FANGORIA x Regal Theaters Monthly Horror Screenings 2026

Horror fans, mark your calendars: the 13th of every month just got a whole lot scarier. FANGORIA and Regal Theaters have officially announced a groundbreaking partnership — a national monthly horror movie screening series called FANGORIA Staff Picks. The series launched on April 1, 2026, and kicks off with its very first screening on April 13, 2026, sending horror enthusiasts scrambling for tickets to experience one of the genre's most iconic films on the big screen again.

This isn't just a one-time event. It's a recurring horror communal experience that transforms movie theaters into gathering places for the genre's most passionate fans. If you've been searching for a reason to get back into your local Regal cinema, this is it.

What Is the FANGORIA Staff Picks Series?

FANGORIA Staff Picks is a monthly horror movie watch party hosted exclusively at Regal Theaters locations across the United States. Every month, on the 13th, FANGORIA's editorial team selects a beloved or essential horror film for a theatrical screening — creating what amounts to a national horror movie night shared simultaneously by fans from coast to coast.

The concept taps into something deeply nostalgic and social: the shared experience of watching a horror film surrounded by strangers in the dark, reacting together to every jump scare, atmospheric dread, and shocking twist. FANGORIA Editor In Chief Phil Nobile Jr. has emphasized that the communal experience of horror in theaters is unlike anything you can replicate at home — and the FANGORIA Staff Picks series is built entirely around reviving that magic.

Each screening includes:

• Exclusive content, context, and conversation curated by the FANGO Staff
• A free collectible patch for every attendee
• Special deals for Regal Crown Club and Regal Unlimited members

Fans can also follow the official Fango Staff Picks broadcast channel to stay updated on future film selections before they're widely announced.

The First Film: Why 'Sinister' Is the Perfect Launch

For its debut screening on April 13, 2026, the FANGORIA Staff Picks series has chosen Sinister (2012) — and it's a selection that signals exactly what kind of series this is going to be. Directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Ethan Hawke as Ellison Oswalt, a true crime writer who moves his family into a house where a gruesome murder took place, Sinister is widely regarded as one of the most effective and genuinely terrifying horror films ever made.

In fact, Sinister has been scientifically cited as one of the scariest horror movies ever made — a distinction backed by viewer research measuring heart rate and stress responses during the film. The movie blends supernatural dread, found footage elements, and a deeply unsettling villain in Bughuul (also known as "Mr. Boogie") to deliver a horror experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

Watching Sinister on a massive theater screen with a crowd of fellow horror fans is a fundamentally different experience than streaming it alone at home. The sound design, Bughuul's appearances in the Super 8 footage sequences, and the film's oppressive atmosphere are tailor-made for theatrical exhibition. If you want to own the film for your collection, the Sinister (2012) Blu-ray is a must-have for any horror library.

How to Get Tickets and What to Expect

Tickets for FANGORIA Staff Picks screenings are available through Regal's standard ticketing platforms. If you're a Regal Crown Club member or a Regal Unlimited subscriber, you'll have access to exclusive pricing and deals — making this one of the most cost-effective ways to enjoy premium theatrical horror experiences on a monthly basis.

Here's what to expect when you arrive:

• Collectible patch: Every attendee walks away with a free collectible patch tied to the featured film — a tangible keepsake that transforms each screening into a mini-convention experience.
• FANGO-curated content: Before or alongside the film, expect exclusive introductions, context, and commentary from the FANGORIA team — the kind of deep-cut knowledge and enthusiasm that only horror's most authoritative publication can provide.
• Community atmosphere: These screenings are designed to feel like events, not just movie showings. Come ready to laugh, scream, and share the experience with fellow fans.

Screenings take place at Regal locations nationwide, meaning whether you're in a major metro area or a smaller market, there's likely a participating theater near you.

Why This Partnership Makes Perfect Sense

FANGORIA is the oldest and most respected horror entertainment brand in the world, having published since 1979. The magazine and its digital presence have guided generations of horror fans through the genre's history, breaking news, championing filmmakers, and building an incredibly loyal community. Pairing FANGORIA's curatorial authority with Regal's national theatrical footprint creates something the horror world has genuinely been missing: a dedicated, recurring, institutionalized horror movie event.

For Regal, the partnership represents a smart strategy in a post-pandemic theatrical landscape where event cinema — screenings tied to anniversaries, special presentations, and fandom — has consistently outperformed expectations. Horror is one of the most reliably profitable genres in theaters, and FANGORIA's built-in audience represents exactly the kind of passionate, repeat-attendance demographic that exhibitors value.

For FANGORIA, it extends the brand beyond publishing into live, experiential entertainment — a direction the company has been building toward with events, podcasts, and digital content for several years.

The Resurgence of Event Cinema and Horror's Theatrical Power

The FANGORIA Staff Picks series arrives at a moment when event cinema is booming. Theatrical screenings tied to special occasions — anniversary screenings, director's cuts, fandom watch parties — have demonstrated that audiences will return to theaters for experiences they can't replicate at home. Horror, in particular, has always thrived in the theatrical environment.

There's a physiological reason for this: fear is a shared, social emotion. Watching a horror film in a crowd amplifies the experience. Screams are contagious. Tension is communal. The relief of a scare passing feels better when it's shared. FANGORIA and Regal are explicitly leaning into this dynamic by framing their screenings as watch parties — social events built around shared genre love, not just passive viewership.

For horror enthusiasts who've been building out their home theater setups, adding titles like the Sinister (2012) Blu-ray to their physical media collection is a natural complement to attending these monthly events — own the classics, then experience them communally.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where do FANGORIA Staff Picks screenings take place?

Screenings are held on the 13th of every month at Regal Theaters locations across the United States. The first screening takes place on April 13, 2026, featuring Sinister (2012).

What is the first film being screened in the FANGORIA Staff Picks series?

The inaugural selection is Sinister (2012), directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Ethan Hawke. The film is often cited — including by scientific studies — as one of the scariest horror movies ever made.

Do I need a Regal membership to attend?

No, tickets are available to the general public. However, Regal Crown Club and Regal Unlimited members receive exclusive deals and pricing for each FANGORIA Staff Picks screening.

What do attendees receive at each screening?

Every attendee receives a free collectible patch themed around the featured film, plus access to exclusive content, context, and conversation from the FANGORIA editorial staff.

How can I stay updated on future FANGORIA Staff Picks film selections?

FANGORIA has launched an official Fango Staff Picks broadcast channel where upcoming selections will be announced. Following this channel is the best way to get early notice on future screenings.

Conclusion: A New Horror Tradition Begins on the 13th

The FANGORIA Staff Picks series at Regal Theaters is exactly the kind of initiative the horror community has been waiting for. By combining FANGORIA's unmatched editorial authority, Regal's national theatrical reach, and the genre's inherently communal power, this monthly series has the potential to become one of horror's most beloved annual traditions — one screening at a time.

Whether you're a lifelong FANGORIA reader, a casual horror fan, or someone who has simply been looking for a reason to get back into a movie theater, April 13, 2026 is your starting point. Grab your tickets, claim your collectible patch, and prepare to experience one of the scariest films ever made the way it was meant to be seen — in the dark, with a crowd, on the 13th.