The Five Best Killer Santa Movies
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At first glance, jolly old St. Nick seems like an unlikely subject for a horror film. After all, he’s known for bringing presents and holiday cheer to children around the world. But just ask anyone who was terrified to sit on Santa’s lap as a kid – there’s something eerie about the fat old man in the red suit. Killer Santa movies date back to the “All Through the House” segment of Tales from the Crypt (1972).
Feature films followed in the early 1980s, including Christmas Evil and To All a Good Night. The creepy trailer for Silent Night Deadly Night (1984) caused outrage by depicting a murderer in a Santa suit, despite the fact that this concept had already been used several previous times.
Santa horror movies have proliferated since then. They’re mostly cheap, obscure flicks, but some are worth watching. Here are the top five killer Santa movies ranked. If you’re interested in even more Christmas horror, here’s five more evil Santa movies to watch this Christmas season and four evil Christmas elf movies.
Remember, Santa can see you when you’re sleeping, and he knows when you’re awake. So don’t be naughty. Your life could depend on it!
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5. Santa’s Slay (2005)
Pro wrestler Bill Goldberg stars in this absurd horror-comedy, in which he portrays a demon who loses a bet to an angel and is forced to play Santa for a thousand years. After finally breaking free of his do-gooder ways, Claus goes on a Christmas rampage. Time to spread some yuletide fear!
Goldberg doesn’t have a ton of acting ability (to put it mildly), but he spouts some funny one-liners. The script gives him plenty of creative weapons to choose from, including a star tree-topper, a stripper pole, and even a Hanukah menorah. This version of Santa is way too badass for reindeer. He has a giant white buffalo pulling his sleigh!
Unfortunately, like Thankskilling, Santa’s Slay is too self-aware for its own good. We don’t need cheesy horror movies to constantly remind us that they are aware of their own inanity. These movies are funnier when they try to be serious. Still, it’s fun mindless entertainment.
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4. Christmas Evil (1980)
Christmas Evil is like a strange, low-rent version of Taxi Driver. It’s a weird character study about Harry, an eccentric toymaker who is obsessed with Santa Claus.
Harry loses what’s left of his sanity and becomes convinced that he is the “real” Santa. After dressing up as St. Nick, he takes revenge against his enemies and anyone he thinks is disrespecting the spirit of Christmas. The weirdo also spies on neighborhood kids to determine if they have been naughty or nice.
This movie takes itself very seriously, with nary a humorous moment to be found. I’m not sure what target audience the filmmakers were aiming for, but they made one of history’s most bizarre Christmas movies.
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3. Silent Night (2012)
Silent Night is a loose remake/reboot of Silent Night Deadly Night, an ’80s killer Santa movie that clocks in at #2 in our list. As with its predecessor, Silent Night features a maniac in a Santa suit.
This time, “Santa” goes on a bloody rampage in a small blue collar Wisconsin town. He is pursued by a plucky local cop. The identity and background of the killer is different from the original movie, but his motivation is basically the same: punish “naughty” people.
The movie does a decent job of making the costumed killer creepy and mysterious. He doesn’t talk until late in the film, and his motivation is not revealed until the final act.
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2. Silent Night Deadly Night (1984)
Silent Night Deadly Night was one of the most controversial horror films of its era and remains perhaps the most well-known killer Santa movie. It is alternately sleazy and laughable, with sparse creepy moments undermined by lots of unintentional hilarity.
Young Billy grows up in an orphanage after witnessing his parents be murdered by a maniac in a Santa suit. He is terrorized and abused by a tyrannical nun. Years later, now a disturbed young man, Billy dresses up as Santa and goes berserk on Christmas Eve.
The movie’s most memorable moment is the notorious deer antler impalement scene. It was followed by four sequels (only two of which feature a killer Santa) and the aforementioned remake. I ranked all the installments of the series here.
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1. Violent Night (2022)
We’ve talked about four naughty Santas, so how about a nice one? In Violent Night, Santa Claus, played by a perfectly cast David Harbour from Stranger Things, is a supernatural former Viking warrior who protects a family from a group of sleazy mercenaries.
Santa is reluctant to get involved. He just wants to drop off presents and be on his way. Santa tries to reason with the criminals, but after they continue to harass him (and threaten to kill a little girl and her family) he uses every weapon at his disposal to eliminate them.
This Santa is very proficient with a sledgehammer. He also finds creative uses for icicles and chimneys. Even Bill Goldberg wouldn’t want to mess with this guy!
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