Fantasia Film Festival 2026 Preview: 5 Films We Can't Wait to See
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By Becca Johnson - July 9, 2026
With the full line-up officially announced and the first screening occurring just next week, it’s time to get excited for 2026’s edition of Fantasia International Film Festival. The 30th year of the festival will be celebrated with an electrifying program of screenings, workshops and events, running from July 16th to August 2nd. The complete line-up features over 125 feature films and 200+ shorts! The festival will open with the Canadian Premiere of Her Private Hell, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive) and starring Sophie Thatcher (Companion) and Charles Melton (May December). It’ll close with the World Premiere of Freaks Part II, the long awaited sequel to Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky’s 2018 feature.
To put it simply, the team have delivered one of the festivals most exciting line-ups yet, but here’s a summary of some of the titles we’re most excited to check out:
The Last Temptation of Becky
When Becky released to a small but excited audience back in 2020, it was hard to envision even one sequel spanning form it, let alone two. The third entry into the now-franchise starring Lulu Wilson in the titular role, The Last Temptation of Becky has garnered much excitement from festival attendees. Working as a CIA field agent, Becky is sent undercover to Poland to infiltrate a family of innkeepers running a tourist venture at The Wolf’s Lair, Hitler’s WWII bunker. After learning that the father, Wilhelm Reuss (Neil Patrick Harris), is on a mission to bring about the Fourth Reich, Becky takes matters into her own hands. With the addition of Harris into the cast and the promise of even more entertaining violence, this title is sure to make its mark on the fest.
Nightborn
Not only is Nightborn directed by Hanna Bergholm, the notable filmmaker who delivered us fantastic coming-of-age horror Hatching back in 2022, but it stars Rupert Grint (Harry Potter) in the leading role. In a Finnish forest, Saga and her husband Jon embark on a new chapter as parents. But Saga’s joy is overshadowed by a chilling suspicion about their newborn, unbeknownst to Jon, causing a rift as she alone grapples with the disturbing truth. Said to explore intense themes of parenthood through a blend of genres and stellar performance from Seidi Haarla as mum Saga, Nightborn will certainly appeal to many attendees this year.
The Glorious Dead
Since their feature film Hellbender released back in 2021, the Adams Family have been making their mark on the horror genre, their most notable titles including Mother of Flies and Where the Devil Roams receiving high praise. The family have returned with The Glorious Dead, a story centering on a small-town sheriff (Toby Poser) and her young deputy (Zelda Adams) who wake to find the world they believed in no longer exists. Blood drips from faucets, people and pets are missing, and fleshy creatures walk the woods. Soon, the dirt can’t keep the dead down. Anger and fear spread through the community. It sounds equal parts gruesome and thought-provoking, and viewers can’t wait to delve into their next film.
Rubberhead: The Life & Monsters of Steve Johnson
It’s easy to forget about documentaries when delving into genre film, but Rubberhead sounds like it may tell one of the festivals best stories. Known for his intense work ethic, perfectionism, and obsession with breaking new ground, Steve Johnson has created iconic creatures and effects for some of the most beloved genre films in cinema history, working with everyone from John Carpenter, David Cronenberg, and Sam Raimi to James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, and Guillermo del Toro. His drive and ambition also led to heartbreaking acts of self-sabotage, divorce, and a serious drug addiction. Perfect for fans of practical effects and personal stories, Rubberhead is not one to miss.
Godhead
Mark H. Rapaport is a very exciting, unique filmmaker, attacking his films in daring ways that we rarely see. His 2023 coming-of-age feature Hippo may not have reached a large audience, but anyone who did check it out gave nothing but high praise. His newest feature, Godhead, appears to follow in the same strange but captivating vein. This film follows eccentric twins who proclaim themselves prophets, blurring reality and delusion as they draw a priest into their supposedly divine mission. If it winds up held in a similar regard to Hippo, we could have a rising star on our hands with Rapaport.
This is only a sample size of the wonderful genre films Fantasia has to offer. You can check out the full line-up of films HERE.
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