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Holiday Horror You Need to Watch This Christmas

Olivia DeJonge & Levi Miller star in "Better Watch Out" the holiday horror from Well Go USA
Olivia DeJonge & Levi Miller star in “Better Watch Out” the holiday horror from Well Go USA.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Santa Claus slashers and blood-spackled mittens, young frightened coeds all tied up in string, these are a few of our favorite things! Okay, maybe not, but the warm and fuzzies of the holiday season can be a bit much at times. You can only take so many cookie decoration sessions and tree trimming parties before you just snap. 

If you’re in the mood for something a little bit more sinister this Christmas season, look no further. Here are 7 of our favorite holiday horror films that you simply must watch:

A Christmas Horror Story
Type: Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
Release Date: 2015
Director: Brett Sullivan, Grant Harvey & Steven Hoban
Starring: William Shatner, George Buza, Rob Archer
Rating: 78% RT, 5.7/10 IMDb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z3ybMTpqFw

William Shatner and Santa versus Krampus? Sign us up! This little-known 2015 holiday horror is utterly watchable.

Black Christmas
Type: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Release Date: 1974
Director: Bob Clark
Starring: Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder
Rating: 70% RT, 7.2/10 IMDb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufCj6iUM_zY

One of the original in this genre, Black Christmas is set in a sorority house during Christmas break when a group of sorority sisters are terrorized by a mysterious stranger.

Silent Night
Type: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Comedy
Release Date: 2012
Director: Steven C. Miller
Starring: Jaime King, Malcolm McDowell, Brendan Fehr
Rating: 64% RT, 5.2/10 IMDb

This 2012 horror comedy by director Stephen C. Miller may be one of my favorites on this list. With a recognizable and capable cast, along with the perfect atmosphere, this serial-killer-dressed-as-Santa story is tons of fun.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
Type: Action & Adventure, Horror, Fantasy, Drama
Release Date: 2010
Director: Jalmari Helander
Starring: Per Christian Ellefsen, Jorma Tommila, Tommi Korpela
Rating: 89% RT, 6.7/10 IMDb

This Finnish dark fantasy attempts to uncover the horrific truth behind the myth of Santa Claus. With the breathtaking backdrop of Finland and a completely unique take on the holiday horror genre, Rare Exports will not let horror fans down.

All Through the House
Type: Horror
Release Date: 2015
Director: Todd Nunes
Starring: Jessica Cameron, Ashley Mary Nunes, Melynda Kirin
Rating: 4.8/10 IMDb

Not exactly a brand new take on the chilling Christmas tale, but a formidable entry into the classic slasher film collective, All Through the House tells the tale of yet another Santa-Slayer on a mission to kill.

Better Watch Out
Type: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Comedy
Release Date:  2017
Director: Chris Peckover
Starring: Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould
Rating: 90% RT, 6.6/10 IMDb

This horror comedy reminds me a bit of Home Alone, if only in the loosest of ways. A bunch of young teens home alone at Christmas are terrorized by one of their own. If you only watch one of the movies on this list, it should definitely be this one.

 Krampus
Type:  Action & Adventure, Horror, Fantasy, Drama
Release Date: 2015
Director: Michael Dougherty
Starring: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, Allison Tolman
Rating: 66% RT, 6.2/10 IMDb

2015 really was the year for trampling all over all of our holiday traditions isn’t it? And Krampus certainly one of the best of the bunch. I mean, what’s scarier? Being stranded with 12 of your dysfunctional relatives during a winter storm, or a mythical demon sent to punish you for all of your misdeeds? Honestly, it’s a bit of a toss up. How about both at the same time?

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