Thanksgiving is traditionally a holiday for family, food, and gratitude. But for horror fans, it’s the perfect opportunity to dive into films that mix holiday traditions with chills and thrills. Below is an extensive list of the 10 best Thanksgiving horror movies, complete with release dates, cast details, and story overviews.
10 Best Thanksgiving Horror Movies: Complete Guide with Release Dates, Cast, and Storylines
1. Thankskilling (2007)
- Release Date: December 8, 2009 (DVD release)
- Cast: Jordan Downey (Director and voice of Turkey), Natasha Cordova, Lindsey Anderson
- Story Overview:
This cult classic tells the absurdly hilarious story of a homicidal turkey that terrorizes a group of college students during Thanksgiving break. Known for its low-budget charm and over-the-top gore, Thankskilling embraces its ridiculous premise, delivering cheesy effects and campy humor that’s so bad, it’s good.
Fun Fact: The film was made with a budget of just $3,500 and gained a cult following for its audacious comedy-horror tone.
2. Pilgrim (2019)
- Release Date: November 1, 2019 (Hulu)
- Cast: Kerr Smith, Reign Edwards, Courtney Henggeler
- Story Overview:
Part of Hulu’s Into the Dark anthology, Pilgrim is a chilling tale where hired reenactors attempt to recreate an authentic Thanksgiving experience. However, their obsessive dedication spirals into psychological terror and brutal violence. The film explores themes of cultural appropriation and distorted holiday ideals.
Why It’s Unique: Its blend of historical allegory and modern horror makes it a standout Thanksgiving movie.
3. Blood Rage (1987)
- Release Date: May 1, 1987
- Cast: Louise Lasser, Mark Soper, Julie Gordon
- Story Overview:
Set during a Thanksgiving dinner, this 80s slasher revolves around twin brothers—one accused of murder and the other, the real killer. As the innocent twin escapes a mental institution, the other resumes his killing spree, turning Thanksgiving into a bloodbath.
Cult Status: Initially released as Nightmare at Shadow Woods, the film was re-released as Blood Rage and gained a cult following for its over-the-top gore and campy tone.
4. You’re Next (2011)
- Release Date: September 10, 2011 (TIFF)
- Cast: Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy Glenn
- Story Overview:
Although not a Thanksgiving film, this home invasion thriller features a chaotic family reunion disrupted by masked intruders. The clever twists, dark humor, and a strong female protagonist make it a favorite for fans of unconventional horror.
Highlight: The film’s protagonist, Erin (Sharni Vinson), is celebrated as one of the best “final girls” in horror.
5. Kristy (2014)
- Release Date: August 7, 2014 (France); November 10, 2015 (USA, Netflix)
- Cast: Haley Bennett, Ashley Greene, Lucas Till
- Story Overview:
When a college student stays alone on campus over Thanksgiving break, she becomes the target of a sadistic cult. What follows is a nail-biting survival thriller as she uses her wit and courage to outsmart the attackers.
Why It Stands Out: The blend of suspenseful chases and empowering moments makes Kristy a hidden gem in holiday horror.
6. The Mist (2007)
- Release Date: November 21, 2007
- Cast: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden
- Story Overview:
Based on Stephen King’s novella, The Mist follows a group of townsfolk trapped in a supermarket as a deadly mist filled with terrifying creatures engulfs their town. While not set on Thanksgiving, its themes of human paranoia and survival resonate with holiday tensions.
Memorable Ending: The shocking conclusion remains one of the most talked-about in horror cinema.
7. Home Sweet Home (1981)
- Release Date: November 1, 1981
- Cast: Jake Steinfeld, Vinessa Shaw, Don Edmonds
- Story Overview:
This obscure slasher involves an escaped mental patient wreaking havoc on a family’s Thanksgiving celebration. Packed with classic 80s horror tropes, it’s a nostalgic trip for slasher fans.
Why Watch?: It’s an underrated piece of 80s horror history that delivers plenty of campy thrills.
8. Black Friday (2021)
- Release Date: November 19, 2021
- Cast: Bruce Campbell, Devon Sawa, Ivana Baquero
- Story Overview:
Retail workers face a zombie outbreak on Thanksgiving night as parasitic aliens turn Black Friday shoppers into ravenous monsters. Combining horror and humor, the film critiques the consumerism frenzy of the holiday season.
Fun Fact: Bruce Campbell brings his signature charm as the store manager battling the undead.
9. The Oath (2018)
- Release Date: October 12, 2018
- Cast: Ike Barinholtz, Tiffany Haddish, Nora Dunn
- Story Overview:
Set in a dystopian future where citizens must sign a loyalty oath to the government, a family Thanksgiving gathering spirals into chaos as political tensions reach a breaking point.
Genre Mashup: More of a dark comedy-thriller, it uses Thanksgiving as a backdrop to explore societal and familial conflict.
10. Ready or Not (2019)
- Release Date: August 21, 2019
- Cast: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien
- Story Overview:
In this horror-comedy, a young bride must survive her in-laws’ deadly family tradition of hide-and-seek. While not explicitly set during Thanksgiving, the themes of family dysfunction fit the holiday perfectly.
Why Watch?: Samara Weaving’s performance and the film’s witty script make it a standout in modern horror.
Honorable Mention: Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving (2007 Trailer)
Although a full film hasn’t been made yet, Eli Roth’s fake trailer for Thanksgiving (featured in Grindhouse) captures the essence of holiday horror with its gory, tongue-in-cheek style.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving horror movies offer a unique twist on the traditional holiday spirit. Whether it’s a slasher like Blood Rage, a dark comedy like The Oath, or absurd fun like Thankskilling, there’s something for every horror fan. So this Thanksgiving, ditch the rom-coms, grab some pumpkin pie, and dive into these spine-tingling tales!