The Popcorn Frights Film Festival is back this year, both in-person and virtually, from August 8-18. If the first wave wasn’t already an idicator, the fest is going big to celebrate its tenth anniversary, and the second wave of programming unleashes even more exciting events and premieres.

From the press release: “To commemorate its awesome milestone, Popcorn Frights introduces the Golden Skull Award, honoring a master of horror whose made an everlasting impact on the genre and our darkest dreams. The inaugural recipient is legendary actor Tony Todd, the haunting star of over 200 films, including the iconic CANDYMAN. At a special presentation of Candyman, Todd will receive this honor, accompanied by the screening of two new films featuring him: the unsettling tale The Activated Man and the previously announced world premiere of The Bunker.

But the horror doesn’t end there! Just when you thought it was safe to go back into bed, Popcorn Frights unleashes its grand finale: an Up All Night With Freddy marathon hosted over one single night, made possible by the generous support of FlickDirect. Kicking off with the 40th anniversary presentation of Wes Craven’s A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, the event will feature all seven ELM STREET films with the Man of Your Dreams, culminating with the Florida Premiere of the brazenly outrageous, Elm Street-inspired Bollywood horror musical Mahakaal, complete with its own horrifically disfigured dream-stalker with a razor-clawed glove.”

“The excitement doesn’t end with the films — before the opening night curtains rise, prepare for Horror Movie Trivia Presented by Paramount Scares and hosted by horror legends Brian Yuzna and William Lustig! Expect some mind-benders and maybe some bone breakers, as your wits and horror knowledge are tested to the limits for a chance to win special prizes from Paramount Scares.”

Popcorn Frights 2024 has also unveiled its virtual lineup for those across the country, including over twenty films to sink your fangs into.

Read on for the packed second wave of Popcorn Frights 2024 programming:

FEATURE FILM LINEUP

The Activated Man

Special Presentation

United States | 2023 | 115 Min. | Dir. Nicholas Gyeney

In-Theater Exclusive

*Director Nicholas Gyeney and actor Tony Todd expected in person

After a man loses his beloved dog to cancer, the shock from the trauma produces strange vision projections that forces him to wrestle with the possibility that his mind has fractured, or that it’s actually real.

All Alone Together

East Coast Premiere

United States | 2023 | 105 Min. | Dir. Maximus Jenkins

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

As a tormented filmmaker reaches new levels of success, the horrors of his film start to creep into his life.

Booger

South Florida Premiere

United States | 2023 | 78 Min. | Dir. Mary Dauterman

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

After the death of her best friend, a woman focuses all her attention on Booger, the stray cat which she and her friend took in. When Booger bites her, she begins to undergo a strange transformation.

The Buildout

Florida Premiere

United States | 2023 | 70 Min. | Dir. Zeshaan Younus

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

A friendship is tested as two women experience something strange in the desert.

The Ceremony Is About to Begin

Florida Premiere

United States | 2024 | 70 Min. | Dir. Sean Nichols Lynch

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

Madness, mayhem, and mummification rites ensue when a documentary filmmaker visits the rural commune of an Ancient Egyptian inspired cult to interview its enigmatic leader.

Haunted Ulster Live

East Coast Premiere

United Kingdom | 2023 | 80 Min. | Dir. Dominic O’Neill

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

On Halloween night in 1988, a TV veteran teams up with a popular children’s presenter to investigate poltergeist activity in a haunted house in Belfast.

I Will Never Leave You Alone

Florida Premiere

United States | 2023 | 93 Min. | Dir. DW Medoff

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

After his release from prison, a brooding man with a dark past must stay in a haunted house to clear it of spirits, facing a witch-ghost that may be worse than prison.

Livescreamers

Florida Premiere

United States | 2023 | 90 Min. | Dir. Michelle Iannantuono

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

A popular group of content creators face the ultimate lesson in teamwork when a haunted video game begins killing them one by one.

The Lonely Man with the Ghost Machine

Florida Premiere

United States | 2024 | 90 Min. | Dir. Graham Skipper

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

After a global catastrophe, the last man on Earth questions his purpose and sanity as his deceased wife and a mysterious stranger confront him with his past, present, and the future in the wastes of a dead world.

