Horror channel NYX UK unwraps a ‘12 Slays of Christmas’ December movie marathon
NYX UK is celebrating the festive season with “12 Slays of Christmas”. From December 14 through to Xmas Day at 9pm, audiences can tune in to watch a different holiday-themed horror film, mixing classic chills and modern scares in a spine-tingling countdown to Christmas. From eerie yuletide tales to terrifying slasher favourites, leading up to the climatic feature on Christmas Day, the season offers a unique holiday experience for viewers who enjoy a darker take on seasonal traditions.
And the holiday carnage continues on New Year’s Eve as NYX UK brings Hell direct to your living room with Lamberto Bava’s cult sequel DEMONS 2 at 9pm and the off-the-rails slasher TERROR TRAIN (1980), starring Jamie Lee Curtis, at 11pm
There is also a further eight Channel Premieres this month including DEATH ON SCENIC DRIVE (Tues, Dec 3), 9pm), ROBOT VS THE AZTEC MUMMY (Mon Dec 9, 5pm), DEAD BODY (Tues Dec 10, 9pm), CURSE OF THE DEVIL (Fri Dec 13, 9pm), THE BRAINIAC (Thurs Dec 19, 5pm), BLOODY VAMPIRE (Fri Dec 27, 5pm), BEYOND THE DARKNESS (Fri Dec 27, 9pm) and BE MY CAT (Sun Dec 29, 9pm).
Plus, on Mondays and Fridays at 4pm we have the Channel Premiere of the animated TV series THE WICKED! (2001). Based on the popular Australian children’s book series by Paul Jennings and Morris Gleitzman, this quirky, supernatural adventure follows two stepsiblings, Rory and Dawn, who can’t stand each other but are forced to team up when they uncover strange and menacing happenings in their town.
Here’s the ”12 Slays of Christmas” line-up:
Sat 14 Dec @ 9pm: CHRISTMAS EVIL (1980) *Channel Premiere
Harry Stadling (Brandon Maggart) is a man obsessed with Christmas. After suffering a breakdown, Harry decides to become a “real” Santa, punishing those he deems as “naughty” in a nightmarish descent into holiday madness. This psychological horror is written and directed by Lewis Jackson.
Sun 15 Dec 15 @ 9pm: SILENT NIGHT, BLOODY NIGHT (1972)
In this gothic horror film, a man inherits his grandfather’s abandoned mansion, which once served as an asylum with a dark, murderous history. As he attempts to sell the property, townsfolk are killed one by one, seemingly haunted by the asylum’s past. Directed by Theodore Gershuny and co-produced by Lloyd Kaufman, it stars Patrick O’Neal and John Carradine.
Mon 16 Dec @ 9pm: TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972)
Episode: And All Through the House
This anthology horror film adapts several stories from the EC Comics series Tales from the Crypt. In the segment And All Through the House, a greedy woman makes the mistake of murdering her husband while an escaped mental patient dressed in a Santa Claus outfit is on the loose. Directed by Robert Zemeckis (Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Back to the Future and Forest Gump).
Tues 17 Dec @ 9pm: SANTA’S SLAY (2005) *Channel Premiere
Santa Claus (played by WWE’s Bill Goldberg) is really a demon who lost a bet with an angel centuries ago, forcing him to spread cheer. But now that the bet’s over, Santa embarks on a violent, over-the-top killing spree in a small town. This black horror comedy is written and directed by David Steiman
Wed 18 Dec @ 9pm: A CHRISTMAS CAROL WITH VINCENT PRICE (1949) *Channel Premiere
Step back in time with this 1949 classic, narrated by the legendary Vincent Price. Which tells the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the transformative power of the holiday spirit. Price’s captivating narration adds a hauntingly beautiful touch to this must-watch Christmas movie. Directed by Arthur Pierson, this vintage gem that has warmed hearts, for generations.
Thurs 19 Dec @ 9pm: DON’T OPEN ‘TILL CHIRSTMAS (1984)
This British slasher film presents a sinister twist on holiday horror, focusing on a masked killer who stalks and murders people dressed as Santa Claus throughout London. The story follows Inspector Harris as he races to catch the killer before more bodies pile up.
Fri 20 Dec @ 9pm: SANTA CLAUS (Mexico) (1959)
This unique Mexican fantasy film, directed by René Cardona, follows Santa Claus as he prepares for his annual Christmas Eve deliveries. However, he faces an unusual foe—Satan himself, who sends his demon assistant, Pitch, to Earth to corrupt children and ruin Christmas.
Sat 21 Dec @ 9pm: SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS (1964) *Channel Premiere
This endearingly cheesy sci-fi adventure, which has subsequently become a cult, follows a group of Martians who kidnap Santa Claus in an attempt to bring joy to the children of Mars. Directed by Nicholas Webster, this is a bizarre, low-budget romp that blends Christmas cheer with sci-fi antics.
Sun 22 Dec @ 9pm: SILENT NIGHT. DEADLY NIGHT (1984) *Channel Premiere
This notorious slasher film follows Billy Chapman, a young boy traumatized after witnessing his parents’ murder by a man in a Santa costume. As an adult, Billy snaps, donning a Santa suit and embarking on a bloody rampage. The film became infamous upon release but later gained cult status.
Sun 23 Dec @ 9pm: SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT: PART 2 (1987) *Channel Premiere
This sequel follows Ricky Caldwell, Billy’s younger brother, who is similarly traumatised by his family’s violent past. Four years after the events of Silent Night Deadly Night, Ricky Caldwell is being held in a mental hospital, having followed in his brother Billy’s footsteps and committed a series of murders. Hell bent on avenging his brother’s death, Ricky escapes to continue the family tradition of Christmas carnage.
Mon 24 Dec @ 9pm: ALL THE CREATURES WERE STIRRING (2018) *Channel Premiere
This anthology horror film explores different holiday-themed horror scenarios, from a couple facing a cursed holiday gathering to shoppers trapped in a deadly parking lot on Christmas Eve.
Tues 25 Dec @ 9pm: BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974)
Often cited as one of the earliest slasher films, Black Christmas follows a group of sorority sisters who are stalked and murdered by an unseen killer during Christmas break. Directed by Bob Clark, it remains a beloved classic for its effective scares and significant influence on the slasher genre.
Also, the Christmas movie marathon continues from 9pm till 5am through Dec 24th and 25th.
And adding to the seasonal spirit, the channel has tweet-alongs on @nyxtvuk happening during SANTA’S SLAY (Tuesday, December 17th) and SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT (Sunday, December 22nd).
Editor’s notes:
NYX Corporation, based in Canada, is a global media content distribution network specialising in the horror genre. The company delivers high-quality programmed content across linear digital broadcast TV networks. First launched in the UK late 2022, NYX is dedicated to curating a unique and entertaining blend of horror films and TV series and invites genre fans to delve into a world of carefully selected horror content – for free!
NYX has also launched Scream TV in the US, a brand new, free-to-air and free-to-stream TV channel dedicated to horror. To get Scream TV, download the DistroTV app on any Roku or Amazon Fire TV as well as iOS and Android devices. Or visit www.scream-tv.com.
