The Silent Night, Deadly Night Films Ranked (2025 Update)

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The Silent Night, Deadly Night films are a series of American slasher horror movies that began with the release of the original film in 1984. The movie garnered significant controversy for its provocative marketing and plot, which revolves around a young man named Billy who, after experiencing a traumatic childhood involving a Santa Claus figure, adopts the guise of Santa himself as he embarks on a violent spree during Christmas. The film’s blend of holiday cheer and horror captured the attention of audiences, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics. Its unique premise and shocking elements have contributed to its status as a cult classic within the slasher genre.

Following the success of the 1984 film, several sequels were produced, each expanding on the lore established in the original. Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2, released in 1987, is a notoriously bad film which is particularly notable for its mix of new footage and flashbacks from the first film, featuring the infamous character Ricky, Billy’s younger brother. As the sequels progressed, they began to incorporate more campy humor and self-referential elements, with Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker introducing a storyline centered on a sinister toy maker. A remake of the original, simply titled Silent Night, was released in 2012. While not all sequels achieved the same level of notoriety or acclaim as the original, the franchise as a whole remains a memorable part of the holiday horror landscape, reflecting the subversion of traditional festive themes through the lens of horror cinema.

Another remake of the original, again titled Silent Night, Deadly Night, has just been released.

Here are our rankings for the Silent Night, Deadly Night films.