Have you seen all the Christmas horror movies in Part 1 of this post? Ready for another five films to liven up the holiday season?
As a horror fan, the Christmas season can get a little too merry and not enough scary. These five films showcase some of the best holiday horror on the market and are set to remain classics for years to come.
The Plot: After disobeying the care instructions for his strange and exotic pet, Billy Peltzer accidentally releases a hoard of miniature green monsters upon the formerly idyllic town of Kingston Falls. Billy must unite with his family, friends, and neighbors to stop these mischievous monsters before they take over the town and ruin Christmas for all.
This film is a spectacular showcase of practical effects and puppetry, and an eccentric mix of humor and horror. It is a holiday must-see for the horror-lover. It also reminds us of this important warning:
“So, when your washing machine blows up or your TV goes on the fritz, before you call the repair man, turn on all the lights and look under all the beds. ‘Cause you never can tell, there just might be a gremlin in your house.”
The Plot: One festive radio host connects four tales of terror happening on Christmas Eve. A family brings home more than just a Christmas tree. Four students breaking into school during holiday recess get into the “spirit” of the holiday. A family learns that Krampus is more than just folklore. And, lastly, Santa fends off hordes of the living dead.
This film is like four Christmas horror movies in one. The stories interweave, each slowly building on the terror and tension. The zombies vs. Santa story-line has the most action of the bunch. The changling story has eerie imagery of a young boy who is not quite right. The Krampus story line will have you cheering when a little brat gets what he deserves. The student’s tale is a solid standard ghost story.
The Plot: On a quiet suburban street, a babysitter must defend a twelve-year-old boy from intruders, only to discover it’s far from a normal home invasion.
The less you know going into this film, the better. Thus, the trailer is not posted in this article and I would recommend going in blind. The film is a gory, brutal film that features strong performances from the child actors. Levi Miller stands out with his phenomenal acting skills – giving a chilling performance. The twists and turns make this film a nail-biter to the end!
The Plot: When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max loses his Christmas spirit. This causes Krampus to descend onto the household, punishing the family with a menagerie of evil toys and elves. The family must come together and remember the true spirit of Christmas to survive this holiday.
This PG-13 Christmas horror movie is reminiscent of the “family horror” films of the 1980’s. It is dark and scary, but something you can watch with your 12-13 year-old family members as an introduction to horror. The film mixes horror and humor, and at its heart has a positive message regarding the importance of family bonds. It also includes amazing practical puppetry by Weta Workshop, and detailed set design.
Fans of the movies will also enjoy the companion comic book.
The Plot: On Christmas Eve in northern Finland, an archeological dig unearths the real Santa Claus. But this Santa is not the jolly old man from picture books. When something begins decimating local reindeer herds, young Pietari and his father Rauno, a reindeer hunter by trade, capture the mythological being. Santa’s elves, however, will stop at nothing to free Santa from captivity.
This Finnish film is not just one of my favorite Christmas horror movies, but one of my favorite films in general. It is a wonderful blend of fantasy, thrills, humor, and heart. Unlike many modern films, the children and adults actually work together to solve their problems. The dynamic between father and son is charming and heartwarming. This film has less scares than others on this list, but it will be the perfect addition to your holiday movie list.
What are your favorite Christmas horror movies? There are so many more than could be fit in this list of 10. Let me know on Instagram and Twitter @EmilyIsHorror
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