For those who enjoy a little more gore with their holiday cheer, we’ve created a list of the 28 best Christmas horror movies that will spice up your Christmas movie marathon with some gruesome, blood filled frights.
It’s that time of year again, when the air is filled with the scent of pine trees, homes are decked with twinkling lights, and carolers are singing songs of merriment.
But for those of us who enjoy a little more gore with our holiday cheer, there’s a different kind of Christmas tradition, one that involves twisted tales, sinister Santas, and gruesome Christmas kills.
Yes, we’re talking about Christmas horror movies, the perfect antidote to the usual jolly Santa and sugarplum fairies of the season.
We’ve created a list of the 28 best Christmas horror movies that will spice up your Christmas movie marathon with some gruesome, blood filled frights.
If you’re ready for a dark and twisted holiday season, these Christmas horror movies are just what the sinister Claus ordered.
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Links included below to the where the movies are streaming FREE (where available).
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What happens when you lose your Christmas spirit? Well, in “Krampus,” it conjures up a demonic anti Santa who punishes the naughty instead of rewarding the nice. This dark comedy horror mixes festive decorations with terrifying creatures that you won’t soon forget.
2. Black Christmas (2006)
Director: Glen Morgan
Cast: Katie Cassidy, Michelle Trachtenberg, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
In this remake of the 1974 classic, a sorority house becomes a blood soaked battleground as a killer in a sinister Santa mask terrorizes its inhabitants. If you’re a fan of tense, suspenseful horror with a holiday twist, “Black Christmas” will keep you guessing until the end.
3. A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
Director: Grant Harvey, Steven Hoban, Brett Sullivan
“A Christmas Horror Story” is a Canadian horror anthology that weaves together four interconnected tales of terror on Christmas Eve. From a vengeful Krampus to possessed high school students, this film offers a mix of festive scares and dark holiday humor.
The demonic Krampus returns for a second helping of holiday horror in this low budget indie flick. While it might not have the star power of the original “Krampus,” it’s a fun, gory romp through the snow with plenty of ho ho horror moments.
5. Red Snow (2021)
Director: Sean Nichols Lynch
Cast: George Newbern, John Pyper-Ferguson, Nicolette Robinson
Olivia, a struggling vampire novelist, spends the Christmas holidays alone at her late mother’s cabin in Lake Tahoe. A bat collides with her window and Olivia decides to try to help it. The next day, the once injured bat has transformed into a dashing vampire named Luke. An improbable companionship begins to bud between them, but she has doubts about his true intentions.
6. Jack Frost (1997)
Director: Michael Cooney
Cast: Scott MacDonald, Christopher Allport, Shannon Elizabeth
No, we’re not talking about the jolly snowman who comes to life. This “Jack Frost” is a serial killer who turns into a snowman after a freak accident. It’s a bizarre concept that’s both goofy and gory, making it a must watch for lovers of cheesy, over the top vintage horror.
7. Deadly Games (1989)
Director: René Manzor
Cast: Brigitte Fossey, Louis Ducreux, Alain Lalanne
Imagine if Home Alone took a much darker turn, and the “Wet Bandits” were truly sinister. “Deadly Games” is a French thriller where a young boy must fend off a creepy home invader dressed as Santa Claus.
8. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
Director: Jalmari Helander
Cast: Onni Tommila, Jorma Tommila, Per Christian Ellefsen
Santa isn’t always the plump, bearded gift giver we think he is. In “Rare Exports,” an archaeological dig unearths the real Santa Claus. who is a monstrous, ancient being who’s definitely not in the gift giving spirit. This Finnish film adds a chilling layer of mythology to your Christmas traditions.
Before the 2006 remake, there was the original “Black Christmas.” A sorority house is once again the setting for holiday horrors as a mysterious killer terrorizes the residents. This classic slasher is where it all began, and it still packs a terrifying punch.
10. Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
Director: Charles E. Sellier Jr.
Cast: Lilyan Chauvin, Gilmer McCormick, Robert Brian Wilson
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a traumatized boy grew up to be a killer Santa Claus, “Silent Night, Deadly Night” has the answer. This controversial cult classic delivers holiday themed carnage that’s both campy and creepy.
“Better Watch Out” is a clever take on the home invasion genre, with a babysitter and her charge dealing with a home intruder during the holiday season. What sets this film apart is its unexpected twists, dark humor, and a surprisingly resourceful young protagonist.
