10 Best Horror Films For The Holiday Season

TV & Film

Nov 12

Black Christmas 2019 — Image Source: IMDB

While the Halloween season has officially ended and the Holiday season has arrived, there is never a bad time to watch a horror film. Most people think of prime horror film time as the fall season, but there are tons of horror films that are set during the summer and the holidays.

If you are a horror film fan looking for something to watch this holiday season, I got you covered! Here is my list of the 10 horror films you should check out during the holidays this year, and where to find them!

10. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

I chose to put it at number 10 since I am sure a few people will argue that it is not technically a horror film, but I felt it would fit great on this list! The film is cinematically stunning, and while it does not take place all on Christmas day, the climax of the film does occur on Christmas, making it a Christmas film, in my opinion.

RELATED:

Featured

Which Addams Has Been The Kookiest, Spookiest, And/Or Ookiest?

A loving scientist creates a human named Edward, who lives with him in his castle on a hill above a cookie-cutter suburban neighborhood. Unfortunately, the scientist dies before he can finish Edward, leaving him with scissors for his hands and in the castle alone. Years later, he is discovered by an Avon saleswoman who takes him into her home and hopes he will become a part of her family. Poor Edward is manipulated by the women in the neighborhood and is shown that not all humans are as kind as those that took him in. This film is great for any time of year but especially for the holidays!

Edward Scissorhands is available to watch on Disney+.

9. Black Christmas (2006)

This is a remake and reimagining of the 1974 film of the same name. While both the original and the remake are great, I prefer the cast in the remake.

The film follows a group of sorority girls who are stranded in their on-campus house during a snowstorm. What the sisters do not know is that decades earlier, the home was the scene of abuse, sexual assault, and murder. After witnessing the murder of his father and suffering abuse by his mother, Billy murdered his family and was then locked away. The secrets were then swept under the rug. Unfortunately, he has returned to his home, and with the snowstorm, he now has a captive pool of victims. The film is heavy on gore and uncomfortable subject matter, but it is still an enjoyable horror film.

Black Christmas is available to watch on Hulu.

8. Silent Night (2012)

This is the sixth installment of the Silent Night, Deadly Night horror franchise. The film follows the population of a small town who are being terrorized by a serial killer dressed as Santa Claus. The masked killer is murdering anyone that he deems naughty. Thanks to the Christmas Eve festivities, he is able to hide in plain sight.

Silent Night is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.

7. A Christmas Horror Story (2015)

This lesser-known film features William Shatner as a DJ, who leads the viewer through four different tales of horror featuring Krampus, a possession, changlings, and zombies. Each horrifying tale takes place in the small town of Bailey Downs and proves that even Santa isn’t safe from the terror. This is definitely more on the campy side of horror, but it is an absolute blast nonetheless.

A Christmas Horror Story is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.

6. Anna And The Apocalypse (2018)

The film focuses on Anna and her group of friends as they prepare for the end of their high school days and the beginning of the rest of their lives. On the day of their Christmas Show, zombies invade the small town of Little Haven and force Anna and her friends to fight off the deadly horde as they attempt to rescue their loved ones. This horror comedy musical is an absolute blast for any horror fan this holiday season.

Anna and the Apocalypse is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.

5. Better Watch Out (2016)

This is an interesting take on the stereotypical babysitter horror film. The film follows Ashley as she babysits Luke, a 12-year-old boy who has developed a crush on her over the time that she has been babysitting him. The two begin to hear noises outside the home followed by someone breaking in. Ashley immediately begins to protect the young boy and prepares to fight off the attacker. When it turns out that the “attacker” is one of Luke’s friends, Ashley thinks all is safe. She was wrong. What unfolds next is true nightmare fuel for anyone that has ever babysat a preteen.

Better Watch Out is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.

4. Krampus (2015)

Most American audiences had no idea who Krampus was until the 2015 film was released. The beast featured prominently in European folklore is said to kidnap naughty children on Christmas Eve and punish them while Santa delivers gifts to the good children. The film follows a dysfunctional family whose fighting leads their son to lose his Christmas spirit. This unleashes the wrath of the beast on the family who must now band together if they hope to survive their holiday.

Krampus is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

I’m not sure what horror fan has not seen this film, but if you haven’t, then you have to check it out this year! The film is a cult classic for a reason as it features stunning animation, great music, and endearing characters. The film follows Jack Skellington, “The Pumpkin King,” as he longs for something new and different. He discovers that he lives in Halloweentown and that there are other holidays that he has never experienced. After deciding that he is going to take over Christmas and give Mr. Sandy Claus a break, all of his plans come crashing down around him, literally. This a great film for fans of all ages and is a nice break from the typical holiday movies.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is available to watch on Disney+.

2. Black Christmas (2019)

Black Christmas 2019 Remake — Image Source: Refinery29

This is a loose adaptation of the 1974 film mentioned earlier on this list. I do want to give a trigger warning with this one as it does deal with sexual assault, trauma, and victim blaming. This film is great and is perfect for newer horror fans who do not want a ton of gore and jump scares in their movies.

The film follows a group of sorority sisters who are planning to stay on campus for the holiday season. The action starts right away as the girls attempt to report that one of their sisters has gone missing. We learn that another one of the sisters was assaulted at a party the year before and is currently working through the trauma of the event and the aftermath. There is a glorious scene where the girls get their revenge on the person that assaulted her, but that is quickly overshadowed by the terror that the girls endure at the hands of masked assailants. It is a great campy horror film, especially during the holidays!

Black Christmas is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.

1. Gremlins (1984)

This is one of my favorite holiday films, and it fits so well on a list like this. In Chinatown, a gadget salesman finds the perfect gift for his teenage son, a small furry creature called “mogwai” that he is warned can never get wet, be exposed to direct sunlight, or be fed after midnight. What starts out as a precious furry creature turns into an evil gang of troublemakers when the rules are broken. As Christmas day unfolds, the small snow-covered town is terrorized by the tiny creatures, and it is up to two teenagers and one unchanged “mogwai” to save the day.

Gremlins is available to watch on HBO Max.

READ NEXT:

Featured