“That’s not cranberry sauce.” – Blood Rage
Once Thanksgiving dinner has been eaten and the football games are over, there is nothing better than settling in for a campy or scary movie to finish the day.
Here are 13 of the Best Thanksgiving Horror Movies – Campy, Slasher & Thrillers
This post is all about Best Thanksgiving Horror Movies – Campy, Slasher & Thrillers. Everything you want if you want to laugh at the absurdity, relate to the family drama, or be genuinely scared!
Disclaimer: Affiliate links are included for convenience and ease of reference. If used to make a purchase, they will result in a small commission at no extra cost to the buyer.
Slowestuff Thanksgiving Section
We don’t just have a list of Thanksgiving horror movies, we have plenty of Thanksgiving content on the blog!
Check out our Thanksgiving section, that includes the best colors to wear for Thanksgiving, naughty quotes and zingers to say during Thanksgiving day to make Grandma uncomfortable, or even Thanksgiving scrapbook and craft ideas to keep from getting bored over Thanksgiving break!
We love Thanksgiving!
Best Thanksgiving Horror Movies – Campy, Slasher & Thrillers
Watching movies after Thanksgiving dinner is a great way to hang out with the family – its also a great way to avoid any awkward conversations!
There are plenty of Thanksgiving horror movies to choose from if you want to go with the theme of the day.
If you are wanting one of the classic slasher films or psychological thrillers, there are enough to enjoy one during the entirety of Thanksgiving week.
13 Best Thanksgiving Horror Movies – Campy, Slasher & Thrillers
Thanksgiving break is an ideal time to explore the best work from some directors you may not have heard of, but are similar in style to the cult classics of Quentin Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez.
These 13 films portray lots of different styles of horror films, from the gore effects similar to Wes Craven to the suspenseful storytelling of William Friedkin.
After a Black Friday riot ends in tragedy, a mysterious Thanksgiving-inspired killer terrorizes Plymouth, Massachusetts – the birthplace of the holiday. Picking off residents one by one, what begins as random revenge killings are soon revealed to be part of a larger, sinister holiday plan. Will the town uncover the killer and survive the holidays…or become guests at his twisted holiday dinner table?
This thanksgiving horror movie revolves around a mysterious Thanksgiving-inspired killer who terrorizes a small town. Director Eli Roth captures the essence of a classic slasher film, with plenty of gore effects and corny one-liners. A great movie to watch if you enjoy the suspense of an unknown killer on the loose during Thanksgiving dinner.
While on their way home for Thanksgiving break, five college kids run "afowl" of a homicidal turkey that wants them dead. As the cursed bird hunts them down one by one, the survivors scramble to find a way to defeat the possessed creature. Will the bloodthirsty turkey make this their last Thanksgiving feast ever? Writer-director Jordan Downey's holiday-themed horror spoof features an appearance by adult-film star Wanda Lust.
The original Thankskilling was released in 2008 and you can find it here!
A cult classic among thanksgiving horror films, Thankskilling is camp at its best, as it is a bloody horror comedy featuring a killer turkey on a rampage. LOL! With low budgets but high entertainment value, this movie offers plenty of laughs, gratuitous nudity, and over-the-top kill scenes. Once you are done with the family thing, break out the box of wine, grab a wine glass and watch this fun movie with your friends.
Meet the Brimstons. They're a normal American family. They have normal jobs. Live normal lives. Except every November, they hunt down anybody who doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving. When Derry's Restaurant stays open for the holiday, the Brimstons begin to terrorize the staff and patrons. Who will survive' And what will be left for DINNER?!
The Last Thanksgiving tells the story of a family who becomes the target of a killing spree by a human turkey. Isn’t that AWESOME!?!?! This horror slasher combines elements of traditional slasher films with a unique Thanksgiving twist, making it a favorite among horror fans. Expect plenty of blood rage and cheesy horror movie moments in this entertaining flick.
IT'S NOT CRANBERRY SAUCE!!!
What do you get if you combine Thanksgiving, killer 80s synths and some of the most gruesome special effects in all of slasher history courtesy of Ed French. Why, it s Blood Rage of course!
Twins Todd and Terry seem like sweet boys that is, until one of them takes an axe to face of a fellow patron at the local drive-in. Todd is blamed for the bloody crime and institutionalised, whilst twin brother Terry goes free. Ten years later and, as the family gathers around the table for a Thanksgiving meal, the news comes in that Todd has escaped. But has the real killer in fact been in their midst all along? One thing s for sure, there will be blood and rage!
If you’re looking for the best Thanksgiving horror movies, you can’t miss Blood Rage. This classic slasher film is perfect for your Thanksgiving break, with a killing spree that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You will never look at cranberry sauce the same way again.
A group of disgruntles toy employees must defend themselves against holiday shoppers turned into monstrous creatures by an alien parasite on Black Friday.
Black Friday is a perfect blend of horror and humor for your Thanksgiving break. Starring Bruce Campbell and Devon Sawa, this film takes place during a chaotic Black Friday sale that turns into a killing spree when a parasitic organism infects shoppers, turning them into violent creatures. Super excellent! The movie’s gore effects and corny one-liners make it epically campy!
A struggling couple seeks marriage counseling, and goes on a retreat in isolated cabin. Their marriage counselor plans to end their lives with a devilish Thanksgiving dinner, with them as the main course!
