Bob previews his highlights for Fantastic Fest 2026: running September 17th through 24th in Austin, Texas!
Bob here! Man, do I love festivals! And I’m glad that, as school ramps up and festival season winds down in September, we have one more to close out (there are always others, but we can’t cover them all!). And the festival before we slide into award season is Fantastic Fest. Happening in Austin, Texas, and started in 2005, Fantastic Fest celebrates genre filmmaking, presenting a slew of films to every genre fan, whether they’re awaiting distribution or on the edge of release. A well-loved event, with favored filmmakers such as Quentin Dupieux and The Adams Family always bringing their new takes (both had films last year AND this year. Heck, this year Dupieux has TWO!) and highlighting new voices as well, Fantastic Fest is a great preview of upcoming notable genre work. As always, it is at the Alamo Drafthouse, and this edition runs from September 17th through 24th.
On the eve (or close to it), we at Cinema Crazed love to raise the curtain and share what we’re looking forward to for the year. This year, “we” is “I,” as I’m the only one covering, but prepare for as much as I possibly can!
But first! A reminder of last year’s coverage! I covered The Piano Accident, Tree of Knowledge, Bad Haircut, Beast of War, Deathstalker, Coyotes, and Silencio. Kima reviewed Dolly! Many of these are available out in the world now, and all are worth your time.
Now let’s take a look at this year! You can find the whole schedule HERE, but here’s my mini-version
I mentioned Quintin Dupieux and The Adams Family, so let’s start with them!
Dieux Par Duplex: Full Phil & Vertiginous (both written and directed by Quintin Dupieux)
Two shorter films (78 and 65 minutes, respectively) are paired as a double-feature program. Full Phil finds Kristen Stewart as an actress stuck in a Parisian hotel with her father, played by Woody Harrelson. They are watching a film starring Tim & Eric riffing on Creature from the Black Lagoon. Some sort of chaos ensues? We’ll see. Vertiginous is a different kind of animated feature. Using N64/PS2-style graphics, a man becomes convinced he’s living in a simulation and tries to talk a friend into believing him. The stylized animation should add an interesting layer to the idea of a simulation, along with a discussion of what makes life.
Glorious Dead (written and directed by Toby Poser & John Adams)
I’m always up for the next Adams family movie! Mother of Flies premiered at last year’s festival, and the filmmaking family is already ready to give us the next dose of their specific brand of homemade horror. In an isolated town, a sheriff and her deputy try to keep the peace as people go missing, blood runs from the taps, and other strangeness. (copied from my Fantasia 2026 intro)
The Face of Horror (Written and directed by Anna Biller)
In a gory tribute to Technicolor gothic Hammer horror, a woman is trapped in a marriage and castle with a greedy, murderous man. Shot on 35mm! There seem to be ghosts and other nastiness, too.
The Heritiks (directed by Gregg Bishop; written by Ben Collins & Luke Pitrowoski)
The guys who wrote Hellraiser 22 and The Night House (hell yes on both of those) write an 80s-tinged, practical-effects-filled home invasion as, on Halloween, a young teen teams with a witch to protect her sister from a coven determined to sacrifice the younger girl. The first film from Dread Central’s new production company said to have unhinged midnight movie energy!
Play House (directed by Nicolas Curcio; written by Curcio & Kirby Gladstein)Director
The result of last year’s new program where a pitched film is produced, Play House is an analog horror about a man who has bought his deceased mother’s house to fix it up and finds a pile of tapes with a forgotten children’s show (hosted by James Urbaniak) with puppets that aren’t quite right. Let’s see where this goes.
Finally, if you’ve perused the schedule and thought, “There are some big films I keep seeing advertised at my local theatre- where the heck are they?” Well, here’s your answer: right here! Since they’ll already get coverage, I wanted to focus the above on the more under-the-radar works.
Resident Evil (directed by Zach Cregger; written by Cregger & Shay Hattan)
The Weapons director returns viewers to Raccoon City for his version of the thirty-year zombie franchise, after several other filmed or animated attempts. I’m excited. I love Cregger, but haven’t really been a fan of the filmed franchise. He seems to be making a tighter and more visceral version. Trailers have been effective.
Carrie (written & directed by Mike Flanagan from the King novel)
Two episodes of Mike Flanagan’s 8-episode adaptation of Stephen King’s first novel will premiere at Fantastic Fest. While a short novel, there’s plenty of room for expansion, but with this now the 4th version (5th if including The Rage), there’s a question of why tell it again. I’m curious to see what Flanagan brings to it, and I trust him.
Victorian Psycho (directed by Zachary Wigon; written by Virginia Fieto from her novel)
Maika Monroe! Monroe stars as a governess at an estate in the 1850s. In the new home, people start to vanish and die. Who could it be? The novel is pretty good, funny, and quick; one that reads like a novelization of a non-existent movie.
Wild Horse Nine (written & directed by Martin McDonagh)
Not a genre film, but I’m ready for more Martin McDonagh returning to the quippy hitmen subgenre of In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths. Sam Rockwell and John Malkovich are always highly entertaining wildcards, and putting both as a pair of CIA operatives in Chile? And even some Parker Posey and Steve Buscemi?! Gold.
In addition to all these new films, a wide selection of archival showings showcase classics (including a curated collection of silent horror shorts from the early days of film), shorts programs, and events! Plenty to keep film lovers thrilled!
Keep your eyes on the site for reviews as they come! Another exciting festival is upon us, and I can’t wait to see what it offers!
Fantastic Fest 2026 runs September 17 through 24th in Austin, Texas. See here for more information.