As a horror enthusiast who has spent countless nights huddled under the covers, I find myself utterly captivated by this delightfully macabre collection of holiday-themed slashers. Each film offers a unique blend of terror and merriment that is sure to leave viewers with a lasting sense of unease and a touch of holiday cheer.
The original publication date of this article was December 16, 2020. However, the holiday season hasn’t become any less unsettling since then. To keep up with the latest releases, we’ve added Terrifier 3 to our list.
Once again, we’ve reached that time: The weather is getting colder, holiday decorations are popping up everywhere, online retailers have discounted items for Cyber Monday – it’s official, the holiday season is here! While many are eagerly anticipating Christmas, some might not share the same excitement about snow and lights. If you’re not a winter enthusiast or just pining for Halloween, don’t let yourself feel obligated to embrace yuletide joy just yet. Instead, consider watching some Christmas-themed horror movies if you yearn for more Krampus than jolly old Santa Claus.
This season offers various terrifying tales, from Santa figures in violent scenes, elves involved in dark plots, to family members causing distress through betrayal. So, grab some firewood, snuggle up with your holiday-themed blanket, and keep a tight grip on your gloves – get ready for the excitement, shivers, and bloodshed that the holidays bring this year!
The Legend of Hell House (1973)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=pacLdQdJJpY
According to Richard Matheson’s 1971 horror novel, “Hell House“, the movie titled “The Legend of Hell House” begins a week before Christmas Eve. A team of investigators decide to spend this period in a supposedly haunted mansion that once belonged to a man believed to be a murderer and sadist. It is thought that the spirits of his victims still linger within the house’s walls. Previously, another group of researchers mysteriously perished during the last attempt to investigate the property. The only survivor from that investigation has chosen to return to unravel the mystery.
Black Christmas (1974)
This renowned movie, well-known for its slasher genre characteristics, is also a holiday flick – specifically set during Christmas. Gather around as you follow a band of sorority sisters who, following an eerie phone call filled with unsettling voices and beastly growls on the night of their yuletide party, mysteriously start vanishing one by one. The boozy house mother and the mad pianist beau add an engaging twist to this chilling Canadian horror tale. A reboot surfaced in 2019, but nothing can surpass the original’s thrill factor.
Christmas Evil (1980)
In a unique and intriguing twist, witness the tale of Harry, a factory worker who experiences a peculiar transformation on Christmas Eve when he unexpectedly observes Santa Claus affectionately kiss his mother’s lips. This incident triggers in him an extraordinary fascination with Christmas that escalates into a chilling series of events, culminating in a violent rampage to safeguard the sanctity of the holiday. In this gripping drama entitled “Christmas Evil,” Harry embarks on a journey that leads him to take the essence of Christmas – and an ax – into his own hands, as he seeks to eliminate anyone who fails to embody the selflessness and kindness associated with the season. Furthermore, the film boasts an impressive collection of Santa Claus characters that challenges even the diverse lineup in “The Usual Suspects” for its sheer variety and intrigue.
To All a Goodnight (1980)
The story revolves around an all-girls boarding school preparing for winter break, only to find their peace disrupted by an unexpected party when the headmistress is away on vacation. Uninvited guests, a group of boys, crash this gathering, and to make matters worse, a maniac dressed as Santa Claus begins murdering students. Notably infamous as one of the worst portrayals of a “Santa-suit slasher”, the film offers exaggerated acting, absurdly gruesome deaths, and a climax that raises more questions than it answers about its internal consistency. Yet, in its poor execution, it somehow manages to be an enjoyable watch.
Gremlins (1984)
Can anyone forget the classic tale where a dad gives his son a mogwai as a Christmas gift, unaware that this adorable Pekinese-like creature would reproduce and later trick the son into feeding them after midnight? Afterwards, these fed mogwais transformed into mischievous gremlins who terrorized pilots during World War II. Notable events in the story include when the gremlins forcefully held a bartender captive to drink endlessly in a seedy bar, and later, this same bartender confides in Billy why she hates Christmas, to which Billy simply replies, “Oh.
Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 (1987)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=A88U78XR6bQ
“Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2” is infamously known for its poor quality, yet it manages to make bad feel incredibly festive. Fret not if you haven’t watched the original, as the second installment revisits the storyline from the first movie through a series of flashbacks. The narrative primarily revolves around Ricky, the sibling of the initial film’s murderer. The sequel opens in a mental hospital where Ricky is confined following his own spree of killings, long after his brother’s. After a quick summary of their shared crimes, Ricky makes a daring escape from the institution, dons a Santa suit, and the real, campy excitement ensues.
Elves (1989)
Come December, for those who find themselves at odds with the Christmas spirit, it’s the perfect time to engage in forest rituals with a mystical twist – unintentionally conjuring a menacing Christmas gnome with an eerie obsession for realizing Hitler’s twisted dreams, which encompassed a eugenic scheme to breed a hybrid master race of humans and elves. Fortunately, Dan Haggerty, formerly recognized as Grizzly Adams, steps into the role of a disgraced ex-policeman turned mall Santa, poised for redemption by eliminating these malevolent elven Nazis. While it may not rank high in traditional film standards, this holiday flick delivers an essential message: Nazi adversaries are forever our enemy during the festive season and beyond.
Dead End (2003)
If traditional holiday movies aren’t your preference, consider the French film “Dead End”. It encapsulates all the charm of the season: a troubled family, lovers out of sync in their relationship, and a brother with peculiar timing for personal activities. However, there are no jolly Santas or his helpers in sight.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
The movie “Rare Exports” opens in Finland where an archaeological team is digging up what turns out to be an ancient burial ground, potentially containing Santa Claus’ remains. However, the excavations’ blasts start causing trouble for a reindeer herder named Rauno, endangering his herd. Rauno then goes to confront the team, but finds the site deserted, with charred earth and a massive crater at its center. From this point, things in “Rare Exports” become increasingly bizarre. Following the belief that the researchers had attracted wolves, Rauno sets traps, but instead of catching a wolf, he nabs an emaciated old man. Could this be Santa Claus? In the film “Rare Exports,” the truth isn’t as straightforward as one might think.
A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
In the same year that Krampus was first introduced, another comedy-horror film centered around the character opposite to Santa Claus was released. This movie stars William Shatner as a disconnected DJ attempting to disseminate inappropriate holiday cheer (I mean Christmas). The film features cursing zombie elves, murderous changelings, and other spooky elements. These interconnected short stories unfold in the same town, with varying levels of distance between characters. Essentially, A Christmas Horror Story pokes fun at overly sweet ensemble holiday movies, so if a family member suggests watching Love Actually, you now have an alternative suggestion.
Red Christmas (2016)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=hMzX8GICRWo
In this chilling Australian horror film, genre stalwart Dee Wallace, recognized from films like “The Howling” (1981), “Cujo” (1983), and “The Frighteners” (1996) among others, takes on the role of matriarch Diane. The story revolves around a particularly unsettling aspect of holidays: family skeletons in the closet. As Diane’s past resurfaces with the arrival of a menacing stranger at a family gathering intent on retribution and unveiling their familial bond, audiences are in for a nerve-wracking experience. This movie lives up to its blood-red title by offering an unprecedented level of suspense as an entire family meets their demise on screen.
Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)
Curious about the blend of “Shaun of the Dead” and “High School Musical”? Look no further! (And rest assured, even if musical numbers aren’t your cup of tea, many of the singers meet a grisly demise.)
The Lodge (2019)
This story revolves around a complex situation where the new stepchildren dislike their stepmother deeply, partly due to their father leaving their mother for her and her subsequent suicide. Adding to this tense atmosphere is the fact that they’re stuck in a secluded location during a snowstorm, made worse by the sudden departure of their stepfather for work-related reasons. To make matters even more intriguing, the stepmother herself has a haunting past connected to a cult leader, played by Riley Keough. All these elements create an uneasy feeling right from the start, and to complicate things further, these children can be quite challenging.
Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities: Episode 4 – “The Outside” (2022)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=cr5oXkbWn1Q
Similar to the 1960’s television series, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”, Netflix’s new anthology series presents spine-chilling tales, many showcasing impressive creature designs, overseen by the legendary creature creator, Guillermo del Toro. For the purpose of this list, we’ll treat the hour-long episode titled “The Outside”, directed by Ana Lily Amirpour (known for “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” and “The Bad Batch”), as a short film. This specific narrative unfolds around a holiday office party that takes an ominous turn.
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’d put it this way: Kate Micucci, known from the duo Garfunkel and Oats, plays Stacey – an eccentric woman with a passion for taxidermy. Her partner, Keith (Martin Starr), secretly dreams of her trading her quirks for the conventional charm of bank tellers. A Secret Santa party invitation from the clique’s queen bee, coupled with a peculiar lotion as a gift, sets Stacey on a wild journey that’ll make you question reality. In classic horror style, beware what you wish for!
Violent Night (2022)
Essentially, the movie “Violent Night” fits this list due to its high count of grisly killings throughout its 107-minute duration. Produced by the team behind “John Wick“, it’s no wonder why. In this film, David Harbour portrays a particularly lethal Santa Claus who defends an estate from a group of burglars on Christmas Eve. These mercenaries take the family hostage, murder the household staff, and Santa uses traditional holiday items like icicles, sledgehammers, and chimneys to fight back, demonstrating his authenticity – as a deadly force indeed.
It’s a Wonderful Knife (2023)
Featuring Cassandra Naud, recognizable from Shudder’s 2022 horror film “Influencer”, alongside genre veterans Justin Long, Katharine Isabelle, and Jane Widdop from “Yellowjackets”, the movie titled “It’s a Wonderful Knife ” explores the question, “Is it better that I never existed?” in an unexpectedly humorous manner by stating, “No, many people would have perished at the hands of a serial killer instead.” Although it veers more towards comedy than horror, “It’s a Wonderful Knife ” delivers enough chilling slashings to make you question whether all angels truly deserve their wings.
A Creature Was Stirring (2023)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=1o9Pth0g3ko
In a chilly holiday setting, two individuals seek shelter from a Christmas storm by entering a house and encounter an overly protective mother and her mysterious daughter who rival the intensity of Carrie and her fanatical mom from Stephen King’s novel. The mother is a nurse who confines her daughter in her room and maintains her lethargy with methadone to manage what she believes is the girl’s illness. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that there is more to both the daughter’s condition and the mother than initially appears. This film, directed by Damien LeVeck (of The Cleansing Hour) fame, promises a plethora of unexpected twists reminiscent of a malfunctioning candy cane.
Carnage for Christmas (2024)
Over the holiday season, podcast producer Lola goes back to her small, traditionally conservative hometown. She’s feeling uneasy because it’s her first trip since transitioning, the town is notorious for its murders, and there’s an old urban legend about a Santa-clad serial killer called “The Toymaker” that seems to be resurfacing. Thankfully, Lola is on the case to uncover the truth.
In May 2024, this Australian comedy-horror was released to match the chilly winter down under. If you didn’t catch it back then, now’s your chance! Clocking in at just an hour and 10 minutes, “Carnage for Christmas” is a terrific short film for those pressed for time during the holiday season to get into the festive mood quickly.
Terrifier 3 (2024)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=zaPcin5knJk
Following the Halloween celebrations depicted in “Terrifier 2”, there’s a leap of five years and a change of season for “Terrifier 3”. The main survivor from the previous “Terrifier” movie, Sienna Shaw, has been discharged from a psychiatric hospital and is now spending the holidays with her aunt and uncle. Coincidentally, Art the Clown and his demonic companion, Victoria, resurface at the same time, eager for more mischief and holiday-themed mayhem.
In an unusual twist, Art adopts the role of Santa Claus by pulling off the impersonator’s beard, wearing the costume, and spreading his unique brand of holiday cheer to children everywhere. However, be warned: This movie is a gory spectacle from start to finish, making it an inappropriate choice for audiences who might find its content disturbing or violent – certainly not something that would earn Santa’s approval!
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2024-12-07 01:54