The classic Christmas movies such as Home Alone and Elf are a landmark of the holiday season, but festive films certainly aren’t limited to the genres of romantic comedies and heartfelt dramas. Christmas horror movies put a spin on the typical happiness and cheer of the season, implementing the same tropes from typical horror movies that we all know and love (and fear), like sadistic killers, zombie apocalypses, and paranormal activities. But in these flicks, they play out along a backdrop of Christmas lights — and on more than occasion, the bad guy is Santa Clause himself.
If you’re a horror movie fanatic, or simply want something a bit more thrilling for your movie night, there’s a Christmas horror movie for everyone to enjoy. So grab your bowl of popcorn and a plate of homemade cookies, and see why some people didn’t end up on the nice list this year. Below, the 9 scariest Christmas horror movies to put a chill down your spine this holiday season.
1
Black Christmas
Riley and her sorority sisters at Hawthorne College are ready to get in the festive spirit as the semester winds down and students head home for the holidays — but their plans take a twisted turn when a mysterious killer starts wreaking havoc on campus.
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2
Krampus
This horror-comedy film starring Toni Collette and Adam Scott takes on the ancient European tale of Krampus, a horned creature who preys on naughty children at Christmastime. The beast sets his devilish sights on the Engel family, after their countless arguments and squabbles reach a breaking point.
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3
The Nightmare Before Christmas
So this flick might not be super scary, but “nightmare” is right there in the title. The Tim Burton classic follows Halloweentown’s pumpkin king Jack Skellington, after he unexpectedly makes his way into Christmastown and becomes enamored with its happiness and cheer.
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4
Silent Night
Welcome to an idyllic holiday dinner in the quiet splendor of the English countryside. Among close family and friends, nothing could possibly go wrong… right?
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5
The Lodge
Christmas themes aren’t overly apparent in The Lodge, but it does take place during a family’s vacation to their remote cabin during the holiday break. When the father is abruptly called away to work, his fiancée Grace stays with the two young children — but after a blizzard hits, demons from her past threaten everyone’s safety.
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6
Gremlins
What could be so terrifying about a fuzzy stuffed animal? Well, if horror movies have taught us anything, a lot can be alarming about these seemingly-harmless creatures — especially when a swarm of them band together to create chaos on Christmas Eve.
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7
Better Watch Out
Better Watch Out is a twisted tale centered around Ashley, a babysitter who travels to quiet suburbia over the holidays to watch over 12-year-old Luke. But the stillness is interrupted when an intruder breaks into the home, and the two must fight for their lives.
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8
Anna and the Apocalypse
Defined as a musical horror film, Anna and the Apocalypse is a gentler scary flick for those who don’t want to sleep with one eye open. When a zombie apocalypse descends on her town, Anna must use the power of her voice to save herself, and civilization.
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9
Silent Night, Bloody Night
When a man inherits a mansion that was once an asylum, he sets out to sell the property. But when he visits the home, a sadistic axe-murderer thwarts his plans.
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Leah Campano
Assistant Editor
Leah Campano is an assistant editor at Seventeen, where she covers pop culture, entertainment news, health, and politics.
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