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Updated 12/24/24
black christmas (all three of them)
I know, aside from the original, these movies are polarizing, but they feel like my children. I may not love them equally, but that’s because I find it very difficult to compare them. Instead, I appreciate each one black christmas for different things. And I’m happy to watch three of these movies every year.
black christmas 1974 is a bona fide classic that quietly established the blueprint for slashers, while featuring an innovative abortion subplot, thrilling moments that still make me nervous to this day (a weird and perverted phone call followed by a monotone/literally “I’m going to kill you” before hanging up), and phone music design with a water design.
I wasn’t a fan black christmas 2019 when I first saw it, but a second and third viewing caused it to grow on me considerably. Yes, it’s still edgy and punchy in its messages (only 5 months old!), but Sofia Takali’s direction is engaging and inspired. The bonus New Years movie on this list is also directed by him and really brings back the wasted potential of this movie. Still, I love the honesty of this one (it has a much more original tone than the 2006 version), how much it surprised me in terms of reimagining the story, and how intense it was at times despite being PG-13. I’ll take Twitter-level dialogue and plot holes over another fresh spin black christmas.
Although 1974 is the best, black christmas 2006 is my guilty pleasure favorite. Have you ever had a eureka moment? Because I had one when director Sam Wineman compared the film to a drag performance of the original. It’s a perfect way to explain why I love his bombastic reimagining of the first film. It shares a lot of meaning with the “let’s be cynical about this holiday” DNA My Bloody Valentine 3D. I must have watched it a dozen times by now, and the delivery of some lines (*someone’s glass unicorn figure* “I know you like the Bible and stuff”?!) had me giggling even on my last viewing. It will forever be the most “Christmassy” horror movie to me with its constant Christmas music and mise-en-scène that seems to stir up the Christmas spirit everywhere.
This is a beautiful knife
I originally published this list in December 2021, but this 2023 edition immediately stole my heart and will now be an annual review. High concept slasher version It’s a wonderful life Which he rightly called “Tastier than Madonna’s concert”. dead flesh channel.
This movie is appropriately Christmassy and witty, with a suitably saccharine ending and a humorous tone that suits a group viewing or a desire for a Christmas horror movie that doesn’t leave you feeling restless and haunted by the end.
I also really appreciate that the creative team and main cast took the romantic vibe between Winnie and Bernie and just went with it, even though there were already three other queer characters. Michael Kennedy and everyone involved have really created something special with this deliberately grinning, delightful Christmas horror.
Gremlins
oh Gremlins. while I had black christmas 2006, this was my defacto Christmas horror movie. From the bold “Baby Please Come Home” to the small-town Christmas spirit of “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Brilliant before use? While the gremlins are roaming the house under attack, this movie also makes Christmas (and molten gremlin guts) pop. Also Gizmo is adorable with his lil Santa hat and keyboard.
Anna and the Apocalypse
Sometimes you need a (dare I say?) feel-good Christmas horror movie that doesn’t leave you feeling down in the dumps, despite lots of carnage and death. It seems odd that a Christmas zombie apocalypse musical would do the trick, but it does. This is characterized by cheerfully not knowing 2004 Dawn of the Dead– The level suburban zombie apocalypse that is happening around you is the number of competitors Sean is dead. The songs are catchy and even portray flawed characters or at least understand their motivations. I especially like Paul Kaye’s tough but perfect performance as the school administrator, who digs in a disturbing way when he finally gets a taste of the control he craves when the fan hits him. There are also great life lessons to be learned amidst the chaos.
You better be careful
I went into this not expecting much and was surprised by the nasty twists and turns. It’s a little too nonsensical to include in my annual Christmas schedule, but it’s a great little movie that, if nothing else, answers what would happen if you swung a can of paint full of paint at someone’s “home alone” head.
Silent night, deadly night series
It has become a tradition for me to watch one of them every year. I don’t really have a specific recommendation, but these quirky little films are great if you have a sweet (?) tooth for a Christmas horror flick. The first one, at least, seems like a serious letdown, and the second one is basically a rehash of the first one with the iconic Garbage Day scene. The next two really lean straight to video 80’s and 90’s sleaze.
Christmas mischief
I just watched this movie for the first time this year, and while it may not be in the upper echelon of Christmas horror movies like the others on this list, it was fun in its own right. Like the first one Silent night, deadly night This movie is about a man who has issues with Christmas from his upbringing (although Harry is clearly less traumatized than Bill!). It’s clearly a John Waters favorite, and it really makes you feel for Harry and feel for him as he pursues his absolutely terrifying co-star. Moreover, it has a funny ending that you will never forget, and the vigilante mob is even more ineffective than one Halloween kills.
New year, new you
It’s rare that I like a movie so much I post about it right away, but that’s exactly what I did last New Year’s Eve when I first watched it. This is the second film on this list directed by Sofia Takali, and it really shows off her skills when given a normal production timeline. I’m not usually a fan of stories that deal with lingering strain in female friendships, but I love the twisted, dark places this film goes. It gets to the point (and you’ll know it when you see it!) where we question who we’re rooting for in this situation. It was really dark, but it really stuck with me on the screen.
It’s really fun to watch new holiday horror movies every year and find gems. Happy Holidays and be safe.
