Summary
When one thinks of Thanksgiving, a picture of a scrumptious spread, family, and reasons for gratitude pop up in their mind. For horror fans, however, it can be quite different - this is an opportunity for them to sit back and get adose of terrifying thrill. The best Thanksgiving horror movies are an amalgamation of warm holiday traditions along with spine-chilling suspense - the experience is quite like no other.
From cult classics to new Thanksgiving horror movies, viewers will be entertained with suspense, gore, and the most unexpected twists. Ranked according to their popularity and success, these films will give everyone who watches them a taste of the dark side that the holiday season has to offer.
10Deadly Friend (1986)
An AI Experiment Gone Hauntingly Wrong
For fans ofsci-fi horror movies, this film is going to be a treat - it takes a deep dive into the boundaries of life and death and the plot is eerily unique. Directed by Wes Craven, the movie follows a teenage prodigy who brings his dead friend back to life usingartificial intelligence.
However, the experiment very quickly becomes a nightmare. With a blend ofclassic 80s horrorand themes of morality and obsession, this film will make it to any Thanksgiving horror movie list.Deadly Friend’s chilling storyline and unsettling visuals promise to deliver some haunting entertainment this Thanksgiving.
9Blood Freak (1972)
A Mutant Turkey Man Goes On A Wild Killing Spree
In the universe of Thanksgiving horror movies,Blood Freakremains a beloved cult classic. The story follows a Vietnam veteran who becomes a mutant turkey creature after he consumes some experimental drugs, and this is the beginning of the bloodbath that’s about to follow.
Although the movie had a low budget and was quite bizarre, it still earned a name for its exaggerated plot and eccentric social commentary. For those looking for offbeat Thanksgiving movies to watch this season, this quirky, grotesque pick won’t disappoint.
8Thankskilling 3 (2012)
The Murderous Turkey Returns To A Virtual Reality World
Thankskilling 3is another low-budget film that is a part of the slasher comedy genre. It continues the story of a foul-mouthed, bloodthirsty turkey. After what happens in the first two films, the turkey is back to cause havoc, this time targeting people who have been trapped in avirtual reality world.
The humor here is quite over-the-top, and viewers are treated to the perfect mix of horror and dark comedy. Definitely one of the top Thanksgiving movies for horror fans, this cult favorite delivers both laughs and shrieks.
Zombie Chickens Terrorize A Fast-Food Restaurant
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Deadis a satiricalhorror comedythat’s directed by Lloyd Kaufman, and it is set in a fast-food restaurant that’s built right over an ancient Native American burial ground. Here, viewers witness chicken products come to life, but only this time, they are zombie-like creatures that are filled with vengeance.
Loaded with chaos, the film ismade up of dark humorand social commentary, targeting issues such as consumerism and corporate greed. For fans of all Thanksgiving movies, this unorthodox addition is gory yet entertaining to watch.
6Thankskilling (2009)
A Killer Turkey Hunts Down College Students During Thanksgiving Break
This campy slasher film features a unique and unconventional premise - a murderous turkey with a foul mouth is all set to get revenge against a group of college students. Often regarded as one of the absurd yet good Thanksgiving movies, it has garnered a huge fanbase for its extreme violence, cheesy dialogues, and ridiculous humor.
WhileThankskilling 3(mentioned earlier on the list), is a continuation of the turkey’s chaotic legacy,Thankskillingis the original that set the stage for this unique Thanksgivinghorror franchise. Delivering an unconventional holiday horror experience, both this movie and the franchise are a great watch.
5Into The Dark: Pilgrim (2019)
A Family Unknowingly Invites Sinister Guests To Thanksgiving Dinner
Into the Dark: Pilgrimis a more chilling Thanksgiving horror film - it features a blend of holiday traditions but with an unexpected, disturbing twist. Here, viewers witness a family inviting costumed pilgrims to dine with them, not knowing that the guests have sinister and murderous intentions.
Tension starts to boil and the line between historical reenactment and deadly ritual blurs, resulting in a terrifying atmosphere. The unsettling suspense and unique premise makePilgrima standout Thanksgiving horror movie to watch during the holiday season.
4Kristy (2014)
A College Student Fights For Survival On A Campus During Thanksgiving
Kristyis a suspense-filled thriller that takes place during Thanksgiving break - Justine, a college student, is targeted by a group of violent killers. With a blend ofsurvival horrorand eerie isolation on a deserted campus, the film ignites terror.
Viewers are hooked as they watch Justine fight to stay alive, making the movie known for its rigorous pace and chilling atmosphere. Though some may say it’s a lesser-known entry, most horror fans still consider it one of the top Thanksgiving movies, especially for those looking for some thrills on Thanksgiving Eve.
3Black Friday (2021)
Store Employees Battle Shoppers Who Have Turned Into Monsters
Black Fridayis one of the most thrilling, relatively new Thanksgiving horror movies and is a blend of slasher and comedy genres. Set during the chaos ofBlack Friday sales, a group of employees from a store have to fight for their lives when an alien parasite turns shoppers into aggressive monsters.
The cast is led by Bruce Campbell, and the movie is a good balance of gore and humor - some would even refer to it as one of the best funny Thanksgiving movies. For those looking for something fresh, entertaining, and gruesome, this film is a good choice.
2Blood Rage (1987)
A Brother Seeks Revenge During Thanksgiving
Thisslasher filmis a staple on any Thanksgiving horror movies list - the events take place during the holiday. The story follows two brothers, one of whom has been institutionalized after he was blamed for a brutal murder while the other grows up to be a violent killer.
The wrongly accused brother returns to the scene of the crime during Thanksgiving, and a blood-soaked rampage is what follows. The film features over-the-top killing scenes and an 80s aesthetic, delivering the perfect mix of horror and dark humor that’s cherished by the fanbase.
1Thanksgiving (2023)
A Town Is Terrorized By A Masked Killer
Thanksgivingis a slasher film that’s directed by Eli Roth - it blends the festivities that the holidays bring along with gruesome horror. The story is centered around a small town that is plagued by several violent murders, all after a Black Friday parade goes wrong - there’s a masked killer on the loose, targeting those who are involved.
The movie is known for its intense, violent scenes anddark humor, and has quickly become one of the most talked-about Thanksgiving horror movies on Netflix. With Roth’s iconic shock value and a dash of horror-themed terror, this is a must-watch movie during the holiday season.
