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31 Terrifyingly Festive Films: Your Ultimate Guide to Christmas Horror Movies

Published

4 months ago

December 23, 2023

The holiday season is synonymous with joy and celebration, but for those who crave a dash of terror with their tinsel, Christmas horror movies offer the perfect blend of fright and festivity. Here’s a list of 31 Christmas horror films that will ensure your holidays are both merry and scary.

Violent Night (2022)

Streaming now on: Amazon Prime Video

Violent Night Official Trailer

In this thrilling twist on holiday cheer, Santa Claus (David Harbour) is portrayed as a hero with a violent streak. When a family is held hostage by a group of mercenaries on Christmas Eve, Santa turns into a savage savior. The film blends action and horror, reimagining the jolly figure as a formidable force against evil.

Red Snow (2021)

Streaming now on: Vudu, Tubi, Plex, Freevee, Xumo Play

Red Snow Trailer

In this blend of horror and romance, Olivia Romo, a vampire romance writer, finds her fiction turning into a terrifying reality. After nursing a wounded bat back to health, she discovers it’s a vampire, leading to a series of chilling events.

A Christmas Horror Story (2015)

Streaming now on: AMC+, Tubi, Shudder

A Christmas Horror Story Official Trailer

Narrated by William Shatner, this anthology film weaves together four interrelated horror stories set during Christmas. It includes tales of ghostly encounters, demonic possessions, and zombie elves, all converging to create a uniquely terrifying holiday experience.

Mercy Christmas (2017)

Streaming now on: Fubu TV, Paramount+, Vudu, Tubi, Pluto, Freevee

Mercy Christmas Trailer

This darkly comedic horror film follows Michael Briskett, a social outcast who is thrilled to be invited to a Christmas dinner. However, his excitement turns to horror when he realizes that he’s not a guest but the main course in a cannibalistic ritual. The film combines horror with a satirical take on holiday gatherings.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)

Streaming now on: Peacock, Tubi, Fubu TV, Screambox

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale Movie Trailer

This Finnish film offers a dark twist on the Santa Claus legend. An archaeological dig in Lapland uncovers the original Santa Claus, revealing a sinister figure who punishes naughty children, leading to a battle for survival.

Mrs. Claus (2018)

Streaming now on: The Roku Channel and Xumo Play

Mrs. Claus Official Trailer

A departure from the traditional holiday tale, this slasher film features Mrs. Claus as a cold-blooded killer. Set in a sorority house, the movie follows a group of college students who are stalked and brutally murdered by Mrs. Claus, turning the festive season into a time of terror.

Snowmageddon (2011)

Streaming now on: Amazon Prime Video and The Roku Channel

Snowmageddon Trailer

This film revolves around a mysterious snowglobe that brings catastrophic events to life. A family discovers that each shake of the globe causes parallel disasters in the real world, leading to a desperate race against time to stop the unfolding chaos.

Christmas Presence (2018)

Streaming now on: AMC+, Shudder, The Roku Channel

Christmas Presence / Why Hide? Official Movie Trailer

Originally titled “Why Hide?”, this black comedy horror film centers on a group of friends who gather for a holiday retreat. Their festive getaway quickly turns into a nightmare as they find themselves in a deadly game of survival against an unseen menace.

The Lodge (2019)

Streaming now on: Max, Kanopy, DIRECTV

The Lodge Movie Trailer

A psychological horror film where a family’s Christmas vacation at a remote lodge turns into a nightmare. Isolated by a blizzard, the family faces disturbing occurrences that test their sanity and survival.

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)

Streaming now on: Plex

Silent Night, Deadly Night Official Trailer

This controversial slasher film tells the story of Billy, a young man traumatized by witnessing his parents’ murder on Christmas Eve. Dressed as Santa Claus, he embarks on a murderous rampage, punishing those he deems “naughty.”

Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 (1987)

Streaming now on: AMC+, Shudder, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Shout TV

Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 Official Movie Trailer

The sequel follows Ricky, the younger brother of the first film’s protagonist. After being released from a mental hospital, Ricky takes up the Santa suit and continues his brother’s bloody legacy, seeking vengeance for his family’s destruction.

Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)

Streaming now on: AMC+ and Shudder

Anna and the Apocalypse Official Trailer

A zombie apocalypse strikes a small town at Christmas, and a group of high school students must fight their way through hordes of the undead. This horror-comedy-musical blends catchy songs with gory zombie action.

Black Christmas (2019)

Streaming now on: Netflix

Black Christmas Movie Trailer

In this remake of the 1974 classic, a group of sorority girls at Hawthorne College are stalked by a mysterious killer during the Christmas break. As friends go missing, the remaining girls band together to uncover the killer’s identity and fight back.

While She Was Out (2008)

Streaming now on: Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, Pluto TV

While She Was Out Official Trailer

Kim Basinger stars as Della, a suburban housewife who faces a life-threatening ordeal during a Christmas Eve shopping trip. After witnessing a murder, she becomes the target of a gang of killers, leading to a deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

ATM (2012)

Streaming now on: AMC+, Tubi, The Roku Channel

ATM Movie Trailer

After leaving their office holiday party, three co-workers find themselves trapped in an ATM vestibule. Stalked by a mysterious hooded figure, they must find a way to escape before their situation turns deadly.

The Curse of Jack Frost (2022)

Jack Frost Trailer

In this British horror film, the mythical figure of Jack Frost is reimagined as a malevolent entity. A family must fight for survival against this demonic version of Jack Frost, who is far from the friendly snowman of lore.

Krampus (2015)

Streaming now on: Peacock, TNT, TBS, Tru TV

Krampus Official Movie Trailer

Based on the European folklore, Krampus is a demonic creature that punishes naughty children at Christmas. The film follows a dysfunctional family whose lack of holiday spirit brings the wrath of Krampus upon them, leading to a fight for survival.

Krampus: The Devil Returns (2016)

Streaming now on: Tubi, MP

Krampus 2 Movie Trailer

In this sequel, the mythical creature Krampus returns to terrorize a small town during the holiday season. The townspeople must band together to stop the creature before it destroys everything they hold dear.

The Day of the Beast (1995)

Streaming now on: Vudu, Tubi, Pluto TV, Kanopy, Freevee, Screambox, MP

The Day of the Beast Official Trailer

This Spanish black comedy horror film follows a priest who believes the Antichrist will be born on Christmas Day. He teams up with a death-metal fan and a TV show host to prevent the apocalypse, leading to a series of bizarre and darkly humorous events.

The Children (2008)

Streaming now on: Shudder, AMC+, Tubi, Freevee, Vudu

The Children Official Trailer

A family’s New Year’s celebration turns horrific when the children start exhibiting strange and violent behavior. The adults must confront the terrifying reality that their own offspring have become their worst nightmare.

Inside (2007)

Inside Official Movie Trailer

A French horror film that tells the story of a pregnant woman, Sarah, who is attacked in her home on Christmas Eve by a mysterious woman. The intruder is determined to take Sarah’s unborn baby, leading to a night of intense and brutal confrontation.

Red Christmas (2016)

Streaming now on: Fubu TV, Pluto TV, Plex, Freevee, The Roku Channel, Kanopy, Crackle

Red Christmas Trailer

A family’s Christmas gathering is disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious stranger with a vendetta. The holiday celebration quickly turns into a fight for survival as the family faces a deadly threat from within their own home.

Silent Night (2021)

Streaming now on: AMC+ and DIRECTV

Silent Night Official Trailer

A British dark comedy that revolves around a group of friends gathering for Christmas dinner in a world facing an environmental apocalypse. As they confront their impending doom, the film explores themes of friendship, love, and the human condition.

Holidays (2016)

Streaming now on: AMC+ and Shudder

Holidays Official Trailer

An anthology film that features a collection of short horror stories based on various holidays, including Christmas. Each segment offers a unique and twisted take on traditional holiday themes.

The Gingerdead Man (2005)

Streaming now on: Roku, Tubi, Shudder, Filmrise, Freevee, Full Moon

The Gingerdead Man Official Trailer

A horror-comedy featuring a gingerbread man cookie possessed by the spirit of a convicted killer. The Gingerdead Man goes on a murderous rampage, combining humor with horror.

Wind Chill (2007)

Wind Chill Official Trailer

Two college students are stranded on a deserted road during their Christmas break. As they battle the cold, they encounter a series of ghostly apparitions linked to the road’s dark history.

