10 Most Terrifying Christmas Horror Movies 

3. Krampus (2015)

Better Watch Out
Universal Pictures

Directed and co-written by Trick ‘r Treat’s Michael Dougherty, the filmmaker handles Krampus with the same high energy and dark humour as he did with his Halloween anthology.

Another Christmas horror that features the eponymous creature, this flick followings young Max (Emjay Anthony) unwittingly summon the horned creature after a dinner with his dysfunctional family sees him lose his Christmas spirit.

After a ferocious snowstorm suddenly blows in overnight, the family is forced to fend off the monster and his unholy helpers as they begin pick them off one by one.

While there are more than a handful of disturbing moments to be found here (especially that nightmare-inducing Jack-in-the-Box), the real fun of this film lies in its tongue-in-cheek approach to the hokey Hallmark films that dominate this time of year.

Whereas in these sickeningly sweet flicks the family would eventually rediscover their love for the season and for each other, wrapping things up with the perfect Christmas, this version sees the family punished with no possibility for redemption.

If you hate those made-for-TV Christmas films, then Krampus is exactly what you’re looking for to bring your family closer together.

Contributor
Contributor

Glasgow-based cinephile who earned a Masters degree in film studies to spend their time writing about cinema, video games, and horror.