Christmas isn't typically associated with horror movies, but there are plenty of spooky seasonal stories if you want something a little different.
Whether you're looking for horror comedy, a zombie musical (yes really!) or something to get the adrenaline racing, there are plenty of picks to whet your appetite if you're not feeling any of the classic, heartwarming festive movies.
With plenty to enjoy for newcomers or seasoned horror fans, here's our picks of the best Christmas horror movies...
Better Watch Out
I do love a dark twist on a classic Christmas song, don't you? Better Watch Out follows a babysitter who is forced to defend a twelve-year-old boy from intruders. If that isn't bad enough, she soon learns that this isn't a normal home invasion. It's safe to say this one will have you locking your doors this festive season.
There are plenty of great stars in this one including Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould, Dacre Montgomery, Patrick Warburton, and Virginia Madsen.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
In this horror fantasy movie, a young boy sets out to discover the truth behind several strange goings on in his small isolated village. The reindeer have been murdered, the hairdryers and radiators have disappeared, oh, and all the children have gone.
This Finnish language movie attempts to uncover the truth about Santa Claus, and it might be darker than what you're used to...
The Lodge
After Goodnight Mommy, you’d assume Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala might opt for something more lighthearted, but you were wrong!
If anything, The Lodge might be even bleaker than their previous mortifying motherhood tale. Another family subjected to immense tortures, this time as Richard (Richard Armitage) announces future step-mommy Grace (Riley Keough) will be joining his family’s routine Christmas trip to their remote Massachusetts vacation home. Son Aiden (Jaeden Martell) and daughter Mia (Lia McHugh) are none too pleased, so once Richard leaves, they enact their master plan of breaking Grace’s psyche...
Violent Night
When David Harbour isn't investigating the Upside Down in Stranger Things, he's playing a Santa Claus who fights mercenaries. As if he wasn't busy enough, right?
While not as scary as some of the other entries on the list, it's certainly violent and is a must watch for anyone looking for a thrilling tale this festive season. If you need more convincing, John Leguizamo stars opposite David Harbour as Scrooge, with a great supporting cast too.
Anna And The Apocalypse
John McPhail’s Scottish Christmas musical comedy with zombies is a real triumph. Co-writer Ryan McHenry sadly passed away before the project could be finished, but Anna And The Apocalypse lives on with tremendous spirit.
It’s a brilliant combination too. Musical numbers, zombies causing chaos, and some sentimental moments. Ultimately, it's a film with a lot of heart and is a great watch this holiday season.
Krampus
Folklore can get pretty dark, and there's few things more terrifying than Krampus. Acting as the complete opposite to Santa Claus, the Krampus scares children who have misbehaved during the holiday season, and I'm sure he's equally as scary to adults!
Hereditary star Toni Colette and Severance's Adam Scott lead the cast as married couple Tom and Sarah, whose son Max is soon targeted by the legendary Krampus when his belief in Christmas starts wavering...
Black Christmas
Slasher movies are commonplace in the horror genre, and there's an iconic festive twist in Black Christmas, which is widely regarded as one of the best Christmas horror movies out there. It follows a group of sorority sisters who receive threatening phone calls which soon turn deadly.
The movie stars Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, Andrea Martin, Lynne Griffin and John Saxon.
Gremlins
Joe Dante's Gremlins masterfully merges horror and comedy to create one of the greatest horror Christmas movies of all time, featuring the iconic Gizmo and what can go wrong if you don't follow the rules!
This is a perfect one to watch this Christmas as a young boy gets a mysterious new pet Mogwai who are adorable and oh-so-innocent... until they're not.
