Hysteria Fest is preparing to return to St. Louis for its fifth year, with organizers revealing the first wave of programming for the 2026 edition running July 8–12. This year’s festival lineup highlights independent horror, repertory screenings, premieres, and a focused celebration of Japanese horror cinema.
Among the early announcements is the Midwest premiere of Ugly Cry, Emily Robinson’s psychological horror feature that has been making rounds on the festival circuit. Hysteria Fest will also host the world premiere of Hag, the latest feature from Jackie Kelly and cult filmmaker Eric Stanze, positioning it as one of the festival’s key debut screenings.
The festival’s Japanese horror programming will include repertory screenings of Battle Royale, Audition, Ringu, and a special 4K presentation marking the 100th anniversary of A Page of Madness. Organizers are also planning contemporary Japanese short films, filmmaker spotlights, and live programming exploring the influence and history of J-Horror.
Additional titles and events announced include the world premiere of Down the Long River, starring Felissa Rose and Matt Cardona, along with Reaper Road from filmmaker Mando Franco. Guests can also expect filmmaker Q&As, outdoor screenings, trivia events, and a live J-Horror podcast hosted by Destroy the Brain.
Hysteria Fest will continue its partnership with the St. Louis International Film Festival, with one selected title earning an invitation to screen at SLIFF later this year. The full festival lineup will be revealed June 5, with badge holder reservations opening June 10 and individual tickets available beginning June 15. For horror fans interested in emerging genre voices, repertory classics, and international programming, Hysteria Fest’s fifth year is shaping up to offer a broad mix of experiences.
