Editorials
12 Bloody Days of Christmas: Day 2 ‘Christmas Characters Gone Wrong’
The minute The Grinch steals Christmas, that Coca-Cola Santa starts pushing caffeinated products, and Charlie Brown butchers another tree, the start of the holiday season is in full swing. The world is on a high as school pageants kick off, Christmas carols bog down on just about every radio station, and, of course, hundreds of channels begin putting sappy movies into rotation. But what about those characters that have gone off the deep end- the ones that have turned many a movie from blissful to bloody, that have given us nightmares instead of presents? Even during the happiest time of year, there’s a chance that someone will walk away screaming… On the second day of Christmas, Bloody-Disgusting gave to me- “Christmas Characters Gone Wrong”
Day 1: Creepy Christmas Traditions
Day 2: Christmas Characters Gone Wrong
Day 3: Horrifying Holiday Decorations
Day 4: Twisted Yuletide Tales
Day 5: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Day 6: Creepy Christmas Movies
Day 7: Terrifying Toys
Day 8: Top 10 Potential Holiday Weapons
Day 9: Horror’s New Year’s Resolutions
Day 10: Top Picks for the New Year
Day 11: Ghosts of Christmas
Day 12: Happy Horror Holidays
The old guy with the beard is kind of disturbing to begin with. Am I the only one who finds it strange that people allow their children to sit on some stranger’s lap begging for toys? My parents forced me to do it, I’m sure my children will get lulled into the same thing- but come on, any other time of year this would be a crime. That’s why it doesn’t surprise me that horror movies have taken Santa to a whole new level. From the murderous teenager disguised as Chris Cringle in SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT to the demonic side of Santa in SANTA’S SLAY, it’s enough to keep you from leaving milk and cookies by the fire.
I have a soft spot for the talking snowman with a heart of gold. He’s a harmless guy, and if he gets on your nerves, all you have to do is shove him in the sunlight and save the hat for later. It’s a simple solution to a dosage of cheer. But then my childhood fantasy went flying out the window when, one morning during my high school years, courtesy of HBO, I caught a glimpse of the movie JACK FROST. While it may not be a critically acclaimed psychological thriller, the thought of a serial killer invading Frosty’s cheery self was very disturbing. Who am I kidding… it’s STILL disturbing.
And before you ask, no, I’m not going to reference that blasphemous remake starring Jim Carrey (wait, did I just say that?). The Grinch was never really a `kind’ figure to begin with- he symbolizes anger, hostility, hatred- just about every stereotype in the book. He does redeem himself, but only after he’s destroyed half of Whoville. So you’re probably wondering- what the hell am I talking about? Where did the Grinch go wrong?
Two words: The Simpsons. It’s painfully obvious that something is out of place when the Grinch is waiting outside the house with a knife, begging Homer to come out and play. Last time I checked, the only weapon the Grinch had was Max.
For a child, there’s nothing better than Christmas morning. The brightly lit tree, a plump stocking, those beautiful packages waiting underneath- it’s what they’ve been waiting for all year long. But what happens when those gifts turn on you? Just ask the little boy from CHUCKY how it turned out for him. Or, better yet, ask his mom. GREMLINS is another example- as cute as Gizmo is, we all know he’s a pain in the ass. And his siblings are even worse.
I had no idea the Gingerbread man could be taken to a level of insanity above what I saw in SHREK’s torture scene. When that short Napolean dude chopped off the little guy’s legs, I really thought he was a goner. But, alas, someone made something a bit more twisted- THE GINGERDEAD MAN, which has since been followed by GINGERDEAD MAN 2: PASSION OF THE CRUST, and will see itself in 3D next year. It’s another story of a serial killer trapped inside of something that usually makes us smile. Let’s face it, with Gary Busey at the helm, it was never meant to be a Christmas classic.
Next time you’re watching your favorite holiday film, be it A Christmas Carol, Home Alone, or whatever tweaks your neurons, remember that there are some corrupted characters out there that are sure to bring more fear than cheer.
Don’t forget to show your love for Andrea by visiting her blog: The Albin Way
A new month means a new guide as titles are added (and dropped) from streaming services. Let’s unpack the most exciting titles that are available to watch on Tubi in July 2026.
New to Tubi July Horror Films
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
- Premise: Searching for a cure to Alzheimer’s disease, a group of scientists on an isolated research facility become the prey as a trio of intelligent sharks fight back.
- Why Watch It? Let’s be frank: Director Renny Harlin has made some absolute dogs in the last few years (the less said about The Strangers trilogy the better, though this year’s Deep Water was actually ok). Deep Blue Sea remains one of the Finnish director’s best contemporary efforts, though. Between the great cast (Samuel L. Jackson, Saffron Burrows, Stellan Skarsgård, Michael Rapaport, LL Cool J, Thomas Jane, and Jane’s sleeveless wetsuit), the ridiculous premise, and that damn/dumb song (“My hat is like a shark’s fin”), you basically can’t go wrong with Deep Blue Sea. It’s one of two great shark films gliding onto Tubi this month, so why not stay out of the water and watch this instead?
