Though Halloween may be the height of horror-watching season, there are plenty of Christmas-themed horror movies to tide over even the most discerning fan this holiday season.
Christmas horror has a surprisingly long tradition of delivering frights in wintry cold months, when people would rather sit inside and curl up by a fire, safe and sound with their loved ones. In many ways, it's the prime setting for a horror film. The days are shorter, the nights are darker and last longer, and there's a false sense of security that can creep in when people feel that cheer is meant to linger in the air amongst magical, fresh snowfall.
Even though many horror films that utilize Christmas as a setting share similar themes, there have been a few that have extended out of the box and tread new ground. Others with a more traditional theme have stood the test of time because, like the season itself, they are classics, beloved by genre fans for decades. One title in particular is set to join the rare ranks of horror films that have been remade not only once prior, but twice. Here are some of the very best picks for Christmas horror.
Black Christmas (1974) / Black Christmas (2006)
The original Black Christmas (1974), a Canadian slasher film that doesn't hold up particularly well in terms of modern-day special effects, but it's still an entertaining entry into the world of Christmas horror. It's the title most often related to this sub-genre and has become a benchmark for others that have followed.
Black Christmas got its inspiration from an urban legend called "the babysitter and the man upstairs" which inspired iconic horror line "have you checked the children?" The story is based on a series of real murders in Quebec. The film is about a madman who stalks and attempts to murder members of a sorority. The 2006 remake stayed fairly true to the original, but gave the killer a richer backstory. Blumhouse Productions backed a third remake that releases December 13, 2019 from director Sophia Takal which teases a bloody battle between sorority girls and the fraternity brothers who are hunting them in a feminist spin.
Gremlins (1984)
Gremlins (1984) introduced audiences to the adorable - but potentially deadly - Mogwai. Mogwai are an alien species that a struggling inventor discovers through an interaction with a mysterious shopkeeper. He brings one of the Mogwai, Gizmo, home to his son Billy for Christmas and notes the very particular rules that accompanied the furry, wide-eyed pet. Rule one: no bright lights or sunlight (this will kill it). Rule two: don't get it wet. Rule three (and the most important): never feed it after midnight.
Billy is a good caretaker for Gizmo, but after his friend accidentally spills a glass of water on the furry creature, things start to go downhill. Billy and his family quickly learn why these rules must never be broken as the Mogwai start to multiply and morph into dangerous, mischievous monsters known as 'Gremlins.' While the film's setting is Christmas, it's enjoyable any time of year. Gremlins is a holiday staple, is reasonably kid-appropriate, and fun to watch with the whole family.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) is another Christmas slasher film. It follows the tale of Billy, who who went mad after witnessing his parents' brutal murder on Christmas Eve. To make matters worse, he ended up in an orphanage where he suffered a range of abuse at the hands of cruel captors and grew up hating the holidays. Following a psychological break that is triggered by the holidays, Billy dons a Santa suit and decides to spread terror instead of joy.
Though it is incredibly campy and doesn't particularly hold up well with age, the film's more hilarious aspects have earned it a cult following. Silent Night, Deadly Night abides by most of the rules of classic slasher films, but has a holiday angle that leaves room for a wild setting that is, again, unconventional for this sort of film. It also inspired four sequels and a remake, Silent Night, in 2012.
P2 (2007)
P2 is a horror-thriller that steps outside of the Christmas theme in that it is almost unrecognizable as such except for taking place on Christmas Eve. Even so, it's packed with talent behind the camera director Franck Khalfoun, who remade the classic slasher Maniac, which is one of the earlier works from Alexandre Aja (Crawl). Rachel Nichols and Wes Bentley star and play a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse when a woman (Nichols) finds that she's trapped in her parking lot and at the mercy of a man she rejected (Bentley) after she stays too late at the office on Christmas Eve.
Nichols delivers a stunning performance in P2. Fans of American Horror Story will likely be fond of this one, as it features alum Bentley in another magnificently creepy role. Horror fans who love movies with strong final girls will find a lot to love about this movie.
Krampus (2015)
Krampus (2015) is based on the Eastern European folk tale of Krampus, a half-goat man, half-demon who comes to call on Christmas when children have misbehaved. Where Santa Claus rewards the good children, it's up to Krampus to punish those on the naughty list.
Not only is Krampus effective because of its setting, which is on Christmas and is filled with bright lights, ornaments, and snow, but it also adds an element of the claustrophobia that so many experience when they gather with their families during the holidays. The Engel family are most certainly dysfunctional, which is part of the reason Krampus shows up at their door one fateful night. This movie really plays with fantasy elements, which blends nicely with the theme and scares and makes for a atmospheric viewing experience.
Anna and The Apocalypse (2017)
Anna and the Apocalypse (2017) delivers Christmas joy, zombies, gore, teen romance, and singing all in one darkly comedic package. The original musical explores what life would be like if everyone woke up to find that the world was overrun by zombies, seemingly overnight. It's gentler than most post-apocalyptic settings and mixes in heart and tenderness.
While the premise is certainly ridiculous, fans of Shaun of the Dead and Riverdale will likely find a lot to love about this horror-comedy. Audiences who enjoy less horror and more heart will gravitate to this one as well, but there's enough blood and guts to satisfy the more hardcore horror aficionados as well.