Christmas time is joyous for many people. In fact, the season can feel far too joyous. Sometimes during this season, you need something else — something scarier. The holiday season has some great horror movies. Here are four holiday horror movies you should watch this season. Each one has a different subgenre and brings something unique to the table.
“Better Watch Out” is a 2016 home-invasion movie. The movie is directed by Chris Peckover and stars Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller and Ed Oxenbould. The movie follows a babysitter and the kid she is watching as they are targeted. The night takes dark and disturbing turns. The movie is extraordinarily dark while still having a joyous tone. The movie is pretty scary and knows how to build tension effectively.
The movie has some things that were not the best. The movie has a twist that I respect, but I am unsure if I like it. The ending is lackluster and does make the movie a little worse. However, the movie is still worth watching if you want something dark and disturbing.
“Silent Night, Deadly Night” is a 1984 slasher movie. The movie was directed by Charles E. Sellier Jr. and stars Robert Brian Wilson. The movie is about an orphan who was traumatized in his childhood and later goes on a killing spree dressed as Santa Claus to punish the naughty. The movie knows how to use its budget, even with the small amount it had. The movie expertly builds to the carnage and makes the villain sympathetic. The scares and kills are very good and work well together. The movie is really dark and is not very fun, but it is not trying to be. The movie is worthy of its reputation and is a deserving movie to watch this holiday season.
“Krampus” is a 2015 supernatural horror movie. The movie was directed by Michael Dougherty and stars Adam Scott, Toni Collette and Emjay Anthony. The story follows a young boy in a family that is losing faith in the holiday season. This unleashes Krampus to punish them. The movie is a wild ride that is fun and scary. The cast is full of actors who make the movie much funnier and crazier. The monsters in the movie are expertly made and look real using a combination of practical effects and CGI. The monsters are funny but also intimidating at the same time. Michael Dougherty is a veteran holiday horror director with Trick ’r Treat and knows how to use a holiday setting to enhance the story. Krampus is a balanced movie that is both fun and scary and is enjoyable during the holiday season.
“Gremlins” is a 1984 comedy horror movie. It is directed by Joe Dante and stars Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates. The movie follows a teenager who gets a mystical pet with three rules: Keep them out of bright light, especially sunlight; do not get them wet; and never feed them after midnight. When these rules are broken, the Gremlins are unleashed and wreak havoc across the town. The movie is absolutely hilarious but is scary when it needs to be. The movie is also a master of tone. It is funny but scary, cute and cuddly but gross and slimy, and heartwarming but dark. The movie’s characters make everything seem believable, from a simple conversation to a room full of Gremlins. The animatronics in the movie are top-notch and show how much care went into the movie. Gremlins is most likely the best movie on the list and the one I would recommend the most.