Halloween may be over, but true horror enthusiasts know that the spooky festivities don’t have to end in October. Fortunately, there are filmmakers who cater to year-round scares by creating holiday-themed horror movies. Whether it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, or even April Fool’s Day, there are plenty of options to keep the chilling spirit alive all year long.
Christmas:
Out of all the holiday-themed horror movies, Christmas stories are my personal favorite. If you want to introduce your younger kids to the genre, start with something mild like “A Nightmare Before Christmas” before moving on to more intense films like “Gremlins.” For older teenagers and adults, you can’t go wrong with the killer Santa Claus in “Silent Night, Deadly Night.”
Despite what some streaming algorithms may suggest, “Die Hard” is not a horror movie. It’s a fantastic action flick, but not quite in the horror realm. For a true Christmas slasher experience, “Krampus” is a great choice.
However, my top pick for the best Christmas horror movie is the underrated gem “Anna and the Apocalypse.” This British film combines a zombie apocalypse with catchy songs, fantastic performances, and a perfect ending. It’s currently available for streaming on AMC+.
New Year’s Eve:
What better way to welcome the new year than with Arnold Schwarzenegger battling the devil? “End of Days” was released during Schwarzenegger’s peak years and showcased a more vulnerable side to his character, Jericho Cane. Consumed by grief over the loss of his wife and daughter, Jericho must stop the devil, played brilliantly by Gabriel Byrne, from using a young woman as a vessel for the apocalypse. This underrated gem can be streamed on Tubi.
Valentine’s Day:
For a movie that perfectly captures the spirit of love on Valentine’s Day, look no further than “Valentine.” Released in 2001 and starring David Boreanaz, Denise Richards, and more, this slasher film follows a group of women who tormented a former classmate in high school. Now, they are being stalked by a killer wearing a sinister Cupid mask. Trust me, this mask will give you chills. The movie is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video and Vudu.
St. Patrick’s Day:
Although there aren’t many St. Patrick’s Day horror films to choose from, the original “Leprechaun” takes the cake. It was the only time Warwick Davis’s demonic Leprechaun felt truly threatening, before the series devolved into “I want me gold!” antics. The movie also features Jennifer Aniston in one of her early roles. You can stream it on Hulu.
Easter:
When it comes to Easter-themed horror, “Critters 2” is a standout film. While the first “Critters” movie is better overall, the sequel takes advantage of the Easter egg hunts happening around town to spread the ravenous critters further. Notably, it also features an epic death scene involving a guy dressed as the Easter bunny. You can rent or purchase “Critters 2” on Prime Video and Vudu.
April Fool’s Day:
Without a doubt, “April Fool’s Day” is the top choice for this holiday. Released in 1986, this slasher comedy stars Deborah Foreman as Muffy St. John, who invites her friends to an island mansion filled with pranks. As the weekend progresses, the pranks turn deadly and the guests realize they’ve been played by Muffy. This film is currently streaming on Pluto TV.
Thanksgiving:
Unfortunately, there aren’t many great Thanksgiving horror movies out there. However, the fake movie trailer for “Thanksgiving” in 2007’s “Grindhouse,” directed by Eli Roth, remains the best Thanksgiving-themed horror to date. The anticipation for Roth’s upcoming “Thanksgiving” movie is high, but nothing can beat that original teaser. Look out for the movie’s premiere on Friday, November 17 in theaters.
Birthdays:
“Happy Death Day” is a noteworthy mention for birthday-themed horror, as it follows a character who keeps reliving her birthday and getting killed until she breaks free from the time loop. However, my top pick is “Sweet Sixteen,” a 1983 slasher film about a new girl in town who attracts the wrong kind of attention from local men. As her 16th birthday party approaches, the local men mysteriously die. It’s an ’80s horror classic that shouldn’t be missed, and you can stream it on Prime Video.
