The Best Christmas Horror Movies to Stream

Hallmark movie lovers aren't the only people who think the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. Christmastime is also a great time to be a horror fan, thanks to the longstanding tradition of movies that blend sleighs and slays. While a lot of the Christmas horror classics -- such as Black Christmas and Silent Night, Deadly Night -- aren't streaming anywhere, that doesn't mean that you can't line up quite the holly-jolly horror movie marathon this winter. From old-school standouts like Jack Frost and The Nightmare Before Christmasto fantasy thrillers like Rare Exports and even a zombie musical like Anna and the Apocalypse, there are a ton of great Christmas horror movies to stream this winter. Check out the best picks to inspire some festive scares this holiday season.

(Disclosure: Links to retailers may earn money to support our work.)

Silent Night

Watch it on: Starz, Hulu with Starz add-on

This holiday slasher is the sixth installment in the Silent Night, Deadly Night franchise and a (very) loose remake of the 1984 original. It features a man who dresses up as Santa and goes on a killing spree, murdering anyone who makes it onto his "naughty" list, including people who are adulterers, people who work in porn, and even the mayor. While we wouldn't call the cast "all-star," Silent Nightdoes feature a ton of familiar faces, including Jaime King, Malcolm McDowell, Donal Logue, Brendan Fehr, and Ellen Wong.

Krampus

Watch it on: Hulu with Live TV

Now this is a Christmas horror movie with an all-star cast. Featuring Adam Scott, Toni Collette, Allison Tolman, and David Koechner, this movie follows a family reuniting at the holidays who are terrorized by Krampus, a demon who punishes those who have lost the Christmas spirit. It's far from a masterpiece, but Krampus is a delightful blend of horror and humor.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Watch it on: Disney+, Hulu with Live TV

While there is never a bad time to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas, the three-month period from October through December is really this film's time to shine. The Tim Burton movie about Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town who accidentally ventures into Christmas Town and becomes enamored with the festive spirit has become annual viewing for so many and you'd be remiss not to join in on this tradition.

Your Ultimate Holiday Viewing Guide

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

Watch it on: Hulu, Amazon

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale puts a dark spin on the stories we grew up on. The Finnish thriller follows a group of people who discover the deadly secret behind Santa when they stumble upon an ancient burial mound that had been built centuries ago to imprison something... or someone. The movie is based on the 2003 short film Rare Exports Inc. and the 2005 sequel Rare Exports: The Official Safety Instructions, but we recommend just jumping into this film blind to enjoy the fun revisionist mythology, biting satire, and gory horror.

Anna and the Apocalypse

Watch it on: Hulu, Amazon

When you think "Christmas horror movies" you probably don't also think "musical numbers," but that's precisely why Anna and the Apocalypse is such a welcome addition to the genre. The 2017 horror musical finds a small town coming under attack by zombies at Christmas, forcing a group of teens to sing, dance, and kill their way to survival. It's weird and campy and a whole lot of fun.

Better Watch Out

Watch it on: Shudder,Amazon with Shudder add-on

If you're a babysitter in a movie, chances are something terrible is about to happen. That's definitely true in Better Watch Out, about a high school student (The Society's Olivie DeJonge) babysitting a precocious 12-year-old at Christmastime when things take a twisted turn. This is one horror movie where we really don't want to reveal too much of the plot in advance, but just trust us when we say this film is messed up -- and also features Dacre Montgomery, if you're into that too.

Dead End

Watch it on: Amazon

Dead End is basically the road trip from hell. When the family patriarch (Ray Wise) decides to take a short cut while driving to his mother-in-law's house on Christmas Eve, they find themselves on a never-ending forest road that features various horrors and deadly threats. If you like The Twilight Zone but crave an extra edge, this French film is perfect viewing. But maybe just wait to watch it until after you arrive at your family gathering this holiday season.

The Best Christmas Movies and Specials to Stream

Jack Frost

Watch it on: Amazon

Do not get this confused with the 1998 Michael Keaton movie of the same name, because this Jack Frostis definitely not family friendly. When a serial killer mutates into a killer snowman (don't ask how, it's truly not worth the energy), he goes on a murder spree that features some of the cheesiest deaths ever put on film. Although Jack Frost was a direct-to-video release and critically panned, it's developed a cult following over the years precisely because of how enjoyable it is to watch this absurd train wreck.

Sint

Watch it on: Hulu

Also known as Saint and Saint Nick, this Dutch horror comedy is about Sinterklaas, the legendary figure that Santa Claus is based on. In this dark take on the lore, former bishop Niklas dies on Dec. 5, 1492, when his gang of looters are killed by villagers. Whenever the date of anniversary of Sinterklaas' death coincides with a full moon, the ghosts of the gang return and slaughter hundreds of people. While the film never quite lives up to its full potential (the premise is great!), it's a fun and gruesome way to spend a few hours.