Black Christmas
The film that is often credited as one of the first slasher films takes place in a sorority house where a group of young women are being stalked by an unknown killer during the holiday season.
Black Christmas combines Christmas cheer with dread with its brilliant use of suspense throughout the film.
Just make sure you watch the original 1974 version. [Black Christmas on IMDB] [Where to watch Black Christmas]
Krampus
Krampus tells the story of a family who faces the wrath of Krampus, a dark, mischievous creature from Christmas folklore.
It's a great blend of humor and horror that has a good mix of suspense, humor, and creepy creatures for some darkly comedic Christmas horror. [Krampus on IMDB] [Where to watch Krampus]
Gremlins
One of my personal favorites, Gremlins is a chaotic classic Christmas horror film that will also make you laugh.
When a young man receives a cute creature called a Mogwai as a Christmas gift, he unknowingly breaks the rules that turn it into a swarm of chaotic, destructive gremlins.
The film is playful and mischievous and a whole lot of fun and should be on every Christmas horror watch list. [Gremlins on IMDB] [Where to watch Gremlins]
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
This film offers a dark and unique twist on the Santa Claus legend set in Finland, and follows a group of hunters who discover the true, terrifying nature of Santa Claus as they unearth a hidden secret.
It brings freshness, folklore and suspense and is a holiday film you won't forget watching in a hurry. [Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale on IMDB] [Where to watch Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale]
Better Watch Out
At first, this movie seems like a typical home invasion thriller, but then it takes a surprising turn when a babysitter must protect a young boy on Christmas Eve from intruders.
The twists in this film keep you guessing, and it’s much more than you expect from a holiday horror movie. [Better Watch Out on IMDB] [Where to watch Better Watch Out]
The Children
Pesky kids.
The Children is a a film that takes a disturbing turn during a family Christmas gathering when the kids in the family start acting strangely and becoming violent.
It's got a slow build with a creeping sense of dread and an unsettling atmosphere that will leave you questioning whether kids do actually deserve shit at Christmas. [The Children on IMDB] [Where to watch The Children]
P2
P2 takes place on Christmas Eve, when a woman gets stuck in a parking garage and is stalked by a security guard.
It’s a simple but quite tense that focuses on building the suspense with strong thriller vibes, but is one I am including in my list as I think it is quite underrated despite a lot of negative reviews.
It deserves more love so it does. [P2 on IMDB] [Where to watch P2]
It's A Wonderful Knife
It's a Wonderful Knife puts a horror twist on the beloved holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life and turns slasher film that takes the familiar Christmas story and turns it into something bloody and dark.
The movie cleverly plays with the familiar Christmas themes and turns them into something extreme and a bit campy too.
Another one that didn't review overly well, but I enjoyed it a lot. [It's a Wonderful Knife on IMDB] [Where to watch It's a Wonderful Knife]
Violent Night
Violent Night is high-energy and action packed that takes the classic Christmas story and turns it into quite the over-the-top adventure about a group of mercenaries who take a family hostage on Christmas Eve.
You will have a lot of fun with this film, trust me, I am a doctor after all.
A doctor of talking nonsense. [Violent Night on IMDB] [Where to watch Violent Night]
Anna and the Apocalypse
This film is a bit different, as you get some zombie action AND some musical numbers thrown in too, and is really underrated.
It's about a a zombie apocalypse that hits Anna's town, and along with her mates they must do what always happens in zombie films, and that is to survive.
Mix in some emotion and a really good soundtrack, Anna and the Apocalypse is one you need to watch if you haven't already. [Anna and the Apocalypse on IMDB] [Where to watch Anna and the Apocalypse]
Terrifier 3
Well, what can we say about this movie?
2024 was the year Terrifier and Art The Clown become mainstream, and in turn became a movie you have to add to your Christmas horror movie list.
Terrifier 3 is unapologetically nasty, and it’s hard to say exactly why people love it, but it’s clear it has struck a chord.
There’s something thrilling about a movie that doesn’t hold back, that delivers on its promise of blood, guts, and horror without a hint of restraint. [Terrifier 3 on IMDB] [Where To Watch Terrifier 3]
So that's my list of Christmas movies.
What are your favorite horror movies to watch at Christmas?