The Dorm That Dripped Blood (1982)

The Dorm That Dripped Blood Trailer

A group of college students staying on campus during the Christmas break find themselves targeted by a mysterious killer. The film is a classic slasher with a holiday twist.

Await Further Instructions (2018)

Streaming now on: Shudder, Prime Video, AMC+, Roku, Tubi, Pluto, Plex

Await Further Instructions Official Movie Trailer

A family wakes up on Christmas Day to find their house surrounded by a mysterious black substance. As they receive ominous instructions from their TV, paranoia and tension escalate, leading to a deadly confrontation.

Silent Night (2012)

Streaming now on: Starz

Silent Night Official Movie Trailer

A loose remake of “Silent Night, Deadly Night,” this film features a killer dressed as Santa Claus who brings terror to a small town. The local police must stop the murderer before he claims more victims.

Gremlins (1984)

Streaming now on: Max and AMC+

Gremlins Official Trailer

A classic horror-comedy that blends Christmas cheer with chaos. A young man receives a strange creature called a Mogwai as a Christmas gift, but when its care instructions are ignored, it spawns mischievous and dangerous creatures that wreak havoc on the town.

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Lists

Thrills and Chills: Ranking ‘Radio Silence’ Films from Bloody Brilliant to Just Bloody

Published

3 days ago

April 23, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, and Chad Villella are all filmmakers under the collective label called Radio Silence. Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett are the primary directors under that moniker while Villella produces.

They have gained popularity over the past 13 years and their films have become known as having a certain Radio Silence “signature.” They are bloody, usually contain monsters, and have breakneck action sequences. Their recent film Abigail exemplifies that signature and is perhaps their best film yet. They are currently working on a reboot of John Carpenter’s Escape From New York.

We thought we would go through the list of projects they have directed and rank them from high to low. None of the movies and shorts on this list are bad, they all have their merits. These rankings from top to bottom are just ones we felt showcased their talents the best.

We didn’t include movies they produced but didn’t direct.

#1. Abigail

An update to the second film on this list, Abagail is the natural progression of Radio Silence’s love of lockdown horror. It follows in pretty much the same footsteps of Ready or Not, but manages to go one better — make it about vampires.

Abigail

#2. Ready or Not

This film put Radio Silence on the map. While not as successful at the box office as some of their other films, Ready or Not proved that the team could step outside their limited anthology space and create a fun, thrilling, and bloody adventure-length film.

Ready or Not

#3. Scream (2022)

While Scream will always be a polarizing franchise, this prequel, sequel, reboot — however you want to label it showed just how much Radio Silence knew the source material. It wasn’t lazy or cash-grabby, just a good time with legendary characters we love and new ones who grew on us.

Scream (2022)

#4 Southbound (The Way Out)

Radio Silence tosses their found footage modus operandi for this anthology film. Responsible for the bookend stories, they create a terrifying world in their segment titled The Way Out, which involves strange floating beings and some sort of time loop. It’s kind of the first time we see their work without a shaky cam. If we were to rank this entire film, it would remain at this position on the list.

Southbound

#5. V/H/S (10/31/98)

The film that started it all for Radio Silence. Or should we say the segment that started it all. Even though this isn’t feature-length what they managed to do with the time they had was very good. Their chapter was titled 10/31/98, a found-footage short involving a group of friends who crash what they think is a staged exorcism only to learn not to assume things on Halloween night.

V/H/S

#6. Scream VI

Cranking up the action, moving to the big city and letting Ghostface use a shotgun, Scream VI turned the franchise on its head. Like their first one, this film played with canon and managed to win over a lot of fans in its direction, but alienated others for coloring too far outside the lines of Wes Craven’s beloved series. If any sequel was showing how the trope was going stale it was Scream VI, but it managed to squeeze some fresh blood out of this nearly three-decade mainstay.

Scream VI

#7. Devil’s Due

Fairly underrated, this, Radio Silence’s first feature-length film, is a sampler of things they took from V/H/S. It was filmed in an omnipresent found footage style, showcasing a form of possession, and features clueless men. Since this was their first bonafide major studio job it’s a wonderful touchstone to see how far they have come with their storytelling.

