6 Terrifying Thanksgiving Movies That Will Make You Thankful for Being Alive

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends, enjoy a delicious feast, and express gratitude for all the blessings in life. But for some horror fans, it’s a time to hunt down whatever scare-flicks feature or barely even mention the holiday, just because they’re still pining for Halloween (btw, this describes me to a ‘T’). Whether you’re looking for a killer turkey, a zombie apocalypse, or a family reunion gone wrong, there’s probably a Thanksgiving horror movie just waiting for you to rent it or stream it – but you still have to find it. Well, don’t get your armpits all sweaty, terrorlings, because this year The Longbox of Darkness has done the heavy lifting for you. Here are six great Thanksgiving horror movies that carve up more than just the turkey…

Blood Rage (1987)

This slasher film follows twin brothers Todd and Terry, who witness a murder at a drive-in theater when they are young. Terry blames Todd for the crime, and Todd is sent to a mental institution. Years later, on Thanksgiving, Todd escapes and returns to his hometown, where Terry goes on a killing spree and frames him again. Blood Rage is a campy and gory horror film that has become a cult classic. It features some memorable lines, such as “That’s not cranberry sauce!”

ThanksKilling (2009)

This horror comedy is about a homicidal turkey that axes off college students during Thanksgiving break. The turkey, named Turkie, is the result of a curse placed by a Native American shaman on a group of pilgrims who slaughtered his tribe. ThanksKilling is a low-budget and absurd film that parodies the slasher genre and makes fun of its own clichés. It’s a perfect movie for those who enjoy bad puns, cheesy effects, and ridiculous plots.

Kristy (2014)

This thriller film stars Haley Bennett as Justine, a college student who stays on campus alone during Thanksgiving break. She becomes the target of a group of masked strangers who call themselves “The Hunters” and who seek to kill anyone they deem as “Kristy”, a symbol of wealth and privilege. Justine must fight for her survival and use her wits to outsmart her attackers. Kristy is a tense and suspenseful film that explores the themes of isolation, class, and identity.

The Oath (2018)

This dark comedy film is written and directed by Ike Barinholtz, who also stars as Chris, a liberal news junkie who clashes with his conservative family over a controversial loyalty oath that the government requires citizens to sign by Black Friday. Things get worse when two agents from the Citizen Protection Unit show up at his house on Thanksgiving and turn the family dinner into a violent and chaotic nightmare. The Oath is a satirical and timely film that reflects the political and social divisions in America.

Into the Dark: Pilgrim (2019)

This horror film is part of the Into the Dark anthology series on Hulu, where each episode is inspired by a different holiday. Pilgrim is based on Thanksgiving and follows a suburban family who invites a group of historical reenactors to their home to celebrate the holiday. However, the reenactors turn out to be fanatical cultists who believe in the true spirit of Thanksgiving and who force the family to participate in a brutal and bloody ritual. Pilgrim is a twisted and disturbing film that mixes horror and humor.

Black Friday (2021)

This horror film is set on the biggest shopping day of the year, the day after Thanksgiving. It follows a group of employees at a toy store who have to deal with hordes of zombie shoppers who are infected by a mysterious parasite. The employees must band together and use whatever weapons they can find to fight off the undead and escape the store. Black Friday is a fun and action-packed film that stars Bruce Campbell, Devon Sawa, and Michael Jai White.

These are just some of the Thanksgiving horror movies that you can watch this holiday season. Whether you prefer comedy or drama, slashers or zombies, there’s something for everyone on this list. So grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and enjoy these films that will make you thankful for being alive. Happy Thanksgiving!