and Curt Reynolds, two lovers forced to confront a new aspect of their relationship when Julie dies and reanimates as a zombie.
While it sounds silly and is very silly at times, Return of the Living Dead III is a surprisingly emotional story about grief and the urge to rebel against death. It's still just as punk and fun as its predecessors. However, it's ultimately much more tragic. If you can appreciate what movies like Pet Sematary (1989) and Re-Animator (1985) throw down, Return of the Living Dead III will likely be a new favorite.
Gale and Dewey - Scream 2 (1997)
Gale and Dewey have long been considered horror's favorite couple, perhaps with stiff competition from Morticia and Gomez Addams. Still, I'll take any chance I can to write about them. Obviously, Courteney Cox and David Arquette have great chemistry, given their real-life romantic relationship; however, that's not the only reason they make this list. They embody the "different worlds" trope to perfection, with Gale's ambitious reporter energy feeling far-removed from Dewey's slow-moving, small-town cop vibe. It's these differences that bring them together, but also drive them apart.
While Scream (1996) is always a good place to start (and mandatory viewing for any self-respecting horror fan), Scream 2 has the best Gale and Dewey moments. Their blossoming romance is fun to watch, and so is the way they navigate the drama stemming from Gale's less-than-stellar treatment of Dewey in the first movie. Their relationship is far from perfect, but together, Gale and Dewey prove that the most likable characters are also the most flawed.
Carol and Tandy - The Last Man on Earth (2015-2018)
Warning: When you start The Last Man on Earth, you will hate how Tandy (Will Forte) treats Carol (Kristen Schall), but if you stick it out to Season 2, you'll be treated to an unexpectedly sweet romance. The two function as goofy "Adam and Eve" stand-ins when they cross paths with each other in a post-apocalyptic world where there are few to no human survivors.
They're both delightfully quirky and eccentric in their own ways. Carol can't stop making horrifically bizarre recipes, just like Tandy continues to create as much mayhem as possible in a free-reign world left ungoverned and uncontrolled. The Last Man on Earth is truly an underrated comedy perfect for a lighthearted night in. Those patient enough to wait out the character development will have a blast with this one. Trust me.
Louis and Lestat - Interview with the Vampire (2022-Present)
AMC's Interview with the Vampire series takes the concept of eternal love to a whole new level with vampires. Those familiar with Anne Rice's source material will appreciate the attention and detail the show gives to Louis (Jacob Anderson) and Lestat (Sam Reid). While the movie, Interview with the Vampire (1994), delves into the pair's tumultuous relationship, it avoids explicitly labeling them as lovers, unlike the AMC series, which fully ( and explicitly) embraces Louis and Lestat's romantic relationship.
If you're looking for a whimsical, fairy tale story, look elsewhere. Louis and Lestat have a deeply complex relationship that is as passionate as it is toxic. Anderson and Reid ooze oodles of chemistry that only intensifies an already intense love story. Like the gothic nature of Crimson Peak (2015)? Then, you should absolutely adore Interview with the Vampire, with all its gothic atmosphere, dark imagery, and morally gray plot points.
Rick and Michonne - The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (2024)
Sick of all the doe-eyed stares and ooey-gooey love stories found in traditional romance? Then, Rick and Michonne are just as perfect for each other as they are for you. Really, the only downside to binging The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live this Valentine's Day is that it requires some context from the flagship show, The Walking Dead (2011). You don't necessarily need to fully complete the 11-season series, but a basic introduction to Rick and Michonne, the latter of which doesn't debut until Season 5, is recommended.
Michonne and Rick start as friends (well, enemies, technically) before evolving into a couple with immense respect and trust for each other. They're torn apart in Season 9 of The Walking Dead, only to find each other against all odds in The Ones Who Live. If you want to see romance thrive against the bleak backdrop of the zombie apocalypse, this spin-off series is your ticket, especially the episode "What We," written by Danai Gurira, the actress of Michonne.
