The Dark Christmas Episodes From TV-Series
The big list of Christmas specials in horror and supernatural shows.
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The big list of Christmas specials in horror and supernatural shows.
If there is one thing that I hate, it is a merry Christmas. Overly joyous elves working as slaves for Santa, the amount of money that goes into useless presents and baked good that never tastes as good as it looks. And then, Santa Claus. Good dammit, the amount of therapy leading back to the annual encounters of this creep… gad dammit. It is truly the most terrifying character the world brought to the jolly festivities. And yes, the Grinch is my favorite Christmas movie.
Luckily, it looks like some series got the memo as well. If you’ve never seen a Christmas Special, just have a look to basically every Dr. Who specials there is. But for those that need something more, this is a collection of a horror fueled Christmas. For those looking to hunt the ghost of Christmas past, and stake that devious Krampus Santa, let’s go for a dive to the Christmas specials of TV shows.
The of Supernatural this year is the most bitersweet thing that has happened for a long time. It is sad because of all the memories and that it was the first show that showcased all the paranormal stuff I was into that I saw. The writers of Supernatural must be as damaged of Santa as I was. They have only one episode featuring Christmas heavily, but also some episodes were the time is around Christmas times.
The episode was written with the intent of being “the most violent Christmas special in the history of television”. In any case, it certainly had a lot of blood and gore.
Synopsis
The narrative follows series protagonists Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) as they confront a pair of pagan gods who annually take human sacrifices. And they also give some great flashbacks to how their little dysfunctional family celebrated Christmas when they were young.
Not a true Christmas special, but does feature a Christmas scene with Crowley. So no complains here.
Synopsis
Now that he has Sam in the cage with him, Lucifer offers Sam a way out but it comes with a steep price. Dean and Castiel look into the angel smiting that might have killed Amara.
Doesn’t really have a Christmas plot but does include Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree in the soundtrack and a Christmas decorations.
Synopsis
Dean and Sam get help from their friend Garth to get some information regarding what Micheal is planning. They split up to find weapons that will work against the Archangel.
The X-Files gave some great Christmas episodes, with some great quotable lines. Like Sculder wanting to take hostages in “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas”. The now vintage 90’s style gives an extra nostalgic touch of how the Christmases looked when you were a kid, or at least younger and more exited about it.
The episode is a “Monster-of-the-Week” story, unconnected to the series’ wider mythology. And those episodes were some of the best one in my opinion.
Synopsis
It is Christmas Eve and Mulder makes Scully to come to a house that is supposedly haunted. They do a stakeout of the house. Two lovers allegedly killed each other in a lovers pact almost a century ago.
A bit calmer episode than many here, the focus is on how awesome Gillian Anderson is.
Synopsis
Scully and her mother visit her brother Bill and his wife Tara, who is expecting, around Christmas time. Scully answers the phone, and the person on the other line, who sounds just like her dead sister Melissa, tells her that someone needs her help. Scully traces the call to a nearby home in San Diego where local police are investigating the suicide of a woman, Roberta Sim. Kresge, the lead detective on the case, tells Scully that it was impossible for Roberta to have dialed, as she died before the telephone call was made.
“Sein und Zeit” was written as the first part of a two-part arc that would eventually reveal what had happened to Samantha Mulder.
Synopsis
Fox Mulder asks to be a part of the investigation looking for a little girl, Amber Lynn LaPierre, who disappeared from her home in Sacramento, California. Mulder’s superior, Walter Skinner, initially denies his request, noting that the investigation is not an X-file, but simply a missing persons case. Mulder, however, convinces Skinner to allow him to investigate.
This is what I picture whenever I was told by mom Santa was coming and I had to sit on his lap. No thank you, never again. American Horror Story seems to have understood that when the Santa here is a murderous killer from solitary cell.
Synopsis
It is Christmas at the asylum, but everyone is too busy with celebration. A serial killer with an obsession for Christmas and Santa Claus is taken out from solitary. He did some truly crazy things last Christmas, and intends to do it again.
How many more proof do we need before banning Santa Claus? A hashtag #bansanta is something we must get trending.
A kind of sad and creepy story about a tragic department store Santa Claus that have a dream of becoming the real one.
Synopsis
After a derelict Santa Claus is fired on Christmas Eve, he finds a mysterious bag that gives out presents. With this bag he sets out to fulfill his one wish – to see the less fortunate inherit the bounties of Christmas.
