Classic. Eerie. Cold.
It’s about that time of year to cozy up next to the fireplace and put on your favorite winter horror films. With that, no Christmas horror list is complete without Black Christmas (1974).
When people think of slashers, their minds usually jump to the classics like Halloween or Friday the 13th. But what if I told you one of the most influential slasher films came out four years before Michael Myers first stalked babysitters? Enter Black Christmas (1974), a bone-chilling holiday horror film that helped inspire an entire genre—despite its director, Bob Clark, insisting it’s more psychological horror than a traditional slasher. Side note: Bob Clark would go on to direct other classic films like A Christmas Story, Baby Geniuses, and Porky’s.
Let’s unwrap this terrifying Christmas present, dive into its legacy, and explore why it remains a must-watch 50 years later.
A Summary of Black Christmas (Spoiler-Free)
Set during the holiday season, Black Christmas takes place in a sorority house that becomes the target of a deranged killer making creepy, obscene phone calls. The tension builds as the sorority sisters try to survive the most unsettling Christmas they’ve ever had. The movie thrives on atmosphere, with its eerie cinematography and unsettling soundtrack creating a palpable sense of dread.
What’s particularly remarkable is how Black Christmas laid the groundwork for many tropes we now associate with slasher films: the “final girl,” the holiday setting, and the idea that the calls are coming from inside the house (yes, that iconic twist owes a lot to this movie). Despite being credited as a slasher pioneer, Clark considered it more of a psychological thriller, focusing on terror and suspense rather than gore.
For a movie with a modest budget of $686,000 (around $3 million today), Black Christmas punched far above its weight, raking in $4 million at the box office (about $21 million adjusted for inflation). With a solid 7.1 rating on IMDb, it’s clear that this film’s chilling impact hasn’t faded over the years.
Christmas Cheer… Or Fear?
Black Christmas doesn’t just take place during the holidays—it weaponizes Christmas. From twinkling lights casting ominous shadows to hauntingly distorted carols, the film uses the season’s cheeriness as a sharp contrast to its darker themes. The result? A truly unsettling blend of festive and frightening.
It’s not just a horror movie set at Christmas—it’s a horror movie that makes Christmas itself feel ominous. If you’re the type of person who loves horror movies with unconventional holiday twists, this is one that will make you second-guess leaving your eggnog unattended.
The Legacy and the Remakes
Like many classics, Black Christmas has been remade—twice, in fact. To be quite blunt, neither remake is that great. The 2006 version leaned heavily into gore and backstory, giving the killer a fleshed-out history (some would argue too much). Meanwhile, the 2019 version reimagined the story with a modern feminist twist but received mixed reviews due to its heavy-handed messaging and lack of subtlety compared to the original.
While both remakes have their merits, neither quite captures the stripped-down tension and dread of the 1974 version. There’s just something about the simplicity of the original that keeps it timeless and terrifying.
Black Christmas Horror Trivia
Black Christmas isn’t just a great movie—it also has a fascinating backstory. Here are a few bits of trivia to impress your horror-loving friends:
- The film drew inspiration from two chilling sources: a series of murders in Montreal, Quebec, during the Christmas season and the urban legend “The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs.” This blend of real-life horror and folklore makes the film feel disturbingly plausible.
- Director Bob Clark wanted the sorority sisters to feel like real people, not disposable horror victims waiting for their turn to die. He avoided objectifying them or including gratuitous nudity, a decision that was ahead of its time and added to the film’s authenticity.
- Black Christmas directly inspired Halloween (1978). In fact, Bob Clark shared ideas with John Carpenter during Halloween’s early development, cementing Black Christmas as a precursor to the slasher genre we know today.
For Fans Of…
If you loved Black Christmas, you’ll probably enjoy these other horror classics:
- When a Stranger Calls (1979): Another film that capitalizes on the terror of being home alone with an intruder.
- Halloween (1978): The movie that took the groundwork laid by Black Christmas and popularized the slasher formula.
Where To Stream Black Christmas: Amazon Prime Video, Shudder, Peackock, Tubi
Final Thoughts
Black Christmas (1974) is a true pioneer of horror, blending psychological tension with the festive backdrop of Christmas to create a uniquely terrifying experience. It’s chilling, atmospheric, and packed with unforgettable moments that solidify its place as a must-watch for horror fans.
So, this holiday season, forget about heartwarming Christmas movies and opt for something darker. Turn on Black Christmas and experience the film that inspired a genre while making the holidays a whole lot scarier.
Have you seen Black Christmas? What’s your favorite holiday-themed horror movie? As always, you can support the channel by subscribing on Youtube or signing up for the newly released Patreon.