Anything with the word Amityville in it automatically scares us. Amityville Thanksgiving is a chilling addition to the Thanksgiving horror movies genre. This film brings the infamous Amityville horror back with a festive twist, as a mysterious Thanksgiving-inspired killer disrupts a family gathering. The killing spree during the Thanksgiving dinner adds a terrifying layer to the holiday, making it a must-watch for fans of cheesy horror movies and slasher films. If you’re looking to add some scares to your turkey day, Amityville Thanksgiving is the perfect pick.
A young female college student who stays on campus during Thanksgiving break finds herself trapped on her deserted campus as she is stalked by a group of deadly intruders.
This one is genuinely scary, especially if you are a college kid! Set during Thanksgiving break, the story follows college student Justine, who stays on an empty college campus and becomes the target of a mysterious Thanksgiving-inspired killer. The tension builds as Justine must outwit her relentless pursuers in this slasher film. With its intense kill scenes and thrilling chase sequences, Kristy is a great movie for horror fans looking to add some terror to their Thanksgiving holiday.
Set in a fast-food chicken restaurant built on an ancient Native American burial ground, the film follows a group of workers who must survive a killing spree of zombie chickens.
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead is a hilariously gory Thanksgiving horror movie that serves up a unique blend of horror and comedy. Set in a fast-food chicken restaurant built on an ancient Native American burial ground, the film follows a group of workers who must survive a killing spree of zombie chickens. Directed by Lloyd Kaufman, this bloody horror comedy is packed with corny one-liners, over-the-top gore effects, and a satirical take on consumer culture. If you’re in the mood for a fun movie with a side of horror this Thanksgiving break, Poultrygeist is a perfect choice.
A couple decides to invite their family to celebrate their wedding anniversary, but everything goes awry when their home comes under siege by a group of mask wearing team of cross-bow bearing assailants.
You’re Next is another one that scares us because we can imagine it actually happening. This intense slasher film follows the Davison family, whose Thanksgiving dinner turns deadly when masked assailants invade their home. As the night unfolds, a killing spree ensues, revealing secrets and hidden agendas within the family. With its clever plot twists and inventive kill scenes, You’re Next stands out as a great movie for horror fans seeking suspense and terror during the Thanksgiving holiday.
A troubled woman returns home for Thanksgiving to the family she abandoned years earlier.
Stepping away from the campy movies, Krisha is a psychological drama that offers a haunting look at family dynamics during Thanksgiving. The film follows Krisha, a woman reuniting with her family after a long absence, hoping to make amends during the Thanksgiving dinner. As tensions rise and past wounds resurface, the holiday gathering becomes a gripping emotional rollercoaster. Directed by Trey Edward Shults, Krisha delivers a raw and intense portrayal of familial strife, making it a compelling watch for those looking for a more dramatic and unsettling take on the Thanksgiving holiday.
Six strangers are invited to participate in a mysterious escape room experience, only to discover that the puzzles they must solve are deadly traps.
Escape Room is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The movie follows six strangers who are invited to participate in a mysterious escape room experience, only to discover that the puzzles they must solve are deadly traps. As they navigate the intricately designed rooms, the tension mounts and the stakes become life-or-death. With its clever twists, intense kill scenes, and psychological thrills, Escape Room is a great movie for fans of high-stakes suspense and horror, perfect for a Thanksgiving break movie night with friends.
If you have ever been scared of the dark, or scared of the things in the closet or under the bed as you sleep, this movie will scare you! A psychological drama of a man who returns to his childhood home to rid himself of nightmarish visions, only to discover there might be something more to it.
Over Thanksgiving weekend, all but five students in an old Manhattan building that's now a college dormitory leave for home: staying on one floor are roommates Lauren, Melina, and Alison, plus her boyfriend Diego and Grant, a loner in a room down the hall. Lauren's been seeing things in her bathroom: a silent child of about six. Diego has written a paper on parapsychology, so he holds a séance with the disbelieving co-eds. Something goes awry, because bad things start to happen and the students' only defender is an aging campus cop named Syd. What's the silent ghostly girl's secret, and can Alison discover what's going on before it's too late?
If supernatural and spooky are your vibes, this is a great movie to scare you during Thanksgiving.
Best Thanksgiving Horror Movies – Campy, Slasher & Thrillers
Introducing the family to some of the more campy and funny horror films can add an element of humor to the holiday.
Films like Thankskilling and Boogeyman offer a mix of scares and laughs, creating memorable moments that go beyond the typical Thanksgiving movie experience.
We just know that your favorite scene from these cheesy horror movies will be something that turns into a Thanksgiving tradition.
Best Thanksgiving Horror Movies – Campy, Slasher & Thrillers
If this is your first Thanksgiving doing a horror moving watching evening, let us know your full review!
If books are more your thing, check out our book section of the blog. We have posts for Stephen King Fans, Sarah J. Maas fans, YA books for adults, book reviews and more!
If you are looking for more Thanksgiving season ideas, inspiration and vibes, we have a whole section of the blog dedicated to it! Go check it out for more ideas and inspiration!
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Slowestuff newsletter for year-round content! We love to talk about seasonal topics, and keep an ongoing discussion about books and scrapbooking all year long!
Let’s be friends on Youtube & TikTok!
We hope you have an epic Thanksgiving!
Slowestuff