- Streaming: July 1
Exorcist II: Heretic (1977)
- Premise: Reagan (Linda Blair), a girl once possessed by a demon, finds that it still lurks within her. Meanwhile, Father Lamont (Richard Burton) investigates the death of the priest who performed her exorcism.
- Why Watch It? August sees the release of documentary Boorman and the Devil, which is about the troubled production of this sequel. The notoriety surrounding Heretic has undoubtedly kept plenty of horror fans away from the sequel, but this truly is a “seeing is believing” kind of film. Real talk: it’s undeniably a disaster, but the John Boorman film has also become a minor cult film. Don’t you want to see it to make up your own mind?
- Streaming: July 1
Hostel: Part III (2011)
- Premise: Four men attending a bachelor party in Las Vegas fall prey to the Elite Hunting Club, who are hosting a gruesome game show of torture.
- Why Watch It? What does Hostel look like without Eli Roth? Part III kinda answers the question. Technically Roth is still a writer, but he hands over the directorial reins to Scott Spiegel (best known for acting in Evil Dead films). The result is a film with a terrible pedigree; it’s also the first (and last) entry to skip theatres before the franchise was permanently shelved (until that TV show with Paul Giamatti shows up?). For some horror fans, however, there’s something exciting about a bad low-budget sequel. Just bear in mind that the Hostel: Part III‘s biggest star is Kip Pardue…so adjust your expectations accordingly before hitting play.
- Streaming: July 1
Insidious 1-3 (2010/2013/2015)
- Premise: A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.
- Why Watch It? It’s hard to believe that the sixth (!) Insidious movie is coming out in a month and a half, but James Wan and Leigh Whannell‘s other horror franchise has been steadily chugging along for sixteen years. It’s a shame that Tubi doesn’t have all five films available to watch, but in terms of quality, you can do far worse than the original trio. The first film is iconic, and the second is basically an extended coda (with some admittedly problematic stuff going on). I’ll go to bat for Whannell’s 2015 directorial debut, though: there’s a few banger sequences in that film that people slept on.
- Streaming: July 1
Man Finds Tape (2025)
- Premise: After finding mysterious video clips, siblings investigate the strange recordings and uncover a disturbing secret spreading through their Texas town.
- Why Watch It? Writer/directors Paul Gandersman and Peter S. Hall‘s well-received found footage film did an extensive tour of the festival circuit, so now is a great time to check out one of the most contemporary titles debuting on Tubi this month. Surely a title that hails from producers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (Spring and The Endless) is worth a free look?
- Streaming: July 2
Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
- Premise: A depressed musician Adam (Tom Hiddleston) reunites with his lover Eve (Tilda Swinton). However, their romance, which has already endured several centuries, is disrupted by the arrival of her uncontrollable younger sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska).
- Why Watch It? This beautiful, melancholy vampire film is courtesy of writer/director Jim Jarmusch, who doesn’t often dabble in genre fare. As always, some will quibble if this artsy drama qualifies as horror, but the existential ennui of an eternal life certainly qualifies (bonus: there’s also something inherently sexy about watching Hiddleston and Swinton just lay about). Plus: if Leviticus has you hankering for more Wasikowska, this is an under the radar pick.
- Streaming: July 1
The Shallows (2016)
- Premise:A mere 200 yards from shore, surfer Nancy (Blake Lively) is attacked by a great white shark, with her short journey to safety becoming the ultimate contest of wills.
- Why Watch It? What better time to watch a shark movie than July? The temperatures are soaring and the idea of escaping into the water is so tantalizing. This tight, contained thriller features a great performance by Lively (and that damn seagull!), but it’s the direction from genre fave Jaume Collet-Serra (Orphan; the House of Wax remake) that keeps the movie clicking along like clockwork. At 86 minutes, this is a perfect summer flick.
- Streaming: July 1
Vacancy (2007)
- Premise: Stranded in an isolated motel, a couple (Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale) become the unsuspecting subjects of a snuff film.
- Why Watch It? I’m not going to pretend that this Nimród Antal-directed home invasion film is high art, but it is a good time. You’ll likely wish there were deeper characterizations for Wilson and Beckinsale’s David and Amy in Mark L. Smith‘s screenplay, but this mid-aughts thriller is tense, exciting, and just the right amount of grimy. Plus: another short runtime, clocking in at an expeditious 85 minutes!
- Streaming: July 1
July Tubi Originals
The One Next Door (2026)
- Premise: When a mysterious stranger moves in next door to Robert and Tabitha, boundaries are tested, loyalty is questioned, and danger comes for all.
- Streaming: July 10
I Know Where You Live (2026)
- Premise: Sarah thinks she’s found “the one” until his flaws emerge. When she pulls away, chilling threats suggest he’s watching her from inside her own home.
- Streaming: July 24
What’s your favorite from the list above? Will you check out the new Original? Sound off in the comments below
You must be logged in to post a comment.