HORROR #1 GREMLINs

1984 - PG - 106 MINS - HORROR

Nutshell: A young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his present - a new pet and unleashes a horde of mischievous monsters on a small town.

Top Cast: Zach Galligan, Pjoebe Cates

Review: A clever blend of comedy and horror in this Christmas monster movie.  The eternal cuteness of mogwai and a surprising musical score, and the simple idea of bringing a little magic to your children (rather than iPads) makes this a worthwhile alternative watch.

1974 - R - 98 MINS - HORROR

Nutshell: During their Christmas break, a group of sorority girls are stalked by a stranger.

Top Cast: Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea

Review:  A bit of unnecessary violence with not all too believable characters.  It does however provide real slasher chills, if that is what you are looking for in a scary Christmas movie.  Watch if you like a thriller.

2015 - PG13 - 98 MINS - HORROR

Nutshell: A boy who has a bad Christmas accidentally summons a festive demon to his family home.

Top Cast: Adam Scott, Toni Collette

Review:  A ho ho ho horror film, which works through the underbelly of festive norms with freaky creatures and interesting ideas.  It probably just falls short of leading the pack (see Gremlins) but is a nice alternative story, which reminds us of the risk of not being thankful...

2010 - R - 84 MINS - HORROR

Nutshell: In the depths of Finland mountains, nearly 500m deep lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas.  The time has come to dig it up and this Christmas, everyone will believe in Santa Claus.

Top Cast: Jorma Tommila, Onni Tommilla

Review:  It is nice to find a movie that looks to provide originality to the Christmas folklore. Although absurd and a little funny, the adventure builds throughout - more a comic horror movie than a happy children's story.

2017 - 18 - 89 MINS - HORROR

Nutshell: On a quiet suburban street, a babysitter must defend a 12-year-old boy from intruders, only to discover it is far from a normal home invasion.

Top Cast: Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller

Review:  Pretty good horror flick, which mixes thrills, laughs and shocks in equal part.  It is disturbing and not for all, but for many, you will be left surprised.

2015 - 18 - 99 MINS - HORROR

Nutshell:  Interwoven stories that take place on Christmas Eve, as told by one festive radio host.  A family brings home more than a Christmas Tree, a student documentary becomes a living nightmare, a Christmas spirit terrorizes, Santa slays evil.

Top Cast: William Shatner, George Buza

Review:  A very interesting set of story lines make this festive scare very watchable. This isn't going for logic but providing fun to the viewer and pretty much delivers.

2019 - 14A - 108 MINS - HORROR

Nutshell:  A soon-to-be stepmom is snowed in with her fiancé's two children at a remote holiday village. Just as relations begin to thaw between the trio, some strange and frightening events take place.

Top Cast: Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell

Review:  A very dark (literally) movie and actually pretty close to being quite good. Lots of mood and atmosphere, that moves steadily, keeps you feeling uneasy and delivers a knock out ending!

1980 - R - 100 MINS - HORROR

Nutshell: A toy factory worker, mentally scarred as a child for learning the truth about Santa, suffers a nervous breakdown and sets out on a yuletide killing spree.

Top Cast: Brandon Maggart, Jeffrey DeMunn

Review:  Not for the feint hearted, this is a strange and disturbing movie.  Although it manages to scare, the scenes of Santa bringing toys and the fairy tale style ending make this a festive thriller.

2022 - R - 86 MINS - HORROR

Nutshell: It's Christmas Eve and Tori just wants to get drunk and party, but when a robotic Santa Claus at a nearby toy store goes haywire and begins a rampant killing spree through her small town, she is forced into a battle for survival.

Top Cast: Adam Scott, Toni Collette

Review:  Imagine a Christmas Terminator movie, where you also root for the Terminator. An original slasher that won't thrill all viewers but if you relax, just enjoy the experience. 

1984 - R - 79 MINS - HORROR

Nutshell: Little Billy witnesses his parents getting killed by Santa after being warned by his senile grandpa that Santa punishes those who are naughty.  Now Billy is 18 and out of the orphanage and he has just become Santa himself.

Top Cast: Lilyan Chauvin, Gilmer McCormick