Thanksgiving usually brings to mind family dinners and a cozy sense of gratitude, but sometimes, the holiday season offers more than just comfort food and togetherness; it brings a lineup of spine-chilling new releases. While these films are not directly tied to Thanksgiving, their arrival around the festive period makes them perfect for anyone who prefers thrills over turkey. From supernatural chills to psychological dread and bloody surprises, horror titles debuting around the celebratory period promise to add a dark twist to the cheerful spirit.

So, here are five must-watch horror movies releasing around Thanksgiving 2025. Watching them with family at tow should be easier, after all.

Directed by Osgood Perkins and written by Nick Lepard, Keeper is an American horror film starring Tatiana Maslany as Liz and Rossif Sutherland as Malcolm. It is produced by Chris Ferguson and Jesse Savath under Oddfellows, and is scheduled for release by Neon on November 14, 2025.

The story follows Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland as a couple who travel to a secluded cabin for their anniversary weekend. When Sutherland’s character abruptly returns to the city, though, Maslany’s Liz is confronted by a malevolent presence tied to the cabin’s secrets. Expect a moody, slow-burning horror built on isolation and potential relationship tension. This film is worth watching for its blend of intimate psychological unease as well as Osgood Perkins’ distinctive style, which has previously shone in offerings like Longlegs and The Monkey. His direction, certainly, challenges standard horror tropes.

The Carpenter’s Son is an upcoming horror film written and directed by Lotfy Nathan, starring Nicolas Cage, Noah Jupe, Souheila Yacoub, and FKA Twigs. It premiered in Argentina on October 30, 2025, and is slated for stateside release on November 14. The plot centres on a boy raised in a mysterious family hiding in Roman Egypt. He begins to doubt his guardian, the Carpenter, and unleashes powers that trigger both natural and supernatural tragedy.

This film promises a mythic, eerie atmosphere, blending biblical themes with surreal menace. If one is drawn to Christian horror with a strong performance — because Nicolas Cage stars in it — this one should deliver. 

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The next offering is not in English, but that should not take away from its appeal, as it still embraces the themes of suspense, storytelling, and horror, ensuring it is just as gripping and watchable.

Directed and written by Alireza Khatami, this Turkish-language mystery-horror film features Ekin Koç as Ali, a Turkish-born US professor, together with Erkan Kolçak Köstendil, Hazar Ergüçlü, and Ercan Kesal in key roles. It premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 24 and opened in Turkey on April 25, 2025. Set to release in the US on November 14, the film’s narrative follows Ali after his mother’s suspicious death. He recruits his gardener, Reza, to enact vengeance, which leads to the unravelling of secrets and escalating violence.

What makes this one compelling is the cross-cultural setting and the way it fuses psychological terror with twisted revenge. For viewers who like horror that is more layered than splashy, this film will offer a rich experience.

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The next title is a highly anticipated sequel to a 2023 release that quickly became one of the most iconic horror films of contemporary time.

This sequel to 2023’s Thanksgiving is being directed by Eli Roth yet again. While an exact release date has not yet been confirmed, the film is targeted for 2025. Returning cast members include Nell Verlaque as Jessica Wright. Rick Hoffman as Thomas Wright and Addison Rae as Gaby are also expected to return.

Expect a traditional slasher approach with this one, aligning with the original’s elements, including a holiday setting, a masked killer, and a direct escalation of the first film’s murderous mayhem. For all who enjoyed the visceral energy of the 2023 effort, this is one to keep an eye on for the 2025 horror calendar.

Five Nights at Freddy’s  2 is set to release on December 5; however, the fact that it is a sequel to such an iconic horror movie ensured its place on this Thanksgiving list. Besides, early December is still practically Thanksgiving. The film sees Emma Tammi attached as director and co-written by franchise creator Scott Cawthon. Key cast members returning include Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, and Piper Rubio, with new additions such as Skeet Ulrich, Wayne Knight, and Regretting You talent McKenna Grace. 

Expect heightened scares and an amplified sense of dread as the sequel digs deeper into the franchise’s lore. The film is worth watching because it expands the universe of the original while offering a fresh, nightmarish experience for longtime viewers and newcomers alike. Overall, this list of Thanksgiving horror films delivers fresh chills, proving it is time to ditch the Halloween roster and embrace holiday-themed scares.

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So, which of these films will be your first watch this Thanksgiving season? Let us know in the comments.