At the time of this writing, Eli Roth's newest film, Thanksgiving,has recently released and infused the season of thankfulness with gory slasher horror. The story of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the serial killer that haunts its streets is an exciting new thriller, riffing on several of the holiday's most beloved elements, but it isn't the first film to use this formula.
If you loved Thanksgiving, then the following 15 holiday-themed slasher flicks are perfect additions to your viewing list. These films, ranging from beloved classics to hidden gems, bring a hint of horror to our favorite holidays, some even inspiring Roth's new film.
New Year’s Evil (1980)
New Year's Eve is supposed to be a night to welcome in a new year, but it becomes a night of fear for Diane Sullivan in New Year's Evil. A popular radio DJ, Diane has set up a late-night broadcast to celebrate the holiday, but a mysterious caller simply known as "Evil" has other plans. Calling into the station, Evil vows to kill a single woman every hour as each time zone strikes midnight, and he promises that Diane will be his last victim. As the hours pass and the bodies start to pile up throughout Hollywood, Diane must find out the true identity of Evil and how he connects to her and her family.
Why We've Included New Year's Evil
Most critics panned New Year's Evil upon its release, and the years haven't helped its reputation. Nevertheless, the film deftly falls into the "so-bad-it's-good" territory, featuring several brutally gory kills and some pure, dumb entertainment. There isn't a lot of thematic complexity or deep character motivations in this film, but it is a fun, dark thriller with some great moments. We also get to spend a large portion of the film following the villain, which is an interesting change of pace, and while this narrative experiment doesn't necessarily pay off in the by-the-numbers twist ending, it certainly adds a layer of intrigue to this campy film.
Valentine (2001)
Valentine
- Release Date
- February 2, 2001
- Director
- Jamie Blanks
- Cast
- Denise Richards, David Boreanaz, Marley Shelton, Jessica Capshaw, Jessica Cauffiel, Katherine Heigl
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Horror
Years before the events of Valentine, Jeremy Melton was wrongly committed to a mental institution after several of his high school classmates testified that he had made unwanted sexual advances on their friend Dorothy. Now, those same classmates are dying in increasingly brutal ways. Dorothy, Paige, Lily, Shelley, and Kate are all that remain from the original group, and after receiving threatening Valentine's Day cards, they realize that they are next on the killer's list. Has Jeremy returned to exact his revenge? If not Jeremy, then who is behind the Cupid mask?
Why Valentine Makes the List
Valentine is far from the most unique slasher flick ever released, but what it lacks in originality it makes up for in pure entertainment. This is a fun, old-school slasher with all the expected tropes and plenty of grisly murders. It has received incredibly low review scores, but this underrated film still deserves your attention. Its cast consists of a number of genre newcomers, with David Boreanaz, Denise Richards, and Katherine Heigl as the only true standout names, but their performances are an incredible addition. Overall, this is a fun holiday slasher, and though it doesn't have a lot of depth, it is certain to at least keep you engaged from start to finish.
My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009)
My Bloody Valentine 3D
- Release Date
- January 16, 2009
- Director
- Patrick Lussier
- Cast
- Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith, Betsy Rue, Edi Gathegi, Tom Atkins
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Horror
My Bloody Valentine 3D opens on Valentine's Day in 1997. Six miners are trapped in the Hanniger Mines after an explosion. Rescue workers find that only one, Harry Warden, survived. When Warden awakens in the hospital, he goes on a revenge-fueled rampage, killing a number of Harmony's citizens. After nearly killing Tom Hanniger, Warden is gunned down by police. Ten years later, Tom returns to Harmony in time for the killings to begin again. A mysterious man dressed as a miner has targeted Tom's former friends, rekindling Warden's killing streak. Believing that Warden is still alive, Tom goes on a hunt for the truth.
Why You Should Watch My Bloody Valentine 3D
Including My Bloody Valentine 3D on this list doesn't detract from the quality of its predecessor. The original film has plenty of merits, especially in the conversation about censorship and the early days of the slasher boom. That said, the remake is a shockingly brutal spectacle, one that brilliantly utilizes its 3D technology to stunning effect. The film is incredibly formulaic at times, but the inventive kills and comic relief are brilliantly executed. There is little that feels new about this remake, but it fully leans into the campy nature of its concept and inspirations, making it an exciting outing for slasher fans.
April Fool’s Day (1986)
April Fool's Day takes the holiday's beloved pranks to a whole new level. Taking place during Spring Break, nine college friends head to an isolated island to celebrate their vacation, spending the weekend at the mansion of Muffy St. John. When the group arrives, they discover that Muffy has set up a series of pranks around the house in preparation for the upcoming April Fool's Day. However, over the course of the weekend, these traps and pranks turn deadly, and the group's numbers begin to dwindle. Trapped on the island until the following Monday, can the group survive long enough to make it home in one piece?
