Top 15 Underrated Christmas Horror Movies You Didn't Know
Think about what comes to mind when you hear the phrase "Christmas movies." Holiday classics such as A Christmas Story, festive comedies such as National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and romantic made-for-TV movies from the Hallmark Channel are likely to spring to mind.
Author:Paolo ReynaReviewer:Camilo WoodSep 27, 2021399 Shares398.9K Views
Think about what comes to mind when you hear the phrase "Christmas movies." Holiday classics such as A Christmas Story, festive comedies such as National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and romantic made-for-TV movies from the Hallmark Channel are likely to spring to mind.
That being said, as any devoted horror fan can tell you, such uplifting flicks aren't the only festive watching choices available during this time of year. In the most frightening and unique horror films, the storyline is centered on a holiday that you wouldn't expect to see on Christmas.
This year, if you want to spice up your regular Christmas movie night routine, gather a bunch of your bravest pals and settle in for one of the holiday horror flicks listed below. All of the movies on this list are available for rent or buy via Amazon Prime Video, so renting or purchasing them is as simple as going into your Prime account and starting viewing.
Just keep in mind that the greatest Christmas horror movies aren't for the faint of heart so once you've finished viewing the choices below, you may want to watch one of our more light-hearted suggestions instead to relieve your stress.
Anna And The Apocalypse (2017)
This beautiful, feel-good musical romance from filmmaker John McPhail, which also happens to be a zombie movie, is almost definitely one of the nicest, most uplifting, most cheerful Christmas movies on the list. An epidemic of zombies strikes a tiny Scottish town, where a group of friends is just about to graduate high school and begin making preparations for the future when the film takes place.
Musical numbers that are based on the Buffy musical episode Once More With Feeling are mixed with creative festive murders a zombie snowman's decapitation is a standout example in a manner that doesn't seem forced or forced-sounding.
In large part, this is due to the very endearing performances given by the youthful ensemble, which is led by Ella Hunt, and to the adolescent problems, love, and heartache that serve as the background to the film. Paul Kaye also makes an appearance as the school's despotic headmaster. His musical numbers aren't the greatest, but he adds cartoon villain energy to an odd but really charming Christmas horror film that is much better than you would anticipate.
ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE Official Trailer (2018)
Black Christmas (1974)
The prospect of being stabbed in the back by a unicorn head as carolers sing "Silent Night" is definitely not what you had in mind for your Christmas Eve. Taking place in a sorority home, this pre-Scream Christmas slasher has frightening phone calls (without the use of a ghost mask), demonic sounds, corpses strangely wrapped in plastic wrap, and a twisted murderer whose voice alone is enough to make your blood freeze.
In the event that an unknown caller continues to annoy your whole sorority house with disgusting things you can only half-understand (since he sounds like a crazy Donald Duck who laughs like the Joker), you should leave immediately, even if it is 10 degrees outside.
The storm of murders continues to rage, with one victim being pulled screaming by a hook and another being beaten to death with a hammer. Forget about the one who has been smothered by plastic wrap and has been placed next to the window like a doll with a blank face gazing out into the night. After this, you'll have a hard time falling asleep in blissful tranquility.
Black Christmas (1974) - Official Trailer (HD)
Gremlins (1984)
Don't be misled by Gremlins' outward appearances of warmth and coziness; these tiny critters are not nearly as lovable as they seem. (If you've watched the Steven Spielberg masterpiece from 1984, you'll understand.)
Gremlins (1984) Official Trailer #1 - Horror Comedy
The Children (2008)
The Bad Seed, The Omen, and Children of the Corn are just a few of the films in the long and illustrious tradition of "evil kid" movies, which also includes this holiday-themed demon child adventure. To be fair, it's really more of a New Year's movie than a Christmas movie, but the period from December 24th to January 1st is a huge eggnog-soaked blur in any case.
A teenage Casey embarks on a road journey with her parents and younger siblings to see her aunt, uncle, and their children over the Christmas season in this UK independent. However, the children are suddenly struck down by an unknown illness, and it isn't long before things become gory.
The Children Trailer 2008
Krampus (2015)
It is said that Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon that punishes wayward children in European mythology, and those on the naughty list should keep an eye out for him over the Christmas season.
Krampus - Official Trailer (HD)
Silent Night (2012)
This sloppy recreation of Silent Night, Deadly Night from 2012 may be worth a watch if you liked the 1984 Christmas slasher Silent Night, Deadly Night.
Silent Night Official Trailer #1 (2012) - Santa Claus Horror Movie HD
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
And here it is the movie that inspired a million Hot Topic tees, the film that is a candidate for the title of greatest scary Christmas movie of all time. Sure, it doesn't have the scares that some of the other films on this list have; after all, it is a children's film.
Anyone who grew up watching it, however, is well aware that the story of Jack Skellington's mission to bring Christmas to Halloween Town is sufficiently frightening for its intended audience of children and adolescents.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Official Trailer #1 - Animated Movie
Jack Frost (1998)
No, I'm not referring to the popular Christmas animation. This adaptation of Jack Frost depicts a serial murderer called Jack Frost, who is turned into a malicious sentient snowman by the forces of nature.
Jack Frost (1998) Official Trailer - Michael Keaton Family Snowman Drama Movie HD
Better Watchout (2016)
In spite of the fact that it is not a horror film, Home Alone is unquestionably one of the most famous and memorable Christmas movies of all time. However, if it were to happen, it would resemble somewhat like Better Watch Out, a sleek reworking of the home invasion sub-genre that was released in 2007.