No Santa here, thank God, but Black Mirror is also extremely scary, not necessarily in jump scares, but the awful twists that exposes humans as they really are- awful!
Starring Jon Hamm, gives a bleak insight to the white and modern (but dark and grim) Christmas.
Synopsis
Three interconnected tales of technology run amok during the Christmas season are told by two men at a remote outpost in a frozen wilderness.
No Christmas without blood sucking vampires and scream queen Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Supposedly a bot romantic, but I was team Spike, so go away Angel! Although, Joss Whedon know how to bring a little Christmas miracle.
Synopsis
It is Christmas in Sunnydale and Angel is haunted with dreams of the people he murdered over the years as Angelus. When Buffy starts getting dragged into his memory-nightmares, experiencing Angel’s dreams also, they realize something unnatural is happening. Visions of his past victims, appear to him and try to get him to kill Buffy, saying that he will be released from the pain if he does so.
Inside No. 9 is a British black comedy anthology TV series. Each 30-minute episode is a self-contained story with new characters and a new setting. Aside from the writers, each episode has a new cast, allowing Inside No. 9 to attract a number of well-known actors. The stories are linked only by the number 9 in some way and a brass hare statue that is in the background of all episodes.
Now, hear me out. No matter how much marketing Coca Cola does for the Santa Claus image, the image of Krampus will not be erased. #santaiscancelled
Synopsis
A director talks about his old horror film. It’s Austria, Krampusnacht, December 1977. The Devonshires arrive at the alpine chalet for a holiday. The caretaker, Klaus, tells them about a local legend of Krampus, the Devil of Christmas.
Not the biggest fan of the new installment of Sabrina, but nonetheless, they have winter solstice, witches, magic and a lot of candles. A creepy Christmas it is!
This works as a more stand alone special than a normal “monster of the week”, or as a part of a bigger arch.
Synopsis
As the winter solstice approaches, Sabrina orchestrates an emotional seance with serious consequences, and Susie’s merry plans turn menacing.
So this is from the original series from 1960’s. There are also several reboots with a Christmas episode in on of those. But for those feeling the vintage vibes, this is from the first sit-com adaption of the comic strip.
This picture is the only picture of a Santa get up I approve of.
Synopsis
Not wanting the children to be disappointed after hearing once again from Mr. Thompson that there’s no such thing as Santa Claus, each member of the family dresses up as him to prove to Wednesday and Pugsley that he’s real.
Ho, ho, ho, kiddies! Just your old pal the Crypt Keeper having a little holiday fun.
– The Crypt Keeper
#cancelsanta #bansanta #santaclausisthedevil
Synopsis
On Christmas Eve, a mother controls the anxiety of her little daughter Carrie Ann for Santa Claus and puts her to bed. Then she comes to the living room and kills her husband, hitting his head with a fireplace poker, expecting to receive his life insurance and stay with her lover. While she is dumping his body on the yard, the dangerous patient of a mental institution dressed like Santa Claus attacks her but she succeeds to escape and lock the door. However, she is unable to call the police since the body of her husband is in the front yard. Out of the blue, Carrie calls her mother with an unexpected guest.
Grimm got some Christmas episodes as well. As they are deeply into their Germanic stories, they explore some of the pagan and scary part of old Germanic folklore.
Nick and Hank are called to investigate a bizarre string of home invasions that lead to an even stranger Wesen phenomenon. Monroe has a very special Christmas surprise in store for Rosalee. Meanwhile, Trubel comes to a life changing realization that will affect everyone.
Although not strictly a Christmas episode, the episode is set during Christmas times.
Synopsis
A mysterious homicide deep in the woods leads to Nick (David Giuntoli) and Hank (Russell Hornsby) reopening a long-aborted missing persons case. When Nick suspects this abducted person might be a feral creature, he asks Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) to help remind this wild child of her human nature.
See all Krampus/santarelated posts in this posts. Now, I’m going to lock the door. I think this post brougth up some bad memories and bad mojo. Stay safe and don’t seek santa when he comes!
Synopsis
An “anti-santa claus” character from Austrian folklore begins to stalk and kidnap the juvenile delinquents during the holidays with more than a lump of coal on it’s mind; Monroe learns of why Rosalee is uncomfortable about the holiday decorations.