The holidays are upon us, and while the classic Christmas horror movies (Black Christmas, Silent Night, Deadly Night) are essential viewing, here are a few more Christmas horror films to add to your watch list.
1Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
This Finnish horror film takes place on the Korvatunturi mountain located between Finland and Russia. An expedition company drilling for samples discover that it is actually a huge burial ground, which holds Joulupukki, a Finnish folklore figure that Santa Claus is partially based on, and his elves. Unlike the sweet Santa and adorable elves we know today, this version punishes misbehaving children in cruel ways, while the elves are actually creepy naked elderly men.
This dark Christmas tale brings over-the-top action and a whole new spin to the usual Santa folklore.
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2Krampus (2015)
Starring Adam Scott and Toni Collette, Krampus is the most mainstream/Hollywood-produced film on this list, but that doesn’t stop it from being an excellent Christmas horror movie. When family dysfunction leads to a boy losing his Christmas spirit, it calls upon the ancient Krampus to punish the family. After engulfing the neighborhood in a thick blizzard without any forms of communication, the demonic spirit and his minions terrify and torture the family as he prepares to drag them into the Underworld.
This 2015 Krampus adaption is the best we’ve seen so far, and its PG-13 rating makes it a fun family-friendly watch for older kids.
3A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
A Christmas Horror Story is an anthology starring William Shatner. There are four tales told which include teens encountering a vengeful spirit, a changeling hitching an unwelcome ride with a family, Krampus hunting down naughty kids, and a Santa who discovers that Mrs. Claus and his elves are now zombies. It also features an epic showdown with Santa and Krampus.
The film features unpredictable twists and turns throughout and is a truly dark and entertaining anthology.
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4Sint / Saint (2010)
This Dutch horror film, also released as Saint and Saint Nick, features an alternate and darker version of Sinterklaas, or Saint Nicolas. In 1492, he was a bishop who committed cruel acts, which resulted in an uprising from local townsfolk and ended in the deaths of him and his gang. Now, they come back as vengeful spirits whenever a full moon coincides with the annual Sinterklaas celebration, unbeknownst to those celebrating.
Give Sint a watch if you’re in the mood for a Christmas ghost story and a good mix of comedy and horror.
5Better Watch Out (2016)
Set in suburbia, a teenage babysitter is watching a twelve-year-old boy when she finds herself fighting off menacing intruders during a home invasion. However, things are not what they seem. There are fantastic twists and turns, so the less said about the plot of Better Watch Out, the better.
If you’re a fan of holiday horror and home invasion flicks, this film should definitely satisfy.
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6Treevenge (2008)
Christmas trees are angry over being cut down and decorated in humiliating ways before being discarded with the trash. They fight back in one town, seeking the bloodiest revenge possible. Trust us when we say that no one is safe from the bloodshed here. The brutality is surprising and very well-executed.
Treevenge is a short film that is available for free on Vimeo. Don’t pass it up!
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