As Ashley, Olivia DeJonge portrays a babysitter who tries to defend her charge, 12-year-old Luke (Levi Miller), after they are attacked by burglars in Luke's house. However, not everything is as it seems. Episode 7 of Lucifer’s Season 6 is a review of the episode. The Wedding of One of My Best Friends
DeJonge and Miller spar well in a film that plays with gender and coming-of-age clichés while also including a slew of gory scene pieces, with Ed Oxenbould providing comic relief in the role of the father. A smart, hilarious, and horrific film by filmmaker Chris Peckover, it may not become a new Christmas tradition, but it should certainly be seen at least once in one's lifetime.
Better Watch Out Trailer 1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
The Children (2008)
The Bad Seed, The Omen, and Children of the Corn are just a few of the films in the long and illustrious tradition of "evil kid" movies, which also includes this holiday-themed demon child adventure. To be fair, it's really more of a New Year's movie than a Christmas movie, but the period from December 24th to January 1st is a huge eggnog-soaked blur in any case.
A teenage Casey embarks on a road journey with her parents and younger siblings to see her aunt, uncle, and their children over the Christmas season in this UK independent. However, the children are suddenly struck down by an unknown illness, and it isn't long before things become gory.
The Children Trailer 2008
A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
Anthology film from 2015 that tells the story of a series of terrifying tales that all take place on Christmas Eve, and which also features the dreadful Krampus as a supporting character.
A Christmas Horror Story TRAILER (HD) William Shatner Horror Movie 2015
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
As long as you don't mind seeing a horror film with subtitles, you'll want to add this ominous Finnish film to your holiday viewing schedule.
Rare Exports : A Christmas Tale | trailer #1 US (2010)
Christmas Evil (1980)
As writer/director, Lewis Jackson created a sharp and intelligent dark comedy that is more character study than a pure horror picture. It was his one and only feature film as a writer/director. Though director John Waters maintains that it is an amusing comedy about a closeted transsexual (of a kind), the film is much more than that it is the Taxi Driver of Yuletide shockers. As a result, Brandon Maggart portrays a character who takes Christmas much too seriously. His house is decorated for the holidays all year round, and Christmas songs are playing on the sound system in the background. Santa is his hero, a representation of everything that is fair and right in the world. He is a role model for him. He even has a job as a toy manufacturing worker.
He connects so strongly with Santa that he begins spying on the neighborhood children and compiling his own meticulously annotated bad and good lists. As the holiday season approaches, he becomes more aware of the amount of cynicism and hypocrisy that exists among his coworkers, employers, and the general public. As a result, he begins to act a bit strangely in his mind. It is his intention to reward the good and punish the bad that prompts him to seek out his suit, beard, and sword.
In the years following, Maggart has made a concerted effort to disassociate himself from the picture, yet he turns in an impressive performance as a solitary person whose mind is filled with both pleasure and anger. At the end of the day, the film remains the undisputed monarch of the sub-subgenre. Screw It's a Wonderful Life and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I don't watch any holiday movies save Blast of Silence and Invasion USA, and Christmas Evil is the only one I watch every year.
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Saint (2017)
But what if, instead of being an elderly gentleman with a heart of gold, Santa Claus was a bloodthirsty, homicidal bishop? With this horror film from the Netherlands, you can anticipate a reimagining of the genre.
Saint Maud | Official Trailer HD | A24
Dead End (2003)
Even those who like their Christmas movies to be devoid of violence may agree that flying over the holidays is the most difficult aspect of the season.
As squabbling parents on a holiday road trip, Lin Shaye and Ray Wise (Twin Peaks) are confronted by a strange lady in white as well as a frightening hearse in this English-language French thriller.
Dead End (2003) Official Trailer
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
In part because of its reflections on temptation and adultery, this film is often considered to be more of a steamy film than a frightening one. While the film has become well-known for its orgy sequence, the fact is that the orgy took place right in the midst of a murder cult's ritual gathering.
And what about those masks? They're a little bit frightening, really. Despite the fact that it takes place during the holiday season, this film is very gloomy.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Official Trailer - Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman Movie HD
Jump to
Anna And The Apocalypse (2017)
Black Christmas (1974)
Gremlins (1984)
The Children (2008)
Krampus (2015)
Silent Night (2012)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Jack Frost (1998)
Better Watchout (2016)
The Children (2008)
A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
Christmas Evil (1980)
Saint (2017)
Dead End (2003)
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Paolo Reyna
Author
Paolo Reyna is a writer and storyteller with a wide range of interests. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies.
Paolo enjoys writing about celebrity culture, gaming, visual arts, and events. He has a keen eye for trends in popular culture and an enthusiasm for exploring new ideas. Paolo's writing aims to inform and entertain while providing fresh perspectives on the topics that interest him most.
In his free time, he loves to travel, watch films, read books, and socialize with friends.
Camilo Wood
Reviewer
Camilo Wood has over two decades of experience as a writer and journalist, specializing in finance and economics. With a degree in Economics and a background in financial research and analysis, Camilo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his writing.
Throughout his career, Camilo has contributed to numerous publications, covering a wide range of topics such as global economic trends, investment strategies, and market analysis. His articles are recognized for their insightful analysis and clear explanations, making complex financial concepts accessible to readers.
Camilo's experience includes working in roles related to financial reporting, analysis, and commentary, allowing him to provide readers with accurate and trustworthy information. His dedication to journalistic integrity and commitment to delivering high-quality content make him a trusted voice in the fields of finance and journalism.
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