Why April Fool's Day Is Great
April Fool's Day isn't the scariest film on this list. Many even question its status as a slasher horror flick, with more of the emphasis placed on the central mystery and suspense than anything else. That said, the film is good. It isn't groundbreaking, but its focus on the suspense and mystery are well executed. More than that, the cast does a fantastic job adding new layers to their stereotypical roles (i.e., jock, nerd, cheerleader), and while the writing needs some work, the dark comedy at the film's heart is a welcome addition. All in all, the film doesn't stand out as anything too unique, but it still deserves your attention nonetheless.
Resurrection (1999)
In Resurrection, Christopher Lambert stars as Detective John Prudhomme, a recent transfer to Chicago who is faced with the darkest case of his career. Police have stumbled upon a string of grisly murders in the Windy City. Each victim is a 33-year-old male, and each has had a piece of their body removed. After piecing together clues, Prudhomme deciphers that the killer is attempting to prepare a host body for the resurrected Jesus before Easter. With only days remaining until the holiday, Prudhomme and the Chicago PD must track down the serial killer and stop his campaign of carnage.
Why Resurrection Makes the List
In the most technical sense, Resurrection isn't a horror film. It is a dark, thematic thriller like Seven, so those looking for some decent jump scares ought to look elsewhere. For those that want some grotesque body horror, a palpably eery atmosphere, and a nail-biting mystery, though, Resurrection may just be the film for you. It is a strong outing for Christopher Lambert, and the killer's creepy motivations are fascinating. It may just be another serial killer thriller, and it has moments where it feels derivative. That said, it is still an incredible Easter-themed film for fans looking to fill their yearly holidays with blood and gore.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
I Know What You Did Last Summer
- Release Date
- October 17, 1997
- Director
- Jim Gillespie
- Cast
- Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Freddie Prinze Jr., Bridgette Wilson, Anne Heche
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Horror
Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Sarah Michelle Gellar star in I Know What You Did Last Summer, the summer slasher hit from the writer of Scream. In the summer of 1996, three friends are returning from a day at the beach when they accidentally run over a pedestrian. Hiding the body in a river, the group promises never to mention the incident again. A year later, Helen Shivers receives a note claiming that someone has discovered their secret. A killer is on the loose, targeting all those involved in the death and the ones they love. Together, the teens must determine who the killer is before they end up on the wrong side of his blade.
Why You Should Watch I Know What You Did Last Summer
I Know What You Did Last Summer isn't immediately associated with a holiday, so it seems a strange pick for this list. However, given that the film is set on and around the Fourth of July celebration, it perfectly fits the criteria. More importantly, this film has become a classic of the slasher genre. While it doesn't bring anything wholly original to it, the film does a great job of making the viewer care about its large cast, and while it doesn't have the staying power of some predecessors, it is an entertaining crowd-pleaser. I Know What You Did Last Summer is perfect proof that you don't need to reinvent the wheel to make a great film.
Midsommar (2019)
Midsommar
- Release Date
- July 3, 2019
- Director
- Ari Aster
- Cast
- Florence Pugh, Will Poulter, William Jackson Harper, Jack Reynor, Julia Ragnarsson, Björn Andrésen
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Horror
Midsommar opens with tragedy. College student Dani is traumatized by the sudden murder-suicide of her parents and sister during the winter season. With summer approaching and her grief still palpable, her distant boyfriend Christian invites her to join him and his friends on a trip to a small Swedish community for their Midsummer festival. However, while the community seems like a safe place to escape and heal, Dani and the others soon discover a darkness hiding behind their traditions, and members of their group begin to disappear mysteriously. With the final ritual quickly approaching, Dani and Christian will have to make deadly choices.
Why Midsommar Is Included
Ari Aster's Midsommar has become a modern horror classic, and while it is more psychological horror than slasher, it is still a perfect fit for this list. Midsummer festivities are common around the world, so this trippy, atmospheric, and horrific look at them is a perfect addition to any holiday horror marathon. The film has one of the most unsettling atmospheres in the long history of horror, and the actors do an incredible job bringing this bizarre film to life, with Florence Pugh providing one of the best performances of her career so far. If you are looking for something to twist your brain into knots, look no further than this fantastic film.
Halloween (1978)
Halloween (1978)
- Release Date
- October 27, 1978
- Director
- John Carpenter
- Cast
- Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran, Nancy Kyes, P.J. Soles, Kyle Richards, Charles Cyphers
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Horror
Jamie Lee Curtis stars as Laurie Strode in John Carpenter's seminal classic Halloween. Laurie is a high school student who has recently become the target of a serial killer. Michael Myers, who, 15 years before, murdered his sister in cold blood, has broken out of his mental institution and has arrived in Haddonfield, Illinois to kill Laurie on Halloween night. With her life and the lives of her friends at stake, Laurie is forced to confront the masked killer. This battle has since sparked a franchise that continues into the modern day, one that fully explores Laurie's connection to Michael and the painful truth of his evil.
Why Halloween Rocks
No list about holiday horror would be complete without Halloween, the quintessential slasher flick and one of the most recognizable classics of the last half century. While arguments can be made about the best entry in the franchise, few can deny the staying power of this spooky season hit. Michael Myers' hunt has become an icon of pop culture and has helped influence countless films in the slasher genre. In fact, many credit the original film as the starting point of the slasher boom of the '80s. It is necessary viewing for any horror fan, but in terms of holiday horror, there are few more recognizable names than Halloween.
Kristy (2014)
Set during the week of Thanksgiving, Kristy follows Justine, a college student who couldn't afford to return home for the holidays. Left alone on campus, Justine becomes the target of a cult of murderers. Four hooded and masked individuals arrive on campus and kill the remaining staff, hunting Justine. All around the country, this cult kills "Kristy's," beautiful and privileged young women that they believe are religious, and posts videos of the grisly murders online. With her life on the line, Justine is forced to fight back against her pursuers, using whatever tools she can find around campus.
Why Kristy Belongs Here
Kristy is likely the most obscure title on this list, and much of this comes down to its reviews. Many critics felt that it didn't take any chances. That said, Kristy is still an entertaining ride, and it features a fun twist on the "final girl" trope. Much like Laurie Strode, Justine spends much of the film directly facing off against her pursuers, using a number of means to fight back. More interestingly, it is even implied at the end of the movie that Justine continues to confront the cult, saving other victims around the country. It adds a unique twist to the slasher formula, one that has since helped influence other genre films.
Blood Rage (1987)
A decade before the events of Blood Rage, Terry Simmons murdered a man and framed his twin brother Todd for the death. Committed to a mental institution, Todd escapes on Thanksgiving Day 10 years later, looking to confront his vile twin. After discovering his brother's escape, Terry sets off on a new murder spree in hopes of framing his brother again. Rampaging through the Shadow Woods apartment complex, Terry kills his neighbors and his mother's boyfriend out of jealousy. With the help of Karen, a resident of Shadow Woods, Todd must find his brother and stop his bloody slaughter.
Why We Included Blood Rage
If you go into Blood Rage expecting a cerebral horror film, you are going to be sorely disappointed. It is a campy, blood-soaked ride through the twisted mind of a serial killer, and it never once takes itself too seriously. The tongue-in-cheek humor and brilliant acting of Mark Soper as the pair of twin leads have delighted fans of the film since its initial releases as Slasher and Nightmare at Shadow Woods. This is far from the greatest film ever made, but John Grissmar manages to keep you enthralled with the dazzlingly over-the-top gore and characters. Horror needs more Thanksgiving features, and Blood Rage is an apt inclusion.
Better Watch Out (2016)
Better Watch Out
- Release Date
- September 22, 2016
- Director
- Chris Peckover
- Cast
- Patrick Warburton, Virginia Madsen, Levi Miller, Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould, Dacre Montgomery
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Thriller
Ashley, played by Olivia DeJonge, is a 17-year-old babysitter in Better Watch Out. Currently working with the Lerner family, she is in charge of taking care of 12-year-old Luke during the Christmas season. When they receive a threatening message and Luke's friend Garrett is seemingly killed by a masked assailant, Ashley and Luke are forced to escape from the dangerous threat. However, not everything is as it seems, and it is all an elaborate ruse orchestrated by Luke to seduce his babysitter. When the plan falls apart and Ashley refuses his advances, Luke turns violent, and Ashley becomes a prisoner in the young man's basement.
