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The now-cliche practice of setting a slasher movie on a holiday has a specific origin.
hit grindhouses and drive-ins; so manyChristmas-themed slasherswere produced during this time that they became a subgenre unto themselves.
Yet, somehow, Thanksgiving missed out.
Its too cozy, in short.
But which of these stuffed n basted fright flicks are worth your time?
Weve ranked them below.
12.Pilgrim,Into the Dark(2019)
12.
But the primary value of this dreadful home-invasion movie is as an example for aspiring directors of whatnotto do.
Who are these people?
Where did they come from?
Why are they doing this?
None of these questions will stop this movie from recklessly barreling towards a stupid conclusion.
11.Boogeyman(2005)
11.
Theres a difference between an elemental premise and an empty vessel, andBoogeymanis the latter.
9-10.ThanksKilling(2008) /ThanksKilling 3(2012)
9-10.
TheThanksKillingmovies know theyre bad, but that doesnt let them off the hook.
Its cute to see the filmmakers crack up at their own jokes, but honestly?
Its not worth it.
Either of these films is going to be the longest, most miserable hour and change of your life.
8.Flesh & Blood,Into the Dark(2018)
8.
Diana Silvers (a.k.a.
Sure, its more competently made than some of the films on this list.
But sometimes incompetence is fun!
7.Blood Freak(1972)
7.
(Lol, okay.)
(Its a turkey, naturally.)
6.Home Sweet Home(1981)
6.
By surreal, made-by-aliens standards, the California-set slasherHome Sweet Homeis entertaining.
The equally random Mariachi singer the films central couple hires to entertain their Thanksgiving guests.
(Thereisa Thanksgiving dinner scene, but most of the cast is missing by that point.
5.Black Friday(2021)
5.
If youre meh-ing a glowing neon alien parasite, somethings off, you know?
4.Kristy(2014)
4.
In terms of immediacy and tension,Kristyis a solid little dorm-invasion movie.
(Justines Thanksgiving dinner consists of a turkey pot pie.)
3.Blood Rage(1987)
3.
Blood Ragewas filmed in Jacksonville, Florida, and you’re able to tell.
2.Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County(1998)
2.
And even with the hindsight of two decades of found-footage movies, it still works.
In its own way, its a milestone film and the only Thanksgiving horror movie thats actually scary.
1.Thanksgiving(2023)
1.
Granted, best Thanksgiving horror movie ever is a low bar to clear.
But the 15-years-late feature version easily wins.
And the important parts the kills are fun (and gory!)
enough to let all that slide.
