For many, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, and one of the best Christmas traditions is getting together with loved ones to watch classic Christmas movies.

Nevertheless, holiday cheer goes a long way, and sometimes it takes something darker to counteract the relentless optimism found in traditional Christmas movies.

Of course, you can also enjoy unconventional Christmas movies with films like "Die Hard," or take it a step further by exploring the wicked side of the holiday season with the best Christmas horror films.

Below is a selection of the best-known Christmas-themed horror films ever made, along with information on where you can stream or rent them. Put your kids to bed, make some hot chocolate, put on your ugliest Christmas sweater, and enjoy a truly twisted holiday movie marathon.

Arguably the best Christmas horror film ever made, Bob Clark's "Black Christmas" is a nerve-wracking piece of pure terror. Four years earlier than John Carpenter's "Halloween," it is credited with laying the foundation for the modern slasher, and its influence is still carried over to the subgenre today. The premise is simple: a sorority sorority receives an obscene phone call from someone claiming to be Billy during Christmas break. Soon one of the sorority girls goes missing and it becomes clear that the sorority is being stalked by a real psychopath. Filled with creepy point-of-view shots by the killer himself, "Black Christmas" is as effective as ever, nearly 50 years after its release. Add to that one of the most disturbing endings in horror history, and you have a holiday horror masterpiece.

Stream on Shudder, AMC Plus, Tubi (free with ads), rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and other services

One of the meaner slashers of the 1980s, "Silent Night, Deadly Night is a must-see Christmas movie for any self-respecting horror fan. The film follows a disturbed young man named Billy (sense a theme here) who suffers from severe PTSD related to Christmas. Having witnessed the murder of his parents by a criminal in a Santa costume as a child, and having been tormented and beaten by the nuns at the orphanage for refusing to sit on Santa's lap as a child, the grown-up Billy eventually snaps when his boss makes him dress up like Saint Nick. In true horror movie fashion, Billy in that costume goes on a killing rampage. Piqueted before its release by outraged parents, "Silent Night, Deadly Night" was quickly removed from theaters, even though it had outsold "A Nightmare on Elm Street" at the box office. Film critic Gene Siskel described it as one of the most disgusting films he had ever seen, even going so far as to read out the names of those responsible for the film on his television show with Roger Ebert.

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A festive watchdog for naughty and nice Santa is not the only figure. There is also Krampus, a demonic, horned figure from European folklore who appears in Santa's place to punish nonbelievers and misbehaving children. Unfortunately for the dysfunctional family at the center of this holiday story, Krampus makes a visit they won't soon forget. Starring a stellar cast including Toni Collette, Adam Scott, and David Koechner, this black comedy-flavored monster movie is a fun and devilish holiday treat for horror fans.

Stream on Peacock (US), Lionsgate Plus (UK), rent or buy on iTunes or Amazon Prime Video (AU)

Christmas is the season of giving and receiving gifts. Unfortunately for would-be mother Sarah (Alison Paradis), a madwoman (Beatrice Dahl) shows up at her house on Christmas Eve and claims Sarah's baby is hers. Along with the French horror classic "Martyrs," "Inside" (known in its native country as "À l'intérieur") strongly establishes France as one of the world's leading exporters of extreme horror. Be warned, this film is not for the faint of heart.

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Unlike the famous Christmas slashers on this list, the 80s horror film Don't Open Till Christmas, set in London, England and gives it the same sense of time and place as An American Werewolf in London. While not quite as good as that film, "Don't Open Till Christmas" is still a little-known gem that offers impressive performances and an interesting reversal of the "killer Santa" trope - in this film, the victim is dressed as Santa Claus.

Stream on Shudder (US), AMC Plus (US), or rent or buy on Apple and other services

One of the most original Christmas films ever made, "Rare Exports": A Christmas Story" is Santa's home Set in Finland, the film puts a twist on the legend of St. Nick. An archaeological dig in the Korvatunturi Mountains is supposed to uncover the real Santa Claus, but soon all but one child in the local village has disappeared. So the one remaining boy and his father try to capture Santa and sell him back to the company in charge of the excavation. Unbeknownst to them, the old man in their possession is only one of Santa's helpers, and the real Santa is even more terrifying and evil.

Streaming on Peacock (US), Icon Film Channel (UK), rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video (UK), iTunes, or other services

Rather than a slasher, "Taxi Driver", "Falling Down, A first-person character study in the vein of "The Joker," "Christmas Evil" follows Harry (Brandon Maggart), a toymaker who, as a child, is traumatized by witnessing Santa (actually his costumed father) making out with his mother. Harry, obsessed with Christmas, makes "naughty" and "nice" lists of the townspeople. When his co-workers fail to show their Christmas spirit at a toy drive at the local hospital, Harry snaps and goes on a killing spree. Considered John Waters' favorite holiday film, "Christmas Evil" is a surprisingly shocking Christmas horror masterpiece.

Streaming on Shudder, AMC Plus, and Tubi (AU)

The French Christmas film "Deadly Game": Dial Code Santa Claus" (aka "Game Over"), which came out a year before the original "Home Alone" has a similar premise to this Christmas movie classic. A boy obsessed with action movies plays a game of cat and mouse with a serial killer dressed as Santa. Inspired by Rambo, this boy wages an unbelievable war on Santa.

Streaming on Shudder, AMC Plus

A Christmas classic for those with an evil sense of humor, Gremlins is about a typical American teenager who receives a furry little creature named Gizmo at Christmas, Billy ( Zach Garrigan), is portrayed. Gizmo is an adorable little guy called "Mogwai," with strict rules: no bright lights, no access to water, and no feeding after midnight (since when is it not "after midnight"?). Of course, it doesn't take long before he accidentally spills water on Gizmo and many other, more mischievous mogwais grow out of his back. Unfortunately, Billy is unable to stop this gang from eating and turns into a vicious gremlin who only wants to wreak havoc in his peaceful little suburb.

Streaming on Max (US), Binge (AU), rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes