Chamber of Horrors: Top 10 Christmas Horror Movies

It’s that time of year.  Christmas carols are playing throughout the stores, there’s a mad rush from shoppers, and Santa is on his way.  Today, I’m playing the role of Santa as I deliver you a top 10 list all about this special time of year…. with a horrific twist.

It’s entirely possible that you’re not going to run out, purchase and line these up for Christmas day.  However, after you’ve gorged yourself into a food coma, it’s nice to know you have options for what to watch.  I have taken the liberty of rounding up 10 of the best Christmas themed horror films.

So hop aboard this one-horse open sleigh as we deck the halls with bowels of Holly (getit?).

10.  Jack Frost (1997)

This film can be summed up in one sentence; A serial killer dies, comes back as a snowman, and wreaks havoc.

Despite it’s rather outlandish premise, this film is actually worth the watch.  Funny, over-the-top, and rather gory in parts, it’s the perfect Christmas horror to spread the festive cheer…. and blood.  Just remember not to eat the yellow snow.

9.  Santa’s Slay (2005)

Santa Claus is actually a demon who lost a bet with an Angel, so he becomes the giver of toys and happiness.  But when the bet is off, he returns to his evil, wicked ways and starts killing people.

Santa’s Slay is quite comical, with its black humor.  It also delivers on the gory side as well.  Starring pro wrestler, Bill Goldberg, as the deranged Santa, this film is sure to leave your sides splitting…. hopefully not literally…

8.  Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972)

A man inherits a mansion, which once was a mental home.  He visits the place and begins to investigate some crimes that happened in old times, scaring the people living in the region.

Though filmed in 1970, this movie wasn’t released until 1972.  James Patterson, who portrayed Jeffrey Butler, tragically passed away from cancer soon after principal photography was completed.  His lines were dubbed in by another actor.  If that wasn’t tragic enough, it was also the final film of Candy Darling.  This may be a difficult film to get a hold of, but it’s worth the watch.  A very pleasant little Christmas horror.

7.  The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn’t quite understand the concept.

Not quite a horror film, but the spirit is there.  The Nightmare Before Christmas is not necessarily a children’s movie as it might be too strange or fanatical for the very young, despite its animation.  Beautifully animated, filled to the brim with musical numbers, this is one horror-ish film the entire family will love.

6.  Saint (2010) a.k.a Sint

A horror film that depicts St. Nicholas as a murderous bishop who kidnaps and murders children when there is a full moon on December 5.

This is movie is all you can ask for in a horror comedy; The mix between scary moments and laughs is just about perfect.  This film does get a lot of criticism, namely for the acting by the extras as well as the nonsensical plot, but as far as carnage goes, this is ten for ten.

5. Silent Night (2012)

The police force of a remote Midwestern town search for a killer Santa Claus who is picking off citizens on Christmas Eve.

A remake of the 1984 slasher Silent Night, Deadly Night, this film easily falls into the category of one of the nastiest, bloodiest, and coldest (getit?) Christmas horror films ever created.  I don’t normally get excited about remakes, especially within the horror genre, but this one is worth placing under the Christmas tree.

4.  Krampus (2015)

A boy who has a bad Christmas ends up accidentally summoning a festive demon to his family home.

One of the more recent entries on this list, Krampus brings to life an old urban legend; be full of Christmas spirit or else face the wrath of a demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers.

3.  Black Christmas (1974)

During their Christmas break, a group of sorority girls are stalked by a stranger.

It all began with a phone call and if this film doesn’t chill you to your core, then you are made of stone.  Ignored over the years and unknown outside the cult horror fans, this is an underrated classic that deserves much more attention that it ever got.  It was director Bob Clark who came up with the title Black Christmas saying that he liked the irony of something dark occurring during such a festive holiday.  Maybe we should all switch our phones off this year just in case…

2.  Gremlins (1984)

A boy inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.

How can you not love Gizmo and his pals?  This has to be one of the most underrated Christmas movies.  Why?  Christmas movies are notoriously cheesy and, when Grinch-like behavior is shown, chaos takes flight.  But all is put right in the end when Mr. Wing arrives to take Gizmo back home and delivers a speech about not taking something that doesn’t belong to you.  Nothing like a side of truth to balance of Christmas dinner, right?

1.  Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)

After his parents are murdered, a tormented teenager goes on a murderous rampage dressed as Santa, due to his stay at an orphanage where he was abused by the Mother Superior.

No surprises that the original would make the list.  This original killer Santa Claus movie raised a few eyebrows upon its release as angered parents picketed theaters where it was being screened, and asked oncoming patrons to sign petitions to have the film removed from theaters.  Two weeks later, the film had been withdrawn, but in that time it had managed to briefly outgross A Nightmare On Elm Street that was released the same weekend.

What’s your must-see Christmas Horror movie?