Movies
THE 12 SLAYS OF CHRISTMAS: The Best Holiday Horror Movie Kills
Happy Holidays, Horror Press reader! Whether you’re sitting down to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or just flat-out enjoying the winter season with friends and family, chances are some of you are doing that through horror films. After all, what goes better with milk and cookies than a television playing your favorite holiday horror movies to share with your people? It’s cold out, so cozy up!
Today, we’ve assembled an assortment of gifts for you: a comprehensive list of the best holiday horror movie kills, and the films they come from, for you to watch. Needless to say, a good deal of these kills are spoilers for the movies they’re from, so spoilers ahead.

Happy Holidays, Horror Press reader! Whether you’re sitting down to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or just flat-out enjoying the winter season with friends and family, chances are some of you are doing that through horror films. After all, what goes better with milk and cookies than a television playing your favorite holiday horror movies to share with your people? It’s cold out, so cozy up!
Today, we’ve assembled an assortment of gifts for you: a comprehensive list of the best holiday horror movie kills, and the films they come from, for you to watch. Needless to say, a good deal of these kills are spoilers for the movies they’re from, so spoilers ahead.
Honorable Mention: Everything In Treevenge
Jason Eisener, you absolute madman. What would we do without you? Treevenge is a now infamous short film by the V/H/S veteran and Hobo With A Shotgun director you all know and love. It follows Christmas trees getting their vengeance on an unsuspecting public after years of abuse. However bloody you’re expecting it to be, expect more.
You might be thinking, “It’s a Christmas Tree exploitation short film! How bad could it be?” My answer is you have NO idea how much worse it gets. Proceed with caution, as the squeamish will squirm and the faint of heart might just faint with how bad the climax of this is! Like all those Christmas tree fire safety PSAs, you have been warned!
12. The Mason Family Dinner (Santa’s Slay)
Santa’s Slay is a horror film that proves first impressions are everything. While David Steiman’s feature about Santa Claus’s demonic origins is weak in many places, its action is not one of those, and the opening scene lets you know upfront.
The sleazy Mason Family’s Christmas dinner is interrupted by the arrival of an enraged Santa Claus (played by the wrestler Goldberg of all people), who proceeds to go to town on all the misbehaved and money-hungry family members. He does this via carving forks, turkey legs, and in one of the most realistically gross kills I’ve maybe ever seen, a massive bowl of eggnog. His thousand years of servitude are up, and he’s going to get his revenge, even if it means taking out a few cameo appearances by James Caan and Fran Drescher.
11. An Explosive End To Christmas Eve (P2)
Given it takes place in a location that is 90% concrete and asphalt, it’s easy to forget it’s a Christmas film in the first place. But the tale of sadistic security guard Thomas (played by Wes Bentley) and his victim Angela (played by Rachel Nichols) is capped off with a much more satisfying result than just wishing all a good night.
Wes Bentley is a character actor at the top of his game when he plays a weasely, nasty villain, so his death here is just beyond cathartic. As he whines and begs Angela to forgive him for the nightmare before Christmas he put her through, Angela ignites a trail of gasoline to the car he’s handcuffed to, resulting in a fiery end to her insufferable enemy. She even wishes him a Merry Christmas while doing it. Come on, that’s classic!
10. A Very Chipper Christmas (Silent Night, 2012)
Silent Night is a very loose remake of the original Silent Night, Deadly Night, which has gotten a lot of flak over the years. Following the aftermath of a mad Santa going on a spree with a flamethrower, a new killer rises to take his place decades later as a cop hunts him down. The killer certainly isn’t as memorable as our good old Billy Chapman was (with or without his transparent skull), and the film is much meaner than the previous five films.
Perhaps the best example of how well that meanness works is its use of a woodchipper during the film’s second act, where a chase into a grove of Christmas trees spells an untimely end for one of Santa’s victims.
