May you have a Merry Scary Christmas.
A carefully selected list of Christmas Horror Films that turn a magical Christmas into a horrifying holiday full of mayhem.
Updated May 6, 2025.
Christmas is a magical time full of nostalgia, of finding presents under the Christmas tree, caroling in the snow, eating way too much tasty food and just celebrating together the darkest time of the year before it slowly gets lighter.
But that darkest time of the year also brings a lot of scary ghost stores to tell sitting under the Christmas tree. Stories about ghosts, but also dark fairytales, you can even encounter zombies, creepy children and other creatures showing up at the holidays.
Christmas is an excellent time when it’s cold and dark outside to enjoy some scary movies. Even better when they are set at Christmas.
I have put together a list of Christmas Horror Films that I have watched and personally recommend. It’s not a list with all the Christmas horror films out there or the best ones, but this is a selection of films that I enjoyed watching.
The list is set up by decade and by year. Starting with the most recent films. Each time I have found a new film within this genre that I highly recommend it will be added to the list.
So save this post for more recommendations.
The list consists of 23 films at the moment.
The Sacrifice Game (2023)
Stars: Samantha Baines, Georgie Acken. Directed by Jenn Wexler. Written by Sean Redlitz, Jenn Wexler. (1h 39m)
Genres: home invasion, demon, cults, occult, Christmas
In 1972 a group of four are on a satanic murder spree and are called the Christmas Killers. When one of them gets shot they take refuge at a boarding school. Everyone has left for the holidays, only a student named Clara, teacher Rose, handyman Jimmy and unexpectedly student Samantha stay behind. The four are looking for some documents and books about raising a demon and to ask it what they want. They sacrifice people to summon this demon and this Christmas they will get what they deserve instead.
The film bases its premise on the satanic panic in those days. But it has a big twist that turns the tables around. And has a real good-for-her ending with a girl’s empowerment.
It’s a Wonderful Knife (2023)
Stars: Jane Widdop, Jess McLeod, Justin Long, Joel McHale. Directed by Tyler MacIntyre. Written by Michael Kennedy. (1h 27m)
Genres: slasher, feel-good, romantic horror, Christmas
In Angel Falls a killer is on the loose at Christmas. But before they can do too much killing, Winnie kills the killer. Next Christmas however she makes a wish she was never born, due to the trauma. Her wish comes true and she finds out what Angel Falls would look like if she wasn’t there to stop the killer. She has to team up with an unexpected friend to help her to get her life back and restore Angel Falls.
Although it is quickly revealed who the Angel Killer is, there is of course a twist. This feel-good slasher, deals with Winnie’s struggle and her new friend, and gives them a wonderful Christmas present. Unmask the Killer.
The Advent Calendar (2021)
Stars: Eugénie Derouand. Directed & written by Patrick Ridremont. (1h 44m)
Genres: occult, psychological, surreal, demons, Christmas
Eva Roussel is a young woman who is in a wheelchair due to an accident. On her birthday on December 3 her friend Sophie brings her presents and an antique Advent Calendar from Germany. The first candy contains a warning and rules she has to follow. Strange things start to happen, in her favor. It even promises her legs working again. Slowly she is pulled into the blessing or curse of the Calendar, ruled by a demonic entity. Because everything comes at a price.
This Belgian film that is French spoken is a slow burn and an introvert film that shows us a bleak life. With beautiful cinematography the events that follow are turning surreal and set her on a psychological path of horror and hope. You can Read the Full Review.
The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020)
Stars: Jim Cummings, Riki Lindhome, Robert Forster. Directed & written by Jim Cummings. (1h 25m)
Genres: werewolves, psychological horror, comedy, dysfunctional family
John Marshall is a police officer who has a lot on his mind and now some gruesome killings are plaguing his town.
It’s not a typical horror movie, or an actual creature feature, nor a real mystery thriller for that matter. It’s a mix of a mystery, horror and comedy. It’s also a very original story that addresses coping behavior with a dysfunctional family while chaos and mayhem are taking over. With violent kills that are often over the top campy gory, this results in a very hilarious dark comedy that offers some dark humor and quirky characters. Although it’s not a very Christmassy movie it takes place during the holidays and the snow gives it a nice cold wintry vibe. You can Read the Full Review.
Did you know I also make Art & Designs.
This Merry Christmas design of an Evil Teddy Bear is made with soft pastels. You can buy this design on a Unisex Sweater and other apparel in my shop at Printify.
Black Christmas (2019)
April Wolfe, Roy Moore. (1h 32m)
Genres: slasher, girl power, occult, supernatural, feminism, Christmas
Somestrange things are going on at Hawthorn College. Riley and her friends and other female sorority houses are under attack this Christmas. While Riley suffers from a trauma of being raped, while only her friends believe her, there’s more misogyny, sexism and patriarchy on the campus. But the girls don’t take it anymore and fight back.
It’s a loose remake of the Christmas classic Black Christmas (1974) with a supernatural occult element, a few similarities and nice nods to the original. It’s a film with a feminist take, that women and men have to stand up against inequality, but the slasher part is not forgotten. With some brutal kills, the film finishes off with a great end battle and gives new meaning to the final girls. It isn’t just about survival, it’s about taking back their power. You can Read the Full Review.
The Lodge (2019)
Stars: Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell, Lia McHugh. Directed by Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz. Written bySeverin Fiala, Veronika Franz, Sergio Casai. (1h 48m)
Genres: psychological horror, creepy kids, cults, gothic, winter, Christmas
Grace has to spend Christmas with the kids of her new fiancé Richard in a remote cabin, with nothing but snow and ice planes surrounding them after Richard has to leave for work. When Richard’s ex finds out he wants to marry Grace, she comments suicide and her children Aiden and Mia blame Grace.
It’s a slow burn that slowly reveals everyone has issues and traumas and that soon escalates into a nightmare. It’s a dark and gloomy film with a sense of dread and trauma. Grace’s traumatic past makes her an unreliable narrator of what is happening. When strange things start to happen, it’s going to be a very sinister and horrific Christmas. But is it all in her head or is something else going on? You can Read the Full Review.
Await Further Instructions (2018)
Stars: Sam Gittins, Neerja Naik. Directed by Johnny Kevorkian. Written by Gavin Williams. (1h 31m)
Genres: science fiction, social horror, psychological, dysfunctional family, Christmas
When Nick brings his girlfriend Annji to Christmas dinner, not everyone in his family is excited. Except for his mother, all the other family members, his father, sister and grandfather are bigots and racists. That night they get locked inside by a black substance with instructions on the tv that go from strange to extreme. This divides the family and things escalate quickly.
It addresses multiple themes like racism, fear of and blaming immigrants, blind faith in religion and the authorities, blindly except information that is given to you without being able to confirm it or not. Being controlled by media without knowing who’s behind the instructions and it can even make people act against their own morals. You can Read the Full Review.
All the Creatures Were Stirring (2018)
Stars: Ashley Clements, Graham Skipper. Directed by David Ian McKendry, Rebekah McKendry. Written by Morgan Peter Brown, David Ian McKendry, Rebeka McKendry. (1h 20m)
Genres: anthology, science fiction, creatures, demons, surreal, comedy, Christmas
This anthology starts with Max and Jenna who attend a strange play together at Christmas Eve. The 5 little stories that the performers bring about are all stories that are linked to Christmas.
The production value isn’t that good in every segment. Unfortunately the fist segment isn’t a good one, but if you stick around it gets better and some segments are actually fun. The segment “Arose such a Clatter” is just campy fun. But when the film comes to an end with the final two segments the film adds some surreal imagery and it gets a lot better. The final segment adds a little twist with more surreal scenes with the focus on the performers of the play.
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Did you know I also make Art & Designs.
This Merry Christmas design of an Evil Snowman is made with soft pastels. You can buy this design on a Mug and other products and on other various apparel in my shop at Redbubble.
Secret Santa (2018)
Stars: A Leslie Kies, Ryan Leigh Sealon, Debra Sullivan, Pat Destro, Michelle Renee Allaire. Directed by Adam Marcus. Written by Adam Marcus, Debra Sullivan. (1h29m)
Genres: dysfunctional family, slasher, comedy, zombies, Christmas
Every Christmas a dysfunctional family organizes Secret Santa. This year however things go terribly wrong when there’s something in the punch and they act out worse than normal. Things start to spiral out of control quickly and Christmas becomes a family massacre.
This is an over the top campy fun killer Christmas massacre. Almost every character is over the top, but they still feel like real people. Their personal problems and especially the problems with their family and parents and siblings are maybe exaggerated but they certainly are based on real problems that to a point almost everybody can relate to. It’s a hysterical, fun, campy, romp, with gory kills and violence but with a reality-based undertone and will offer a lot of entertainment. You can Read the Full Review.
Starfish (2018)
Stars: Virginia Gardner. Directed & written by A.T. White. (1h 41m)
Genres: surrealism, arthouse, symbolism, cosmic horror, psychological horror, post horror, Christmas
After Aubrey’s best friend Grace dies she goes to her apartment to grief. It’s Christmas and the decorated Christmas tree in the room of the deceased Grace makes it extra sad and tragic. When Aubrey wakes up in a snow covered town and everybody seems to have disappeared while strange cosmic creatures roam the streets. But Grace seemed to have anticipated this and left Aubrey several mixed tapes to solve this impossible apocalypse. Giving her the perfect Christmas present of forgiveness, love and even a chance for Aubrey to find and build a new life.
The film is full of surreal imagery, of symbolic journeys and all filmed with artistic flair and creativity. With bizarre creatures and monster, alternate dimensions, time travel and animated sequences this is as wonderful as a mixed tape full of surprises. You can Read the Full Review.
Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
Stars: Ella Hunt. Directed by John McPhail. Written by Alan McDonald, Tommy Reilly, Ryan McHenry. (1h 33m)
Genres: comedy, musical, zombies, (post) apocalypse, Christmas
A feel-good Christmas movie has to have song and dance and merriment. And zombies! Prepare to be treated to all these glorious Christmas horror presents. Anna is about to finish high school and wants to travel, to the displeasure of her widowed father. But she just wants to get out of town. That gets a lot harder when the whole town is turned into zombies. With a few survivors Anna wants to find her father and it also sets her priories straight.
All of this, of course, is done while singing and dancing, killing off zombies with a lot of glee and merriment. With great songs this zombie comedy horror musical is the new Christmas pageant that should be on your Christmas watch list every year. You can Read the Full Review.
A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
Stars: William Shatner. Directed by Grant Harvey, Steven Hoban, Brett Sullivan. Written by James Lee, Sarah Larsen, Doug Taylor. (1h 39m)
Genres: anthology, zombies, ghosts, folklore & fairytales, Christmas
This anthology horror offers four Christmas stories that bring to life that good old Christmas horror spirit. You better watch out when you go ghost hunting. Or if you want to cut your own Christmas tree in the woods. Be especially careful not to provoke Krampus and the old Christmas lore and beware of old radio DJ’s who are drinking on the job. And never trust a Christmas Elf.
All these tales are somehow connected to Christmas, some more than others and some are better than others. But the wraparound of this anthology is the grand finale and the big shocker twist which alone makes this film worth a watch. With William Shatner as the big star who tells us about Santa saving Christmas from Krampus and infected zombie Elves. Or does he? You can Read the Full Review.
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Did you know I also make Art & Designs.
This Merry Christmas design of an Eyes Cold Snowman is made with soft pastels. You can buy this design on a Unisex Sweater and other apparel in my shop at Threadless.
Krampus (2015)
Stars: Emjay Anthony, Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, Allison Tolman. (1h38m)
Genres: creepy dolls, folktales & fairytales, dysfunctional family, Christmas
When this Christmas Max has to deal with his awful family who makes fun of him, he stops believing in Santa, with dire consequences. Now Krampus and his minions are coming for them, while they get snowed in and trapped.
A snowstorm, evil elves, evil Gingerbread Men and evil toys are all out to get this family. Max seems to be the only one who can save his family and save Christmas. With freezing cold, a warm burning fire, a not so cosy but rather dysfunctional family and evil creatures who are out to get them, it’s the perfect lesson for them to appreciate each other, to be nice and honor the Christmas Spirit. It’s fun and scary and full of Christmas vibes, at times hilarious and with great evil minions. You can Read the Full Review.
Rare Exports (2010)
Stars: Onni Tommila, Jorma Tommila. Directed by Jalmari Helander. Written by Jalmari Helander, Juuso Helander, Petri Jokiranta. (1h 24m)
Genres: coming-of-age, folklore & fairytales, Christmas
In Finland Pietari finds out the real old lore about the real Santa when something strange is dug up during an excavation. Suddenly Santa’s little helpers kidnap all the children and everything that generates heat. Santa’s little helpers aren’t little or nice either, but rather naked old men who roam the small town.
This Finish fun coming-of-age adventure is a very original Christmas Tale that is fun and exciting and with a bit of horror and great characters. Little Pietari is an endearing hero who saves his town and Christmas and learns a lot about the real Santa who doesn’t have a big belly but two big horns. It’s entertaining with whimsical humor, and without gore it also offers some sentiment, while the ending has a big surprise in store. You can Read the Full Review.
A Christmas Carol (2009)
Stars: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth. Directed by Robert Zemeckis. Written by Robert Zemeckis, Charles Dickens. (1h 36m)
Genres: animation, classic tale, ghosts, Christmas
This animated version of Charles Dickens’ magical classic Christmas ghost story is a fun adventure for the whole family that follows Scrooge on his journey through his past, future and present. This is a wonderful imaginary take of this tale with an important Christmas message that brings a cheerful and merry Christmas for everyone in the end.
It offers humor, an exciting adventure, some sentiment and some scary scenes that work especially well for children. This is a perfect introduction to Dickens and the three ghosts who teach Scrooge a well deserved and scary lesson. Some scenes like the Christmas future might be hard to understand for the younger kids and a bit scary, but it offers more than just entertainment.
The Children (2008)
Stars: Hannah Tointon, Eva Birthistle, Stephen Campbell Moore, Jeremy Sheffield, Rachel Shelley. Directed by Tom Shankland. Written by Paul Andrew Williams, Tom Shankland. (1h 24m)
Genres: slasher, eco horror, creepy kids, winter, Christmas
Casey has to spend Christmas with her family. But when the little children get sick, there is something terribly wrong with them as they start a killing spree.
This Christmas has all the ingredients to turn into a disaster. A rebellious teenager who fancies her uncle, all the usual tension between family and siblings and on top of that children who go on a murder spree killing their parents. It is going to be the perfect horror Christmas gathering.
It’sa psychological eco horror with graphic kills and gore and some pretty creepy kids who don’t want presents from Santa but snow covered in red blood. You can Read the Full Review.
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Did you know I also make Art & Designs.
This Merry Christmas design of a happy Christmas Skull Bauble is made with soft pastels. You can buy this design on a throw pillow and other products and on other various apparel in my shop at Redbubble.
Dead End (2003)
Stars: Ray Wise, Lin Shaye, Mick Cain, Alexandra Holden, William Rosenfeld. Directed & written by Jean-Baptiste Andrea, Fabrice Canepa. (1h 25m)
Genres: ghosts, surrealism, psychological, Christmas
Frank and Laura are driving to her family on Christmas Eve with their children Richard and Marion who brought her boyfriend Brad along, when Frank decides to take a short cut. But the road through the woods seems endless and when they encounter a woman in white, other strange things start happening while tensions are rising.
This surreal nightmarish trip gets worse and worse. With dark and whimsical humor, surreal imagery and creepy events this simple but clever plot has a lot of creepiness to offer. It isn’t the typical Christmas movie full of Christmas vibes. Still it’s a journey on Christmas Eve that goes terribly wrong and the family tensions are part of Christmas. You can Read the Full Review.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Stars: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’ Hara. Directed by Henry Selick. Written by Caroline Thompson, Michael McDowell, Tim Burton. (1h 16m)
Genres: animation, stop motion, Christmas, monsters, kids-friendly, halloween, Christmas
When Jack Skellington the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town discovers that there are more magical worlds amongst which Christmas Town he is overjoyed with all the colors and merriments and happiness that he wants to take over Christmas. He learns everything about it, orders to kidnap Santa and arranges the presents. Of course that should end well, if you like a scary merry Christmas.
With amazing songs and wonderful animation this endeavor is bound to turn into a huge horrific disaster. Luckily Sally sets Jack straight and they are able to save Christmas after all and enjoy it too. This perfect mix of scary horror and cheerful songs makes an excellent movie for the whole family that can either be enjoyed during Halloween and or Christmas.You can Read the Full Review.
Ghostbusters 2 (1986)
Stars: Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson. Directed by Ivan Reitman. Written by Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis. (1h 48m)
Genres: ghosts, comedy, Christmas
Although the story takes place during Christmas and the world is about to end at New Year, this film doesn’t necessarily scream Christmas. But it’s a wonderful story about evil spirits, a lot of ghosts, the fantastic Ghostbusters and an evil masterplan that is highly enjoyable for the whole family. It’s spooky fun and there are a lot of slimy scenes that are good for some laughs.
The Christmas Spirit shines through when they need a big symbol of harmony to withstand the evil powers and to gather the people of New York. When they all burst out in song and sing Auld Lange Syne while the Statue of Liberty defeats the evil goo, then you are assured to ring in the new year with great hope and joy.
Gremlins (1984)
Stars: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Corey Feldman, Frances Lee McCain. Directed by Joe Dante. Written by Chris Columbus. (1h 46m)
Genres: comedy, creatures, fantasy, Christmas
When Billy gets a Mogwai called Gizmo for Christmas there are three important rules. Of course they are broken and little furry balls emerge from Gizmo and hatch as the evil prankster Gremlins after they have eaten after midnight. They cause a lot of havoc during Christmas time while caroling door to door, teasing the dog, killing people and even want to execute a sinister plan.
This is a perfect Christmas holiday gift with snow, caroling, Christmas lights and all the merriment and mayhem that comes with it. With a lot of dark humor, some horror and a lot of chaos this Christmas is an over the top fun film with great practical effects for the whole family. You can Read the Full Review.
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Did you know I also make Art & Designs.
This Merry Christmas design of a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Skull is made with pen and alcohol markers. You can buy this design on a Unisex Sweater and other apparel in my shop at Threadless.
Night of the Comet (1984)
Stars: Catherine Mary Stewart, Kelli Maroney, Robert Beltran. Directed & written by Thom Eberhardt. (1h 35m)
Genres: science fiction, zombies, post apocalyptic, female empowerment, Christmas
When the tail of a comet passes the earth, it has some very gruesome consequences. Everyone who is outside watching is either turned into red dust or turned into a zombie. For different reasons sisters Reggie and Sam are the only ones left. And what do you do after fighting off some zombies? Go to the mall and do some shopping. But when they meet another survivor Hector, they also find out that a military base was also protected and maybe they can help. Or can they?
I’s a science fiction horror film full of girl power, sisterhood and eighties vibes. With Christmas at the background and set in California, it certainly doesn’t scream Christmas. But in the end they are able to celebrate Christmas in a post-apocalyptic world with a new self-made family. You can Read the Full Review.
Black Christmas (1974)
Stars: Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, John Saxon, Martin Waldman. Directed by Bob Clark. Written by Roy Moore. (1h 38m)
Genres: slasher, feminism, Christmas
A sorority house for girls gets strange phone calls, with obscene talk and sounds and even threats. It’s almost Christmas and some girls are leaving for the holidays to spend them at home. But not everybody makes it home, some fall prey to a killer unbeknownst to the other girls.
With a heavy Christmas atmosphere, this is a chilling tale, with brutal kills, a deranged killer and a feminist approach. The girls and their house mother are quite the characters and overrule the men, with their big mouth, intelligence and swift actions. While Clare’s father is conservative, her boyfriend is openminded and lieutenant Fuller who helps them believes them quite quickly. The ending is also unconventional and makes the whole film even more disturbing. You can Read the Full Review.
Dead of Night (1945)
Stars: Mervyn Johns, Michael Redgraves. Directed by Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden. Written by John Baines, Angus MacPhail, T.E.B. Clarke. (1h 43m)
Genres: anthology, surrealism, supernatural, Christmas, creepy doll
In this anthology a couple a people tell each other five different ghostly and inexplicable tales that they claim really happened. One of those tales is about a Christmas party. When all the children go play hide and seek one of the girls hides in a special room upstairs and has an encounter with a ghost. But she only finds out after she tells about her encounter.
Although it is only a small part of the film, it does have that grand Christmas vibe with an enormous Christmas tree and a lot of merriment. And telling ghost stories is an important part of Christmas traditions and should be done more often. Cold weather, snow, a warm fireplace and everybody gathered round for spooky tales, gives Christmas that special twinkling vibe.You can Read the Full Review.
Explore more Lists of Horror Films:
- The List of Creepy Dolls in Horror Films
- The List of Halloween Horror Films
- The List of Summer Horror Films
- The List of Winter Horror Films
Did You Know I Also Make Art and Designs?
you can buy my designs on apparel or stationary, mugs and more. You can learn more about it on my art & design shop page or go directly to one of my shops.