The horror genre frequently uses two popular seasons to unleash all kinds of mayhem. The most popular holidays are Halloween and Christmas. Halloween seems to be a favourite among masked killers and spooky monsters. Easter horror movies, as little as it is, does exist. Easter brings out the strangest and most odd narrative ideas. If Halloween and Christmas are the black sheep of the holiday horror family, Easter may be the odd man out.
1. Resurrection (1999)
Director- Russell Mulcahy
During Lent, Chicago cops Andrew Hollinsworth and John Prudhomme seek down a homicidal madman who has been reconstructing the body of Jesus Christ using the limbs of his victims. While the two endeavour to discover the killer before he reaches his next victim, John and his wife, Sara, are dealing with their own spiritual crisis as they struggle to recover from their son’s tragic death.
2. Holidays (2016)
Director(s)- Kevin Kolsch, Nicolas McCarthy & more
Holidays is a feature-length anthology film that takes a dark and unique approach to some of the most well-known and beloved holidays of all time. Holidays is a celebration of the tragedy on the same special days’ year after year, challenging our folklore, customs, and assumptions. Kevin Smith (Tusk), Gary Shore (Dracula Untold), Scott Stewart (Dark Skies), Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmyer (Starry Eyes), Sarah Adina Smith (The Midnight Swim), Nicholas McCarthy (The Pact), Adam Egypt Mortimer (Some Kind of Hate), and Anthony Scott Burns (Some Kind of Hate) are among the directors (Darknet).
3. Night Of The Lepus (1972)
Director- William F. Claxton
Rancher Cole Hillman in Arizona has rabbits invading his land, and he begs college president Elgin Clark for an environmentally friendly alternative to poison to get rid of the bunnies. Elgin contacts Roy Bennett, who travels to the property with his wife Gerry and their daughter Amanda. Roy gathers samples and injects hormones into the rabbits in the hopes of sterilising them. Her daughter, on the other hand, takes one of the implanted rabbits with her, but Amanda lets the animal escape by accident. Soon after, the animal reproduces in an abandoned mine, giving rise to a new breed of enormous carnivorous rabbits.
4. Critters 2: The Main Course (1988)
Director- Mick Garris
Brad Brown, now 15, has returned to Grovers Bend to spend Easter Weekend with his Grandma, more than two years after the events of the previous film. Leftover Krite eggs from Brad’s previous farm are mistaken for Easter eggs, causing the Krites to wreak havoc on the town. Fortunately, Ug, Lee, and the once-drunk Charlie return from space to aid Brad, the now-retired Sheriff Hary, Brad’s crush Megan, and the rest of the community in their struggle against the Krites.
5. Peter Rottentail (2004)
Director – John Polonia
The movie described in this summary is about a party magician and child molester who, after experiencing failure one too many times, drinks a potion that allows him to summon a giant bunny spirit called “Peter Rottentail” who kills people with a carrot. After the magician blows his own head off with a rifle, he returns with a scarred face and a razor glove to frighten teenagers in their dreams and terrorize adults who rejected him. There is also a scene where he tricks a homeless man into drinking a witch’s urine.
6. Feaster Sunday (2020)
Director – Brian Papandrea
Dr. Gideon Lear’s goal is to put on a Passion play that is the best the town has ever seen, but his Jesus actor has gone missing, the lead actress is being pulled in different directions by a love triangle with the understudy and a former high school sweetheart, a homeless man won’t leave them alone, and someone is painting threatening messages on the door.
7. Cold Prey (2006)
Director – Roar Uthaug
Eirik and Jannicke, along with Mikael and Ingunn who are a newly formed couple. A single friend Morten, go on a snowboarding trip to a remote mountainous region in Norway. However, when Morten breaks his leg and needs medical attention, the group takes refuge in an abandoned ski lodge nearby. Unbeknownst to them, the lodge also houses a hidden, psychopathic killer.
In conclusion, Easter horror movies offer a unique take on the holiday by exploring its darker, more sinister aspects. These films offer a refreshing change of pace from the usual cheerful and family-friendly Easter fare, and can be a great way to get into the holiday spirit for those who enjoy a good scare. Whether you’re a fan of classic slasher films, psychological thrillers, or supernatural horror, there is likely an Easter horror movie out there that will satisfy your cravings for terror. So why not give one of these films a try this Easter season and discover a new way to celebrate the holiday?
