The killer Brooklyn Horror Film Festival is preparing to kick off its 2026 program. If you are a New York horror fan, head to the Nitehawk Cinema in Williamsburg for a spooky season film spectacular! Come see a bevy of independent horror films that are early in their festival circuit run. Check out the official press release for the full roster of films coming to this year’s festival.
Brooklyn, NY– 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; the family is 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 number of individual tickets go on sale this Friday at 10AM EST.
