Christmas and horror feel like polar opposites. Christmas carries a particular joy and whimsy that's difficult to replicate, while horror shines its light on the dark underbelly of humanity and supernatural unknowns. However, it's this very contrast that makes them work so well together. Mashing lighthearted holiday cheer with macabre themes and imagery can be delightfully twisted when done right.
With the holiday season creeping near, now is the best time to dive into Christmas horror. While Black Christmas (1974) is always a good place to start, this list tells you how to continue your "Creepmas" watchathon past this old classic. From well-loved favorites to lesser-known gems, here are the 10 best Christmas horror movies to watch this season and beyond. Streamers like HBO Max, Hulu, and more have your new favorite film lurking in their libraries now.
Gremlins (1984)
Despite its dark humor, Gremlins carries a widespread appeal. Whether you're a horror aficionado or a genre newcomer, you're sure to fall in love with Joe Dante's horror comedy that sees the titular creatures unleashed on an unassuming town on Christmas Eve. With a controversial PG rating, Gremlins isn't quite suited for the whole family. However, the '80s-steeped practical effects and over-the-top violence should be fine for older kids, specifically teenagers.
As one of the most famous Christmas horror movies of all time, Gremlins warrants a spot on anyone's watch list. Yes, it's silly, but beneath all the chaos lies solid commentary about the dangers of consumerism. And, hey, if giving the middle finger to holiday exploitation and overconsumption speaks to you, Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) takes the message even further.
Jack Frost (1997)
Not to be confused with the Michael Keaton-starring movie of the same name, 1997's Jack Frost posits what would happen if a serial killer transformed into a mutant snowman after a chemical accident. The answer? Absolute stupidity. To even put it on a "best Christmas horror movie" list is… questionable. However, I'd argue Jack Frost is still a great movie, just for the right type of audience.
With a "so bad, it's good" vibe, Jack Frost has a certain charm that's sure to leave B-movie fans wildly entertained. It's corny, campy, and delightfully low-budget, although a rather disturbing moment of sexual violence hurts what is otherwise a fun time. If that particular trigger doesn't turn you away, though, expect a movie that feels like Child's Play (1988) got a bad Christmas makeover.
Dead End (2003)
If you're looking for less comedy and more psychological thriller, Dead End is your answer. Twin Peaks' Ray Wise and horror legend Lin Shaye lead a family of adult children who find themselves on a never-ending road trip on Christmas Eve night. Foggy, dark, and sufficiently compelling, Dead End feels like an episode of The Twilight Zone (1959).
Even if it isn't entirely groundbreaking, Dead End is the type of movie that sticks with you nonetheless. The performances are on point, but the film's desolate, forest-lined setting is just as much of a star. Dead End isn't for audiences who want festivity with their Christmas horror. This movie is bleak, but in that gritty psychological thriller way.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
I never get tired of recommending Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale. Why? Well, maybe because it takes such an outlandish premise and makes it feel grounded. In this universe, Santa Claus isn't a jolly old man; he is an archaic creature with hundreds of wild elves at his disposal. Like I said, Rare Exports is outlandish but manages to feel believable by tethering its story to a dysfunctional father and his young son.
Equal parts dark fantasy and survival horror, Rare Exports is for the horror cinephile who thinks they've seen everything. Again, don't press the play button on this one expecting comedy akin to Gremlins. Instead, Rare Exports offers grim commentary on consumerism and the exploitation of Christmas with the setting and suspense of John Carpenter's The Thing (1982).
A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
If deciding on one type of Christmas horror movie is too difficult, consider A Christmas Horror Story. Featuring four different but interconnected stories, this 2015 horror anthology offers something a little different every time it switches gears with William Shatner's interludes as a radio DJ. Story Two is a personal favorite, and arguably, the scariest out of the lot.
Essentially, A Christmas Horror Story is Trick' r Treat (2007) with a Christmas makeover. So, if that type of storytelling is your vibe, buckle up. It might not be a masterpiece, but A Christmas Horror Story is a fun romp nonetheless.
Krampus (2015)
Krampus is a near-annual favorite of mine, and as someone who has seen it probably a half-dozen times since its release, I vouch for it as a fun, slasher-esque crowdpleaser. Following a dysfunctional family's encounter with the titular creature and his minions, Krampus expertly balances its horror and comedy. Fun and suspenseful enough for horror veterans to get behind, the movie also never gets too scary or gory to alienate scaredy-cats.
It's got a B-movie feel that's elevated by a big budget and strong performances from a cast including names like Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, and Allison Tolman, to name a few. If you like campy horror movies, Krampus delivers. After all, it's not every day you get to witness a giant Jack in the Box swallow a kid whole.
Better Watch Out (2016)
Are home invasion movies your thing? Then, think of Better Watch Out like a mash-up of Home Alone (1990) and The Strangers (2008), except here, a babysitter rises up to defend her twelve-year-old charge from unknown intruders. Unlike those other movies, though, Better Watch Out has a pretty shocking twist that's best enjoyed without spoilers. Still, even those who've seen the movie before can enjoy all the foreshadowing.
Set during the Christmas season, the movie creatively uses holiday decor, like string lights and ornaments, to great effect. While that's not necessarily unique to this film, what really sets Better Watch Out apart is the subversion of genre tropes. When it starts, you might think you've seen this type of movie before, but I guarantee you haven't.
The Lodge (2019)
If you're a fan of dark, atmospheric horror, get acquainted with The Lodge. Set during Christmas, the story sees a troubled woman and her two soon-to-be step-children stranded at a remote lodge. As expected from any good psychological horror movie, things unravel and lead to the audience questioning reality right alongside the main character.
While this is technically a Christmas movie, The Lodge is equally unsettling and grim. If you like slow-burn horror, you get all that and more. What initially feels like a story ripped from an M Night Shyamalan movie, ultimately delivers the thrills and chills of something like The Innocents (1961) or Goodnight Mommy (2015).
I Trapped the Devil (2019)
I Trapped the Devil feels like a movie that should've been adapted from a book. The film kicks off with a couple, Matt (A. J. Bowen) and Karen (Susan Theresa Burke), traveling to the home of Matt's estranged brother, Steve (Scott Poythress), for Christmas, only to discover he has a man locked up in his basement. If that isn't unusual enough, Steve claims this strange man is actually the Devil.
Know going in that I Trapped the Devil is a slow burn with minimal action. The film is a think piece that explores themes like faith, evil, and family dysfunction. Mysterious and psychological, I Trapped the Devil has an arthouse style that won't appeal to everyone, but it will work for those craving something atmospheric and different this holiday season.
Terrifier 3 (2024)
Terrifier 3 might not be winning any Oscars, but, like Jack Frost, it's a sure hit for the right type of audience. While Terrifier (2018) isn't necessarily mandatory viewing, Terrifier 3 will make a lot more sense if you watch Terrifier 2 (2022), considering it brings Sienna Shaw (Lauren Lavera) back to face off against Art the Clown again.
If splatter-fests like Dead Alive (1992) or See No Evil (2006) are your jam, you'll love Terrifier 3. The movie's over-the-top violence, paired with the glowy Christmastime setting, makes for a delightful, demented pairing. Art remains as engaging as ever, but his accomplice, Victoria Heyes (Samantha Scaffidi), is quite the scene-stealer herself.
