I’ve never been a huge fan of Christmas and as the years go by and Halloween grows in importance in our family, Christmas seems to shrink. However, morphing the two holidays has expanded my appreciation of the more gleeful holiday. This year, my goal is to watch as many Christmas horror movies as I can before December 25! I’ve compiled a list for myself and for you so that we can all explore the darker side of this season. Instead of the 12 Days of Christmas, we have the 12 Nights of Christmas.
I’d love to hear how else you creep up your Christmas – decorations? music? books? What is your favourite Christmas horror movie? Tell me all about it in the comments below.
Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Starting off with a gentle classic to get you in the mood, this is the ultimate movie to combine Halloween and Christmas. When do you watch it? Halloween? Christmas? Maybe both!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087363
Gremlins (1984)
This is another classic that isn’t too frightening but could be to younger children. My son begged me to watch this when he was little and I finally gave it. He put on a brave face, but he didn’t end up sleeping in his own bed that night.
This movie takes place at Christmas. A Christmas present inadvertently unleashes mischievous and malevolent creatures.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087363
Black Christmas (1974), (2006 remake)
This 1974 Canadian horror film is a true classic. It is considered by many to be the origin of the modern slasher movie. It has a great cast and is well worth a watch!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071222/
It inspired a loose remake in 2006 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454082/
and another in 2019 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10481868/
Rare Exports (2010)
This is a great movie from Finland that offers up a brand new spin on the Santa story. I definitely recommend adding this to your watchlist this holiday season.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1401143/
A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
This is a Canadian anthology horror with creepy holiday tales interwoven through a radio DJ, played by William Shatner.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3688406/
Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
This Scottish film is a Christmas Zombie Musical and stands alone in its category. We just watched this and all agreed it was well done. It’s funny, gory, not too scary, and feels really original (with just a bit of the humour of Sean of the Dead). If you like musicals and Halloween you will love this. If you aren’t a big fan of musicals, I suggest you still give it a try just for the fun of it!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6433880/
Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972)
“A man inherits a mansion, which once was a mental home. He visits the place and begins to investigate some crimes that happened in old times, scaring the people living in the region.”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070694https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070694/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Sint (2010)
This Dutch film’s plot: “A horror film that depicts St. Nicholas as a murderous bishop who kidnaps and murders children when there is a full moon on December 5.”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1167675/
Krampus (2013)
How do you ruin Christmas? Summon a festive demon to your house! This is a well-made movie, but for me, it’s very Hollywood. Not a bad thing really, but I find it just makes it predictable. Stars Toni Collette (Hereditary, Sixth Sense).
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3850590/
Better Watch Out (2016)
This is the surprise movie of the season so far. I rather had low expectations but was pleasantly and frighteningly impressed. The story has some good twists and turns that I didn’t see coming (and I usually do by now after watching a lot of horror). Check it out this Christmas!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4443658/
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
This is an American film in true 80s slasher fashion. What would you do if you witnessed Santa murder your parents?
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088117/
The Lodge (2019)
What could go wrong when you are snowed in at an isolated holiday village. This movie looks creepy and is definitely at the top of my watchlist this year.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7347846/
Want to creep up your holiday some more? Try this Creepy Christmas trivia game.
Find a movie list for Friday the 13th http://halloweenpartyplanner.com/2017/10/10/13-frightening-flicks-for-friday-13th/
