The Horror Guys Guide to the Horror Films of Christmas

Is it “Ho! Ho! Ho!” or “Oh God, No!” ??

You better watch out. You better not cry. Because this Santa is here to terrorize.

Christmas may look bright and cheery on the surface, but when you look underneath the tinsel, there’s a lot to fear. Krampus, monstrous elves, cannibalistic cookies, and even Santa himself are just waiting to bring holiday misery.

In this deep, darkly funny dive into Yuletide terror, we explore 75 Christmas and winter-themed horror films spanning 81 years—from traditional ghost stories to modern slasher epics like Terrifier 3.

Prepare your emergency sleigh route as we unwrap a bizarre breadth of holiday horrors, including:

• Slasher Santas: Homicidal maniacs, traumatized vigilantes, and even Robo-Santa—a cyborg gone rogue.

• Mythological Mayhem: Everything from the child-eating figure in Rare Exports to the rules you absolutely must follow concerning Norwegian barn elves.

• Creature Features: The lovable destruction of Gremlins and the ridiculous absurdity of a killer cookie-puppet in The Gingerdead Man.

• Holiday Headaches: Films that manage to terrify simply through human stupidity or agonizing repetition.

Whether they are celebrated gems or late-night "stinkers," each film features a full synopsis with spoilers and our candid commentary on whether they successfully elevate the genre or fail spectacularly.

The world of Christmas horror is a flexible place. Grab your cocoa, lock your doors, and discover why Halloween isn't the only holiday where the monsters come out to play.