Why Better Watch Out Makes the List
Better Watch Out was an under-the-radar release, but it has become one of the most memorable Christmas slashers in years. The film was a hit with critics, with many highlighting the young cast for their great performances. What sets this movie apart from so many others is the way it subverts the expected tropes. Children are rarely (if ever) the villain in horror films, especially ones grounded in reality, but Better Watch Out does a brilliant job homaging films like Home Alone to create intelligent and believable young villains. It's a brilliant take on the classic formula, and more horror fans need to see this film.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
Silent Night, Deadly Night opens in 1971, where Billy Chapman and his family are preparing for Christmas. A criminal dressed in a Santa suit murders Billy's family, traumatizing the young boy. In the years that followed, Billy and his younger brother were forced to live in a Catholic orphanage, learning that "punishment is good" from the many beatings they received from Mother Superior. At eighteen years of age, Billy finds a job at a local toy store. Forced to dress as Santa, Billy has a break from reality during the company Christmas party, and with a declaration that "punishment is good," Billy goes on a wild Christmas rampage.
Why Silent Night, Deadly Night Makes the List
Silent Night, Deadly Night is a piece of horror movie history. The controversy surrounding its content (a killer Santa) and its marketing forced Tri-Star Pictures to pull the film from theaters after only one week. Since then, it has gone on to inspire a massive cult following, and for good reason. This is the kind of campy, bloody horror that fans of the genre eat up, and its controversy only brought greater attention to the flick. Given the vast differences between the R-Rated and Unrated cuts, the film also warrants several viewings to get the full experience. With four sequels and a loose remake, it has become a Christmas staple for many horror fans.
Black Christmas (1974)
Black Christmas is set in a sorority house during their annual Christmas party. During the festivities, a mysterious figure sneaks into their attic, secretly killing one of the sorority sisters. After she fails to make it home for the season, her father arrives to find out what happens, and a search ensues. However, they find nothing, and the chaos allows the killer to strike again and again. Sorority sister Jess Bradford is at the center of this string of murders, and when a stranger calls her from inside the house and relates personal details, she begins to suspect her boyfriend might be the killer and prepares for a fight for her survival.
Why Black Christmas Is a Must-Watch
Black Christmas is an icon of holiday-themed slasher movies. This tense, intelligent film didn't see much success during its initial release, but it has since become a cult classic and inspired two remakes. Most will argue that the original version of the film is the best. It is a strong blend of tense, atmospheric storytelling and bloody bursts of slasher frenzy. Many consider it to be one of the first slasher films, and classics of the genre like Halloween and Friday the 13th owe a great debt to this beloved movie. More than that, many consider it to be among the best horror films ever made, making it a must-see for fans of the genre.
Black Christmas Remakes (2006, 2019)
Universal Pictures
In 2006, director Glen Morgan remade Black Christmas, putting a deeper focus on the movie's villain. Billy Lenz grew up severely abused by his mother, and at 21-years-old, he went on a murderous rampage that sent him to a mental asylum. Years later, he escaped, returning to his former home only to find it transformed into a sorority house. The 2019 remake of Black Christmas, directed by Sophia Takal, focuses on Riley Stone, a member of a sorority suffering from PTSD after a sexual assault by a fraternity president. Alongside her fellow sorority sisters, Riley is forced to fight for survival when a mysterious killer arrives on campus.
Why We've Also Included the Remakes
Including both Black Christmas remakes on this list might seem like a cheat, but they both deserve a mention. While neither surpasses the original's tense storytelling, they each have their own positive aspects, and the fan community is divided as to which is the better film. While the 2006 remake is a more one-to-one retelling of the original story with more intense, bloody kills, the 2019 version adds a level of social commentary to help separate it from the pack. However, you don't need to pick just one. Instead, binge all three in a holiday slasher marathon, and decide for yourself which is your favorite.
Happy Death Day (2017)
Happy Death Day
- Release Date
- October 12, 2017
- Director
- Christopher Landon
- Cast
- Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard, Ruby Modine, Rachel Matthews, Charles Aitken, Jason Bayle
- Rating
- PG-13
- Main Genre
- Horror
Theresa "Tree" Gelbman is having the worst birthday ever in Happy Death Day. Not only does she wake up badly hungover after a night of partying, but she is also murdered in a dingy tunnel on the way to another party. However, Tree doesn't stay dead, waking up again on the morning of her birthday. After she is killed again and again, Tree realizes that she is caught in a time loop. Working to stop the killer in any way possible, Tree relives the day and the death over and over again. Alongside her boyfriend Carter, she must figure out the killer's true identity and put an end to the time loop once and for all.
Why Happy Death Day Belongs Here
Happy Death Day and its sequel are incredibly self-aware and fun slasher films, and the similarities to Groundhog Day add a new dimension to the slasher genre. While this list has largely tried to avoid supernatural baddies, the science-fiction elements of these movies don't detract from the more grounded slasher tropes. It might be said that a birthday isn't specifically a holiday, but Happy Death Day still deserves its spot on this list as a modern classic of the slasher genre. More than that, it doesn't receive nearly the love it deserved during its initial release.
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