The Top 12 Most Disturbing and Creepy Christmas (Noel) Movies in History

Don't Open Till Christmas is a thriller centered around a Christmas serial killer. In the dark streets of London, a sadistic murderer targets anyone who dares to wear a Santa Claus costume. The film reveals the terrifying secret behind the killer’s identity, with numerous violent murders and disturbing scenes. It’s a chilling horror film that keeps you on edge. If you’re planning to dress up as Santa in London, think twice!

Black Christmas is one of the landmark horror films that helped define the slasher genre. What makes it particularly memorable is that it takes place during Christmas, turning the holiday season into a backdrop for brutal killings. The story revolves around a psychotic killer who targets a group of sorority sisters, while the police are powerless to stop him. Its groundbreaking plot left a lasting impact, and even though it was remade in 2006 by director Glen Morgan, the reboot couldn't match the original’s chilling success.

The movie Gremlins starts off innocently enough, resembling a typical family Christmas film. The oddities begin when Billy receives a strange, adorable creature called a mogwai from his father, with three strict rules: don't expose it to light, don't get it wet, and never feed it after midnight. Billy, however, breaks two of the rules, resulting in a swarm of terrifying creatures.

The gremlins wreak havoc across the town, with disturbing violent scenes, including a shocking moment where a quirky old lady is thrown out of a window, leading to the film being harshly criticized.

Santa Claus Conquers The Martians is one of the strangest Christmas films ever made, with an absurd plot. The story revolves around a group of Martians who kidnap Santa Claus to bring some joy to their children. However, due to an overabundance of fake Santas on Earth, the aliens resort to killing children to find the real one.

The rest of the film follows a Martian who goes to extreme lengths to eliminate Santa Claus and protect Martian traditions. It’s truly one of the most bizarre films you’ll ever see.

While not a terrifying horror film, The Ref is still quite a bizarre movie for the Christmas season. This dark comedy combines the themes of burglary and kidnapping with humor.

The plot begins when Gus (Denis Leary), a thief, breaks into a home and takes the family hostage. However, he soon discovers that this is no ordinary family. Kevin Spacey plays the ineffectual husband, while Judy Davis portrays the unfaithful wife. Gus, who only intended to make a quick buck during Christmas, ends up being forced to mediate a never-ending argument between the dysfunctional couple, instead of making a profit.

The movie Christmas Evil was released in 1980 and received critical praise for its deep psychological exploration of a killer's twisted mind, from childhood trauma to adult criminality.

As a child, Harry Stadling witnessed his mother having an affair on Christmas Eve while his father dressed as Santa Claus. This traumatic experience shattered his belief in Santa, and as he grew older, he was shunned by those around him. Working as a toy factory employee, Harry begins to take on the persona of Santa Claus himself, believing he is the true heir to the jolly figure. He starts killing anyone who insults or denies Santa’s existence, becoming a murderous version of Santa Claus.

In Santa's Slay, the jolly Santa Claus we know is actually the son of Satan. After losing a bet to an angel, he is forced to take on the role of Santa, delivering gifts and joy to families everywhere. Once the bet expires, the evil demon returns to his violent, destructive ways, wreaking havoc wherever he goes.

This horror-comedy blends dark humor with chaotic thrills, making for a memorable, entertaining film filled with outrageous moments that you won’t want to miss.

The film Go caused quite a stir when it was released, being deemed inappropriate for the holiday season due to its explicit depictions of drugs, violence, and sex. Despite the controversy, Go stands out as an entertaining and clever film, weaving together multiple storylines over the span of 24 hours leading up to Christmas.

The plot follows Ronna (Sarah Polley), a seemingly ordinary woman who, after a series of misadventures, becomes a murderer. At the same time, two soap opera stars team up with an eccentric cop to take down a drug cartel in a hilariously unpredictable way.

Wind Chill is directed by the renowned Gregory Jacobs (Magic Mike, Cars 3, Ocean's Twelve).

The horror film follows two college students who are traveling home for winter break. Their car breaks down in a desolate, snow-covered area, leaving them stranded. As they try to survive the cold, they are hunted by the ghosts of people who died in the area years ago. This was Emily Blunt's fourth film role as she was just beginning her acting career.

The film centers around the demon Krampus, who makes an appearance during Christmas to scare children. In folklore, Krampus is seen as a dark, opposite version of Santa Claus, roaming the world to punish naughty children.

The movie starts with a joyful Christmas party, but family tensions arise, leading young Max to tear up his letter to Santa. This act, seen as the ultimate Christmas taboo, summons Krampus, who then hunts down Max’s entire family. Despite being rated PG-13, the film includes several tense and chilling scenes, making it perfect for those looking for a unique twist on the holiday season.

This Finnish masterpiece by director Jalmari Helander is titled Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale. The film is based on a Nordic legend about the dark origins of Santa Claus. In this version, Santa is a sinister figure who commands a group of elves resembling elderly people, and his goal is to kidnap children for his own twisted purposes.

Despite minimal use of special effects, the film captivates with its grand landscapes in Lapland and a story that carries deep meaning. It has received praise from critics for its unique narrative and impressive execution.

The main character of this film is Jack Frost, a criminal about to be executed. However, an accident fuses his DNA with snow, creating a deadly snowman who terrorizes the town.

This is one of the strangest Christmas films ever made. In fact, children watching this movie are likely to be scared of snowmen and abandon any hopes of building one outside.