9. Santa, Is That You? (Christmas Bloody Christmas)
Between Bliss, Jimmy and Stiggs, and Christmas Bloody Christmas, Joe Begos remains on the nice list here at Horror Press…even if the content of his films are particularly naughty with their foul-mouthed scripts and the grisly ends he puts his characters through. Christmas Bloody Christmas is no different, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
For the approval of the Christmas Society, Begos presents a three-part kill that shows what he can do when he has a budget: our killer robot Santa goes after the neighbors of our main character, Tori, before he goes after her. What results is a heavy metal murder spree (pun slightly intended), with the youngest member of the family discovering that being naughty or nice doesn’t really matter when the man giving out the presents is a malfunctioning military android who is willing to throw your dad through a window.
8. Santa’s Least Favorite Cookies (Black Christmas, 2006)
Smack dab in the middle of the Black Christmas franchise, Black Christmas (2006) is an odd duck of a remake just like Silent Night (2012). In a just and honest world, Black Christmas’s spot on the list would be the teased “Christmas lights dragging someone into a snowblower kill” from the trailer for the film (left on the cutting room floor for reasons no one knows).
Instead, the film delivers on a much grosser visual: after Billy gets revenge on his abusive family, he makes meaty Christmas cookies out of them. How that even works, nobody knows! But what we do know is that the effects by Steve Collins and Co. are absolutely sickening and too gooey to erase from your brain.
7. No Tree Topper For You (Sint)
A gift from the Netherlands to the rest of the world, Sint is how director Dick Maas (of Amsterdamned fame) spreads the joy of the Dutch saint Sinterklaas to us all, albeit, this rendition is a burnt, undead monster who leads an army of zombie black peters, and wields a crosier that is more Dark Souls weapon than it is staff. Maas makes a horror comedy for the holiday season that most people don’t know about, but that more should. So, consider this spot a showcase if we don’t get around to reviewing it on the website.
That crosier Sinterklaas uses throughout the film, by the way, grants us one of the best moments in the movie, where our Sinterklaas uses its razor-sharp edge to take the Christmas tree topper (head) off an unfortunate pine (SWAT officer who never stood a chance). It’s a simple death, but the way it happens is one of a kind.
6. The Home Alone Theory (Better Watch Out)
I’m going to take the coward’s route here and let you know once more: Better Watch Out is an instant cult classic for a reason, and its reputation mostly comes from viewers going in blind on your typical home invasion horror film. If you haven’t seen it, SPOILERS AHEAD once more.
The big reveal of Luke’s villainous intentions and conniving ways was only the beginning of making him a villain you love to hate. But what really punctuates his seedy character’s transformation going into the latter half of the film is the absolutely brutal kill he has planned for Ashley‘s boyfriend: testing whether or not Home Alone is scientifically accurate in its brutalities against Marv and Harry. And how does he do that? By swinging a filled paint can like a pendulum, and smashing it directly into Ricky‘s head. Its mostly offscreen nature is surprisingly subdued but still incredibly effective.
5. Open Your Presents! (Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toymaker)
The fifth entry in the Silent Night series is one of my yearly mandated watches at Christmas time, simply because of how strange it is. A bizarre story that follows a disgruntled toymaker is carried by the good if not kind of weird performance coming from aged movie star Mickey Rooney, which makes this movie a must see. That’s not even mentioning the ending, which is equal parts creepy and hilarious it has in store.
The film’s best kills come in a pair, as a couple are attacked by a swarm of automated toys, with nasty surprises ranging from buzzsaws to bullets. The practicals by horror effects royalty Screaming Mad George still hold up to this day as bloody fun.
4. A Messy Christmas Meal (Gremlins)
Gremlins’ spot on the list is certainly the best effects-wise, thanks to the work of the legendary FX master and creature designer Chris Walas. A gateway horror for many of us, and likely the first Christmas horror movie you ever saw, Gremlins has its most memorable kills in the demise of its creatures rather than its protagonists.