Sometimes, all it takes is one bad Christmas experience to send someone over the edge. “Christmas Evil” follows a man obsessed with Santa Claus who decides to become the real thing, but his mission takes a deadly turn. It’s a psychological journey through holiday madness.
“Elves” might be one of the strangest entries on this list. It involves a secret Nazi experiment, a rogue elf, and a teenage girl who might hold the key to saving the world from a monstrous conspiracy. It’s so bonkers that it’s a holiday treat for those who love their horror on the weird side.
14. Santa’s Slay (2005)
Director: David Steiman
Cast: Bill Goldberg, Douglas Smith, Emilie de Ravin
What if Santa Claus was actually a demon forced to bring joy for a thousand years? Well, in “Santa’s Slay,” Santa is on a killing spree, and professional wrestler Bill Goldberg plays the jolly old devil with style. It’s a hilarious and gory twist on the usual Christmas cheer.
“Dead End” takes a family on a fateful Christmas Eve road trip that turns into a nightmarish odyssey. With eerie encounters on a never ending road, this film blends psychological horror with an unsettling atmosphere.
16. The Children (2008)
Director: Tom Shankland
Cast: Eva Birthistle, Stephen Campbell Moore, Jeremy Sheffield
In “The Children,” a family Christmas gathering takes a dark turn when the children begin to exhibit strange and violent behavior. This British thriller blends family drama with eerie horror, showing that sometimes, kids can be the scariest part of the holidays.
17. Slay Belles (2018)
Director: Dan Walker
Cast: Barry Bostwick, Kristina Klebe, Susan Slaughter
When a group of friends stumbles upon Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, they find themselves on a wild adventure to save Santa from an ancient evil. “Slay Belles” mixes comedy and fantasy with some gruesome holiday themed monsters, making it a fun ride for those who enjoy a bit of camp in their horror.
Imagine a world where a wish list typo results in a demonic Santa fulfilling the wishes of a group of kids. “Letters to Satan Claus” is a holiday horror comedy that brings a touch of dark magic to the Christmas season, with plenty of gags and over the top moments.
19. Violent Night (2022)
Director: Tommy Wirkola
Cast: David Harbour, John Leguizamo, Beverly D’Angelo
In “The Advent Calendar,” an antique Advent calendar reveals supernatural powers and an ominous countdown to Christmas. This French film is a slow burn horror with a mystical twist that will keep you guessing until the final days of December.
What’s better than a Christmas horror movie? A Christmas zombie musical! “Anna and the Apocalypse” is a unique blend of genres, where a group of high school students must battle zombies during the holiday season. It’s equal parts heartwarming and gory, with catchy musical numbers to boot.
22. The Mean One (2021)
Director: Ryan Casselman
Cast: Aaron Douglas, Rachel Hayward, Michael Eklund
“The Mean One” is a dark comedy that takes a humorous approach to Christmas horror. When a holiday loving family kidnaps the town’s most miserable person, things take a sinister turn. It’s a twisted take on the holiday spirit.
“Inside” is a French horror film that takes place on Christmas Eve. It tells the story of a pregnant woman who’s terrorized by a mysterious woman seeking her unborn child. This brutal and intense home invasion horror is not for the faint of heart.
24. Silent Night (2021)
Director: Camille Griffin
Cast: Keira Knightley, Roman Griffin Davis, Matthew Goode
In “Silent Night,” a dysfunctional family comes together for one last Christmas, but a mysterious event threatens to tear them apart. While it’s not a typical Christmas horror film, it offers a dark and satirical take on family dynamics during the holiday season.
In “Don’t Open ‘Til Christmas,” London is plagued by a serial killer who targets people dressed as Santa Claus. As you can guess, it’s not a good time to be playing Santa on the streets of London. This British slasher is a dark and somewhat campy holiday treat.
Two college students share a ride home for the holidays, but when they break down on a deserted stretch of road, they are preyed upon by the ghosts of people who have died there. (from imdb)
“Red Christmas” brings a family’s holiday gathering to a gruesome halt when an unexpected visitor arrives, seeking revenge. With a touch of dark humor and plenty of gore, this Australian film adds a twisted dimension to the season of joy.
It’s Christmas Eve and Tori just wants to get drunk and party, but when a robotic Santa Claus at a nearby toy store goes haywire and begins a rampant killing spree through her small town, she’s forced into a battle for survival. (from imdb)
BONUS Christmas Horror Movies Streaming FREE on Tubi
Tiffany is a female entrepreneur who has been in the movie business since 2005.
She loves all things horror! Movies, Books, Magazines, Podcasts and Film Festivals. *****
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