Let’s be real: this year has been nothing but a horror movie. So we totally get it if you’re not feeling festive this season at all. If you plan on resting for the holidays by seeing new movies and shows instead of going all out on virtual celebrations, we’ve got you covered! Set during the holidays, these movies will give you a fright when you’re not feeling the holiday spirit.
Krampus (2015)
Santa is all about gift-giving but what if something arrives to take instead? Family reunions aren’t always fun and exciting, just like Max’s. He loses interest in celebrating the holidays and instead of calling for cheerful Santa, he summons an evil beast, the Krampus. He’s Santa’s shadow, a half goat and half demon beast based on European folklore. Will Max and his family survive the evil beast’s visit?
Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
On the night before Christmas, something has changed. Anna wakes up to a zombie apocalypse in the town of Little Haven on Christmas day and the only way to survive is to sing and slash their way across town to save their loved ones. If you’re a fan of slasher and zombie films, this apocalypse movie would serve just that with a side of good songs.
The Children (2008)
Christmas is a holiday for kids to enjoy: they write letters to Santa and look forward to opening gifts on Christmas morning. Sisters Elaine and Chloe’s families meet to celebrate the holidays at an English estate. What they thought would be a fun weekend trip unfolds into a series of unfortunate events, then one of their children becomes sick. Eventually, all the children contract the same disease that turns them into killers.
The Lodge (2019)
In an attempt to cheer them up, Aidan and Mia’s father brings them on a holiday trip to his girlfriend Grace’s lodge six months after their mom’s suicide. Unfortunately, their dad has to leave for an emergency at work, leaving the kids with Grace. Stuck in the lodge during a blizzard with no way of going out, the kids slowly learn about Grace’s grim past.
Black Christmas (1974)
Christmas is supposed to be bright, merry, and fun – but not for these sorority sisters. Staying at their sorority house during the holidays, the members of Pi Kappa Sigma receive malicious phone calls from an unidentified caller. One by one, the sisters are killed. As they believe a serial killer is out to get them, they realize he’s actually closer than they think.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
Santa Claus is supposed to bring happiness and cheer with his gifts but this Santa only knows how to deliver terror. Dressed as Santa, Billy experiences a psychotic break and goes on a killing spree around town. (If you end up liking this movie, there are five more films in this slasher series.)
Dead End (2003)
Going home for the holidays is usually a fun experience for families. While on a road trip to see their grandmother for Christmas, a family takes the shortcut only to get into an unfortunate car accident, delaying their travel. As they get back on the road, they meet strange events and new passengers that make the trip home haunting.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
Set in northern Finland, a group of men on a secret drilling project in the mountains of Korvatunturi unearths the tomb of Santa Claus. But this Santa is the complete opposite of the man in red that we know: he is evil and suspected as the culprit behind children’s disappearances and reindeer killings in the town. Looks like the real Santa isn’t really who we think he is.
Have you seen other horror films set during the holidays? Share with us below!
