2. ‘Silent Night, Deadly Night’ (1984)
This one’s a more fun killer Santa movie. No, the original doesn’t have the iconic “Garbage day!” line; you’ll have to wait until Part 2 for that. This one is more competent than the sequels, though. We have a creepy score, a chilling monologue from the grandpa character, and some creative slasher kills. It’s definitely cheesy and dated but it all adds to the appeal.
1. ‘Gremlins’ (1984)
A classic and a fan favorite! This one is good for introducing youths to scary movies. I actually remember seeing it in the Family section back in the days of video rental stores. Gremlins is a great “monsters on the loose” story. The creatures are unique and the acting is probably the best on this entire list. Fun fact: the violence of this PG movie, along with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, led to the creation of the PG-13 rating.
Did I leave any Christmas horrors off this list? Share your favorites in the comments below!