Most Christmas movies end with hugs and redemption. Horror fans prefer screams and survival. For decades, filmmakers have twisted holiday cheer into something sinister, turning mistletoe and snowdrifts into the stuff of nightmares. These films didn’t just shock audiences — they defined a subgenre that returns every December with cult devotion.
Here are the Christmas horror movies that shaped the season for genre fans.
Black Christmas (1974)
Before *Halloween* or *Friday the 13th*, Bob Clark’s Canadian slasher quietly set the rules: a killer in a sorority house, ominous phone calls, and an ending that still unnerves. It’s the original holiday horror, decades ahead of its time.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
The movie that sparked national outrage. A traumatized young man dons a Santa suit and goes on a killing spree, leading to protests and temporary bans. Once reviled, it’s now a defining piece of 80s horror history.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
Gremlins (1984)
Joe Dante’s blend of creature comedy and chaos turned Christmas consumerism into a cautionary tale. Cute, clever, and vicious, it’s the bridge between holiday mayhem and mainstream horror.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
Christmas Evil (1980)
A lonely toy maker loses his grip on reality, believing he’s Santa Claus on a mission to judge the world. Less slasher and more psychological study, it’s haunting, tragic, and surprisingly compassionate.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
To All a Goodnight (1980)
Released before *Friday the 13th*, this early slasher features a killer Santa stalking a finishing school. Rough around the edges but historically important as one of the first to mix Christmas and carnage.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
Jack Frost (1997)
A killer snowman terrorizes a small town after a freak accident. It’s gleefully absurd, heavy on practical effects, and now a favorite for late-night holiday marathons.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
A Finnish folklore thriller where archaeologists accidentally unearth the “real” Santa — an ancient creature better suited for nightmares. Beautifully shot and genuinely inventive, it’s proof the subgenre still has bite.
Where to stream: Available on DVD and on streaming.
Better Watch Out (2016)
A suburban babysitting gig turns deadly in one of the smartest modern twists on holiday horror. What starts like a home-invasion thriller turns into something much darker — and far more unsettling.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold digitally.
Krampus (2015)
Michael Dougherty’s holiday monster movie brought European folklore to suburbia. With its practical effects and biting humor, it became an instant cult hit and a new annual tradition for horror fans.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold on physical media and digitally.
The Lodge (2019)
A slow-burn psychological nightmare set in a snowbound cabin during Christmas. Claustrophobic, cold, and relentlessly tense, it’s one of the most atmospheric horror films of the decade.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold digitally.
Inside (À l’intérieur) (2007)
A French New Extremity classic set on Christmas Eve, following a pregnant woman stalked by a mysterious intruder. Brutal and unrelenting — recommended only for the strong of stomach.
Where to watch: Not available.
Wind Chill (2007)
Emily Blunt stars in this underrated supernatural thriller about two stranded students haunted by ghostly apparitions on a snowy road. Bleak, eerie, and perfect for a quiet winter night.
Where to watch: Available to stream; sold digitally.
Why These Films Last
Christmas horror endures because it takes the safest season and strips away comfort. Snow and lights amplify isolation, while familiar symbols become terrifying. Whether it’s monsters, madness, or moral collapse, these films remind us that even the merriest holiday has shadows.
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