Tis' The Season: 25+ Christmas Horror Movies

 What's Good Everyone!

The Holiday season is finally here & what better way to bring in the festivities than some good ole Holiday horror! I made a video about this last year that you can check out if you'd prefer to watch and listen but as a heads up, there will be more that I list below!

So if you watched this vid (or skipped it) lets go ahead and dive deep into the bloody snow!

1. Black Christmas (1974)

On Christmas day, a sorority house full of girls receives some sadistic and twisted threatening calls. Taking it as a joke at first, they later realize they should've taken it more serious when the dead bodies start to pile up. This is the OG slasher that help inspired another OG, Halloween, so I have to give it it's flowers. Also, this movie is creepy as s***. The calls are demented and give me goosebumps. The killer is unhinged and also creeps me out. You HAVE to watch this if you haven't already.

2. Christmas Horror Story (2015)

A holiday horror anthology film that range in different subgenres per story. To me, this is like the Christmas version of Trick r Treat, meaning all the short films work & weave together for a thrilling finish. Great sfx, set design, and stories to keep you cozy and also spooked out around the fireplace. 

3. Krampus (2015)

An estranged family gets together for Christmas in hopes to better their relationship, only to realize their constant bickering invites something more sinister than a block of coal. This movie is one of my favorites on the list without a doubt. It's funny as hell, actually scary, emotional at some points, and the creature designs are magnificent. A MUST WATCH this season.

4. Séance (2021)

As a last resort, a troubled girl is brought to a private school that is rumored to be haunted by a ghost responsible for the death of a student. The group of girls decide to do a séance as a way to get to the bottom of it and doing so, they get more than what they asked for. This one takes place on a snow filled campus with subtle Christmas decor here & there, and is sure to surprise with the twist that's in store.

5. Black Christmas (2006)

The remake to the original with some added context (that's pretty sick) to make some sense of the story, even though it still doesn't make much sense lol. Throw in some early 00s flavor and you get this fun, campy, Christmas blood bath of a slasher film that's a good ass time. 

6. Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) 

On Christmas night, 2 brothers witness their parents being killed by a man in a Santa costume. Having to grow up in a religious orphanage from that night on, they've been able to overcome that tragedy but 10 years later, the nightmare returns. 80s cheese to the maximum in this holiday slasher. Horny teens, gnarly kills, blood splatters all with a Christmas backdrop. There are 4 sequels so once you've seen this one, let the good times roll.

7. Child's Play (1988)

Another OG classic that everyone is aware of. I mean c'mon; Who doesn't know Chucky? Anyway, this one isn't specifically Christmas oriented but the cold winter setting in city, with underlying consumer commentary about toys, gives me major Christmas energy. That being said, this is a holiday watch for me every year!

8. Better Watch Out (2016)

During the Christmas holiday, a babysitter is called for a routine watch of a familiar set of parents. Early in on the gig, a home invader appears to interrupt what's supposed to be a regular night but th-- you know what, I'm gonna stop there. I'm not giving up anything else, Just go watch this thrill ride.

9. Holidays (2016)

An anthology horror film that has a short for every popular holiday. Though this film covers all of the seasons, there are a few for Christmas/New year which automatically make me place it in the holiday category. A lot of range in subgenre that is bound to have at least 3 you'll really dig!

10. Black Christmas (2019)

Another reimagining of the Black Christmas 74'. A killer is on the loose but instead of mainly taking place in the sorority house, the action spreads across the campus. This one isn't as good as 74'or the 06' remake but it offers a different and interesting take on the story. The real twist arrives in the 3rd act, that you'll either hate or love. Nonetheless, its undeniably Christmas.

11. And All the Creatures Were Stirring (2018)

Christmas night seems like the best time for a blind date right? Yeah nobody else thinks so either but in this case, two young adults do and for their date, they go to a theater to watch a Christmas performance. This is an anthology film and for each new performance they watch, a new segment is shown. They get weirder and weirder as the time passes and you'll have to see where that leaves the couple by the end. 

12. Body (2015)

Some college girls decide to go to one of their Aunt's houses, who's away on a trip for some Christmas boozy fun, but it quickly goes to s*** when an intruder is found. Sounds pretty basic but there's a lot more than meets the eye. This film is full of twists and turns that you won't see coming and makes for an exciting holiday mystery watch.

13. Child's Play (2019)

Pretty much the same vibe as the original 88 classic but actually takes place during the Christmas holiday season. I know ppl are hot or cold with this one, but throw some holiday spirit into your system and re-watch it for a good time.

