10 Chilling Christmas Horror Films to Haunt Your Holidays
Think Christmas is all cozy lights and family cheer? Think again. These ten horror movies turn the holiday season into a nightmare, with twisted tales and terrifying legends that will keep you up at night. Discover which films made the list and why you’ll never look at Christmas the same way again.
When December rolls around, most people picture festive gatherings, sparkling decorations, and joyful reunions. But for those who crave a darker twist on the season, there’s a whole world of holiday horror waiting to be unwrapped. If you’re ready to trade in your eggnog for a dose of dread, these ten films will make sure your winter nights are anything but silent.
Classic Nightmares and Twisted Traditions
Back in 1984, Silent Night, Deadly Night shocked audiences with its story of Billy, a boy traumatized after witnessing his parents’ murder at the hands of a Santa-clad killer. As he grows up, the holiday spirit takes a sinister turn, leading to a chilling spree that’s haunted viewers for decades. The film, directed by Mike P. Nelson, features Rohan Campbell and Ruby Modine among its cast.
Jumping to 2007, the French film Inside delivers a disturbing tale of abduction—only this time, the target is an unborn child. Directors Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo craft a relentless, mind-bending experience that’s as unsettling as it is unforgettable.
No holiday horror list is complete without Krampus (2015). Michael Dougherty’s take on the ancient Alpine legend brings a monstrous twist to the season, with Adam Scott, Toni Collette, and David Koechner facing off against a creature who punishes the naughty in ways Santa never would. In Austria, the Krampus tradition is so strong, it even gets its own parade.
Dark Comedies and Unconventional Scares
Finland’s Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010) flips the script on Santa’s legend, blending horror and comedy as children vanish and reindeer turn up dead. Jalmari Helander’s film, starring Onni and Jorma Tommila, keeps you guessing—and laughing—throughout its twisted holiday adventure.
For pure slasher fans, Terrifier 3 (2024) brings Art the Clown back for a blood-soaked Christmas rampage. Damien Leone’s latest entry in the franchise ups the ante with a new sidekick and a storyline that’s best enjoyed for its shocks rather than its plot. Alexa Blair Robertson, David Howard Thornton, and Chris Jericho headline this gory spectacle.
Meanwhile, Anna and the Apocalypse (2018) mashes up zombies, musicals, and holiday cheer. Imagine Zombieland colliding with High School Musical, and you’ll get the idea. Ella Hunt leads a cast of teens singing and slashing their way through a Christmas apocalypse, all under John McPhail’s direction. Critics call it
“fresh brains and a lot of heart in the crowded zombie genre – not to mention a fun genre mashup populated by rootable characters.”
Psychological Terrors and Chilling Settings
The Lodge (2019) offers a slow-burning psychological horror set in a remote, snowbound cabin just before Christmas. As a woman tries to bond with her fiancé’s children, reality begins to unravel, haunted by trauma and isolation. Directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, the film features Jaeden Martell and Alicia Silverstone.
In P2 (2007), Rachel Nichols stars as a woman trapped in her office parking garage on Christmas Eve, stalked by a deranged security guard with full control over her every move. Franck Khalfoun’s tense thriller turns a simple setting into a claustrophobic nightmare.
Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow (1999) brings gothic horror to the holiday season, with Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane investigating a series of grisly decapitations. The film’s headless horseman has become an icon of seasonal scares, and its Oscar- winning art direction sets a haunting mood.
Finally, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980) stands as a psychological masterpiece. Jack Nicholson, Shelly Duvall, and Danny Lloyd star in this chilling descent into madness, set against the backdrop of a snowed-in hotel. Rotten Tomatoes calls it
“a chilling, often baroque journey into madness.”
Even if it strays from Stephen King’s original vision, its impact is undeniable.
Where to Watch and More
From AMC+ and Apple TV to Peacock and Kanopy, these films are available across a range of streaming platforms. Whether you’re in the mood for a slasher, a supernatural legend, or a psychological thriller, there’s a holiday horror movie here to make your December unforgettable. Share your favorites and keep an eye out for more spine-tingling lists in the future.