We are of course talking about the very slimy kitchen confrontation, the climax to a scene in which Peltzer matriarch Lynn takes out a trio of attacking Gremlins who have transformed in her home. While one is taken out by blender, and another via kitchen knife, it’s the last one that explodes in the microwave and leaves its impact. Gooey, nasty chunks splattering the inside of the oven is a visual many fans will carry with them forever.
3. Rudolph’s Big Moment (Silent Night, Deadly Night)
You might be annoyed there is no mention of the iconic “Garbage Day” kill from Silent Night, Deadly Night 2 yet on this list. It’s a scene-turned-meme that tore through the internet in the 2010s like wildfire. But given that movie is mostly a clip show of the first film, I needed to give love to the actual most iconic kill from the franchise: Billy Chapman hoisting the unlucky Denise onto a pair of deer antlers mounted on the wall, spine first.
Denise’s demise isn’t just the most iconic kill in the Silent Night, Deadly Night franchise, it’s an all-time great horror movie kill in general. And in horror history terms, it’s the kill that made Linnea Quigley a scream queen icon, in a role she believes got her a spot as Trash in Return of the Living Dead. Who would have known a pair of antlers could do so much with so little?
2. The Shower Scene (Terrifier 3)
Look. We all knew this would be here on this list. It couldn’t have been anywhere else. It’s the scene that shocked people in theaters across the world, and that’s saying something given it’s the Terrifier films; people are to expect the complete depravity of Damien Leone, and every time he outdoes himself. You might even be mad that it’s not at number one, given how iconic the scene became by virtue of Terrifier 3’s firestorm of a release.
Rivaling Terrifier 2’s bedroom scene is no easy feat, but Art the Clown’s work with a chainsaw in the shower scene of Terrifier 3 manages to do it. If you haven’t seen it, you want to know if it’s really that bad. If you have seen it, you know how legendarily gory it is. Ending with Art making snow angels in the blood of his targets, it is an irreverent and wild scene that goes on and on, displaying some of the best practical effects in slasher history. The Shower Scene is a grotesque and unending sequence that will shock any crowd, large or small.
1. The Glass Unicorn (Black Christmas, 1974)
One of the most iconic, if not one of the best slashers of all time, Bob Clark’s Black Christmas is an eerie holiday mystery that burns itself into your brain. From the iconic voice of our killer on those harassing phone calls, to the slow and frightening point-of-view shots that will send more shivers up your spine than a winter wind, it’s a film you can’t forget.
And the most iconic kill from the film is that of the unfortunate Barb (Margot Kidder). A collector of glass figurines, the mysterious killer Billy wields her glass unicorn and uses it as a weapon to take her out. Only seen framed in shadow with one maniacal eye in the light, it’s the scene that defines the film. The sequence is shot in slow motion and intercut with a group of carolers who drown out the attack by singing an incredible rendition of “Come All Ye Faithful”, adding an eerie calm to things. While most of the entries here are plainly entertaining, few horror movie kills have ever been able to match this kind of chilling tone as well.
And that’s our list! Do you agree with the rankings? Do you think there are more deserving kills we’ve left behind that should have been highlighted? Let us know on Twitter and Instagram, @HorrorPressLLC! And for more of everything horror, holidays and otherwise, stay tuned to HorrorPress.com!
Movies
The Best Horror You Can Stream on Netflix in October 2025

I have decided that this month is dedicated to horror shows I enjoyed binging on Netflix. Is this because I have been thinking about rewatching Marianne since I added it to August’s streaming guide? Yes. Is it also because Halloween month is the perfect time to curl up with shows about dead people and cursed things? Also, yes. So, I plucked five titles from the streamer that I do not talk about enough. I am also making that your problem, as I encourage you to watch each of these. While Netflix might not have the scariest library in the game, they do have some gems that are perfect binges for this cozy time of year. Let us dive in and find your next series, shall we?
