Not quite feeling the traditional holly-jolly spirit this holiday season? We’ve got you covered. Whether you crave a dose of Creepmas with a haunted holiday atmosphere, something whimsically gothic with noir undertones, or simply a break from saccharine sweetness, these 10 alternative holiday-themed films offer a welcome escape this winter.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
While Jack Skellington may have made a “terrible mess of Christmas,” Tim Burton‘s The Nightmare Before Christmas remains a whimsical marriage of eerie mischief and holiday cheer—a true “Creepmas” classic. Directed by Henry Selick, this stop-motion marvel follows Jack’s misguided attempt to commandeer Christmas, resulting in a spooky and surprisingly heartfelt story. Danny Elfman‘s iconic, haunting score—later reimagined in the scene-esque Nightmare Revisited featuring artists like The All-American Rejects and Amy Lee—binds it all together, offering holiday anthems from a delightfully twisted dimension. —Paige Owens
Gremlins
Nothing puts a smile on my face more than when these two genres are combined: horror and comedy. Writer Chris Columbus always viewed Gremlins as “…a bit of a satire of It’s a Wonderful Life…” making this one of the most dark but playful holiday movies out there. Gizmo has come to be recognized as one of the cutest characters in all of film, and my inner child has always wished I could adopt a mogwai of my own. Before CGI took over the entertainment industry, filmmakers had to get creative. We were given some of the most beautifully crafted puppets and animatronics, resulting in one of the most memorable monster designs ever put to film. Just remember to follow three rules, and don’t ask Kate for any cozy holiday stories to pass the time by. —Peyton Grufik
Krampus
Hot take: I think Krampus should be a more popular Christmas decoration in American culture. After all, according to central European folklore, he is Saint Nick’s trusty companion who beats naughty children with sticks. Alas, we may not have Krampusnacht in the States, but we do have the 2015 campy cult classic Krampus. If you’re looking for a movie full of killer teddy bears with sharp teeth, fiery and evil gingerbread men that are far from sweet, or a creepy AF jack-in-the-box, look no further than this film right here. It’s an over-the-top horror film that even those who hate scary movies can enjoy and laugh at the absurdity. Just ask my horror-avoidant parents, who I forced to watch with me. Yes, they prefer Will Ferrell’s Elf, but now, Krampus is an ironic family-favorite holiday film. P.S. This movie does feature Toni Collette, so… that should be more than enough to sway you into a viewing. — Maria Serra
Nosferatu
Robert Eggers has done it again… and I haven’t even seen the movie yet. Beloved for his previous releases, The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman, horror fans and vampire lovers are already securing their tickets for the Christmas day release of Nosferatu. So, if you’ve been waiting for the modern remake of the 1922 silent film of the same name (or you may know Nosferatu best from Spongebob), then open up your Fandango app ASAP. This highly-anticipated 2024 film is set in a snowy German town featuring Bill Skarsgård as the creepy Count Orlok and Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter. Orlok becomes deeply obsessed with Ellen, and well, it doesn’t go “great.” Additionally, Prof. Albin Eberhart Von Franz is portrayed by the iconic Willem Dafoe, who genuinely filmed a scene with 2,000 live rats. And that is why this movie is already generating Oscars buzz. I can’t wait for my coffin popcorn bucket, TBH. — Maria Serra
Into the Dark: New Year, New You
If you subscribe to Hulu and haven’t checked out Blumhouse Television’s Into The Dark on the streaming platform, you’re missing out. Sure, there are two seasons of the show, but this anthology essentially releases full-length horror movies every month and especially ties certain storylines to the season. A personal stand-out is New Year, New You, which premiered on December 28, 2018. The NYE-themed installment follows a group of friends at a party, and it quickly goes from the typical counting down ‘til midnight to counting bodies. (Saves money on Champagne, I guess?) If you’re in the holiday spirit, be sure to check out Into The Dark’s highly-rated Christmas feature, A Nasty Piece Of Work, as well as their second New Year’s Eve episode, Midnight Kiss. — Maria Serra
Terrifier 3
For decades, the horror community has had numerous icons, from Freddy Krueger and Jason Vorhees to Ghostface and Michael Myers. This generation finally earned its own memorable slasher villain in 2024. Thanks to the mind of director Damien Leone and his vision for the world of Terrifier, Art The Clown’s deranged and goofy disposition has cemented him alongside the greats with the third and most popular installment. Terrifier 3 swept the box office this year, grossing over $70 Million on a budget of $2 Million. For a depraved grindhouse, ultraviolent splatterpunk flick—this shocked the nation. Indie horror lovers proved to the world that we’ll show up and show out. Terrifier 3 takes place on Christmas Eve, and Art The Clown looks pretty adorable in a Santa suit, so what are you waiting for? —Tate Logan
Misery
Well, Stephen King has gone on record saying that he “hates Christmas movies.” (No shame. That just means more The Muppet Christmas Carol for me.) However, King ironically created the perfect basis for an anti-Christmas holiday movie with Misery. If you don’t think this is a holiday-ish flick, my reasons for this categorization include the fact that there is snow on the ground in this film. The trailer features a holiday card. A few parts of the movie feel cozy, do they not? The movie itself was released on November 30, 1990—peak holiday time. Many alternative people on Twitter agree that it’s a great Christmas watch. And finally, James Caan of Elf fame starred in it…and that’s just how my brain connects ideas. This novel-turned-feature film is just heaps of good, clean, family fun. —Maria Serra
Edward Scissorhands
Is Tim Burton the king of Halloween or the king of Christmas?! Perhaps both. Set against a backdrop of pastel suburbia transformed by Edward’s icy artistry, Edward Scissorhands undeniably captures the magic of winter, culminating in a hauntingly beautiful snow scene underscored by Danny Elfman‘s ethereal score. This visually stunning and poignant film climaxes on a fateful Christmas Eve. Yet even years later, Edward continues to conjure magical winters for Kim as an act of love. —Paige Owens
The Shining
It’s that time of year when it’s totally acceptable to revisit the greatest horror movie of all time. Even if you just watched it on Halloween, you can watch it again during the holidays. What could possibly bring more holiday cheer than gradually succumbing to madness courtesy of a snowstorm lock-in? The Shining has prime winter vibes—full of cozy sweaters, snowfall, and forced family time! The winter atmosphere, costume design, and family dysfunction all dance around the themes of Christmas. We hope you’ve already seen The Shining, but perhaps you’ll have the wonderful chance to expose your younger cousins to its perfection for the first time this season. It’s also a wonderful time to honor and celebrate the talent of the late Shelley Duvall. Make some hot cocoa and take time to relax with this one. After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. —Tate Logan
Batman Returns
Yes, yes, we picked another Tim Burton classic. Batman Returns, the sequel to Burton’s 1989 Batman, transforms Gotham City into a frigid, snow-dusted battleground of chaos, culminating in a dark yet festive film. Set during Christmas time, the movie pits Michael Keaton’s brooding Batman against the malevolent Penguin and the seductive, vengeful Catwoman. The holiday backdrop sharply contrasts the film’s gothic atmosphere, strikingly juxtaposing twinkling lights with grim shadows. Batman Returns is essential for anyone who prefers their holiday cheer with a touch of noir. —Paige Owens