28 Best Christmas Horror Movies: Festive Holiday 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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28 Christmas Horror Movies

1. Krampus (2015)

• Director: Michael Dougherty
• Cast: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner
• Genre: Horror, Comedy
• Rating: PG-13
• IMDB: IMDb

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
• Genre: Slasher, Mystery
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

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
• Cast: George Buza, William Shatner, Rob Archer
• Genre: Fantasy, Horror
• Rating: Not Rated
• IMDB: IMDb

“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.

4. Krampus: The Devil Returns (2016)

• Director: Jason Hull
• Cast: R.A. Mihailoff, Melantha Blackthorne, Colby Coash
• Genre: Horror, Fantasy
• Rating: Not Rated
• IMDB: IMDb

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
• Genre: Thriller, Mystery
• Rating: Not Rated
• IMDB: IMDb

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
• Genre: Comedy, Slasher
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

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
• Genre: Thriller, Fantasy
• Rating: Not Rated
• IMDB: IMDb

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
• Genre: Fantasy, Horror
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

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.

9. Black Christmas (1974)

• Director: Bob Clark
• Cast: Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder
• Genre: Slasher, Mystery
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

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
• Genre: Slasher, Thriller
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

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.

11. Better Watch Out (2016)

• Director: Chris Peckover
• Cast: Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould
• Genre: Thriller, Comedy
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

“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.

12. Christmas Evil (1980)

• Director: Lewis Jackson
• Cast: Brandon Maggart, Jeffrey DeMunn, Dianne Hull
• Genre: Horror, Drama
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

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.

13. Elves (1989)

• Director: Jeff Mandel
• Cast: Dan Haggerty, Julie Austin, Deanna Haas
• Genre: Horror, Comedy
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

“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
• Genre: Comedy, Horror
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

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.

15. Dead End (2003)

• Director: Jean-Baptiste Andrea, Fabrice Canepa
• Cast: Ray Wise, Lin Shaye, Mick Cain
• Genre: Thriller, Mystery
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

“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
• Genre: Thriller, Mystery
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

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
• Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
• Rating: Not Rated
• IMDB: IMDb

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.

18. Letters to Satan Claus (2020)

• Director: Emma Jean Sutherland
• Cast: Karen Knox, A.J. Vaage, Scott Cavalheiro
• Genre: Comedy, Horror
• Rating: Not Rated
• IMDB: IMDb

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
• Genre: Horror
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

When a group of mercenaries attack the estate of a wealthy family, Santa Claus must step in to save the day (and Christmas). (from imdb)

20. The Advent Calendar (2021)

• Director: Patrick Ridremont
• Cast: Eugénie Derouand, Béatrice Dalle, Nicolas Koretzky
• Genre: Fantasy, Horror
• Rating: Not Rated
• IMDB: IMDb

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.

21. Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)

• Director: John McPhail
• Cast: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Sarah Swire
• Genre: Comedy, Horror, Musical
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

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
• Genre: Comedy, Horror
• Rating: Not Rated
• IMDB: IMDb

“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.

23. Inside (2007)

• Director: Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury
• Cast: Béatrice Dalle, Alysson Paradis, Nathalie Roussel
• Genre: Horror, Thriller
• Rating: Not Rated
• IMDB: IMDb

“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
• Genre: Dark Comedy, Thriller
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

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.

25. Don’t Open ‘Til Christmas (1984)

• Director: Edmund Purdom
• Cast: Edmund Purdom, Alan Lake, Belinda Mayne
• Genre: Slasher, Mystery
• Rating: R
• IMDB: IMDb

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.

26. Wind Chill (2007)

• Director: Gregory Jacobs
• Cast: Emily Blunt, Ashton Holmes, Martin Donovan
• Genre: Thriller, Mystery
• Rating: PG-13
• IMDB: IMDb

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)

27. Red Christmas (2016)

• Director: Craig Anderson
• Cast: Dee Wallace, Geoff Morrell, Sarah Bishop
• Genre: Thriller, Drama
• Rating: Not Rated
• IMDB: 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.

28. Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022)

• Director: Joe Begos
• Cast: Riley Dandy, Sam Delich, Jonah Ray
• Genre: Horror
• Rating: Not Rated
• IMDB: IMDb

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)

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Thanks for reading this article for Christmas horror movie inspiration!

If you love horror, than checkout our other articles on horror movies!

If you like FREE horror movies, than checkout our article 25 Free Horror Movies to Stream on Tubi: Horror Fan Favorites.

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