Usually, the entertainment industry hand-picks romantic comedies to complement the already cheery Christmas celebrations. However, some might find these movies too cheesy and prefer to see something more eerie and adventurous besides the “…and they lived happily ever after” plots. Like modern slots, which include symbols on a payline that can get you a jackpot, you can also spin what you watch on Christmas. Recently, we’ve seen a couple of filmmakers delivering a good number of holiday horror, thriller, and even dark comedy.
These movies bring a fresh point of view to the already festive season. They do these by merging holiday cheer with spooky elements. This creates a new genre and makes them perfect if you wish to slice up your Christmas movie list. The following is a lineup you can implement into your holiday celebration.
Violent Night
The genre of this movie is a trio. It consists of action, comedy, and thriller. This action-packed dark comedy tweaks the script on the classic Santa Claus trope. Its pilot is unveiled when a wealthy family’s mansion is invaded by mercenaries on Christmas Eve. At this point, the family realizes Santa is not your typical jolly gift and hope giver.
David Harbour (a famous cast from Stranger Things) stars as a battle-hardened Santa. He unleashes his inner action hero to save the day. The perfect mix of over-the-top violence with humour creates the perfect holiday setting. It is a similar cult favourite for fans who see movies like Die Hard as a Christmas movie (many would argue otherwise).
The Leech
This movie combines horror with dark comedy. It features a devout priest who opens his home to a homeless couple during Christmas. However, what begins as a charitable act spirals into chaos. This turn of events occurs when his guests bring disturbing behaviours and dark secrets.
This movie also fits the genre as a psychological thriller. It will take you on a rollercoaster with its slow-burn dissection of the darker side of holiday generosity. Its satirical tone and unsettling progression make it a memorable option to add to your spooky Christmas list. More reason to check it out.
Christmas Bloody Christmas
This is a sci-fi plus horror genre. The plot entails the malfunction of a robotic Santa Claus at a small-town toy store. This eventually evolves into a murderous machine. To give you a vague idea of what to expect, think Terminator meets Christmas.
This movie’s chaos begins when a group of friends try to survive its relentless pursuit. Its neon-soaked visuals and gory action take this film to the next level. To make things more interesting, a punk rock vibe is roped into it. This makes the film an edgy and thrilling ride for the holidays.
It’s a Wonderful Knife
This movie is a horror heist on the holiday classic of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It entails a young woman feeling unappreciated in her small town after stopping a serial killer on Christmas Eve. Her mysterious, wishful thinking transports her to a parallel reality where the killer still lives. Now, she must begin the fight again to save her loved ones. This movie is a must-add because it merges nostalgic holiday elements with a brutal and crude slasher vibe. Ultimately, it is a chilling and entertaining movie that will resonate to horror and holiday fans at the same time.
Silent Night
This dystopian black comedy-horror reimagines the conventional family holiday gathering during Christmas. It comes with a dark twist as friends and family celebrate the festivities. Similarly, they tackle an apocalyptic event looking in the background. This unsettling but poignant holiday take is worth your screens. It combines existential dread with family drama and dark humour. Overall, it is a thought-provoking play that will take your sight off the typical cheesy holiday dramas.
The Advent Calendar
This movie is a psychological horror. It puts a sinister tweak on the holiday tradition. Eva, a paraplegic, gets an old advent calendar as a gift with rules that must be followed—and horrifying consequences for disobedience. Day after day, the calendar offers tempting rewards. However, they come at an increasingly terrifying cost. This offers a fresh and atmospheric perspective on the horror genre and a chilling combination of morality and suspense.
Dead End
This is an underrated movie. It is set on Christmas Eve. The plot revolves around a family taking a car trip during this time. However, what was supposed to be a fun time turns into a nightmarish loop of eerie occurrences. The combination of supernatural horror and black comedy creates a hauntingly surreal experience. It is worth watching because its unpredictable plot will take you on an engaging and spooky ride.
The Perfect Antidote to the Overabundance of Sugary Holiday Movies
If you are over the traditional Hallmark-style Christmas romcoms, these movies deliver the perfect blend of chills, thrills, and even some laughs. From gory slashers to psychological thrillers and dark comedies, you’ll find something to make your Christmas spooky and memorable. So, grab some hot chocolate or eggnog, cosy up, and let the spooky fun begin.
