The Crypt Keeper is back this Halloween as the host of AMC’s FearFest all month long, and we’re kicking off October with a brand new trailer revealing the horror icon’s big return.
Watch the official FearFest 2026 trailer below and turn on AMC RIGHT NOW to start watching classic horror favorites and all your favorite horror franchises through Halloween day!
The Crypt Keeper, the underground icon from the beloved ’90s cult-classic Tales From the Crypt, will be the official host of this year’s FearFest to mark the 30th anniversary of the epic horror celebration. With presenting sponsor BACARDÍ Rum returning for a second year, the long-running annual horror and genre programming event features over 650 hours of iconic horror films, franchises, new series, specials and more.
Famed special effects master, AMC’s longtime creative partner and The Walking Dead director, Greg Nicotero (Creepshow, Guts & Glory) re-created the legendary puppet for a ghoulish refresh, leveraging his expertise in practical effects and creature design to update the Crypt Keeper’s signature look, movement, and personality for today’s audiences.
In collaboration with AMC Global Media’s Content Room, the company’s in-house branded entertainment studio, Nicotero directed the Crypt Keeper segments for FearFest with John Kassir providing the signature cackle and wit that cemented the Crypt Keeper’s legacy.
“What a great honor and privilege to re-create this iconic character and get a chance to revisit some of his clever quips and puns with John Kassir again reprising his role,” Nicotero shared in a statement. “Having the chance to re-create Kevin Yagher’s amazing puppet at my studio KNB EFX and get the opportunity to ‘direct him’ in a series of FearFest spots was like going back in time and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.”
“FearFest has long been one of AMC’s most beloved horror traditions, and we couldn’t be happier to resurrect the Crypt Keeper as this year’s master of ‘scary-monies’ as we celebrate 30 years of FearFest. Revived by Greg Nicotero, a master of special effects and genre storytelling, the Crypt Keeper will give fans a fresh and wickedly fun gateway into our incredible horror library,” Kim Granito, chief marketing officer for AMC Global Media, added. “We’re also proud to partner once again with Bacardi, a brand that perfectly complements FearFest and our celebration of the spirit, creativity and community of horror fandom.”
The classic HBO television series “Tales from the Crypt” is now streaming on the AMC-owned Shudder, and the series is also playing as part of AMC FearFest this Halloween season.
Other highlights from this year’s programming are Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Final Destination, Insidious, and the Stephen King library including IT (2017), IT the mini-series, The Shining, Misery, and Christine, as well as the AMC premiere of The Terror: Devil In Silver, and AMC+’s new supernatural thriller YAGA, starring Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix Films, Humans), Noah Reid (Schitt’s Creek, The Vampire Lestat), and Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry). Plus, themed marathons, such as “Fear the ’80s” (Silver Bullet, Christine, Poltergeist, etc.), “Creature Feature” (Tremors, Lake Placid, Pet Sematary, etc.), and more.
Click here to unlock the complete AMC FearFest 2026 schedule.