The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month
All of Us Are Dead (2022)
A zombie outbreak leaves high school students trapped in their school. If you are a horror fan, then you know that nothing hits quite like a South Korean zombie tale. Which is why these 12 episodes are a journey that I wish everyone would take. These kids who hate each other being forced to work together to survive is high-level drama. The betrayal, the death, and the tension lead to some of the most chaotic TV you might see this month. More importantly, if you dig the show, Netflix has greenlit it for a second season. So, you are not late to the party, but arriving right before the second beer run.
Dead Boy Detectives (2024)
Two spirits chose to opt out of the afterlife and stay on Earth to solve supernatural crimes. Dead Boy Detectives was everything I ever wanted in a series, and I am still salty it was cancelled. So, I hate that we do not see where these lovable characters would end up in a second season. I want more well-written intersectional horror, and I want it now. Because men are awful, I have to point out that this is based on a Neil Gaiman comic book. So, it is sticky if you are (understandably) wishing him well in hell and not wanting to engage with anything inspired by his work. I was never a fan of his stuff, which is how I know this writer’s room worked their asses off on this adaptation. These eight episodes were the main reason to keep Netflix last year, and the show deserved a longer season (and life).
Interview with the Vampire (2022- Present)
A vampire shares his very long story with a cynical journalist. I almost skipped this show because the movie put me to sleep so many times as a kid. This series is my favorite Anne Rice adaptation, so I am glad I tuned in. It is sexy, smart, and sophisticated. It is a decadent, bloody little treat with one of the most talented casts on TV at the moment. This is the perfect time to check it out, as Netflix just added the second season in September. Now subscribers can experience the love, lust, and loss like the rest of us before the third season arrives.
Kingdom (2019-2020)
When the king goes down, the prince must take the throne and protect his subjects from a plague. If you like zombies and period-piece horror, then open Netflix and hit play now. I checked this show out because I saw Bae Doona (Sense 8) was in the cast. By the time the two seasons were over, I was a different person, and I am welcome. I do not know who we need to talk to about getting more South Korean historical horror shows, but get them on the phone ASAP. This series has drama, mess, and violence. I might need to rewatch this, too, instead of just telling other people to check it out.
Tomorrow and I (2024)
A four-part anthology exploring the intersection of futuristic technologies and Thai culture. At first glance, this seems like Thailand’s version of Black Mirror, but Tomorrow and I is definitely her own weird thing. It became one of my favorite shows of last year, and not nearly enough people watched it. As usual, Netflix dropped an international banger in silence. So, people have to stumble upon it or hear about it from the streets. It is a shame because it is one of the better sci-fi horror anthologies we have gotten in years. This beautifully complicated show explores the human condition and examines Thailand’s political landscape. The whole season is worth watching, but the last episode is the one that dealt the most psychic damage. So, save the finale for when you want to have your entire day ruined and feel your feelings.
Let us know if any of these Netflix binges are in your immediate future this Halloween season. You can also let us know which shows you are digging that did not make this list. We are nosy that way. Happy Halloween month!
Movies
Queer at Fantastic Fest: 3 LGBTQ+ Movies That Should Be On Your Radar

On my first day at Fantastic Fest 2025, I locked eyes across the courtyard with a dude wearing an American flag-emblazoned t-shirt proudly proclaiming that he was a straight, white man (as if any part of that wasn’t self-evident). Arriving in Texas as an unmistakable lesbian is always a little nerve-wracking, even if Austin is a chill oasis in a blazing red desert, so the t-shirt and its intended message immediately put me on edge. As soon as I stepped into the theater, however, that chest-clench reaction subsided. This year’s Fantastic Fest line-up included a wealth of queer genre content from around the world, programmed by a team that is clearly committed to championing LGBTQ+ voices and content at a time when others seek to stifle them. These films are funny, campy, sexy, heartfelt, and often downright beautiful. More than anything, though, they are utterly, delightfully unapologetic.
I wasn’t able to catch every LGBTQ+ movie at the 2025 festival (one can only see so much if they wish to sleep), but here are three that I’m already desperate to rewatch.
