Alright, listen up, horror fanatics! The Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2026 is rolling out its lineup, and no cap, this year’s selection is straight up ‘dope’ and truly hits different. Set to run from October 15th to 22nd, all the spine-tingling action is going down at Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg. If you’re looking to get your scare on this spooky season, the Brooklyn Horror Fest has got a program that’s packed to the gills with wild genre tales, body horror, Parisian vampires, and a whole lot more that’s going to blow your mind, for real.
Kicking things off on opening night is the vampire mockumentary ‘I Love Paris’, directed by Nicky Murphy, which promises a bloody good time with an aspiring singer turned vampire. The festival’s centerpiece film, ‘Species (Sanguine)’ by Marion Le Corroller, delves into intense body horror as a young intern navigates a mysterious disease. Then, to close out the fright fest, Nick Kozakis’ ‘Kick On’ brings the action-horror with a brutal fight for survival that goes down in a single, terrifying location. These headliners alone are giving us major spooky vibes, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg, periodt.
This year, the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival is also dishing out its Leviathan Award to the incomparable Adams Family. John Adams, Toby Poser, Zelda, and Lulu, this filmmaking crew has been making monstrous contributions to the genre since their breakout in 2019 with ‘THE DEEPER YOU DIG’. Their unbridled creativity and adoration for all things bloody and monstrous have truly paved a new roadmap for indie horror. Their Lovecraftian apocalyptic creature feature, ‘THE GLORIOUS DEAD’, is one of the many highlights to catch, cementing their status as modern-day folk heroes in cinema.
Beyond the fresh scares, the festival is also giving a shout-out to horror history with some seriously ‘sick’ documentaries and classic screenings. We’re talking ‘Full Moon Rising: The Charles Band Story,’ which chronicles the indie maverick’s influential career, and ‘Rubberhead: The Life & Monsters of Steve Johnson,’ a candid look at the glory days of practical SFX makeup. Plus, fans can catch 35mm screenings of iconic films like Rachel Talalay’s ‘Ghost in the Machine’ from 1993, Arthur Marks’ Blaxploitation gem ‘J.D.’s Revenge’ from 1976, and even Wes Craven’s ‘The People Under the Stairs’ from 1991. Oh, and a special 35mm screening of Michael Dougherty’s ‘Trick ’r Treat’ from 2007 with the filmmaker himself? That’s a classic that never gets old, and it’s definitely going to be an immersive experience for those in attendance.
The lineup also boasts a wide array of new feature films, hitting various subgenres. ‘American Dollhouse’ takes us back to a drama-riddled life that goes sideways thanks to a psychotic neighbor. ‘The Cycle’ drags a woman into a grisly investigation after her estranged father’s corpse is found, hinting at decades-old mysteries. Then there’s ‘Little Doors,’ a unique apocalyptic tale where a woman discovers a mysterious door on her own body. And for those who love folk horror, ‘OPI’ from Poland promises a nightmarish family spiral. From psychological thrillers like ‘Sender’ to a masked killer mystery in ‘The Only One’, there’s a fresh scare for every kind of horror buff. Many of these are premieres, so you could be among the first to see some future classics, you know?
And if short films are your jam, they’ve got blocks like ‘Nightmare Fuel’ and ‘Head Trip’ that promise to haunt your dreams. The festival is also making a concerted effort to champion diverse voices with their ‘Culture Shock’ program, specifically uplifting Black filmmakers in genre cinema. ‘Slayed’ explores queer experiences in horror, while ‘Laugh Now, Die Later’ perfectly blends horror and comedy, proving they’re two sides of the same coin. Plus, the ‘Home Invasion’ blocks are highlighting a ton of local talent, which is always a treat for the community. It’s cool to see Brooklyn artists getting that shine, straight up.
Don’t sleep on the special events either. ‘Final Exam Horror Trivia’ is going to test your knowledge with hosts Ted Geoghegan and Michael Gingold, offering a chance to win some amazing prizes. The ‘Certified Forgotten Podcast’ will also be there, shining a light on underseen films. And for all you cinema sleuths, there’s a ‘Secret Screening’ that the organizers are hyping up big time – they’re not giving many hints, but they promise it’s a must-see new gem. It’s giving us some major anticipation vibes, for real. Badges are already on sale, and tickets are dropping soon, so don’t miss out on this killer week of frights!
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Livia Dorne covers film, television, music, and pop culture with a keen editorial perspective. She delivers engaging commentary, reviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that keep readers connected to the entertainment world. Her style blends critique with storytelling.
