[Popcorn Frights ’25] Popcorn Frights has everything a genre fan can want

Some things are just meant to go together. Peanut butter and jelly. Tom and Jerry. Brigette Nielsen and Flava Flav. Few things make a better pair than summer and horror. Popcorn Frights has been a part of this gruesome twosome since 2015. For their 11th installment, the annual film festival has a mix of new and classic scares.

The event will open with a doubleheader featuring Bodycam from Brandon Christensen and Night of the Reaper, an homage to 1980s slashers. The first wave of films announced also includes folk horror (Blood Shine), world premiere documentary To All the Books about Josh Malerman (Bird Box), and more than twenty streaming films. 

The second wave was highlighted by Tina Romero’s (daughter of George A. Romero) Queens of the Dead. Other films include crime thriller Americana starring Sydney Sweeney and festival favorite Fucktoys. The third wave included 74 short films across seven short film blocks. 

There will also be retro screenings at Popcorn Frights. Horror legend Barbara Crampton will be there for the “Straight Outta Crampton” triple bill which will include the 4K restoration of Re-Animator and From Beyond. Cult icon Lloyd Kaufman will attend the festival to premiere Mr. Melvin, a fused reimagining of the Toxic Avenger II and Toxic Avenger III. Linnea Quigley will be in attendance for a triple screening involving some of her greatest roles.

Popcorn Frights is pulling out all the stops for its 2025 edition. Along with the movies, there will also be live commentaries, trivia, and an outdoor beach screening. Long time genre fans will have the chance to see old favorites while those just getting into horror will have a chance to see the classics that are always talked about. And everyone will have the opportunity to see some great new horror movies.

Popcorn Frights takes place from August 7 – August 17 2025. Check out the full line up HERE.