For many people, the holidays are a time to relax and escape from the stresses of everyday life. But for others, the holidays are actually a time of strain and anxiety.
Horror Christmas movies provide a perfect outlet for those who need a little extra excitement (or a touch of cynicism) in their lives during the obnoxiously warm, fuzzy feelings of the holidays.
These dark films offer a new, albeit non-traditional, way to escape the generic seasonal feelings and enjoy a good rush of adrenaline. These modern films are politely asking for just an hour or two of your time this holiday season.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is a 2010 Finnish fantasy horror comedy film directed by Jalmari Helander and based on his 2003 short film Rare Exports Inc.. The film stars Tommi Korpela as Aimo, a man who sets out to capture Santa Claus with the help of his father and a group of other hunters.
Krampus (2015)
Krampus is a 2015 American horror comedy film based on the eponymous character from Germanic folklore. The film was written and directed by Michael Dougherty (the writer/director of 2007’s Trick ‘r Treat), and stars Adam Scott, Toni Collette, Allison Tolman, David Koechner, and Conchata Ferrell. The film follows a family who are visited by the titular character after their young son loses faith in Santa Claus.
Better Watch Out (2016)
The 2016 film, Better Watch Out, is a thriller about a young boy who is home alone with his babysitter on Christmas Eve when strange things start happening. The film ends with a bloody good time (hint, hint). The cast includes Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould, Dacre Montgomery, Levi Miller, and Virginia Madsen.
Anna And The Apocalypse (2017)
The film is set in the fictional town of Little Haven in Scotland and follows a group of high school students who must fight for their lives against a zombie apocalypse. The cast includes Ella Hunt as the titular character, Malcolm Cumming, Sarah Swire, Christopher Leveaux, and Marli Siu. Film site First Showing famously exclaimed that the film was “Shaun Of The Dead Meets La La Land.”
If you’re seeking even more Christmas Horror titles, check out…
- Inside (2007)
- A Christmas Hour Story (2015)
- The Lodge (2019)
- The Advent Calendar (2020)
- The Retaliators (2021)
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