14. The Traveler (2010)

On the dark snowy night of Christmas, a mysterious man turns himself into a police station, confessing to multiple murders. Without any clues to his crimes given, they lock him in a cell til morning but unfortunately for them, they see these murders first hand. This plays out more like a thriller but the kills are 100% campy horror. Some are so outrageous, you're sure to laugh as you sip your spiked eggnog. 

15. ATM (2012)

Three coworkers leave a Christmas party to go to an enclosed ATM, only to be intimidated & trapped inside by a viscous and meticulous assailant. This is an intense and personal story horror thriller that peels back the layers of each character. It's one of the more serious films on this list.

16. Awaiting Further Instructions (2018)

A newly engaged couple has Christmas dinner at the "to-be" husband's parents house. They make an attempt to keep things cool but when static starts between the household, the electronics inside start acting strange. Yes you read that right and that's all you get from me!

17. Red Christmas (2016)

An estranged family decides to spend Christmas together after tragedy struck many many years ago. They're having a difficult time keeping it together as it is, but a visit from a hooded figure makes things even worse. This film is a slow burn that feels personal as you delve deeper into the film. The more things are revealed, the lower your jaw will drop for multiple reasons. 

18. The Children (2008)

A family gets together for the Christmas holiday and as with the rest of these families on the list, their relationships aren't the best. Now this may sound similar, but throw some psycho kids into the mix and it adds a whole different dynamic to the family drama.

19. The Conjuring 2 (2016)

The Warren's go to London for another case that just so happens to take place around Christmas. This film is pretty popular, so not much for me to elaborate on but I had to include one of my favorite directors in on this list if it applies.

20. Black Friday (2021)

On Thanksgiving night, the employees of a toy store have to work to serve customers for the infamous Black Friday sale. Everything seems unpleasantly normal, until customers become dangerously rabid and inhuman. A nice B horror comedy that oozes Christmas spirit. Bruce Campbell leading the pack definitely adds something special.

21. Christmas Presence (2018)

Some friends go to cabin in the woods for a boozy party filled Christmas, only to have awaken an evil they can't escape. Yeah, what you read is what you get but its a Cabin Christmas horror film! C'mon, that's perfect for the holiday season watch with friends/family.

22. Silent Night (2012)

Some mistakes from the town's past come back to haunt them present day; When someone turns the most joyful icon, Santa, into a pure evil using his costume while going on a killing spree. Another personal fav on the list that has that special kind of gore that will cause your jaw to drop when the killing starts. The Santa mask is pretty terrifying too.  This is a sequel to the first Silent Night, Deadly Night.

23. Maniac Cop 1 (1988) & 2 (1990)

A New York officer is set up and wrongfully killed in action. Sometime later, he's revived and he's raging war on the criminals in the streets, as well as the Police. This Slasher here is crazy and you gotta see it to believe some of these innovative kills. This is that one time you'd regret playing NWA's hit record around because this guy is on another level of violence lol. The first film has Christmas subtleties but the sequel however, is drenched in Christmas decor. That being said I would strongly recommend watching the 1st film before moving to 2. Thank me later!

24. Scare Me (2020)

Two screenwriters are trapped in a cabin during a snowstorm and to pass the time, they exchange horror scripts/ideas. This one isn't technically a Christmas movie but the cold and cozy nature of it puts me in that space. This is another that may not sound like much reading my synopsis but  the way its handled is amazing. Very creative & I haven't seen anything like it. 

25. Werewolves Within (2021)

A sheriff is assigned to a small town that's sold to him as being sleepy. We quickly find out it's anything but that when a dead body mauled with large claws is found. Easily one of my favorite films of the year. I spit my drink out because of how funny it is but don't be fooled; the horror elements aren't lacking. This one also isn't technically Christmas but again, something about it besides the snow, fits that energy. A MUST watch.

26. Anna & the Apocalypse (2017)

In the small town of Little Haven, the Christmas season is in full swing. High school kids are about to go on break and a girl named Anna wants to escape her town for the holiday. She wakes up the next day to a Zombie apocalypse, changing her plans of travel to survival. Sounds typical but what sets this film apart, besides the X-mas production design is, this is a MUSICAL! I usually don't dig these but this one works SO WELL, and definitely worth the watch!

There you go! 

25(+) Christmas horror films to get you through the month! So pour up some Eggnog, Red Wine, Hot Coco, or my favorite, a Mule; & throw one of these on for a nice Christmas scream, I mean Christmas cheer! As always, thanks for Reading!

Peace!