In the early days of horror cinema, romantic storylines were a common feature of many classic films. Movies like Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), and The Mummy (1932) all included romantic subplots, often using love as a way to humanize the monsters and add emotional depth to the story. These early horror films frequently relied on the "star-crossed lovers" trope, where a romantic relationship was threatened by the supernatural or monstrous forces.