‘Tis the season for tinsel, tidings, and a touch of terror as we unwrap the best Christmas horror movies that sleigh the festive fright game. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, these yuletide nightmares are sure to make your silent nights a bit more…scream-filled.
So, grab your favorite eggnog (spiked, of course), light up the fireplace (for setting the mood, not burning evidence), and let’s count down the 10 best Christmas horror movies that Santa wouldn’t dare to watch!
10. Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
PUNISH! Coming down the chimney at number ten, Silent Night, Deadly Night gives you a psycho Santa that makes Krampus look like a teddy bear. When little Billy witnesses his parents’ horrifying demise at the hands of a Santa-clad psycho, his mind checks off quite a different list. Cut to a few years later, and now Billy’s donning the red suit, but the only thing he’s delivering is a stocking full of slay.
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9. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
Forget the Coca-Cola polar bears. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale hails from Finland, where Christmas comes with a side of ancient, frozen evil unearthed by some over-zealous excavators. This film is a fun, frosty entry among the best Christmas horror movies like a crisp winter’s morning with an aftertaste of Norse mythology.
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8. Krampus (2015)
At number eight, we’re getting on the naughty list with Krampus. This festive fright-fest reminds us all that the holiday spirit is not just about getting, but giving…mainly giving grief to your worst relatives. When Max loses his festive cheer, the monstrous Krampus drops by for a holiday visit, and trust me, he’s not here to leave presents under the Christmas tree.
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7. Jack Frost (1997)
No, not the heartwarming one with Michael Keaton. At number seven, we’ve got Jack Frost, the tale of a serial killer turned into a snowman with a cold heart and a homicidal streak. This B-movie gem might have more ice puns than a Mr. Freeze convention, but it’s the perfect chiller to break the ice at your next holiday party.
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6. Better Watch Out (2016)
Oh, you better watch out indeed for this holiday home invasion…with a twist. Better Watch Out takes the Christmas horror sub-genre and wraps it up with a bow made of psychological thrills and unexpected turns. What starts as a simple babysitting gig quickly descends into a twisted game that’ll make you rethink your next glass of eggnog.
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