AMC Networks Unveils Official Trailer for “FearFest” with HalloQueen Janelle Monáe: "Today, AMC and AMC+ revealed the official “FearFest” trailer featuring award-winning artist, musician and horror enthusiast Janelle Monáe (Glass Onion, Antebellum, Homecoming), the official host of “FearFest.” Key sponsors are on board for the long-running, annual horror and genre programming event featuring over 650 hours of iconic horror films franchises, new series, specials and more including BACARDÍ Rum and Kraft Heinz as presenting sponsors.
This year’s “FearFest” trailer, titled “Carnival of Frights,” was brought to life by legendary, award-winning director and frequent Janelle Monáe collaborator, Alan Ferguson. Evoking a classical carnival experience but updated and stylized with everything keyed to a vibe that can only emanate from our official HalloQueen, the creative embodies Monáe’s relationship with horror -- artful, stylish, over-the-top and fueled by her genuine passion and love of the genre. The joy of horror is at the forefront featuring Monáe’s nod to fan-favorite movie icons – from Freddy’s terrifying finger blades to Michael’s menacing knife.
AMC Networks has also conjured a thrilling partnership that crowns BACARDÍ Rum as the ultimate spirit of the season with a spine-tingling mix of custom content and immersive experiences. BACARDÍ Rum also serves as the title sponsor of Monáe’s legendary Wondaween bash, in partnership with WME/Wondaland Arts Society, bringing unique cocktails to the most iconic Halloween celebration of the season, including Monáe’s signature “FearFest” Halloween cocktail, the BACARDÍ Rave Yard Mojito. And fans can enjoy Monáe’s curated list of favorite horror films for a special collection, “FearFest Favorites by Janelle Monáe” on AMC+, also sponsored by BACARDÍ Rum, and available to stream during the month of October.
Kraft Heinz is on board with an expanded cross-platform sponsorship spotlighting Velveeta in custom content across linear and social, and as sponsor of the “Best of FearFest” collection on AMC+ all month long.
“FearFest” programming highlights includes fan-favorite franchises and collections such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Friday the 13th, Final Destination and the Stephen King library including It (2017), IT the mini-series, The Shining (celebrating its 45th Anniversary) and Misery (celebrating its 35th Anniversary), as well as new episodes of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, an all-new series in the Anne Rice Universe, Talamasca: The Secret Order and ghoulish holiday specials including The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs: FearFest double feature screening of A Nightmare on Elm Street and Freddy vs. Jason.
The full “FearFest” schedule can be found at AMC.com/FearFest25."
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BLACK PHONE 2 Trailer: "Four years ago, 13-year-old Finn killed his abductor and escaped, becoming the sole survivor of The Grabber. But true evil transcends death … and the phone is ringing again.
Four-time Academy Award® nominee Ethan Hawke returns to the most sinister role of his career as The Grabber seeks vengeance on Finn (Mason Thames) from beyond the grave by menacing Finn’s younger sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw).
As Finn, now 17, struggles with life after his captivity, the headstrong 15-year-old Gwen begins receiving calls in her dreams from the black phone and seeing disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp known as Alpine Lake.
Determined to solve the mystery and end the torment for both her and her brother, Gwen persuades Finn to visit the camp during a winter storm. There, she uncovers a shattering intersection between The Grabber and her own family’s history. Together, she and Finn must confront a killer who has grown more powerful in death and more significant to them than either could imagine.
From returning visionary writer-director Scott Derrickson, Black Phone 2 is written again by Derrickson & C. Robert Cargill, based on characters created by Joe Hill. The film is produced by Jason Blum, Derrickson and Cargill. The executive producers are Ryan Turek, Adam Hendricks, Daniel Bekerman and Jason Blumenfeld.
The cast includes Oscar® nominee Demián Bichir (The Nun, A Better Life) as the supervisor of the camp, Arianna Rivas (A Working Man) as his niece, Miguel Mora (The Black Phone) as the brother of one of The Grabber’s victims, and Jeremy Davies, returning as Finn and Gwen’s father, Terrence. Other new cast members include Maev Beaty (Beau is Afraid) and Graham Abbey (Under the Banner of Heaven).
