Skip to main content
Horror Cult Classic

A deadly Christmas at a finishing school—where the past comes back dressed as Santa.

TO ALL A GOODNIGHT

Santa came early—and someone has been very bad.

1980 · 1h 27m · R · Horror / Mystery / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

A Christmas reunion at an isolated finishing school turns deadly when a masked Santa begins punishing students for a fatal prank buried in the past.

Quick Answer

What is To All a Goodnight about?

To All a Goodnight is a 1980 American horror, mystery, and thriller film directed by David Hess about students at an isolated finishing school who are stalked by a killer in a Santa Claus disguise during Christmas break.

Programmer's Pick

Holiday cheer gets the sharp end of the knife in this early-80s slasher, where a killer Santa stalks teens with more than just coal in his bag. If you like your Christmas movies with a side of exploitation and blood splatter, consider this a gift you didn't know you wanted.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

To All a Goodnight sets its sights on the Calvin Finishing School for Girls, where a well-intentioned prank during Christmas vacation ends in tragedy. Two years later, as most of the students leave for the holidays, five girls stay behind to celebrate with their boyfriends, hoping for a carefree weekend. But the festivities take a sinister turn when two students are murdered outside the school by a knife-wielding assailant. Tension mounts as the remaining group, isolated and increasingly uneasy, realizes their holiday plans are about to be interrupted by something far more menacing than a surprise visitor. Expect holiday horror with a slasher twist amid the tinsel and mistletoe.

Details & Specs

Director
David Hess
Writer
Alex Rebar
Release
1980
Runtime
1h 27m
Country
United States of America
Language
English

Why This Matters

This film marks the directorial debut of David Hess and is notable as only the second feature to depict a killer Santa Claus, following the 1972 Tales from the Crypt anthology segment.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

View all →
Director: David Hess Writer: Alex Rebar

Why Cult

Killer Santa Claus

The slasher wears a Santa suit, delivering punishment for the sins of Christmas past.

Holiday Horror Setting

Set during Christmas at a secluded school, this film turns festive cheer into a chilling backdrop.

Exploitative Slashings

Expect a slasher cocktail of nudity, blood splatter, and creative kills that push the R rating.

Early 80s Slasher Vibe

A classic example of early 80s B-movie horror, complete with psychotronic flavor.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Prank leads to accidental death

Threat

Killer in Santa Claus disguise

Effect

Murders students and staff

Setting

Calvin Finishing School during Christmas

Questions from the Vault

When was To All a Goodnight released? +

To All a Goodnight was released in 1980.

Who directed To All a Goodnight? +

To All a Goodnight was directed by David Hess.

How long is To All a Goodnight? +

To All a Goodnight has a runtime of 87 minutes.

What genre is To All a Goodnight? +

To All a Goodnight is a horror, mystery, and thriller film.

Where can I watch To All a Goodnight? +

To All a Goodnight is available to stream on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

To All a Goodnight trailer
Official Trailer
Sign in to play