The most controversial Christmas thriller ever made is getting a surprise new sequel

You know what they say: everyone loves a Murder Santa. Well, almost everyone. A whole 42 years after the original film shocked censors and sparked nationwide protests, Silent Night, Deadly Night is getting (another) sequel — this time, in the form of a novel. Bloody Disgusting reports that Silent Night, Deadlier Night by author Armando Muñoz will arrive on Nov. 10 from Titan Books. Muñoz has written multiple horror film adaptations, including Silent Night, Deadly Night, My Bloody Valentine, and Happy Birthday to Me, as well as the original novels Hoarder, Turkey Day, and Turkey Kitchen. The original Silent Night, Deadly Night was released in 1984 and quickly spurred a moral panic when a trailer featuring an ominous Santa aired during a Packers game, reportedly terrifying children. There was even a group formed in its honor called Citizens Against Movie Madness. In the end, Silent Night, Deadly Night may have lost some battles, but it won the war, spurring a film franchise that includes four sequels, along with 2012’s Silent Night remake and 2025’s reboot. The film itself is a horror cult classic, following the young Billy Chapman and his brother. Their parents were murdered by a cr