Universal Pictures and Blumhouse’s horror phenomenon The Black Phone, released in 2022, received widespread critical acclaim and earned more than $160 million worldwide."
BLACK PHONE 2 – IN THEATERS OCTOBER 17
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HAZBIN HOTEL Season 2 Trailer: "Today Prime Video released the official trailer for Season Two of the hit adult animated musical series, Hazbin Hotel, from creator Vivienne Medrano, A24 and FOX Entertainment Studios’ Emmy award-winning Bento Box Entertainment. The trailer teases the first single, “Hazbin Guarantee (Trust Us)” and the complete Hazbin Hotel: Season Two (Original Soundtrack) is now available for pre-order HERE. The second season of Hazbin Hotel, premiering October 29, consists of eight episodes, with two episodes rolling out weekly through November 19. The series will be available on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
With Atlantic Records, the complete Hazbin Hotel: Season Two (Original Soundtrack) is now available for pre-order HERE. The first single, “Hazbin Guarantee (Trust Us),” is available now to stream on all digital platforms. A full physical suite is also available for pre-order, including 5 vinyl variants, and CD and cassette offerings. The Season Two soundtrack features all new original songs written and produced by Sam Haft and Andrew Underberg, and performed by your favorite cast members including Erika Henningsen, Stephanie Beatriz, Keith David, Kimiko Glenn, Blake Roman, Amir Talai, Alex Brightman, Christian Borle, Jeremy Jordan, Jessica Vosk, Joel Perez, Lilli Cooper, Krystina Alabado, Patrick Stump, Darren Criss, Shoba Narayan, Patina Miller, Liz Callaway, Leslie Rose Kritzer, James Monroe Iglehart, Andrew Durand, Kevin Del Aguila, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Alex Newell."
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Mad Cave Studios Heads to NYCC 2025: "Mad Cave Studios returns to New York Comic Con 2025, running October 9-12 at the Jacob K. Javits Center, with a packed lineup of convention exclusives, creator signings, and panels—alongside fresh programming and surprises from its Maverick, Papercutz, and Nakama Press imprints, too!
Fans visiting Booth #4455 can grab limited giveaways and convention-only merch all weekend, including debut limited-edition T-shirts featuring Speed Racer and The Phantom, plus exclusive variant covers: Racer X #1 (Rahzzah), Speed Racer #1 (from the Tatsunoko archives), Speed Racer: Tales from the Road #1 (Joe Quesada),The Phantom #1 (Marco Santuri), and Terrorbytes #1 (Kelly McMahon). Receive a Phantom “Mark of the Skull Ring” pin with the purchase of The Phantom convention exclusive, and a Speed Racer bandana with the purchase of the Speed Racer convention exclusive, and free limited Dick Tracy Halloween Special tote bags, while supplies last. Papercutz adds extra treats with a free Miraculous Chibi notebook with any $15 Miraculous Chibi purchase and a free Smurfs bag clip with any Smurfs Archives volume, while supplies last. Throughout the weekend, Mad Cave will also spotlight new, exciting titles and creator signings.
As a side-street bonus, Xero—the original graphic novel from debut writer Vaho with artist Felipe Flores, on sale October 7—will make its mark with a limited wheat-paste poster run across Manhattan. The first fan to photograph each location and share it online will snag a free copy, a quick hit of street-level energy that matches the comic’s vibe while keeping the spotlight on Mad Cave’s full lineup.
Signings at Booth #4455
Thursday, 10/9
1:00 PM – Justin Jordan & Patrick Piazzalunga (Gunpowder Prophets)
3:00 PM – Mike Cavallaro, Maria Scrivan, Bill Walko (Flash Gordon Adventures!)
4:00 PM – David Pepose, Chris Batista, Mark Russell, Mark London (Speed Racer)
5:00 PM – Brian Buccellato (Eat Your Young)
Friday, 10/10
11:00 AM – Brent Schoonover, Alex Segura (Dick Tracy)
1:00 PM – David Pepose, Chris Batista, Mark Russell (Speed Racer)
2:00 PM – Toril Orlesky (Hotblood!)
