Uncover the Spine-Tingling World of Holiday Horror

Black Friday – Prime Video

In this raucous and campy creature feature, set within a toy store on Thanksgiving, a group of disgruntled employees find themselves dealing with an alien parasite that turns their shoppers into bloodthirsty monsters. Director Casey Tebo focuses on having fun with this holiday horror entry, and it features a great cast including Devon Sawa and Bruce Campbell. The employees' rough night takes a terrifying turn as they battle against the bloodthirsty horde.

The chaos and tension build as the alien parasite crashes into Earth via meteor, and the employees are forced to fight for their lives. This movie is a wild ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Boneyard – Pluto TV, Prime Video, the Roku Channel, Tubi

This pick is for those who prefer a more unconventional holiday horror experience. The film follows a depressed psychic as she teams up with detectives to solve the mystery behind a funeral home owner who possesses the mummified bodies of three children. These "kyoshi" or undead cursed children are not what they seem and their hunger for human flesh adds to the creepy atmosphere.

It takes its time to build up to the wild finale teased on the VHS cover box, but when it arrives, it's a shock. The Boneyard is set almost entirely within a creepy morgue, adding to the overall sense of dread. Written and directed by James Cummins, the creature designer behind the inventive apparitions in 1986's House, this movie is a must-see for horror fans.

Into the Dark: Pilgrim – Hulu

A woman invites pilgrim re-enactors into her home to recreate the first Thanksgiving, hoping to bring her family closer together. However, her well-intentioned plan goes awry when the actors refuse to break character and their behavior becomes increasingly alarming. Written by Noah Feinberg, Patrick Melton, and Marcus Dunstan, with Marcus Dunstan directing, Pilgrim builds to a wild and unexpected finale.

The tension mounts as the re-enactors' strange behavior starts to affect the family. This movie explores the dark side of the holiday and shows how even the most innocent traditions can have a sinister twist.

The Stepfather – Fandango at Home, Hoopla, Kanopy, Peacock, Prime Video, the Roku Channel, SCREAMBOX, Shout! TV, Tubi

Terry O'Quinn shines as the serial murderer title character who targets single mothers in search of his perfect family. When his plans go awry, he resorts to murder and starts anew. Loosely based on mass murderer John List, The Stepfather brings intense thrills thanks to O'Quinn's bone-chilling performance.

The movie is set against a Fall backdrop, with autumnal vibes adding to the pervasive sense of dread. A notable Thanksgiving dinner scene adds an extra layer of tension to the story. This is a must-watch for horror enthusiasts.

ThanksKilling – Pluto TV, the Roku Channel, SCREAMBOX, Tubi

Gobble Gobble, Motherf*cker! This movie is a true holiday horror gem. Jordan Downey's 2008 horror-comedy follows a homicidal turkey as it goes on a rampage among unsuspecting college kids during Thanksgiving break. It's as crass as it is low budget, but that's part of its charm.

This turkey gives Jack Frost a run for his money in terms of schlocky holiday horror fare. It's best enjoyed with rowdy friends and a glass of spiked eggnog. Pair it with the follow-up ThanksKilling 3, also streaming on SCREAMBOX, for even more holiday horror fun.