Christmas horror movies offer something special for fans of the holidays and a good scare. The contrast between holiday joy and horror creates an unforgettable viewing experience as familiar symbols of Christmas are turned on their heads.
In this list, you’ll find must-watch holiday horror movies that promise to keep you on the edge of your seat—and maybe make you think twice about those twinkling lights and jolly decorations!
So, let us get into it!
15 Best Christmas Horror Movies:
If you want to spice up your holiday season with a mix of Christmas cheer and thrilling horror, check out this list of the 15 best movies.
Here’s a table with where to watch them and their IMDB ratings:
| Sr. No | 15 Best Christmas Horror Movies | Where To Watch | IMDB Rating |
| 1 | Black Christmas (1974) | Amazon Prime | 7.1 |
| 2 | Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) | Plex | 5.8 |
| 3 | Krampus (2015) | Amazon Prime | 6.2 |
| 4 | Better Watch Out (2016) | Amazon Prime | 6.5 |
| 5 | Rare Exports (2010) | Amazon Prine | 6.6 |
| 6 | Saint (2010) | Amazon Prime | 5.6 |
| 7 | Santa’s Slay (2005) | Amazon Prime | 5.3 |
| 8 | Silent Night (2021) | Apple Tv | 5.8 |
| 9 | A Christmas Horror Story (2015) | Amazon Prime | 5.8 |
| 10 | The Thing (1982) | Amazon Prime | 8.2 |
Let’s get into the details of all 15 films now. Here’s a closer look at each and what makes them perfect for your holiday horror marathon.
1. Black Christmas:
| Duration | 1 hour 30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Olivia Hussey |
| Release Date | December 20, 1974 |
| Watch Link | Link |
Black Christmas is a groundbreaking holiday horror film that helped establish the slasher genre. Directed by Bob Clark, the story revolves around a group of sorority sisters who receive disturbing phone calls and are stalked by a mysterious killer during their Christmas break.
2. Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984):
| Duration | 1 hour and 25 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Robert Brian Wilson |
| Release Date | November 9, 1984 |
| Watch Link | Link |
In Silent Night, Deadly Night, a young man traumatized by Christmas-related events grows up with a twisted view of the holiday. The film combines holiday cheer with horror elements, offering a unique take on festive fear that’s both unsettling and memorable.
3. Krampus (2015):
| Duration | 1 hour and 38 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Adam Scott |
| Release Date | December 4, 2015 |
| Watch Link | Link |
Krampus tells the story of a family that loses its Christmas spirit and accidentally summons the mythical Krampus. Known for mixing dark comedy with horror, this movie offers a refreshing twist on holiday traditions with plenty of supernatural suspense.
4. Better Watch Out (2016):
| Duration | 1 hour and 29 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Levi Miller |
| Release Date | October 6, 2017 |
| Watch Link | Link |
Better Watch Out is a holiday thriller centered on a babysitter and her young charge, but things quickly take an unexpected turn. Blending suspense and dark humor, this movie offers twists that keep viewers guessing.
5. Rare Exports (2010):
| Duration | 1 hour and 24 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Jorma Tommila |
| Release Date | December 3, 2010 |
| Watch Link | Link |
Rare Exports is a Finnish horror comedy that reimagines Santa Claus as a mysterious, ancient being. It combines suspense with dark folklore, creating an adventurous holiday horror for those who enjoy unique storytelling.
6. Saint (2010):
| Duration | 1 hour and 25 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Huub Stapel |
| Release Date | November 11, 2010 |
| Watch Link | Link |
Saint gives a horror twist to the legend of Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas returns as a vengeful spirit in this Dutch horror film, bringing terror instead of gifts. This creative take on holiday myths offers plenty of eerie moments.
7. Santa’s Slay (2005):
| Duration | 1 hour and 18 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Bill Goldberg |
| Release Date | October 25, 2005 |
| Watch Link | Link |
In Santa’s Slay, Santa Claus isn’t who you’d expect. This horror comedy reveals Santa as a terrifying figure with a dark purpose, delivering a mix of holiday chaos and laughter with its over-the-top horror elements.
8. Silent Night (2021):
| Duration | 1 hour and 32 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Keira Knightley |
| Release Date | December 3, 2021 |
| Watch Link | Link |
Silent Night follows a family gathering on Christmas Eve with a dark, apocalyptic twist. Mixing dark humor with suspense, this movie explores holiday themes from a unique perspective, balancing drama and horror.
9. A Christmas Horror Story (2015):
| Duration | 1 hour and 39 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | William Shatner |
| Release Date | October 2, 2015 |
| Watch Link | Link |
A Christmas Horror Story is an anthology film that tells multiple interwoven Christmas horror stories. With a mix of supernatural creatures and eerie events, this film offers plenty of holiday scares.