3:00 PM – Chris Batista, Kath Lobo, Steve Orlando, Tommy Lee Edwards (Gatchaman)
4:00 PM – Vaho & Felipe Flores (Xero)
Saturday, 10/11
11:00 AM – Carrie Harris, Ryan Jampole, Lex Hobson (Miraculous Chibi)
12:00 PM – Agnes Garbowska (101 Dalmatians)
1:00 PM – Mark London & David Pepose (Speed Racer: Tales from the Road)
2:00 PM – Frank Tieri & Joe Quesada (Whatever Happened to the Crimson Justice?)
3:00 PM – Toril Orlesky (Hotblood!)
4:00 PM – Jeremy Whitley (Navigating With You)
5:00 PM – Maverick Showcase: Joe Corallo, Linden Cahill, Matthew Dow Smith, Olivia Cuartero-Briggs, Joe Eisma (King Arthur & The Knights of Justice, October Girl, Fate: The Winx Saga, Student Government)
Sunday, 10/12
11:00 AM – David Perry (Aw, Nuts!) David Pepose (Ten-Ton Titan Terrier)
12:00 PM – Kat Calamia & Phil Falco (The Loud House)
1:00 PM – Gabriel Valentin (Digital Lizards of Doom & The Sword in the Stone)
2:30 PM – Drawing & Signing: John Patrick Green (Phineas & Ferb) (TBD)
3:00 PM – Art Baltazar, Mike Cavallaro, John Patrick Green (TBD), Franco, Adam Wallenta (Flash Gordon Adventures!)
Mad Cave will also join forces with Comixology for a pair of spotlight signings at the Comixology Booth #4454, featuring Justin Jordan (Breaklands, Gunpowder Prophets) appearing Thursday, October 9, from 2-3 PM, followed by Mark Sable (Boxed) on Saturday, October 11, from 2-3 PM.
Mad Cave Studios Panels
Go, Speed Racer, Go!: The Return of an Icon
Thursday, 10/9 – 2:30 PM–3:30 PM
North – Room 406.2
Start your engines and buckle up for a high-octane deep dive into the legendary world of Speed Racer! Join the creative team behind the brand-new Speed Racer comic series from Mad Cave Studios as they discuss reimagining one of the most iconic anime and manga properties of all time for a whole new generation of fans.
Panelists: Chris Batista, David Pepose, Mark London, Mark Russell
Moderator: Maya Lopez
Additionally, creator Gabriel Valentin joins the Children’s Book Council for the panel “Growing Up with Graphic Novels, taking place Friday, October 10, from 1:30–2:15 PM ET on the Javits – Hall 1E Community Stage. Immediately afterward, Gabriel will meet fans and sign copies of his work at 2:45 PM in Hall 1A, tables 44, 46, and 47, offering a personal connection beyond the main Mad Cave Studios booth.
Stop by Booth #4455 throughout the weekend for the latest information on signings, panel times, and exclusive merchandise—with more exciting announcements to come, so be sure to follow @MadCaveStudios on social media for real-time updates during the show.
Get the latest news on Mad Cave Studios, or visit www.madcavestudios.com to check out the full lineup of new releases, licenses, and celebrated creator-owned titles!
After more than a decade as a consultant in the tech and entertainment industries, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his passion for horror entertainment. He takes immense pride in Daily Dead's talented team of writers, who work tirelessly to explore and celebrate horror as a respected art form capable of telling complex, character-driven stories with deep emotional and cultural impact.
Over the course of his career, Jonathan has written more than 10,000 articles and hosted panels at major conventions, including New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con. He has also been consulted as an expert on horror and pop culture, offering his insights on horror history and the latest trends through media outlets, radio stations, film festivals, and fan conventions.
After more than a decade as a consultant in the tech and entertainment industries, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his passion for horror entertainment. He takes immense pride in Daily Dead's talented team of writers, who work tirelessly to explore and celebrate horror as a respected art form capable of telling complex, character-driven stories with deep emotional and cultural impact.
Over the course of his career, Jonathan has written more than 10,000 articles and hosted panels at major conventions, including New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con. He has also been consulted as an expert on horror and pop culture, offering his insights on horror history and the latest trends through media outlets, radio stations, film festivals, and fan conventions.
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