10 Christmas Horror Films to Get Down to This Holiday Season

For horror fans, the transition from Halloween to the Thanksgiving/Christmas season can be a jarring one. The stark contrast from embracing the darker pleasures and gore to songs about spreading cheer and joy don't necessarily go hand in hand, and often times can cause a bit of whiplash. Fortunately, there are those who have successfully found ways to keep the scares going amidst the holiday season to help us keep our sanity. Whether you're tired of watching the same Lifetime holiday movies on repeat or looking for a good excuse to ditch the family, here are some worthwhile holiday horror films that keep the Christmas spirit very much alive (or at least in a zombie state).

1. Krampus (2015)

There've been a number of films attempting to tell the story of Krampus - a bizarro version of Santa Claus for those who didn't make the nice list. None do it as well as Micheal Dougherty, who brings a star-studded cast to tell the story of a family who find themselves battling something more sinister than stockings full of coal. Combining scares, great characters, and elements of B horror flicks (a scene which involves battling tiny gingerbread men), this monster movie is a nicely wrapped present to remind you that someone is indeed always watching.

2. Black Christmas (1974)

Wondering what that noise is up in the attic? Chances are, it might not be Santa Claus, but a deranged serial killer. As one of the earliest slasher films, Black Christmas shows what happens on college campuses when everyone heads home for the holidays. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film has a growing cult following, and brings a fresh perspective to the "whodunnit" horror genre.

3. Gremlins (1984)

Did that gift just make a noise? Hopefully it's a puppy/kitten/baby and not a mogwai. In this holiday classic, an adorable mogwai brings mayhem to its owner as it unleashes an army of critters over a sleepy town. Combining gross monsters, slimy cocoons, and sporadic explosions, this is holiday horror at its most fun.

4. Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)

What's Christmas without songs? In Anna and the Apocalypse, a group of high school students battle their hormones as well as a horde of zombies, all while singing catchy tunes. A great coming of age story mixed with the type of gore you'd hope to find in a zombie movie. 

5. Better Watch Out (2015)

With holiday parties rampant, the holidays can equate to a hefty payday for your local babysitters. In Better Watch Out, a night watching a 12-year old goes upside down pretty quickly. This thriller will leave you wondering if your kids really are safely tucked away at home in bed this winter.

6. Jack Frost (1997)

Ever look at a snowman and wonder where that carrot’s been? Jack Frost is THE B horror film to watch this season. Similar to Child's Play, an ex-con finds himself trapped in a snowman and terrorizes the inhabitants of Snowmonton. Cheesy dialogue and creative season-themed kills ensue, making this a classic film even when the sun comes out. 

7. A Christmas Horror Story (2015)

If long movies aren't your thing, A Christmas Horror Story offers up a collection of holiday themed horrors. Ranging from ghosts, spirits, monsters, and killers, this anthology packs something in for the whole family.

8. Home Alone (1990)

An upper-class, spoiled child is abandoned by his parents and hunted down by a pair of murderers. Rather than informing the authorities and with no friends or family in the area, the child succumbs to delusions obtained from watching too much TV, and inflicts torture on his attackers. 

9. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is a holiday horror treat for all ages, and shows how even those of us hell bent on chasing the dark gruesome things can still feel the meaning of Christmas. 

10. Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)

This early 80s slasher stirred a lot of controversy with its day-time promos depicting an ax-wielding Santa Claus on the loose, so much so they had to pull the ads shortly after the release and cut the theatrical release short. Nevertheless, the movie went on to become a cult-classic, relaying the story of a department store Santa snapping from a traumatic childhood event and going on a killing spree that involves impaling individuals on deer antlers. See what all the fuss is about and why this film had Gene Siskel publicly shaming the cast and crew.

Have a favorite holiday horror film we missed? Send us your recommendations! You can join our Discord Server where you can chat with us and other horror fans, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

- Ashvin