Posted by A list of horror films to watch at Christmas: Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984), Silent Night (2012), Black Christmas (1974), a forerunner of slashers, and Gremlins (1984). At the bottom you will find the new Silent Night, Deadly Night released in 2025.
The Christmas season is full of joy, kindness, snow, presents… and horror films! That’s right: who says Halloween is the only perfect time to watch some good horror films? Here is a list of horror films to watch at Christmas, for a chilling holiday.
Horror films to watch at Christmas
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
This film is a Christmas horror classic and the first in the “Silent Night, Deadly Night” saga. It begins with the story of Billy, a little boy frightened by his grandfather’s tales that Santa Claus punishes naughty children. When his family is robbed and massacred by a criminal dressed as Santa, his fear grows worse and explodes when he becomes an adult.
Silent Night (2012)
This film, directed by Steven C. Miller, is a loose reimagining of the 1984 “Silent Night, Deadly Night”. It is set in a small American town where a killer dressed as Santa murders victims he considers naughty. His fury spares no one. A fairly gory film, for a truly bloody Christmas.
Black Christmas (1974)
Considered a masterpiece of Christmas horror, this film is set in a sorority house. The killer is “felt” and perceived through his actions, almost without a body, very much like the later Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees. With groups of young people, calls from strangers and police who do not believe there is a real danger, it can be called a forerunner of slasher movies. It has been remade twice, in 2006 and 2019.
Gremlins (1984)
At Christmas you cannot miss Gremlins, one of the cult Christmas horror films! After a first, cosy Christmas part starring Billy and Gizmo, the second part stars the creatures “spawned” from Gizmo, who multiply and go around causing chaos. What can I say, a Christmas must!
Update: Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025)
The killer dressed as Santa is back! On 12 December 2025 a new remake of Silent Night, Deadly Night, written and directed by Mike P. Nelson, with Rohan Campbell as Billy Chapman, opened in US cinemas. It is a reimagining rather than a faithful remake, and it comes from the same distributor as the Terrifier saga. A great addition to the list this Christmas.
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