6 Scariest Christmas Movies

Christmas is a wonderful time of year with eggnog, presents, snow, carol singing, food, and traditions. All your family gathers around to play charades, Uno, and the family friendship-breaking game Monopoly, whilst your oldest Grandma sits in her armchair watching or sleeping away. Typically, you finished your board games, made up with those Monopoly arguments, and settle in front of the TV to watch a Christmas movie.

If your like me, love anything horror-related, and will turn anything into a festive version of Halloween, then a Christmas horror movie is a must for the Christmas season. Especially if your crazy uncle has had a little bit too much to drink.

So, put the young ones to bed, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and some all-butter shortbread, and remember, the family that slays together stays together!

1. 'Jack Frost' (1997)

Not to be confused with the family-friendly movie with the same name, Jack Frost was initially released in 1997 by director Michael Cooney as a horror-comedy slasher movie set in the fictional town Snowmonton. The premise of the movie is about the serial killer, Jack Frost, who was being transported in a truck when it crashed into a secret government genetics truck during a snow storm. His body's snow and genetic material collided and blended together, which formed into a pun-spewing, killer snowman. Jack Frost, the killer snowman, then seeks revenge on the sheriff that locked him away.

The film is a classic Christmas horror movie that combines Christmas puns, jokes, and gags with a classic American slasher-gore-fest horror that is a must-see if you want a horror film with a chuckle.

2. 'Black Christmas' (1974)

Released in 1947 by Bob Clark for Warner Brothers Studios, Black Christmas—also known as Silent Night, Evil Night and Stranger in the House—is a slasher movie with a surprising ending. Black Christmas is about Barb and Jess, two sorority sisters planning a Christmas party in their sorority house over Christmas break. Their Christmas party, however, becomes more and more terrorising as a mad-killer calls them threatening the girls as they realise that the killer may be in their house.

Although Black Christmas was one of the first slasher movies to be shown, today it still just as frightening, despite its plot and sound devices that are now a typical horror movie trope and very predictable.

3. 'A Christmas Horror Story' (2015)

Released in 2015 by directors Steve Hoban, Grant Harvey, and Brett Sullivan. A Christmas Horror Story is set in the small town of Bailey Downs, a town that is suddenly plagued with evil, malevolent spirits, grisly zombies elves, and the anti-Santa named Krampus. Even Santa isn't safe in Bailey Downs.

4. 'Krampus' (2015)

Released in 2015 by director Micheal Dougherty, Krampus is based off of the real-life European folklore creature. Krampus is a horned beast who punishes naughty Children at Christmas by kidnapping and tormenting them. The Movie is about a dysfunctional family who had a squabble that caused the youngest son to lose all his festive cheer, leading to the frightening beast to seek the family out. The family must come together to save each other from the demon.

Read more about Krampus, the Christmas demon, here.

5. 'Gremlins' (1984)

From director Joe Dante, the 1984 movie is still a cult-favourite and is still often seen on TV around Christmas. Gremlins is about a salesman looking for a special gift for his son when he finds one in Chinatown. The shopkeeper sells him the creature known as a "Mogwai," even though he is reluctant, warning him to never expose him to bright light, water, and feeding him after midnight. Soon after, we discover a gang of feisty gremlins that decide to tear up the town on Christmas Eve.

6. 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1994)

The Nightmare Before Christmas, released in 1994, is still a success today. The movie follows Jack Skellington from Halloweentown who became bored with the same annual routine of scaring people when he accidentally stumbles upon Christmastown. Jack gets warm spirits and a new lease on life, and he plots to bring christmas under his control as he kidnaps Santa and takes over the role.