Brooklyn Horror Film Festival Unveils Its Chilling 2026 Lineup
From vampires to psycho killers to documentaries of behind-the-camera horror film personalities and beyond, Brooklyn Horror Film Festival has something for fear-fare fanatics of every stripe. Boasting world premieres, new releases, and retrospective screenings, the fest’s lineup for this year will have cinephiles reaching for drool cups. Following is the official press announcement.
The Brooklyn Horror Film Festival (BHFF) announces today the full program for its 2026 incarnation. The festival will run from October 15-22 with all screenings held at Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg. Audiences are in for a blood-splattered lineup of films and events, including a Dark Suburbia sidebar and returning program staples like Slayed presented by MUBI. Culture Shock, which is the new official program name for our Black Horror section, and Fear in Focus, this time tackling the dark abyss of Cyber Horror.
The Opening Night film is the U.S. Premiere of Nicky Murphy’s award-winning, vampire mockumentary I LOVE PARIS. After the film, audiences will be invited to keep the good vibes going at the Opening Night Party presented by Dark Sky Films, taking over both levels of the Nitehawk. The 2026 festival lineup will also celebrate the world premiere of Michael Schwarz’s early aughts throwback slasher THE ONLY ONE as well as Centerpiece film SPECIES (Sanguine) along with feature documentaries about genre legends: RUBBERHEAD: THE LIFE & MONSTERS OF STEVE JOHNSON and FULL MOON RISING: THE CHARLES BAND STORY.
The Adams Family will be on hand to present their latest film THE GLORIOUS DEAD [our featured image for this article], the family are set to receive the festival’s yearly tribute The Leviathan Award, presented by Arrow Video.
Making up the Dark Suburbia sidebar is the batshit crazy AMERICAN DOLLHOUSE, the dizzying SENDER starring a stacked cast including Britt Lower and producer Jamie Lee Curtis, and the absurdist nightmare LITTLE DOORS.
A fully loaded retrospective slate comprised of a 50th Anniversary screening of J.D.’S REVENGE on 35mm and a 35th anniversary screening of THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS, both part of this year’s Culture Shock section. Fear in Focus: Cyber Horror takes audiences from an earlier entry in the subgenre, 2013 shocker THE DEN and up to modern day with Jane Schoenbrun’s breakout film WE’RE ALL GOING TO THE WORLD’S FAIR. Two more very special screenings complete the retros: TRICK ‘R TREAT on 35mm preceded by the original Sam short film SEASON’S GREETINGS restored in 4K and followed by a conversation with director Michael Dougherty; and the monumental silent-era tragedy THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC featuring an original live score from The Flushing Remonstrance.
This year’s Closing Night feature is the drug fueled action horror KICK ON from director Nick Kozakis. Capping off the festival in true seasonal fashion is the Closing Night Halloween Party presented by ALTER. Plus much much more!
Full Lineup and Showtimes available HERE.
Festival badges are on sale now here and a limited amount of individual tickets go on sale this Friday at 10AM EST.
