Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Christmas horror comedy is dark but has genuine good cheer.
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Why Age 14+?
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Krampus
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 24 parent reviews
Based on 63 kid reviews
Kids say it’s a fun holiday and horror movie, blending a Christmas theme with creepy elements and humor, making it suitable for younger audiences who are fans of the genre. While some reviewers mention it features dark themes and some language, most find it entertaining with valuable messages about family and the importance of maintaining the holiday spirit, though parental guidance is suggested for younger viewers due to certain scary scenes and mild profanity.
- fun horror blend
- dark themes
- family messages
- suitable for teens
- mild profanity
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
During a stressful Christmas season, young Max (Emjay Anthony) is struggling to maintain his belief in Santa Claus. When his loudmouth relatives come to visit, Max's nasty cousins find his letter to Santa and tease him at the dinner table. In tears, Max rips up the letter and sends the pieces out into the winter night. Unfortunately, this brings on the other spirit of Christmas, the dark shadow of St. Nicholas known as Krampus. In the midst of a blizzard, Krampus and his evil helpers descend upon the neighborhood. It's up to Max's dad (Adam Scott), mom (Toni Collette), uncle (David Koechner), and aunt (Allison Tolman) to set aside their differences and band together. But only Max's grandmother (Krista Stadler) knows the demon's true nature.
Is It Any Good?
While the idea of a Christmas-themed horror movie might sound strange, KRAMPUS has a very appealing mix of humor and scares. It also has a pretty dark ending, but before that comes, there's undeniable warmth and holiday spirit. Director/co-writer Michael Dougherty also made the very good Halloween movie Trick 'r Treat (2007), and he doesn't disappoint here. Krampus starts with a cynical touch and some big laughs, but it quickly finds its heart in Max, who truly wants to believe in Santa Claus -- and in his family. The movie sets the family members up as comic opposites but finds the good in both sides.
When the scary stuff comes, the monsters are menacing, but they also have a fun quality, not unlike those in the Gremlins movies. The movie sometimes gets lost in all its monster fights, but then the ominous, somewhat ambiguous ending ties everything together. Krampus may be too much for sensitive viewers, but lovers of alternative holiday viewing will rejoice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Krampus' violence. How intense is it? What effect did it have? What's shown, and what's not shown? Which is scarier, and why? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Some of the movie's adult characters seem to drink excessively. Do they enjoy it? If not, why do you think they're drinking? Is it portrayed as funny or serious? What message does that send?
Why does Max believe in Santa Claus? Why do people make fun of him for loving Christmas?
Where does the Krampus myth come from? How old is it? What might its purpose have been? Does the movie seem truthful to the actual legend?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 4, 2015
- On DVD or streaming : April 26, 2016
- Cast : Toni Collette , Adam Scott , David Koechner , Emjay Anthony
- Director : Michael Dougherty
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of horror violence/terror, language and some drug material
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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