Put away the cheery caroling for a little bit and revisit some of these classic Christmas horror movies. Sometimes it's nice to try something different for the holidays, and for horror lovers, that often entails watching dark and violent versions of lighthearted and festive films.
Instead of rewatching Elf, maybe try the classic slasher Black Christmas, or one of these other popular Christmas horror movies, all of which are streaming right now!
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The debate as to whether or not this Disney classic is a Halloween or a Christmas movie rages on, I sit firmly in the middle and enjoy revisiting Jack Skellington and Sally twice a year. Very “why not both?” vibes. Thanks to the creation of Disney+, viewers can expect this offbeat holiday staple to remain available for the foreseeable future.
Streaming on Disney+
Better Watch Out
The classic babysitter-in-a-slasher-movie trope gets a festive facelift in this dark thriller. Better Watch Out follows teenage babysitter Ashley attempting to defend her charges during a home invasion. A mean-spirited twist elevates the story from a predictable slasher to a genuine nail-biter and a proper entry into the “good for her” category of horror movies.
Streaming on Tubi and Peacock
Black Christmas
Bob Clark’s iconic Christmas horror movie of all time turned 50 this year! Black Christmas was a markedly progressive slasher for the '70s, centering on a predominantly female cast (it is set in a sorority house), but it's a great title on its own merit and has earned a spot in the hall of greats, especially considering its influence on the genre and films like John Carpenter’s Halloween.
Streaming on Prime Video, Tubi, Peacock, Screambox, and Shudder
Krampus
Divorced from Christmas, the idea of a large man forcing himself down your chimney in the dead of night is downright terrifying. Krampus, based on the folkloric figure that sort of functions like an “evil” Santa, delights in turning many holiday delights into nightmares—you’ll never look at elves or gingerbread men the same.
Streaming on Max and Peacock
Violent Night
David Harbour shirks his Jim Hopper persona for something darker in this edgy Christmas action flick. Harbour portrays a version of Santa Claus you've never seen before. A family is just trying to enjoy the holiday when an elite team of mercenaries breaks into their home and takes them hostage. "Santa" comes to the family's rescue, much to the surprise of the antagonists.
Streaming on Starz
Gremlins
Who doesn't love the devilish gremlins at the heart of this 1984 classic? While there has been some debate throughout the years as to whether or not Gremlins counts as a Christmas movie, there shouldn't be any doubt that it is. The whole film revolves around a Christmas gift gone awry! Plus, the gremlins themselves wreak havoc through the fictional Kingstown Falls.
Streaming on Max
The Mean One
Terrifier 3 is not streaming anywhere yet, but fans can see a different side of Art the Clown actor David Howard Thornton in this horror version of the iconic Christmas story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Thornton swaps out his black-and-white jumpsuit for some green skin as he portrays the most terrifying version of the Grinch yet.
Streaming on Starz
It's a Wonderful Knife
A riff on the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life, It's a Wonderful Knife follows Winnie (Jane Widdop) after saving her town from a killer. But when her life hits a few road bumps, Winnie wishes she was never born, thrusting her into a parallel universe where the murderer was never captured. Now, she has to team up with a local outcast to stop him and get back to her own reality.
Streaming on Hulu, Shudder, and AMC+