Horror films are a cult staple for the Halloween season. Much of the action takes place during the October months. However, there are a variety of horror films that don’t use October 31st at all. Here are five films that take a non-Halloween route, bringing the terror and gore to other holidays.
Black Christmas (1974)
Before John Carpenter gave us Halloween, Bob Clark gave the world Black Christmas. An often-overlooked film, Black Christmas actually creates a lot of the conventions slasher films like Carpenter’s Halloween series, the Friday the 13th films, and various other knockoffs would use.
The story is set over Christmas break at a sorority house. An unknown (you never find out who the murderer is, which adds to the terror) stalks several women at a sorority. Countless women are knocked off. Horror legend John Saxon is the police chief.
This movie is wildly suspenseful and is often overlooked despite being a well-paced, frightening film that leaves audiences with more questions than answers.
Silent Night, Deadly Night 2 (1987)
This is one of the most bewildering films ever made. 85% of the film is comprised of flashback sequences from the original film. The main actor’s eyebrows act better than the actor does. It is a wonder how or why this film was even made, even as it spawned more sequels (including a creepy third film starring cult hero Bill Moseley).
Like Black Christmas, Silent Night Deadly Night 2 uses the Christmas season as a backdrop for pure carnage. The killer chops a nun’s head off. The original film sparked mass protest, as many concerned citizens didn’t want a killer in a Santa costume.
Oh, and it gives us the immortal "Garbage day" line.
The film has so much of the first in it, you don’t even need to watch the original. So that’s a plus? I think!
My Bloody Valentine (1981)
No, this isn’t the Machine Gun Kelly song. It’s a slasher film set during Valentine’s Day. It also deals with a bunch of coal miners. Valentine’s Day is a brilliant holiday to use, as spurned lovers, divorcees, and manic husbands and wives all make for great potential killers.
The action here takes place in a mining town called Valentine Bluffs. Killer Harry Warden vows to maim if the town ever holds a Valentine’s Day dance following a tragedy two decades prior where supervisors left miners to die after leaving to attend the dance.
Stupidly, the mayor decides to hold the dance again. Carnage ensues. Someone gets a pickaxe through the eye. My Bloody Valentine is criminally underrated, and the claustrophobic atmosphere of the mine gives the film a unique, eerie feel.
Thankskilling (2008)
This movie brags about showing nudity in the first 5 seconds. It is about a killer turkey (I know) and in those first five seconds, said turkey murders the hell out of a topless Pilgrim woman. It somehow gets dumber from there. The budget for this movie was likely $47, and they probably used most of the budget on alcohol.
Thankskilling must be seen to be believed, as at one point the killer turkey kills a human and then wears its face as a ploy to fool the protagonists. It works. Fans of B-movies and Mystery Science Theater 3K will be left wanting…leftovers of this schlock.
April Fool's Day (1986)
Another unconventional setting, as the carnage takes place in the days leading up to the holiday known for pranks and mischief. This is an underrated 80s classic that often flies under the radar, but it is an enjoyable feature with amazing kill and gore effects.
April Fool's Day also has an amazing twist you’re not expecting, so the fool might be YOU. The film follows the formula of a group of kids getting knocked off one by one, but the twist really sells it. You have to check this one out.