Were you an Edwardian or a Jacobian? Stephanie Meyer's hugely popular young adult series about the undeniable bond between a human-vampire admirer (Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson) and the werewolf who once had feelings for her but ultimately branded her daughter (Jacob Black, played by Taylor Lautner) It's hard to believe that in the "Twilight Saga," a five-film adaptation of this series, there was any debate about who Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) should bond with.

As uncomfortable as the final twist is, the "Twilight" films (2008-2012) offer an epic love story, a life-or-death gamble, a chance for talented actors to chew the scenery (Michael Sheen.

While you wait to see if the rumored "Twilight" TV series will happen, here are seven darkly romantic films like "Twilight" that will keep your blood pounding.

This 2015 blockbuster was definitely not PG-13 rated, but it's easy to see how its romantic obsession story was inspired by Twilight (novelist E.L. James' "Fifty Shades" series of Edward and Bella fanfiction (which was developed as a) Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), a virgin, lip-smackingly beautiful schoolgirl, meets Christian Gray (Jamie Dornan), an older, powerful man in Washington State. She should be afraid of his peculiar tastes (BDSM instead of blood), but she isn't. This tycoon usually keeps his distance from people, but when he tries to get close to her, he can't stay away. In the sequels, 2017's Fifty Shades Darker and 2018's Fifty Shades Freed, Anastasia's life is in danger for reasons that are not spoiled.

Stewart and Pattinson win the battle of chemistry, but Johnson and Dornan bring the heat with more sex scenes (Christian doesn't let her marry first).

View in Max

The first of three films based on Veronica Roth's dystopian YA trilogy, 2014's Divergent is set in a society divided into five factions: members of Abnegation are known for being Abnegation, members of Peace known for being peaceful, members of Candor are known for being honest, members of Dauntless are known for being brave, and members of Erudite are known for being intelligent; as teenagers come of age, tests reveal which virtues define them, and they choose a new faction, given the opportunity to prove that they belong to that faction. Those with multiple talents are known as "Divergents" and are feared for their independent thinking, as Tris (Shailene Woodley), formerly known as Beatrice, soon learns.

Like the Twilight Saga, the story is ultimately about a seemingly frail young woman who finds her strength and voice in addition to love. Tris was raised an ascetic and joins Dauntless, where she meets the chiseled instructor Four (Theo James). He wants her to succeed, despite her initial assumptions. He doesn't shine in the sun, but he has a tattoo on his back that shows the two have more in common than she thinks. He comes to her rescue at times, but she is the hero of this story.

Rent/Buy on Amazon or Apple

A unique zombie film by screenwriter Jonathan Levine. Based on Isaac Marion's novel, this 2013 Romeo and Juliet story is set eight years after the zombie apocalypse, when R (Nicholas Hoult) walks around an airport with other corpses and keeps monologuing in his head. He spends his days bored and alone, until one day, a horde of zombies ambush Julie (Teresa Palmer) and many others on their way to a supply mission; R eats her boyfriend's (Dave Franco) brain and begins to feel affection for Julie, even before she experiences his memories, and wants to save her She becomes. Julie, terrified, comes to trust him as he protects and entertains her on the plane he has turned into a home, as if he were Wally.

R is not a sex symbol like Edward, but his self-deprecating sense of humor and his desire to connect with Julie make him someone to root for. Their growing bond and its effect on R and the other corpses (led by Rob Corddry, who appears on the scene) may be the cure-all against a world gone dark. However, Julie's colonel father (John Malkovich) needs to be convinced.

Watch with Max

A grotesque makeover of one of the most beloved love stories of all time, the 2016 Jane Austen parody adapted from Seth Grahame-Smith's novel is born In early 19th century England, a plague of zombies led to an epidemic of high society card games and country balls, making security difficult. Fortunately, Mr. Bennett (Charles Dance) had his daughters trained in self-defense in China.

It is thrilling to see the young women at the ball with knives hidden under their dresses, ready to fight. As in Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth (Lily James) and Colonel Darcy (Sam Riley) are immediately at odds, while Jane (Bella Heathcote) and Mr. Bingley (Douglas Booth) fall instantly in love. The arrival of the scheming Mr. Wickham (Jack Huston) and the bumbling Mr. Collins (Matt Smith) provide additional drama.

Some viewers may find the 1 hour and 42 minute running time too long, but everyone should stick with it, at least until Darcy's wordy proposal. Elizabeth now responds with a tongue-in-cheek answer. Excellent.

Watch on Hulu

Loosely inspired by Annette Curtis Krause's YA novel published a decade earlier, this 2007 film moves the star-crossed story of werewolf Vivian and graphic novelist Aiden from the US to Romania. Orphan Vivian (Agnes Bruckner) has been raised in Bucharest by his aunt Astrid (Katya Lehman). He chooses a different wife every seven years, searching for the woman who will fulfill the prophecy that will lead his flock into a new era of hope.

Gabriel sets his sights on Vivian because he is awkward with her aunt, who bore him an obnoxious son, Rafe (Brian Dick), and Vivian wants to choose her own destiny. She goes hunting for Gabriel - just to be free - and is about to fall in love with Aiden (a swooningly attractive Hugh Dancy), who is researching werewolf lore in Romania for his next graphic novel, but he doesn't know Vivian is the one.

As in "Twilight," the mythology here is simple, allowing us to concentrate on the forbidden romance. However, Aiden's own troubled past and longing for werewolves comes in handy as he fights for his life and love. Bonus: Watch for "You're the Worst of the Worst" Chris Gear from Rafe's Wolf Brothers.

Watch on Prime Video

In this 1998 cult classic based on the novel by Alice Hoffman, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play two Massachusetts witch sisters who are supposedly cursed to an early death by the man they fall in love with. Orphaned at an early age, they are raised by their eccentric aunts (Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest), who use magic to interfere with people's love lives. Gillian (Kidman) can't wait to fall in love and grows up passionate and free-spirited. Sally (Bullock) wants a normal life and does not want to experience the heartbreak that killed her mother again, so she desires a man with special qualities that could never exist.

Neither future turns out as planned: Sally, a mother of two, is grieving the loss of her husband (Marc Feuerstein), but to help Jillian escape from an abusive boyfriend (Goran Visnjic) who will not let her go in this life or the next They receive a phone call. They attract the attention of a detective (Aidan Quinn).

Twilight fans who enjoyed Bella and Alice's friendship will weep for Gillian and Sally's loyalty. Irreconcilable enemies do not unite to face their foes, but the women of the town will feel equally victorious if they join forces to banish Jillian's ex for good. Just make sure you have some tequila on hand for those midnight margaritas.

Watch on Hulu

Or watch "The Host," the 2013 film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's bestseller about a love triangle with a parasitic alien. Or you can continue exploring the power of free will in an even better film, the underrated 2011 sci-fi masterpiece inspired by Philip K. Dick's classic short story. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt co-star as David, a politician, and Elise, a ballet dancer, in a three-and-a-half minute chance encounter in an upscale New York City men's restroom.

The problem is that the two are not supposed to cross paths again, according to a "plan" monitored by a suit-and-hat-wearing regulator of fate (Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Terence Stamp, etc.) who has been appointed to make small and large events happen to get people's lives back on track When the two are reunited, the FBI will be forced to reveal themselves to David. When David learns that their future success is at stake and how far the FBI is willing to go to protect the "plan," he is forced to make a difficult decision (more than once).

Blunt and Damon are a first-rate duo who radiate wit and depth. Writer/director George Nolfi makes the relationship between David and Ellis feel intimate and real. The climactic chase sequence is awe-inspiring and breathtaking.

Watch on Netflix