Mysterious Ways

East Coast Premiere

United States | 2024 | 92 Min. | Dir. Tyler Eaton

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

Two sibling youth pastors who accidentally possess a member of their youth group with a demonic spirit must stop her rampage on Halloween night, before Satanic forces usher in the End of Days.

Old Wounds

World Premiere

United States | 2024 | 109 Min. | Dir. Steven Hugh Nelson

In-Theater Exclusive

*Director Steven Hugh Nelson and producers Erica Nelson and Anthony Cousins expected in person

An aspiring filmmaker documents a road trip with his girlfriend to meet her family. As he learns more about her past, they discover he’s not the only one filming them.

Sheryl

Southeast US Premiere

United States | 2023 | 71 Min. | Dir. Justin Best

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

After being dumped by her serial killer boyfriend, a beauty-obsessed woman goes on a blood-soaked quest to create the perfect female face, while navigating her new relationship with the cop investigating the murders.

Sigil

Southeast US Premiere

United States | 2024 | 111 Min. | Dir. Jacob Perrett

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

Two girls unknowingly conjure a witch while celebrating their anniversary in the countryside.

Video Vision

Florida Premiere

United States | 2024 | 84 Min. | Dir. Michael Turney

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

A RetroTech Romance about a woman who unlocks the dark dimension of Dr. Analog through an old VCR.

The Wheel of Heaven

South Florida Premiere

United States | 2023 | 103 Min. | Dir. Joe Badon

Virtual Exclusive (Available in the US)

A woman caught up in predatory relationships is thrown into a multi-layered world of choices after she discovers a mystical book in a thrift store.

IN THEATER RETRO LINEUP

A Nightmare on Elm Street

40th Anniversary Presentation, “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon

United States | 1984 | 91 Min. | Dir. Wes Craven

Teenager Nancy Thompson must uncover the dark truth concealed by her parents after she and her friends become targets of the spirit of a serial killer with a bladed glove in their dreams, in which if they die, it kills them in real life.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge

“Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon

United States | 1985 | 87 Min. | Dir. Jack Sholder

A teenage boy is haunted in his dreams by deceased child murderer Freddy Krueger, who is out to possess him in order to continue his reign of terror in the real world.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

“Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
United States | 1987 | 87 Min. | Dir. Chuck Russell

 A psychiatrist, familiar with knife-wielding dream demon, Freddy Krueger, helps teens at a mental hospital battle the killer who is invading their dreams.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: Dream Master

“Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
United States | 1988 | 93 Min. | Dir. Renny Harlin

 Freddy Krueger returns once again to terrorize the dreams of the remaining Dream Warriors, as well as those of a young woman who may be able to defeat him for good.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child

35th Anniversary Presentation, “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
United States | 1989 | 89 Min. | Dir. Stephen Hopkins

 Through the dreams of an unborn child, Freddy has resurrected himself, hoping to be reborn into the real world.

Candyman

Special Presentation
United States | 1992 | 99 Min. | Dir. Bernard Rose

*Actor Tony Todd expected in person

 The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster’s myth.

Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare

“Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
United States | 1991 | 89 Min. | Dir. Rachel Talalay

 Dream-haunting Freddy Krueger returns once again to prowl the nightmares of Springwood’s last surviving teenager, and of a woman whose personal connection to Krueger may mean his doom.

Mahakaal

30th Anniversary Presentation, “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
India | 1994 | 132 Min. | Dirs. Shyam Ramsay & Tulsi Ramsay

 A dream demon torments the family and friends of a young woman in order to take revenge on his death, which was caused by her police-officer father.

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare

30th Anniversary Presentation, “Up All Night with Freddy” Marathon
United States | 1994 | 112 Min. | Dir. Wes Craven

 A demonic force has chosen Freddy Krueger as its portal to the real world. Can Heather Langenkamp play the part of Nancy one last time and trap the evil trying to enter our world?

Access to the in-theater experience is free and open to the public on a first come first served basis, but a limited number of In-Theater All-Access VIP Badges will be available for guests who would like an all-inclusive experience with reserved seating for all films and special events hosted at the Savor Cinema Fort Lauderdale and Paradigm Cinema’s Gateway Theater, Popcorn Frights’ official host venues. Separate virtual passes are also available and will provide access to every film streaming in the festival’s virtual program. To order an In-Theater All-Access VIP Badge, click here, to order a Virtual All-Access Pass, click here.