Christmas Evil (1980)

Directed by

Lewis Jackson

Genre

horror film, slasher film, list of holiday horror films, Christmas film

Country

United States

Runtime

1h 40m

Rated

R

Rating

5.5 of 10 from 203 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

A toy factory worker becomes increasingly obsessed with being Santa Claus. He snaps and goes on a killing spree while wearing a Santa suit.

unsettlingslow-burnbleaktensesynth-heavypsychologically darkgrittylow-budget

What happens

Christmas Evil (originally titled You Better Watch Out, and also known as Terror in Toyland) is a 1980 American psychological slasher film written and directed by Lewis Jackson and starring Brandon Maggart. The plot follows a deranged man obsessed with Santa Claus who eventually goes on a murderous rampage dressed in a Santa Claus suit. Since its release, it has gained a cult following, including praise and repeated viewings by director John Waters. While not prosecuted for obscenity, Christmas Evil was seized and confiscated in the United Kingdom under Section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959, during the video nasty panic. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

More like this

• To All a Goodnight (1980)
• The Shining (1980)
• Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
• Bloody Christmas (2012)
• The Naughty List of Mr. Scrooge
• Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025)
• Silent Night, Bloody Night 2: Revival (2015)
• Die Hard (1988)