With the recent release of the holiday slasher It’s a Wonderful Knife, it got us wanting more Christmas horror movies to watch this year (and we’re not talking Hallmark movies, which are scary in their own way).
There are lots of great options out there in this genre, but these five Christmas horror movies get the spirit of the holiday just right we feel.
Black Christmas (1974)
Before Halloween or Friday the 13th, there was Black Christmas, which really kicked off both the slasher genre and the Christmas horror genre. This film, about a group of sorority girls being stalked during Christmas break, is a solid horror movie that you don’t just need to watch around the holidays. It stars Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, Keir Dullea and John Saxon, and was directed by Bob Clark who would go on to make Porky’s as well as another, less violent, holiday classic – A Christmas Story. Black Christmas is available to stream in Canada on Hollywood Suite on Demand (which has a free preview on right now) and Shudder/AMC+. It’s also available on 4K Blu-ray.
Christmas Evil (1980)
In Christmas Evil (also called You Better Watch Out) a factory worker goes on a killing spree dressed like Santa during the holidays. This movie is pure Christmas horror and it might actually be too much for some people. Christmas Evil is available to watch on Shudder/AMC+ in Canada. It’s also available on Blu-ray.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
Another classic Christmas horror movie from the ’80s, Silent Night, Deadly Night spawned multiple sequels and has a bit of a cult following. Like Christmas Evil, it’s also a bit much, but it is fun watching someone in a Santa suit kill a bunch of people (if that’s your thing). Silent Night, Deadly Night is only available to rent on Apple TV in Canada.
Krampus (2015)
Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koecher and Allison Tolman star in this telling of Krampus – the evil monster that punishes bad kids at Christmas. Directed by Michael Dougherty, who also did the great Halloween movie Trick ‘r Treat, Krampus is a fun Christmas horror movie you can watch with the whole family (we’re kidding). Krampus is streaming on Crave as of December 8. You can also purchase Krampus on 4K Blu-ray.
Better Watch Out (2016)
What starts out as a straightforward home invasion film set around the holidays quickly becomes something completely different and even more shocking. Better Watch Out is definitely not the movie you will be expecting, but is also so much better than it looks. Better Watch Out is available to stream on Prime Video Canada.
If you’re interested in checking out It’s a Wonderful Knife, which is also quite enjoyable, it’s streaming on Shudder/AMC+ in Canada. For more horror movie recommendations see our horror on 4K Blu-ray list.
Do you have a favourite Christmas horror movie? Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
Photo credit: A scene from Christmas Evil.
