Director Joe Dante's 8 Favorite Frightening Christmas Movies

To describe the fantastic Frank Sinatra: first comes Halloween, then comes Christmas. In recognition of current day holiday (along with the freak October snow storm that blanked many of the Northeast in the last weekend), Moviefone asked for director Joe Dante ('Gremlins') to compile his report on favorite frightening movies, which -- due to the release of 'Rare Exports: A Christmase Tale,' now on DVD -- features a decidedly holiday-season feel. Once you are done watching 'The Exorcist,' consider these eight fright movies to help you get inside the mood for just about any haunted Christmas. Joe Dante's Favorite Frightening Christmas Movies 'The Demon-Toy' (1936)'The Curse in the Cat People' (1944)'The Day Mars Permeated Earth' (1963)'Tales Within the Crypt' (1972)'Black Christmas' (1974)'Gremlins' (1984)'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)'Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale' (2010) See All Moviefone Galleries » Want More? Have A Look At Our Report on Santa Slasher Movies (Yes, there's several). [Top Photo: Everett Collection] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED