It’s time for some creepy Christmas thrills on this week’s Friday Favorites! Look, I’ll be honest, Christmas is my favorite time of year (yes, even more than Halloween), but the usual feel-good films get on my nerves after a while. I’m not alone in this, I’m sure. Luckily, there are more than enough horror films set around the Christmas season that’ll give you those much-needed scares.
If you’re looking for something a little more book-oriented, do check out my Holiday Scares book list. You may just find the perfect gift in there for a special someone. 😉
Creepy Christmas Thrills
Krampus (2015)
Based on European folklore, Krampus—who is a horned beast that punishes naughty children—is filled with more than enough chills and some exceptional thrills to hold you over for a while. Add in a dysfunctional family that’s, no doubt, going on the naughty list, and you’ve got yourself a real winner. Be prepared for some jump scares in this one, and a satisfying ending. 🙂
Black Christmas (1974)
A pillar for Christmas horror films, Black Christmas is a classic film that has stood the test of time. A group of sorority sisters begin to receive anonymous, lascivious phone calls, which, of course, leads one to egg the caller on. She stops, however, when he responds threateningly. Soon, one girl goes missing from the sorority house, and a local adolescent girl is murdered, leading the girls to suspect a serial killer is on the loose. The thing is, nobody realizes just how near the culprit is …
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
Silent Night, Deadly Night is all about Santa turning homicidal. Billy Chapmen, who was orphaned at five after witnessing the murder of his parents at the hands of a dude in a Santa suit on Christmas Eve, is all grown up and out of the brutal grip of orphanage nuns. Billy, however, is forced to confront his greatest fear, which sends him on a rampage that leaves a whole lot of bodies in his wake. If you’re looking for some ho-ho-horror, this might be the one for you.
Elves (1989)
Elves is probably not for everyone, but it’ll be right up the alley of those who’re looking for a bizarre seasonal horror film. The ridiculous plot concerns the efforts of a group of neo-Nazis, who wants to bring about the Fourth Reich by mating one of Santa Claus’ elves with a pretty teenaged waitress … Whoever said Christmas isn’t magical, don’t know what they’re talking about …
Gremlins (1984)
Ah, yes, now we’re getting to everyone’s favorite! In case you haven’t seen it, though, Gremlins is a cute, cuddly movie for the entire family, with some soft-horror elements thrown into boot. It’s an excellent flick for the kiddies, especially if you’re systematically trying to introduce them to the genre, and has become a contemporary Christmas classic. Definitely give it a watch if you want to dip your toe into some Christmas horror flicks, but don’t want to go completely AGHHHH!
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Another family favorite, although I think most people watch The Nightmare Before Christmas during Halloween (we are not those people, though). This animated Tim Burton flick is visually wonderful, has The Gringe type of vibes, and is just plain old magical, even if there are some soft-horror elements in it. We watch it every year, because even though we love guts and gore, there’s still a childlike part of me that wants the magic of Christmas to last forever.
There are quite a few other Christmas horror films you may want to check out, including: Silent Night (2012), The Children (2008), and To All a Good Night (1980). Some are better than others, so be warned.
And that’s it from me. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas! Remember to be safe on the roads, too. 🙂
Season’s greetings,
Monique
P.S. If you’re a young adult, maybe just get your parents’ permission before you watch some of these movies.
