Holiday Horror Movie Watch List!
The holidays are around the corner, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Festivus…what better a time to cuddle up next to a fire and get your spook on! Here’s a list of holiday horror movies we felt would give the ‘ol yuletide spirit.
Like a naughty or nice list, these recommendations will continue to grow as we check out more holiday horror through the season. So, come back and check for updates!
Get your Holiday Horror on!
The Advent Calendar (2021): A paraplegic woman is gifted an old Advent Calendar for her December birthday. When she opens the first door, she is given a set of rules; Eat all of the candy by Christmas, or you will die. She soon finds that just consuming some sweets is not as easy as she thinks.
We thought this was a very interesting spin on the Advent Calendar and we haven’t seen any horror take it on to date up until now. Definitely an enjoyable ride!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder & AMC Plus.
All the Creatures were Stirring (2018): This horror anthology begins with an awkward first date on Christmas Eve that leads them into a theater to view a disturbing collection of Christmas stories, from dreaded office parties gone awry, an uneasy spin on a Christmas Carol, last-minute shopping trip which leads to an encounter an immortal demon (our favorite one), and a well-meant but terrifying alien encounter. ‘Tis the season, right?
Fun fact: The theater is in our neighborhood of North Hollywood, CA. We’ve been there to see a “David Lynch Christmas.” which was equally as odd (but in a good way) and less murdery.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder, Hoopla, Sling, and available for rent.
Better Watch Out (2016): On a cold and snowy night a devoted babysitter, Ashley, decides to spend her last night in town before she leaves for college watching Luke, the boy she’s been sitting for years in a quiet suburban neighborhood. Instead of a nice night in, they’re met with terror as a strange intruder attacks the home. Soon Ashley discovers this isn’t just a random occurrence. This movie is cray cray but in all the right ways!
Watch the trailer. Warning – This trailer is kind of spoiler city after the first :56 seconds.
Streaming: Amazon Prime, Shudder, Hoopla, and available for rent.
Black Christmas (1974): How do I love Black Christmas? Let me count the ways. This horror classic stars Olivia Hussey (Romeo & Juliet 1968), Margot Kidder (Amityville Horror & Superman), and John Saxon (Nightmare on Elm Street) and follows a group of Sorority Girls during their Christmas break that are stalked by one of the original residents, Billy…and he wants them to all be family now…
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Peacock, Shudder, and Tubi and available for rent.
Black Christmas (2006): This version of Black Christmas is directed, written, and produced by Glen Morgan (X-Files & Willard) and starring Katie Cassidy, Michelle Trachtenberg, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Lacey Chabert. This version takes a deep dive into Billy’s troubled and disturbing past to reveal why he turned out to be such a dangerous and deadly force to be reckoned with. This is a super fun watch with twists you won’t see coming!
“You’re my family now.”
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Unfortunately, this version of Black Christmas isn’t streaming free anywhere now but it’s available for rent on Amazon for $3.99 and is worth the purchase. It’s the holidays. Treat yourself!
Black Christmas (2019): The only thing that this version of the film has in common with its two predecessors is that it’s Christmas and it’s located mainly at a sorority house. Directed by Sophia Takal this film follows sorority girls during the holiday break stalked by an unknown stranger and when their sisters start disappearing they realize there’s something much more nefarious at work and they have to stand together! I didn’t see this theatrically because of my initial annoyance this film didn’t follow the original canon but after watching it, I wanted to go out kick-ass, and take names!
Watch the trailer here. (This trailer is spoiler city. So, honestly, I’d pass and just watch the movie)
Streaming: HBO Max, DirecTV, and available to buy.
Body (2015): When three college-aged girls decide to ditch their family party on Christmas eve, they end up partying in a house that is not exactly what they were promised. What happens next is definitely not a Christmas miracle.
We were pleasantly surprised by this film. It is a horror/thriller that kept us on the edge of our very comfortable couch.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shutter, Fubo, AMC+, Crackle, Rental.
Christmas Evil (1980): This 80s classic is the epitome of what holiday horror should be. An engaging origin story, compelling anti-hero, and leaving you yearning for more! Watch the story of Harry, a toy factory worker with a child-like enthusiasm for the Christmas holiday, but it turns out he has his own psychological scars surrounding the holiday that lead him into madness! One of our favorites and not just for the holiday season! It feels like an origin story of a supervillain. Highly recommend!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Amazon, Fubo, and available for rent.
A Christmas Horror Story (2015): A horror anthology of five stories interwoven together that converge into an ultimate battle of good versus evil with a twist you won’t see coming! This is a lot of fun not to mention William Shatner. Need we say more? It’s definitely worth a viewing!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Shudder, Hoopla, and available for rent.
Holidays (2016): This horror anthology is comprised of eight dark stories with Christmas only being one of them! Explore the unique and disturbing tales of several holidays. Each short is directed by a different filmmaker and includes a talented and extensive cast including Lorenza Izzo (Knock Knock, The Green Inferno), Seth Green, and Kevin Smith directs the Halloween short with his daughter Harley Quinn Smith, as well as, Harley Morenstein and Ashley Greene, Johnny Depp’s daughter. Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and New Year’s Eve were our personal favorites.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Netflix and available for rent.
Hosts (2020): It is Christmas, and a family is preparing for dinner with friends. When their guests show up and are not exactly themselves, the host family soon finds themselves trapped in their own home.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: AMC Plus, Shudder, Tubi, Directv, Plex, and rental.
Krampus (2015): A young boy who has become disillusioned with the Christmas spirit unknowingly summons Krampus and his evil elves to visit their family home. You’d better be good for goodness sake…
The Krampus story goes back to Alpine folklore and persists to this day. His duty to punish all the bad little children… Krampus with a mix of horror and comedy is a Christmas-Horror staple starring a talented cast including Adam Scott, Toni Colette, David Koechner, Conchata Ferrell, and more!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Fubo, FXNow, DirecTV, and available for rental.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984): This Christmas 80s horror classic follows the story of poor unfortunate Billy who witnessed his parent’s murder at a young age by a criminal Santa Claus. Now as an adult will Billy now become what he disdains the most? There are some pretty fun effects for this low-budget horror film of its time. It’s so good it warranted several sequels!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: It’s only available for rent but worth a few dollars! Only $1.99 on Amazon, Google Play, and YouTube.
BONUS GIFTS!
Secret Santa (2015): This camp holiday horror feature is about a group of college kids and their daily life drama as they cram for final exams just to be stalked by a murderous stranger that gives them what they least expect for the holidays!
Set in modern-day, Secret Santa, this is a tribute to the cheesy 80s horror with a gritty Grindhouse feel! It’s worth the ride.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Amazon Prime and available for rent.
Secret Santa (2018): It’s Christmas Day and what’s better than an isolated cabin in the woods with your family? Dinner will bring about more than the yuletide spirit…TOTAL & UTTER UNBRIDLED AGGRESSION!
From the producers of Jason Goes to Hell and Texas Chainsaw 3D this film will make you question what your family is really feeling deep, down inside. This movie is crazy in all the good ways! One thing, the frame rate seemed off when streaming. Maybe it was intentional but we felt like we were watching a video game the entire time. Pro or con? You decide.
Watch the RED BAND trailer here.
Streaming: This film is only available for rent for $3.99 but worth it!
Tis the season. Check out more Holiday-themed Horror here!
Would you like to watch horror short films? Go to our Videos section! Find more general Married to Horror selections by checking out our recommendations and take a peek at our Master Watch List where you can find an array of horror films sorted by title, platform, rating, and more!
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