While classic movies like Home Alone and Christmas Vacation will always feel perfect when snow starts falling, there’s something fun about watching a horror movie during the holiday season. Although October will always be a popular month to watch favorite scary flicks thanks to people getting into the Halloween spirit, a chilly winter night also feels like a nice moment to watch a horror movie or revisit a favorite one.
From classics from decades past to more contemporary movies, Redditors are sharing their favorite horror movies that are about Christmas, and many people enjoy watching these just as much as the typical festive fare.
Anna And The Apocalypse (2017)
Stream on AMC+ and Shudder
Redditor AllFuzzedOut recommended “Anna and the Apocalypse,” which is a great idea for horror fans looking for a blend of genres since it’s also a musical. Anna Shepherd is a teenager in Little Haven, Scotland who has to fight off zombies. It’s an enjoyable, underrated film that doesn’t always get mentioned when talking about horror movies focusing on the holidays.
The movie takes a lighthearted approach to zombies, which is fun to see, and since the story is set during the winter holidays, there are some unique elements like a zombie who resembles a snowman.
Dead End (2003)
Stream on Tubi and rent on AppleTV
Redditor AtLeastImGenreSavvy said “There’s a great Christmas horror film called Dead End. I love it.” The movie is about a family’s December 24th car ride that becomes sinister and strange. Laura and Frank Harrington and their kids see a mysterious woman and have a horrifying experience.
Several horror movies explore if characters are dealing with reality or fantasy, and the final moments of Dead End will leave audiences debating what really happened during this story.
Christmas Evil (1980)
Stream on AMC+ and Shudder
Redditor surya_1349 recommended “Christmas Evil” which is also a fun pick for those who love watching horror movies from the 1980s, especially since it’s about a scary Santa Claus who is on a rampage.
There are several films that tell stories about a killer Santa Claus, and since the character is typically innocent, riding a sleigh and bringing children presents, it’s always memorable when Santa is dangerous and scary.
Night Of The Comet (1984)
Unavailable to stream
While some Christmas-themed horror focuses on evil Santas, others explore a world where celebrating a happy holiday is the last thing on the main characters’ minds because there is a terrible threat. Redditor haonon said “I have been on a binge of this specific genre for the last few weeks!” and recommended “Night Of The Comet.“
Night Of The Comet is about teenage siblings living in California when a comet passes through Earth, an anticipated event that freaks everyone out. The underrated movie might deal with serious subject matter, but it has a light tone that is just right for the winter holidays.
P2 (2007)
Stream on Hoopla and rent on AppleTV
In P2, car trouble becomes a nightmare when Angela Bridges works long hours at her office, goes into the parking garage, and finds that her car isn’t working. That’s the least of her worries when Thomas Barclay, the security guard, becomes dangerous. Redditor bbk8z called it a “really fun Christmas movie” and added that they are “definitely going to add it to my yearly holiday rotation.”
Since the movie happens during Christmas, that adds a scary layer since the holiday is supposed to be focused on presents and food and feeling merry. Angela’s fight to get out is fast-paced from the very beginning.
Black Christmas (1974)
Stream on Peacock
Redditor MrAnonymous117 called Black Christmas “the definitive Christmas horror film, as well as simply being one of the best slasher films of all time.”
There are so many Christmas movies to pick from, whether someone is in the mood for Hallmark romance or a movie about Santa Claus, and Black Christmas is a perfect horror movie set during the holiday season. Many fans talk about rewatching the original rather than watching the 2006 and 2019 remakes, and the story about sorority sisters who are targeted by a killer will always feel fresh.
Better Watch Out (2016)
Stream on Prime Video
Better Watch Out is a popular scary movie set at Christmas that fans often talk about since it’s got a surprising twist. Redditor Popular_Patience6877 thinks “Better watch out is a great modern slasher!”
Thanks to the urban legend about a babysitter, there’s always going to be something terrifying about someone alone in a house at night while looking after children, and Better Watch Out doesn’t disappoint when it comes to a festive feeling, a horrifying plot, and lots of shock value.
Krampus (2015)
Stream on Fubo or Rent on AppleTV
One Redditor wrote, “In my house it is a tradition to watch Krampus.” Several fans replied that they do the same thing.
After learning about the scary figure Krampus, it’s entertaining to watch this horror movie since it’s a bit campy and funny. The movie stars Toni Collette and Adam Scott, and it feels like a fun story to watch when someone is in the mood to be scared but also wants to celebrate the season.
A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
Stream on AMC+
There are some great Christmas anthology TV episodes, and it’s also fun to find a movie that tells a few different stories about a scary holiday season.
One Redditor recommends A Christmas Horror Story and described it as “4 short stories/movies packed in one film. It’s great.” In the first memorable tale, students spend time at their creepy school and are attacked by a ghost. The second puts an interesting spin on a mythological creature during the hunt for a Christmas tree. The third story is about Krampus, and the fourth is about elves turning into zombies.
The Children (2008)
Rent on AppleTV
While several Christmas movies tell heartwarming family tales and feature cute children excited about seeing gifts under a decorated tree, The Children is definitely a different vibe. Redditor the_small_dogs called the film “a pretty good Christmas/infected movie. Has some creepy kids and good gore.”
The movie is set before New Year’s and tells the story of two kids, Leah and Nicky, who get sick and who spread it to others. Before too long, it becomes clear that when children get this illness, they become evil murderers.
Santa’s Slay (2005)
Stream on Fubo and Peacock
One Redditor recommended “Santa’s Slay” as a good horror movie to watch at Christmastime, and the title is a smart play on words that adds some scariness to the holiday season.
It doesn’t get much scarier than Santa Claus being an evil killer. In this movie, the familiar figure murders a family while they are celebrating the holiday and talking about how much money they have. While not the most highly reviewed movie, many people enjoy watching it each year and consider it a solid slasher about this time of year.
Jack Frost (1997)
Stream on Prime Video
While Jack Frost is a beloved ’90s children’s movie, it’s also the title of a Christmas horror movie that has quite the following.
Redditor bbk8z shared, “I love Jack Frost, really fun.” The 1997 movie tells the story of serial killer Jack Frost who gets into an accident and turns into a snowman. He wants nothing more than to murder Sheriff Sam, who originally found him and tried to punish him.
Rare Exports (2010)
Stream on Hulu
Rare Exports is another Christmas horror movie that many people recommend. One Redditor said, “It’s become a staple for me… can’t wait until mid December to watch again.”
The 2010 movie tells the story of Juuso and Pietari, who think that they have found Santa Claus’s tomb, but this Santa Claus is terrifying. This discovery changes everything as kids start going missing. While some cheesy and fun Christmas movies are about saving Christmas, this one has the same storyline, but there is even more of a reason to protect people this holiday season.
Gremlins (1984)
Stream on HBO Max
Redditor OliOli1234 recommended Gremlins, calling it “a classic” and saying “though kind of a mild horror flick in comparison.”
Gremlins has many funny quotes and it’s considered a horror movie that is also hilarious and manages to evoke that warm and cozy holiday season feeling. The little creatures are so cute that it’s easy to forget how powerful and evil they are.
Await Further Instructions (2018)
Rent on AppleTV
One Redditor recommended “Await Further Instructions” as a great Christmas horror movie, which sees a family having a terrifying holiday celebration.
In this 2018 movie, a family is trying to get through Christmas when they realize that they can’t leave their house, and they have to hear about what’s going on through instructions via the TV. Their house is also coated in a weird black substance. It’s definitely a unique idea and makes navigating tricky family dynamics at Christmas seem totally easy in comparison.
