Christmas is typically a time for cheer, merriment, and joyous events. For horror fans, Christmas is also a perfect time to watch a very niche sub-genre of movie masterpieces: Holiday Horrors. Christmas Horror films got their start from a tradition originating during celebrations of Winter Solstice, where they would reflect on the death of winter and rebirth of warmer months to come.
These five movies are on my personal must-watch list when it comes to the most wonderful time of year.
1. A Christmas Carol
Although this isn’t your first idea when it comes to holiday horrors, it is a classic. Less gory than other movies in the category, A Christmas Carol is one of the first cinematic masterpieces that inspires fear with the Christmas spirit. Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly man who enjoys making others feel small, finds out that the holidays are about much more than being rich in wealth when 3 ghosts visit him and show him the error of his ways.
2. Gremlins
I know you’re a liar if you say that you don’t enjoy opening presents at least a little bit. When gifts begin to cause chaos on Christmas Eve, it becomes a little more complicated. Young Billy receives a small, fluffy creature called a mogwai from his father for Christmas. Billy is warned to never expose the creature to light, feed it after midnight, or let it come into contact with water. When Billy bends these rules, his mogwai, Gizmo, multiplies and wreaks havoc on the town on Christmas Eve. Although this movie is also on the less gory side of holiday horrors, the 1984 film is a classic display of human desire to control the world around us.
3. Krampus
Ahhh, ancient folklore. Krampus, believed to originate in Germany, is the counterpart to Saint Nicholas. It is also believed that Krampus was part of Pagan rituals that took place around the winter solstice. In this film, the Engle family is less than functional around the holidays, leading young Max to lose his sense of holiday spirit. They must find a way to work together in order to survive the Devil of Christmas.
4. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
Preparing for their first Christmas in a new home, the Fleege family finds an old camcorder. Upon realizing that that video camera sees things the human eye cannot, they must make a decision on how to handle a supernatural being that has befriended their young daughter. This movie mixes three of my favorite things: Christmas, Spirits, and Cheesy Documentaries.
5. Tales From the Crypt: And All Through the House
Okay, so it’s not a movie, but it still deserves to be mentioned. Tales from the Crypt is an American Horror Anthology hosted by a sarcastic corpse, the Cryptkeeper. This episode in particular shows a Scary Santa who escaped from a mental hospital and is attacking young women. Elizabeth, who murders her husband after putting their daughter to bed, finds herself in a terrifying predicament when Santa breaks into her home with the plan to give her the worst Christmas present.
As the holidays approach, these holiday horror films provide the perfect mix of festive cheer and spine-tingling chills.
From classic tales of redemption like A Christmas Carol to the chaotic mischief of Gremlins, and the folklore-fueled terror of Krampus, there’s something for every horror fan to unwrap. Whether you’re a seasoned fright enthusiast or just dipping your toes into the genre, these must-watch movies remind us that even during the season of joy, the shadows can offer thrills, chills, and a whole lot of holiday spirit. Grab some hot cocoa, dim the lights, and enjoy the festive fright this holiday season!
