Frightful Friday: AMC FrightFest 2026 Watch Guide
As mentioned in one of my earlier posts this week, AMC has officially revealed its schedule for FrightFest 2026. With so many movies on the schedule (and so little time to watch them for many), it may feel overwhelming to pick films for this year’s Halloween horror movie marathon. Here is my rapid-fire list of which films you should watch and why, accompanied by the dates they will be playing.
Halloween (1978)
What better way to get in the Halloween spirit than by watching the titular movie? Halloween is by all accounts a classic of the horror/slasher genre, laying the blueprint for many future franchises to come. While many movies have attempted to rekindle the magic of the original, none truly come close to John Carpenter’s original work.
Showtimes:
- October 1st – 11 AM
- October 9th – 9 PM
- October 14th – 6 PM
- October 15th – 6:30 PM
- October 25th – 7 PM
- October 30th – 4:30 AM, 1 PM, 9 PM
- October 31st – 7 PM, 9 PM
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
While I am personally more impartial to the Scream franchise, the original Elm Street remains an important and memorable chapter in Wes Craven’s filmography. It boasts truly impressive special effects for the time, while also being elevated by Robert Englund’s iconic portrayal of Freddy Krueger. This is definitely a must-watch, even if you’ve already seen it.
Showtimes:
- October 4th – 2:45 PM
- October 12th – 8:00 PM
- October 18th – 4:30 PM
- October 24th – 8:00 PM
- October 27th – 7:00 PM
The Shining
The Shining remains one of my favorite horror films due to its slow, haunting build-up and excellent performance by Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance. Although I have watched it countless times, I never truly get bored with it. In fact, I believe each subsequent viewing helps me to appreciate the movie’s subtleties even more. Shining serves as a perfect addition to any horror marathon, as it is a welcome change of pace from your average slasher.
Showtimes: (currently unlisted on the schedule, although the movie is referenced in the description of the event)
Child’s Play (1988)
Back to more familiar territory, Child’s Play is more of a “fun” addition to your watchlist. The plot of a voodoo-possessed killer doll is not particularly grounded, and the movie isn’t very heavy on scares. Still, it remains a thoroughly entertaining movie if you can get past the unbelievable premise. As a bonus, for those who want more Chucky, the franchise remains consistently solid with its newer entries, mainly because it is still controlled by the original creator.
Showtime:
- October 7th – 7 PM
Misery
Finally, this list is concluded with yet another film adapted from the works of Stephen King. In my opinion, Misery is one of King’s most underrated adaptations, especially due to Kathy Bates’ electrifying performance. Like The Shining, its scares operate at a slower pace than your average slasher. Regardless, the looming sense of dread and suspense that lingers throughout the movie makes it an excellent watching experience to round out your watchlist.
Showtimes:
- October 3rd – 12:15 AM
- October 11th – 11:15 AM
Will you be watching any of these movies in October? Were there any picks I missed? Let me know in the comments!
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