Best Christmas Horror Movies

Christmas is a time of love, compassion, joy….the season of peace and goodwill to all. That doesn’t mean that we can’t have a bit of ghoulish fun during the Yuletide holiday though, and over the years a host of mean-spirited horror films have given viewers a much-needed tonic from all the sugary sweetness that usually takes precedence.

Horror and Christmas go together surprisingly well. With a history of Victorian ghost stories and the macabre legend of the Krampus, things that go bump in the nighttime snow are certainly nothing new. Here is a list of some of the best festive frights to indulge in this Christmas.

Updated on December 23, 2024, by Matthew Barber: The holiday season for 2024 is in full swing, and people around the world might be sitting down in front of the TV to embrace the Christmas festivities. That said, not everyone wants to sit through a Hallmark rom-com or watch A Charlie Brown Christmas more than a couple of times. They might prefer their Santa Clauses to come carrying axes. As such, a few more great Christmas Horror movies have been highlighted.

12

The Shining (1980)

Stephen King’s Psychological Horror

Horror fans have been invited to The Shining‘s Overlook Hotel for over 40 years to witness Jack Torrance’s descent into madness. Set during the holidays, the Torrance family takes a trip to the Overlook Hotel as patriarch Jack attempts to get his life back on track after being fired from his teaching job due to his temper.

What ensues is a tale of psychological torment, as the Overlook Hotel proves it’s not all it seems to be, housing deadly ghosts, demons, poltergeists, and, potentially the most deadly of all, Jack himself. As is iconic by this point, “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” and a trip to the Overlook Hotel is a great option for anyone looking to add some terror to their Christmas.

11

Christmas Evil (1980)

A Santa Clause Slasher

Boasting infamous director John Waters as a fan, Christmas Evil managed to make the video nasties list, primarily due to the concept of a man dressed as Santa Claus committing murder.

Beautifully directed, and exploring far deeper themes than the average slasher, Christmas Evil is a surprisingly good movie. It even lends the main antagonist, Harry Stadling, some shades to his character.

10

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)

Killer Santa On The Loose

By the mid-eighties, the slasher boom was in full (axe) swing, and every holiday imaginable was getting the horror treatment. Silent Night, Deadly Night was 1984’s festive offering, and it brought a great deal of controversy with it.

Far from being the first movie to feature a killer Santa, Silent Night was perhaps the most high-profile film to do so. The ad campaign, which showcased its sinister Saint Nick in all his bloodthirsty glory, shocked audiences around America and cemented the film’s notoriety. Many sequels followed, most of which are pretty forgettable; still, the original is a cult classic.

9

Jack Frost (1997)

A Killer Becomes A Mutant Snowman

A straight-to-video slasher from the late 90s, Jack Frost tells the story of a serial killer who turns into a snowman after a chemical fuses his body with snow. That tells viewers everything they need to know…

There are some (intentionally and unintentionally) funny moments and a few creative kills that keep the momentum going. The cheap-and-cheerful nastiness of Jack Frost has gone on to become a cult favorite, and it even spawned an ever-more ridiculous sequel.

8

Silent Night (2012)

Killer Santa On Christmas Eve

The mascot of the Holidays adds himself to the naughty list as he terrorizes a remote Midwestern town, racking up kills as he jingles all the way. Silent Night follows Sheriff Cooper, played by Malcolm McDowell, and Deputy Bradimore, played by Jamie King, as they attempt to stop the killer, Santa.

Killing off citizens deemed to be on this twisted Santa’s naughty list, Silent Night showcases kills involving a woodchipper, a flamethrower, and Christmas lights. Silent Night is a slasher perfect for the Christmas season, one that does not take itself too seriously and does not hold back on the bloody gore.

7

Anna And The Apocalypse (2018)

A Zombie Christmas Musical

A rare Christmas zombie musical, Anna and the Apocalypse garnered rave reviews upon its release for its mixture of great characters, interesting concepts, and non-stop thrills.

The soundtrack is fantastic, blending musical and horror conventions together in an intelligent, and occasionally beautiful, way. The Christmas theme is always prevalent too, no more than when the title character wields a giant candy cane for some zombie-slaying mayhem.

6

The Children (2008)

Kids Turn On Their Parents During The Holidays

When a bunch of kids begin to show disturbing behavior, after one child gets sick, the holidays become dangerous for the parents. The Children is set in a remote English estate where the kids turn into psychotic killers.

Set during the holidays, the tensions reach fever pitch in this cult British classic. Even with a lower kill count compared to some of the other Christmas horror movies, The Children stands tall with its ability to turn a wholesome family setting into a nightmare.

5

Rare Exports (2010)

Killer Santa Goes On a Rampage

Arguably one of the most original of the “killer Santa” movies, Rare Exports is a Finnish film that mixes a clever blend of dark humor, fantasy, and horror that takes an interesting concept and runs with it.

The Santa featured in Rare Exports is THE Santa, not an impostor: a nasty, twisted old man with a blood lust. The movie keeps viewers guessing throughout, with touching characterizations and explorations of family alongside the thrills and chills.

4

Krampus (2015)

A Christmas Demon Invades A Family Home

Due to a lack of Christmas spirit, an unwitting family unleashes the demon of Christmas from European folklore. Krampus follows the Engel family who, after gathering for Christmas, descend into family squabbles. This results in them being stalked by the horned devil of Christmas.

Krampus has a bumper cast including Toni Collette, of Hereditary fame, and Adam Scott, of Severance and Parks and Recreation. Mix this cast with some Christmas kills involving elves, gingerbread men, and Krampus with his sack. Krampus can provide some Yuletide scares for the whole family.

3

Gremlins (1984)

The Perfect Horror-Comedy For The Festive Season

Don’t expose it to bright lights, don’t get it wet, don’t feed it after midnight. When these rules are broken, you get the horror-comedy classic Gremlins. Set during Christmas, Rand Peltzer looks to get a special gift for his son Billy and gets more than they bargained for.

This Christmas classic showcases the titular Gremlins causing havoc after Billy inadvertently breaks the rules for his new pet Gizmo. With the murder of Santa, these mischievous little creatures can bring a horror-tinged laugh to the whole family at Christmas.

2

Black Christmas (1974)

Sorority Slasher At Christmas

Pre-dating Halloween by four years, Black Christmas is a tense, terrifying slasher movie with real characters and a fantastic premise. It centers on a group of sorority sisters who are spending Christmas together, and start receiving threatening and disturbing phone calls, eventually leading to their murders, one by one.

Easily one of the greatest horror movies of all time, Black Christmas is a truly dark festive film that lingers long after the end credits have rolled. A true classic, not bettered by the remakes that have since followed.

1

Terrifier 3 (2024)

Art The Clown’s Demonic Christmas

In 2024, Art the Clown returned to provide some Christmas cheer in the way only he can. Following on from 2022’s second entry, Terrifier 3 sees Art return from the dead with the help of his partner in crime, Vicky, as they aim to terrorize series protagonist Sienna Shaw.

Expanding the lore of the Terrifier series further, Terrifier 3 gets creative with its Christmas setting, featuring a festive Art the Clown hacking and slashing his way through his victims. The movie doubles down on the gore of the previous entries with chainsaws, bombs, and flamethrower violence, leading to more over-the-top gore. Art the Clown’s third entry has turned him into a modern horror icon and an excellent watch for horror fans this Christmas.