‘Tis the season to be naughty. If there’s one recurring staple that takes up more space in holiday horror than any other, it’s the killer Santa Claus. It makes sense. He sees you when you’re sleeping, after all, and he knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake! And the killer Santa sub-genre returns in full swing this year.

This week brings the theatrical release of Violent Night, and next week heralds in the killer robot flick Christmas Bloody Christmas. So, this week’s streaming picks keeps the yuletide spirit alive with five horror movies centered around the Killer Santa.

Here’s where you can stream these five Killer Santa horror movies this week.

For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.

Deadly Games – AMC+, Shudder

Also known as 36.15 code Père Noël and Dial Code Santa Claus, this French horror film was doomed to obscurity as it was only available on hard-to-find bootleg VHS until recently. It follows young computer-loving Thomas, a boy stuck at home alone with his grandpa on Christmas Eve. It’s a quiet evening until a twisted, bloodthirsty Santa Claus crashes through the chimney. Released a year before Home Alone, the plot has an eerie similarity as Thomas booby traps his house to ward off the intruder. The critical difference is that Deadly Games lean hard into horror, bringing the pain and bloodshed that Home Alone wouldn’t dare. One creepy Santa, some surprising peril for its young lead, and a heavy lean into the holiday setting make for an unexpected holiday favorite.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale – AMC+, Hulu, Pluto TV, Shudder, Tubi

A holiday horror story that hearkens back to Santa’s darker roots, this Finnish fantasy horror follows Pietari, a boy whose belief in Santa is the very thing that will save everyone when an archaeological dig unearths the real thing. Too bad the real thing is the stuff of nightmares. Filthy elves galore, reindeer, gingerbread, and one monstrous version of Santa bring the yuletide fun and chaos. If you’re looking for a charming holiday horror movie that goes big on holiday motifs and iconography, albeit in a twisted way, this pick is for you. 

Saint – AMC+

Not in the mood for atmospheric haunted house fare? Leave it to Dick Maas, the mind behind Amsterdamned, to transform the Christmas ghost into a slasher. On the full moon of December 5, St. Nicholas’s murderous evil spirit comes to town to unleash terror and mayhem along with his zombie-like Black Peters. It’s precisely the type of goofy fun you’d expect from Maas, this time with an irreverent holiday twist. It’s as funny as it is bloody, with solid effects work. Just don’t take it too seriously. Also known as Sint, this one is available dubbed on AMC+.

Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 – AMC+, Fandor, Plex, Pluto TV, Screambox, Shudder, Tubi

While the original film is heralded as a holiday horror classic, this sequel falls firmly into cult territory thanks to using an insane amount of footage to recap the previous film’s story and the over-the-top performance by new killer Santa, Ricky (Eric Freeman). Set four years after the first film, Ricky picks up his brother’s slaying mantle to punish those he deems naughty on Christmas Eve. Whereas Billy liked to yell “punish,” Ricky’s more known for his hysterical line delivery of “Garbage Day!” That should give you a little idea of the hysterical madness in store. This is a pizza and beer kind of holiday horror film, best viewed separately from its predecessor.

Tales from the Crypt – Plex, Tubi

This classic horror anthology features five segments based on EC Comics stories. The wraparound features five strangers confronted by a Crypt Keeper that regales them with tales of their demises. The first segment, “…And All Through the House,” comes from the 35th issue of The Vault of Horror and sees Joanne Clayton (Joan Collins) battling it out with an escaped maniac dressed in a Santa suit. She’s unable to call the police for aid as she’s just murdered her husband. The story is so good that it was adapted a second time for the Tales from the Crypt TV series’ inaugural season. While the original adaptation of the movie is the only story set around the holidays, the entire anthology is well worth watching.