Christmas Evil (You Better Watch Out)

Christmas Evil (You Better Watch Out) (1980)

  • 34% of users liked it
    (1,895 ratings)

He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, and it's best not to get on his bad side in this quirky thriller that's gained a loyal cult following. Harry Straddling (Brandon Maggart) was traumatized as a child, when late at night on Christmas Eve, he walked into the family living… More

R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By
Lewis Jackson
Written By
Lewis Jackson
Genres
Mystery & Suspense, Horror
In Theaters
Nov 1, 1980 Limited
On DVD
Nov 14, 2006

Critic Reviews

  • Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    The film is noted for starting a sub-genre of the jolly St. Nick as a psycho slasher killer.

  • Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

    Even before "Halloween," there was "Black Christmas."

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Cory T


    As if a Norman Rockwell painting was shattered over the fireplace, a child's fragile perception of Santa as a caretaker is skewed when he sees Santa caressing his mother's leg. If your idea of heart-stopping insanity is a man humming Christmas tunes and donating toys to… More

  • AJ V


    This is a slasher movie where the psycho is obsessed with creating a great Santa Claus for children, and with punishing the adults who don't believe anymore of course. He even works at a toy factory! The guy who plays him is pretty creepy, but there's not as much blood and… More

  • Tim S


    This started out rather slowly, but kept building. It winds up getting more and more serious until it just goes flat-out silly at the very end - with an ending totally off-the-wall and completely insane that I have to give the filmmakers props for being so ballsy. It may not be… More

  • Greg S


    After Harry sees a man dressed as jolly St. Nick make love to his mother one Christmas Eve as a child, he grows up obsessed with Santa Claus, going so far as to spy on neighborhood kids and keep his own list of who's been naughty and nice. One Christmas Eve, he snaps. A… More

  • Bruce B


    Wouldn't let my children see this one. Just a little to off the wall, Mom and Santa Scenes are something that Jr is going to ask about erest asured.

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

See full cast

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