1. Body Blow
Unlike the other entries on this list, Body Blow is not a horror movie, but this erotic thriller demands to be seen. Written and directed by Dean Francis, the film follows Aiden Hardwick (Tim Pocock), a disgraced Australian police officer who goes undercover in the local gay scene. On night one, he meets and falls for seductive bartender Cody (Tom Rodgers), a drug-addicted twink being pimped out by the crime lord of drag, Fat Frankie (Paul Capsis). Unfortunately, Aiden is both addicted to sex and trying desperately to go cold turkey, a combination that leads him to make some staggeringly bad decisions. Now blackmailed by Frankie, the repressed copper is drawn deeper into a seedy world of drugs, sex, money, kink—and cock cages.
In his introduction at Fantastic Fest, Francis called Body Blow a “dirty rotten queer noir,” and he nailed it with that description. The film has all the corruption and betrayal you expect from classic crime noir, only the city streets are bathed in dreamy neon light and there’s nary a heterosexual in sight. It’s deliciously sleazy and steamy, yet the central romance is surprisingly sweet, both actors delivering fully committed performances that are mesmerizing to watch. If you don’t go into Body Blow with a kink, you might leave with one, but you’ll love every minute all the same.
2. The Cramps: A Period Piece
While writer-director Brooke H. Cellars’ The Cramps: A Period Piece isn’t explicitly queer in its subject matter, its deeply queer sensibilities leave me with no choice but to include it on this list (it twisted my arm, truly). If John Waters made a body horror movie about monstrous menstruation, it would be The Cramps.
Newcomer Lauren Kitchen stars as Agnes Applewhite, a shy young woman yearning to break free from her repressive home life. A job at the local salon offers a taste of freedom, with owner Laverne Lancaster (Martini Bear) and her eclectic staff welcoming Agnes with open arms. There’s just one problem: Agnes experiences debilitating menstrual cramps that begin to manifest in violent ways. Some dudes are about to find out the hard way why people who menstruate complain about the cramps.
In our interview with Cellars, she described finding acceptance in the queer community that she didn’t find elsewhere. Her love and appreciation for the community is clearly felt in The Cramps, in which the salon staff are explicitly framed as a found family who help Agnes find her confidence and discover who she really is. Cellars’ casting of drag performers in prominent roles is also pure Waters, and it’s wonderful to see both bearded queens and drag kings represented (Cellars herself has a cameo as Agnes’ late father). The old-school practical effects, including visual references to The Blob and Vincent Price-starrer The Tingler, add to the campy, B-movie feel of the picture. The Cramps is for the girlies and the gays, and it’s a hoot and a half.
3. The Restoration at Grayson Manor
The terrible, awful idea that you won’t give your parents the grandchildren you owe them is a stick that’s been used to beat many a queer person over the years, myself included. For Boyd Grayson (Chris Colfer), the bisexual son of Jacqueline Grayson (the iconic Alice Krige), this is clearly an argument that’s been hashed out many times already. At the outset of The Restoration at Grayson Manor, he’s acting out, bringing men home to fuck in the foyer just to piss his mother off. Their vicious sniping is abruptly cut off when a moving accident slices Boyd’s hands clean off, leaving him at the mercy of his mother and the team of experts she’s brought in to help build him a new pair.
Irish director Glenn McQuaid, who also co-wrote the script with horror author Clay McLeod Chapman, has clearly watched a lot of American soap operas, because The Restoration at Grayson Manor perfectly encapsulates the pulpy, melodramatic essence of two soap divas having a slap fight. The only difference is, one set of the slap-happy hands was constructed using advanced nanotechnology and scurries around on its own like Thing from The Addams Family. McQuaid splashes enough blood up the walls of the gorgeous manor house to stop the film descending too far into daytime TV territory, but it’s the relationship between the bitchy yet vulnerable Boyd and his conniving ice queen of a mother that makes The Restoration at Grayson Manor so engaging, even if Jacqueline’s evil plan is obvious from a mile away.
Body Blow, The Cramps: A Period Piece, and The Restoration at Grayson Manor all made their world premieres at Fantastic Fest 2025.