Devil’s Due

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Editorial

7 Great ‘Scream’ Fan Films & Shorts Worth a Watch

Published

1 week ago

April 19, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The Scream franchise is such an iconic series, that many budding filmmakers take inspiration from it and make their own sequels or, at least, build upon the original universe created by screenwriter Kevin Williamson. YouTube is the perfect medium to showcase these talents (and budgets) with fan-made homages with their own personal twists.

The great thing about Ghostface is that he can appear anywhere, in any town, he just needs the signature mask, knife, and unhinged motive. Thanks to Fair Use laws it’s possible to expand upon Wes Craven’s creation by simply getting a group of young adults together and killing them off one by one. Oh, and don’t forget the twist. You’ll notice that Roger Jackson’s famous Ghostface voice is uncanny valley, but you get the gist.

We have gathered five fan films/shorts related to Scream that we thought were pretty good. Although they can’t possibly match the beats of a $33 million blockbuster, they get by on what they have. But who needs money? If you’re talented and motivated anything is possible as proven by these filmmakers who are well on their way to the big leagues.

Take a look at the below films and let us know what you think. And while you’re at it, leave these young filmmakers a thumbs up, or leave them a comment to encourage them to create more films. Besides, where else are you going to see Ghostface vs. a Katana all set to a hip-hop soundtrack?

Scream Live (2023)

Scream Live

Ghostface (2021)

Ghostface

Ghost Face (2023)

Ghost Face

Don’t Scream (2022)

Don’t Scream

Scream: A Fan Film (2023)

Scream: A Fan Film

The Scream (2023)

The Scream

A Scream Fan Film (2023)

A Scream Fan Film

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Lists

Horror Movies Releasing This Month – April 2024 [Trailers]

Published

3 weeks ago

April 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

With only six months until Halloween, it is surprising how many horror movies will be released in April. People are still scratching their heads as to why Late Night With the Devil wasn’t an October release since it has that theme already built in. But who’s complaining? Certainly not us.

In fact, we are elated because we are getting a vampire movie from Radio Silence, a prequel to an honored franchise, not one, but two monster spider movies, and a film directed by David Cronenberg’s other child.

It’s a lot. So we have provided you with a list of movies with help from the internet, their synopsis from IMDb, and when and where they will drop. The rest is up to your scrolling finger. Enjoy!

The First Omen: In theaters April 5

The First Omen

A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.

Monkey Man: In theaters April 5

Monkey Man

An anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless.

Sting: In theaters April 12

Sting

After raising an unnervingly talented spider in secret, 12-year-old Charlotte must face the facts about her pet-and fight for her family’s survival-when the once-charming creature rapidly transforms into a giant, flesh-eating monster.

In Flames: In theaters April 12

In Flames

After the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them.

Abigail: In Theaters April 19

Abigail

After a group of criminals kidnap the ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, they retreat to an isolated mansion, unaware that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl.

The Night of the Harvest: In theaters April 19

The Night of the Harvest

Aubrey and her friends go geocaching in the woods behind an old cornfield where they are trapped and hunted by a masked woman in white.

Humane: In theaters April 26

Humane

In the wake of an environmental collapse that is forcing humanity to shed 20% of its population, a family dinner erupts into chaos when a father’s plan to enlist in the government’s new euthanasia program goes horribly awry.

Civil War: In theaters April 12

Civil War

A journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.

Cinderella’s Revenge: In select theaters April 26

Cinderella summons her fairy godmother from an ancient flesh-bound book to get revenge on her evil stepsisters and stepmother who abuse her daily.

Other horror movies on streaming:

Bag of Lies VOD April 2

Bag of Lies

Desperate to save his dying wife, Matt turns to The Bag, an ancient relic with dark magic. The cure demands a chilling ritual and strict rules. As his wife heals, Matt’s sanity unravels, facing terrifying consequences.

Black Out VOD April 12

Black Out

A Fine Arts painter is convinced that he is a werewolf wreaking havoc on a small American town under the full moon.

Baghead on Shudder and AMC+ on April 5

A young woman inherits a run-down pub and discovers a dark secret within its basement – Baghead – a shape-shifting creature that will let you speak to lost loved ones, but not without consequence.