Horror for the Holidays

Every late November I settle down with a chunk of anti-Christmas movies to get my mind in gear for the onslaught of holiday saccharine about to strike. Below is a list - in no particular order - of the best way to slash away that X-mas glee and get your jollies from blood-soaked stockings hanging on the mantel...



Black Christmas (1974)
Stars a slew of ladies and gents who would go on to relatively long and popular careers including Olivia Hussey (IT), Margot Kidder (Superman), Andrea Martin (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), John Saxon (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Art Hindle (Invasion of the Body Snatchers), Keir Dullea (2001), Marian Waldman (A Christmas Story). The first true slasher film. Sorority girls are stalked the night of their x-mas party by an unseen killer. Sounds typical, but remember this was the first of its style and is done very respectably. Some great tension.

Gremlins (1984)
Cute little critters turn into nasty little buggers as they wreck havoc on a small town on Christmas eve.

Home for the Holidays (1972)
Based on the classic Agatha Christie story "10 Little Indians," group of sisters gather when their father insists their step-mother is trying to kill him. Problem is they're all getting whacked instead. Stars a young Sally Field.

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
Boy abused by a wicked nun after witnessing his parents murder by a man dressed as Santa grows up to believe Santa "punishes" naughty people with death. In hind-sight not the best of movies, but worth the watch for its notoriety. Plus it features Scream Queen Linnea Quigley in one of her signature roles.

Silent Night, Deadly Night 2 (1987)
I'm not exaggerating when I say there's only 30 minutes of new footage here (with the younger brother of Part 1 now seeking revenge on the evil nun), as the rest is filled with "flashback" footage. But the new scenes are filled with high camp and outrageous kills. Just flash-forward for a quick viewing night.

Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: You Better Watch Out (1989)
Very tame compared to the earlier films, this one plays more like Wait Until Dark (1968) as a blind woman is stalked by the second film's killer after she becomes psychically linked to him. Not too scary or campy, but has some decent suspense.

Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation (1990)
Likely to go down as one of the most bizarre films in history, this one follows a reporter who gets involved with a group of lesbian Lilith (Adam's wife before Eve) worshipers. Their combined powers can create spontaneous combustion and slimy, giant bugs that writhe under their victim's skin. Thoroughly gross but weird enough to hold your attention.

Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker (1991)
Reporter from previous film has a friend whose child becomes the target of a toymaker with an "odd" son of his own. Similar to the PUPPET MASTER films, and featuring Mickey Rooney - who ironically protested the original film. Actually the best of the series.

Tales From the Darkside: The Grither (1986) (TV)
Creepy 30 minutes as parents tell their spoiled children of a monster that only comes out on Christmas Eve to punish naughty children.

Jack Frost (1997)
Not the happy family film, but an earlier film that finds a town terrorized - humorously - by a killer snowman. One of Shannon Elizabeth's (American Pie) first films. Campy and fun.

Tales from the Crypt: "And All Through The House" (1989) (TV)
A remake segment from the 1972 feature film. Wife planning her husband's murder is unaware a killer Santa has escaped the looney bin and has his own bloody axe to grind. Scared the crap out of me as a teen!

Deadly Dreams (1989)
Low budget but decent psycho shocker about a guy who keeps dreaming back to his parents Christmas Eve murders.

The Shining (1980)
Technically not a holiday film, but its snow caped landscape and final wintry chase certainly gives good reason to watch on a chilly night.

Terror Train (1979)
New Year's Eve celebration among college kids becomes a bloody nightmare as - among the costumed guests - lurks a killer out to avenge a prank gone wrong years earlier. One of Jamie Lee Curtis's best and has several scary bits.


A few Holiday Horrors to AVOID...

While She Was Out (2008)

Santa Claws (1996)

Black X-Mas (2006)

Don't Open 'Til X-mas (1984)

Christmas Evil (1980)

Jack Frost 2 (2000)


By no means is this a complete list. These are only the titles I have actually seen. For a more detailed list of items try going here...