While Christmas is often associated with joy, warmth, and togetherness, there’s also a dark and mysterious side to the holiday season that has captivated horror fans for years.
There’s something uniquely thrilling about merging the cheer of Christmas with the chilling suspense of horror films. If you’re looking to add a bit of eerie excitement to your holiday festivities, here are some of the best horror films to watch at Christmas.
Get ready to experience a different kind of holiday spirit with our five picks…
1. ‘Gremlins’ (1984)
‘Gremlins’ is a cult classic that cleverly blends elements of horror and comedy. The story follows a young man named Billy who receives a mysterious pet called a Mogwai as a Christmas gift. However, he soon discovers that there are three crucial rules to follow: keep it away from bright light, don’t get it wet, and never feed it after midnight. When these rules are broken, chaos ensues as mischievous and malevolent Gremlins wreak havoc in their small town during the holiday season.
2. ‘Krampus’ (2015)
‘Krampus’ delves into the darker side of holiday traditions. The film centres around a dysfunctional family forced to come together for Christmas. When a young boy loses his holiday spirit and accidentally summons the ancient and malevolent Krampus, the family must fight to survive the night as the monstrous creatures terrorize them. ‘Krampus’ is a unique and twisted take on the holiday spirit, blending folklore with horror in a darkly entertaining way.
3. ‘Black Christmas’ (1974)
Considered one of the earliest slasher films, ‘Black Christmas’ predates iconic horror franchises like Halloween and Friday the 13th. The story revolves around a sorority house that is terrorized by mysterious, obscene phone calls, which escalate into a series of gruesome murders. This suspenseful and chilling film is a quintessential choice for those who enjoy a classic, atmospheric horror experience with a Christmas twist.
4. ‘Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale’ (2010)
This Finnish horror-comedy film offers a unique and whimsical take on the legend of Santa Claus. In ‘Rare Exports’, a group of villagers discover that the real Santa is not the jolly gift-giver we know but a dark and malevolent entity. When they accidentally unearth him, chaos and horror ensue. The film blends humor, fantasy, and horror into a wonderfully weird and thrilling holiday adventure.
5. ‘Silent Night, Deadly Night’ (1984)
‘Silent Night, Deadly Night’ is a controversial but undeniably iconic horror film. It tells the story of a young man, traumatized by witnessing his parents’ murder by a man dressed as Santa Claus, who grows up to become a killer Santa himself. This slasher film combines the innocence of Christmas with gruesome violence, creating a polarizing but memorable holiday horror experience.
