Horror Movies for the Holidays
Horror movies are often associated with Halloween, but why limit them to just one holiday? There are plenty of horror films that are perfect for other occasions. For example, Black Christmas is a great slasher to watch on Christmas Eve, while the It movies are a fitting choice for the Fourth of July. And now, thanks to Eli Roth, there’s Thanksgiving to enjoy on Thanksgiving.
While New Year’s Eve is typically a time for rom-coms and comedies, Digital Trends wants to challenge that tradition. Here are three horror movies on Netflix that will send chills down your spine as you ring in the new year.
Insidious: The Red Door (2023)
Although I’ve never been a huge fan of the Insidious franchise, Insidious: The Red Door surprised me with its scares. This 2023 movie brings together the Lambert family from the first two films: father Josh, oldest son Dalton, and mother Renai. As Josh and Renai navigate their divorce, Dalton, now in college, becomes estranged from his father. But demons, both literal and metaphorical, force them to reunite. The franchise’s iconic villain, the Lipstick-Face Demon, returns to claim Dalton’s body and his unique ability to astral project. Director Patrick Wilson (who also stars as Josh) knows how to make scenes as terrifying as possible, like the one where Josh is trapped in an MRI machine.
The Strangers (2008)
The Strangers Official Trailer #1 – Liv Tyler Movie (2008) HD
Initially seen as just another horror movie upon its release in 2008, The Strangers has since gained a reputation as one of the most terrifying films of the past two decades. Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman portray a couple fighting for their lives against three masked attackers at their vacation home. The movie’s effective use of creepy antagonists, intense performances, and an unsettling ending make it truly horrifying. With three new Strangers films set to release in 2024, now is the perfect time to experience or revisit the original.
Lights Out (2016)
If you enjoyed The Boogeyman in 2023, you’ll appreciate Lights Out. This 2016 horror movie is filled with effective jump scares and a truly terrifying premise. The story revolves around Rebecca, who was tormented by an invisible entity when the lights went out during her childhood. Now an adult, Rebecca’s little brother Martin is experiencing the same unexplained events. The siblings must survive an invisible entity that can only exist in total darkness. While Lights Out may rely on some genre tropes, it does so in a stylish and unsettling manner. It may not be the greatest film ever made, but it’s certainly better than watching a sugary rom-com as the ball drops on New Year’s Eve.
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