10. The Thing (1982):
| Duration | 1 hour and 49 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Kurt Russell |
| Release Date | June 25, 1982 |
| Watch Link | Link |
While not specifically Christmas-themed, The Thing takes place in a snowbound Arctic setting, making it a fitting winter horror. This sci-fi horror classic is known for its suspense and groundbreaking effects.
11. Anna and the Apocalypse (2017):
| Duration | 1 hour and 32 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Ella Hunt |
| Release Date | November 30, 2018 |
| Watch Link | Link |
Anna and the Apocalypse combines musical, holiday, and zombie genres. Set during Christmas, this movie mixes catchy tunes with undead thrills, offering a lighthearted yet thrilling holiday horror experience.
12. Gremlins (1984):
| Duration | 1 hour and 46 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Zach Galligan |
| Release Date | June 8, 1984 |
| Watch Link | Link |
Gremlins follows the chaos unleashed when a young man breaks the rules of caring for his mysterious Christmas gift. This dark comedy blends festive cheer with creature-based scares, making it a holiday horror classic.
13. The Lodge (2019):
| Duration | 1 hour and 48 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Riley Keough |
| Release Date | February 7, 2020 |
| Watch Link | Link |
The Lodge is a psychological horror film set in an isolated cabin during the holiday season. Known for its slow-building suspense, this film explores themes of isolation and paranoia, creating a chilling atmosphere.
14. Pooka! (2018):
| Duration | 1 hour and 30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Nyasha Hatendi |
| Release Date | December 7, 2018 |
| Watch Link | Link |
Pooka (2018) is a dark holiday horror film about a man who takes on the role of a costumed character, Pooka, for a toy company. Reality and fiction blur, leading to disturbing consequences as he becomes consumed by his role. It’s a twisted take on Christmas and identity.
15. Mercy Christmas (2017):
| Duration | 1 hour and 23 minutes |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor/Actress | Steven Hubbell |
| Release Date | November 28, 2017 |
| Watch Link | Link |
Mercy Christmas is a dark comedy horror about a man who finds himself in a terrifying holiday meal situation. With its mix of dark humor and horror, this film provides a unique holiday horror experience.
Where Can You Watch Christmas Horror Movies For Free?
If you’re looking for some horror holiday films without breaking the bank, you’re in luck!
Several streaming platforms offer free Christmas horror movies to enjoy from the comfort of home. Here’s a quick table where you can find these festive frights at no cost.
| Platform | Overview | Notable Titles |
| Tubi | Tubi offers a variety of horror movies, including popular Christmas horror films, completely free. | Black Christmas (1974), Santa’s Slay (2005), Mercy Christmas (2017) |
| Plex | Plex provides a range of free movies, including some holiday horror selections. | Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984), Gremlins (1984) |
| Crackle | Crackle has a rotating selection of movies, often including holiday-themed horror around Christmas. | Selection varies, often includes classic holiday horror |
| YouTube | YouTube offers some Christmas horror movies for free, especially indie or older titles. | Santa’s Slay, Pooka! |
| Pluto TV | Pluto TV provides on-demand movies and live channels dedicated to horror, often featuring Christmas-themed horror movies during the holidays. | Titles change frequently; check Pluto’s lineup during the holiday season |
| Free Trials | Platforms like Shudder, AMC+, and Hulu offer 7-day free trials, providing short-term access to Christmas horror collections. |
Platforms like Shudder, AMC+, and Hulu offer 7-day free trials, providing short-term access to Christmas horror collections
Conclusion: Watch Black Christmas, A Chilling Holiday Horror Classic This Christmas.
Christmas horror movies bring a unique twist to the holiday season, blending the warmth of holiday cheer with thrilling, spooky elements.
Christmas horror movies uniquely combine festive cheer with spooky thrills, offering an exciting twist on traditional holiday films. For a memorable experience, try Black Christmas, Silent Nights, Deadly night, or Krampus!
Mixing horror with holiday joy has lasting appeal because it brings out the unexpected side of the season. So, grab some hot cocoa, turn down the lights, and watch a Christmas horror movie this holiday season!
FAQs:
Black Christmas (1974) is a classic example of a horror movie set during the Christmas season. It combines elements of holiday cheer with a terrifying storyline.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) was banned in several areas due to its controversial depiction of a killer Santa Claus. The film faced backlash for its violent content and was pulled from theaters shortly after its release.
Rare Exports, A Christmas Tale (2010) is often cited as one of the darkest Christmas movies. It combines dark comedy and horror elements, telling the story of a secret Santa Claus who is not as jolly as expected.
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