The days are getting shorter. And the chill is beginning to set in. But if you’re a horror fan, it might not actually be a bad thing.
The colder months make the perfect backdrop to watching horror movies.
Winter brings long, dark nights that naturally lend themselves to the eerie and unknown.
Meanwhile, the holidays—normally a time for cheer and togetherness—offer an unsettling contrast when paired with tales of terror.
From festive fright to snowbound horror, these 10 films perfectly capture the season’s spirit while delivering the terror (and in some cases, laughs) you crave.
Whether you’re looking for psychological thrillers, slasher flicks, or supernatural scares, these picks will keep your cold, winter nights anything but silent.
Black Christmas (1974)
A pioneer in the holiday horror genre.
Directed by Bob Clark, this Canadian slasher follows a group of sorority sisters terrorized by an anonymous killer over their Christmas break.
What makes Black Christmas so haunting isn’t just the gore—it’s the sense of helplessness and dread. The calls from the killer, a cacophony of sinister whispers and screams, are enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine.
The film’s dark atmosphere and its groundbreaking role in shaping the slasher genre make it a must-watch during the holiday season.
And if you’ve seen it before, it’s always worth revisiting to see how horror was done before masked killers became clichés.
Krampus (2015)
The darker side of Christmas folklore comes to life.
This horror-comedy gem blends festive cheer with pure nightmare fuel.
When a dysfunctional family’s Christmas bickering angers the mythical Krampus—a creature from European folklore who punishes the naughty—they find themselves fighting for survival.
With its blend of grotesque visuals, dark humour, and twisted holiday spirit, Krampus is the perfect antidote to overly sentimental Christmas movies.
Plus, who doesn’t love a film that reimagines gingerbread men as homicidal monsters?
The Thing (1982)
Isolation, paranoia, and unimaginable terror.
Few films capture the creep essence of winter as effectively as John Carpenter’s The Thing.
Set in a remote Antarctic research station, the story follows a group of scientists who encounter a shape-shifting alien that can imitate any living creature.
The relentless cold and snow-covered landscapes mirror the growing isolation and mistrust among the crew.
The creature effects remain some of the most horrifying in film history, making The Thing an essential winter horror experience.
Watching it during a snowstorm? Even better.
30 Days of Night (2007)
A month of darkness, a lifetime of terror.
In the remote Alaskan town of Barrow, the sun sets for 30 consecutive days during the winter, plunging the area into unbroken darkness.
This natural phenomenon attracts a group of bloodthirsty vampires, who descend on the town for a feeding frenzy.
Directed by David Slade, 30 Days of Night blends intense action with relentless horror.
The snowy setting and perpetual night create a suffocating atmosphere that leaves viewers gripping their seats.
The vampires in this film are savage and primal, a far cry from the romanticized versions often seen in popular culture.
It’s a perfect pick for anyone who wants a winter horror movie that doesn’t hold back on the scares—or the blood.
The Lodge (2019)
A chilling descent into madness.
The Lodge is a deeply unsettling psychological horror that uses its snowbound setting to trap its characters—and the audience—in a suffocating sense of dread. When two children are left alone with their father’s new fiancée in a remote cabin, strange and terrifying events begin to unfold.
The film’s quiet, creeping tension pairs perfectly with its stark, wintery visuals. It’s a slow burn, but the payoff is worth it for those who enjoy horror that gets under your skin.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
Santa is watching—and he’s not jolly ol’ Saint Nick.
This controversial slasher caused a stir upon its release for its portrayal of a killer Santa Claus.
The film follows Billy, a young man traumatized by witnessing his parents’ murder, who grows up to become a murderous Santa.
While its premise may sound campy—and, to an extent, it is—Silent Night, Deadly Night offers plenty of gruesome kills and a surprisingly dark backstory.
It revels in its absurdity while still delivering genuine scares.
Let the Right One In (2008)
A hauntingly beautiful take on the vampire genre.
Set against the backdrop of a snow-covered Swedish town, this film tells the story of Oskar, a lonely boy who befriends Eli, a mysterious girl who turns out to be a vampire.
The wintry setting adds a layer of melancholy and isolation, making the horror elements feel even more pronounced.
Unlike traditional vampire films, Let the Right One In is as much a poignant tale of friendship and loneliness as it is a terrifying story of bloodlust.
Its understated horror will linger with you long after the credits roll.
Wind Chill (2007)
Santa Claus, but not as you know him.
A desolate road, a freezing night, and chilling spirits.
Two college students carpooling home for the holidays take a shortcut through an isolated, snow-covered road.
When their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, they find themselves trapped not only by the freezing temperatures but also by ghostly apparitions tied to the area’s dark history.
Wind Chill is a tense, atmospheric horror film that uses its wintry setting to great effect.
The relentless cold amplifies the characters’ desperation, while the supernatural elements provide a steady stream of eerie chills.
If you’re looking for a snowbound horror with an English-language script, Wind Chill is a perfect fit for those long, dark winter nights.
Dead Snow (2009)
Nazis, zombies, and snow—what could go wrong?
This Norwegian horror-comedy is as over-the-top as it gets.
A group of friends on a snowy getaway find themselves battling Nazi zombies in a blood-soaked fight for survival.
The film doesn’t take itself too seriously, leaning into its absurd premise with gory set pieces and dark humour.
If you’re in the mood for something loud, fast, and outrageously fun, Dead Snow will deliver.
The Shining (1980)
Finally—and my favourite from the list—is a quintessential winter horror film.
Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is a masterpiece of psychological terror.
Jack Torrance’s descent into madness at the isolated Overlook Hotel is mirrored by the relentless winter storm trapping him and his family inside.
The snow-covered hotel and its haunting atmosphere make it a perfect watch during the cold months. Few films capture the suffocating weight of isolation and madness as effectively as The Shining.
Why Horror and Winter Are a Perfect Pair
For those of us who live in colder climates, we know that there is something unsettling about winter.
The world grows quieter, the nights last longer, and the cold keeps us indoors—alone with our thoughts.
Add the cheer of the holidays, and you have a recipe for perfect horror storytelling.
These films tap into the eerie mix of winter’s beauty and its harshness, blending seasonal themes with elements of fear and suspense.
Whether it’s the isolation of The Thing or the festive chaos of Krampus, there’s a movie here for every kind of horror fan.
So, grab your coziest blanket, make some hot cocoa, and turn down the lights. This winter, let the horrors on screen provide the warmth you need—if only from the adrenaline.