As the crisp November air of 2025 settles in and families gear up for turkey feasts and football marathons, why not add a dash of dread to your holiday lineup? Thanksgiving horror movies have carved out a deliciously twisted niche, blending family gatherings gone wrong, pilgrim paranoia, and killer feasts into pure seasonal scares. Whether you’re dodging small talk at the dinner table or craving a break from pie-induced naps, these films turn gratitude into goosebumps.
This updated 2025 watchlist rounds up the best Thanksgiving horror movies—from campy cult classics to slasher standouts—perfect for solo chills or group viewings (just hide the carving knife). We’ve scoured streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video for easy access, and even spotlighted buzzworthy new releases like Thanksgiving 2 hitting theaters this November. Ready to stuff your queue with terror? Let’s dig in.
Why Binge Horror on Thanksgiving?
Holidays are ripe for horror: the isolation of empty college campuses, the chaos of Black Friday mobs, and the irony of “thanks” amid bloodshed. These movies subvert the warmth of turkey and pumpkin pie, offering cathartic screams that pair perfectly with leftovers. Plus, in 2025, with Thanksgiving 2 promising more Eli Roth gore, the subgenre is hotter than ever. Pro tip: Dim the lights, lock the doors, and keep the cranberry sauce handy—it’s not just for the bird.
The Ultimate 2025 Thanksgiving Horror Watchlist: 20 Must-See Flicks
We’ve ranked these from solid starters to scream-worthy showstoppers, focusing on tight plots, iconic kills, and that unmistakable holiday vibe. Each includes runtime, IMDb rating (as of late 2025), and streaming spots—availability may vary, so check JustWatch for updates.
1. Thanksgiving (2023)
Eli Roth’s slasher feast follows a masked killer stalking a Massachusetts town one year after a deadly Black Friday riot. Gory, irreverent, and packed with whodunit twists, it’s the ultimate modern Thanksgiving gut-punch—think pilgrims with pitchforks and plenty of pie-in-the-face kills. Why it fits: Born from a Grindhouse fake trailer, it nails holiday hypocrisy. Runtime: 106 min | IMDb: 6.3 | Stream on: Netflix
2. Blood Rage (1987)
Twin brothers—one framed for murder, the other a psycho on the loose—ruin Mom’s Thanksgiving with hatchet hacks and fork stabs in this soapy Florida slasher. Mark Soper’s dual role shines in the boozy, bloody family drama. Why it fits: Escaped loons crashing dinner? Peak holiday havoc. Runtime: 82 min | IMDb: 5.9 | Stream on: Tubi, Prime Video
3. Kristy (2014)
A college student (Haley Bennett) battles a cult of online killers hunting “Kristys” (code for Christians) on an empty campus over break. Tense chases and strobe-lit dread make it a final-girl triumph. Why it fits: Solo Thanksgiving isolation amps the paranoia. Runtime: 100 min | IMDb: 5.7 | Stream on: Hulu
4. Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County (1998)
Found-footage frenzy as aliens crash a family’s Thanksgiving dinner, turning turkey time into terror. This Blair Witch precursor sparked real conspiracy buzz. Why it fits: ET phones home… during grace. Runtime: 90 min | IMDb: 6.0 | Stream on: YouTube (free with ads)
5. Black Friday (2021)
Bruce Campbell battles alien parasites turning shoppers into zombies in a toy store on the post-Thanksgiving sales rush. Gore meets mall mayhem with quippy one-liners. Why it fits: Capitalist carnage the day after the feast. Runtime: 83 min | IMDb: 4.8 | Stream on: Prime Video
6. Pilgrim (2019)
From Hulu’s Into the Dark, a mom hires pilgrim actors for a “gratitude lesson,” but they won’t break character—and things get cannibalistic. Campy social commentary on colonial guilt. Why it fits: Thanksgiving’s dark origins, unfiltered. Runtime: 87 min | IMDb: 5.2 | Stream on: Hulu
7. Home Sweet Home (1981)
A drug-fueled maniac crashes a ranch Thanksgiving, slaughtering partiers in this “video nasty” slasher directed by a woman. Surreal vibes and scream-queen debuts abound. Why it fits: Holiday house party turns house of horrors. Runtime: 88 min | IMDb: 5.4 | Stream on: Shudder
8. Blood Freak (1972)
