As the 30th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival prepares to take over Montreal from July 16 through August 2, 2026, genre fans can once again expect a lineup that spans horror, action, documentary, and dark comedy. This year’s program features returning filmmakers, anticipated sequels, and several world premieres that showcase the festival’s commitment to diverse genre storytelling. Here are five notable titles screening at Fantasia 2026.

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF BECKY – Screening July 25

After surviving two films’ worth of violent confrontations, Becky returns in The Last Temptation of Becky, directed by Jenn Wexler and written by Wexler and Matt Angel. This latest chapter finds Becky, played once again by Lulu Wilson, working undercover as a CIA field agent in Poland. Her mission takes her to The Wolf’s Lair, Adolf Hitler’s infamous wartime bunker, where she uncovers a dangerous plot led by Wilhelm Reuss, portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris. Featuring a cast that also includes Kate Siegel, Brandon Flynn, Catherine Walker, and James Urbaniak, the film continues the franchise’s blend of action, horror, and dark humor.

RUBBERHEAD: THE LIFE AND MONSTERS OF STEVE JOHNSON – Screening July 23

Documentary fans and practical effects enthusiasts will want to seek out Rubberhead: The Life and Monsters of Steve Johnson. Directed by Nick Taylor, the documentary explores the career and personal journey of legendary special effects artist Steve Johnson. Through interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and reflections on the practical effects boom of the 1980s and beyond, Rubberhead examines both Johnson’s groundbreaking creative achievements and the personal challenges that accompanied his success. Featuring appearances by John Landis, Linnea Quigley, Tom Holland, and Bill Corso, the documentary offers a firsthand look at one of Hollywood’s most influential creature creators.

UNHOLY NIGHT – World Premiere

Director Michael Gabriele brings holiday horror to Fantasia with the world premiere of Unholy Night, a horror-comedy centered on one family’s Christmas Eve celebration gone disastrously wrong. Marc Bendavid stars as Gino, a man already struggling with family expectations when an unexpected visit from his deceased grandmother signals the arrival of a supernatural crisis. As the undead begin appearing throughout the neighborhood, Gino and his family must navigate both family tensions and a growing outbreak of chaos. Following his award-winning Fantasia shorts Get Away and Room Tone, Gabriele expands his blend of comedy and horror into feature-length territory with a cast that includes Shailene Garnett, Ron Lea, and Jacqueline Robbins.

ATTACK ON PARADISE – Screening July 19

Action cinema takes center stage with Bob Colaers’ Attack on Paradise. The film follows Suleyman, played by co-writer Saïd Boumazoughe, as he returns home after seven years in prison only to find his former apartment complex under the control of a criminal organization. When a police raid transforms the building into a war zone, Suleyman teams up with rookie officer Yasmine in an effort to rescue his mother and survive the escalating conflict. Featuring extensive hand-to-hand combat and large-scale action sequences, Attack on Paradise combines intense action choreography with a character-driven story of family, survival, and redemption.

FREAKS PART II – Closing Night Film, August 2

Fantasia 2026 will conclude with the world premiere of Freaks Part II, the long-awaited follow-up to the 2018 cult science fiction thriller. Directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein return to continue the story of individuals living with extraordinary abilities while facing persecution from the Abnormal Defence Force. Amanda Crew stars alongside newcomer Lorelei Olivia Mote as a mother and daughter forced to remain in hiding while confronting both external threats and unresolved trauma from their past. The cast also includes Lili Taylor, Reznor Allen, and Stephen Tobolowsky. Building upon the themes introduced in the original film, Freaks Part II explores questions of family, identity, and survival in a world increasingly hostile to those who are different.

With returning filmmakers, major world premieres, documentaries celebrating genre history, and ambitious new features from around the world, Fantasia 2026 once again offers a broad snapshot of contemporary genre cinema. As audiences gather in Montreal this July and August, these five films represent just a small sample of the discoveries waiting at one of genre filmmaking’s most enduring festivals.

Visit the Fantasia Film Festival website for tickets and screening details.