A Vietnam vet mutates into a turkey-headed killer after gobbling experimental birds and drugs in this Florida exploitation oddity. Campy gore with real animal kills. Why it fits: Turkey revenge—literal fowl play. Runtime: 86 min | IMDb: 4.0 | Stream on: Tubi
9. ThanksKilling (2009)
A foul-mouthed demonic turkey avenges Native wrongs by slashing college kids en route home. Micro-budget schlock with “so bad it’s good” charm. Why it fits: The bird gets the last gobble. Runtime: 70 min | IMDb: 4.2 | Stream on: Tubi
10. Boogeyman (2005)
A traumatized teen confronts closet monsters while prepping Thanksgiving with his girlfriend’s fam. Sam Raimi-produced chills with emotional depth. Why it fits: Family intros meet supernatural dread. Runtime: 89 min | IMDb: 4.2 | Stream on: Peacock
11. Flesh & Blood (2018)
An agoraphobic teen suspects her cop dad is a serial killer during a tense holiday lockdown. Into the Dark thriller with single-location suspense. Why it fits: Family secrets simmer like gravy. Runtime: 84 min | IMDb: 5.4 | Stream on: Hulu
12. Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead (2006)
Troma’s zombie-chicken musical: Fast-food workers battle undead birds on a cursed burial ground. Goofy, gory, and grossly tuneful. Why it fits: Poultry pandemonium for non-turkey eaters. Runtime: 103 min | IMDb: 6.0 | Stream on: Prime Video
13. Addams Family Values (1993)
Wednesday Addams sabotages a camp Thanksgiving play in this dark comedy classic. Less horror, more macabre mischief with Christina Ricci slaying. Why it fits: Subversive take on pilgrim myths. Runtime: 94 min | IMDb: 6.8 | Stream on: Paramount+
14. Séance (2000)
Dorm buddies summon spirits via Ouija over break, unleashing paranormal payback. Atmospheric slow-burn with dorm-room dread. Why it fits: Break boredom breeds hauntings. Runtime: 93 min | IMDb: 4.4 | Stream on: Tubi
15. Intensity (1997)
A survivor hides from a cannibal killer during a holiday storm in this edge-of-your-seat chase. Molly Parker shines in Dean Koontz’s adaptation. Why it fits: Thanksgiving eve turns into survival night. Runtime: 166 min (mini-series) | IMDb: 7.2 | Stream on: YouTube
16. Derelicts (2017)
Vagrants invade a family’s Thanksgiving dinner for torture and torment. Crude home-invasion shocks inspired by ’70s grindhouse. Why it fits: Uninvited guests take “feast” literally. Runtime: 82 min | IMDb: 3.7 | Stream on: Amazon Freevee
17. Deadly Friend (1986)
A boy reprograms his robot-girlfriend into a killer, with holiday heartbreak fueling the frenzy. Wes Craven’s underrated sci-fi slasher. Why it fits: Tech gone wrong at family gatherings. Runtime: 91 min | IMDb: 5.5 | Stream on: Max
18. The Last Thanksgiving (2020)
Cannibal kin crash a restaurant’s holiday spread for human hors d’oeuvres. Gory, low-budget bite with twisted family vibes. Why it fits: Eating out? More like being eaten. Runtime: 86 min | IMDb: 4.1 | Stream on: Tubi
19. The Boneyard (1990)
A psychic, a cop, and a dog whisperer probe undead pets rising from a pet cemetery over Thanksgiving. Ed Wood-esque weirdness. Why it fits: Fido’s feast turns feral. Runtime: 89 min | IMDb: 5.1 | Stream on: Prime Video
20. Amityville: A New Generation (1993)
A cursed mirror unleashes hauntings on a family around the holiday table. The franchise’s quirky entry with ghostly gratitude gone awry. Why it fits: Demonic decor for dinner parties. Runtime: 87 min | IMDb: 3.9 | Stream on: Shudder
Upcoming Thanksgiving Horrors to Mark Your 2025 Calendar
Can’t wait for more? Thanksgiving 2: Blood Harvest slashes into theaters November 2025, doubling down on Roth’s slasher style. Also eye Keeper and The Carpenter’s Son (both Nov 14), blending holiday dread with fresh twists. These could redefine your watchlist next year.
Gobble Up the Scares: Your 2025 Thanksgiving Verdict
From turkey-headed terrors to pilgrim possessions, these 20 best Thanksgiving horror movies for 2025 prove the holiday’s dark side is endlessly entertaining. Which one’s joining your menu— the gory gorefest or campy comedy? Drop your picks in the comments, share this list with your squad, and subscribe for more seasonal scares. Happy horrifying—may your thanks be terrifying!
