FANGORIA x Regal Cinemas Monthly Horror Screenings Launch

Horror fans, mark your calendars: the theatrical experience just got a terrifying upgrade. On April 1, 2026, FANGORIA — the legendary horror entertainment brand — and Regal Cinemas announced a brand-new monthly screening series called FANGORIA Staff Picks, bringing curated horror classics back to the big screen in a communal, event-style format. The debut screening of the partnership kicks off on April 13, 2026, with the 2012 psychological horror masterpiece Sinister — and if this first event is any indication, horror fans have something truly special to look forward to every single month.

What Is FANGORIA Staff Picks at Regal Cinemas?

FANGORIA Staff Picks is a national monthly horror movie watch party series hosted exclusively at Regal theaters across the country. The concept is simple but inspired: each month, on the 13th, FANGORIA's editorial team selects a horror film — classic or cult favorite — and brings it back to the big screen with all the trimmings of a true horror event.

This isn't just a standard repertory screening. The series is designed to be an immersive, community-driven experience. Attendees can expect special content, context, and conversation from the FANGORIA staff, turning what might otherwise be a simple re-release into something closer to a horror convention screening room or a curated film club night. The 13th was an obvious choice for the screening date — a nod to the genre's long obsession with that famously unlucky number.

FANGORIA Editor In Chief Phil Nobile Jr. captured the spirit of the initiative perfectly, describing the goal as cultivating horror viewing "into a full-blown ritual." That language is deliberate. Horror has always been a genre defined by communal experience — the shared scream, the group gasp, the post-film debrief in the parking lot. FANGORIA Staff Picks is engineering exactly that kind of ritual on a national scale.

The First Screening: Sinister on April 13, 2026

The debut film couldn't be a better choice. Sinister, the 2012 supernatural horror film directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Ethan Hawke, is widely regarded as one of the most genuinely frightening mainstream horror films of the past two decades. Hawke plays a true crime writer who discovers a box of disturbing Super 8 home movies in his new house, unlocking a mystery tied to an ancient pagan deity.

The film is notorious for consistently topping "scariest movies ever made" lists, including studies that have measured actual physiological fear responses in viewers. Watching it alone at home is unsettling enough — watching it in a packed Regal theater on the 13th of the month, surrounded by fellow horror devotees, is an entirely different proposition.

If you want to revisit the film before or after the event, you can grab the Sinister (Blu-ray) to add it to your collection. But for the full experience, the Regal screening is the way to go.

Exclusive Perks: Collectible Patches and Member Benefits

One of the most exciting elements of the FANGORIA Staff Picks series is what attendees actually take home. Every person who attends a screening receives a free collectible patch — a tangible, physical memento of the event that feeds directly into horror fandom culture. Patches have become a beloved collectible format in the horror community, decorating jackets, bags, and display boards worldwide. Over time, a full set of FANGORIA Staff Picks patches could become a genuinely coveted collection.

Beyond the patch, the series offers exclusive deals for Regal Crown Club and Regal Unlimited members. For anyone already subscribed to Regal's membership tiers, this series becomes an even more compelling reason to maintain (or upgrade) that membership. Regal Unlimited, which offers subscribers unlimited movie tickets for a flat monthly fee, makes attending every single monthly horror screening essentially free beyond the cost of the subscription itself — an incredible value proposition for dedicated horror fans.

Regal Crown Club members also stand to benefit from special perks tied to the series, though the full scope of those benefits is likely to be detailed closer to each screening date. If you're a horror fan who frequents Regal theaters and you're not already a member of one of these programs, the launch of FANGORIA Staff Picks is a strong argument to sign up.

Why This Partnership Makes Perfect Sense

FANGORIA is one of the most trusted names in horror. Founded in 1979, the magazine and media brand has spent nearly five decades serving as the authoritative voice of horror fandom — covering films, interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and genre culture with an obsessive depth that mainstream entertainment media simply doesn't match. When FANGORIA puts its name on a horror experience, the genre's most passionate fans take notice.

Regal Cinemas, meanwhile, is one of the largest theater chains in the United States, with hundreds of locations across the country. The partnership gives FANGORIA's curatorial vision a massive, national platform, and gives Regal a way to draw dedicated audiences on nights that might otherwise see lower attendance.

The timing is also smart from a broader industry perspective. Theatrical exhibition has been navigating a complex landscape in recent years, and event cinema — one-night or limited-run screenings of beloved films with added programming elements — has consistently proven to be one of the most effective ways to bring audiences back to theaters for something they can't get at home. A monthly horror series with collectible giveaways, brand-name curation from FANGORIA, and an active fan community built around it is a textbook example of event cinema done right.

For more details on the announcement, read the full coverage of the FANGORIA and Regal partnership here.

How to Attend a FANGORIA Staff Picks Screening

Getting involved is straightforward. Screenings take place on the 13th of every month at Regal theaters nationwide. To attend:

• Check the Regal Cinemas website or app for participating locations and ticket availability for each monthly screening
• Purchase tickets through the standard Regal ticketing system — Unlimited members can use their subscription
• Arrive early to make sure you receive your free collectible patch (quantities may be limited, so early arrival is recommended)
• Engage with the FANGORIA staff programming included as part of each event for the full experience
• Follow FANGORIA's social media channels for monthly film announcements — the April 13 screening of Sinister is just the beginning

Given that this is a national series tied to one of the most recognizable brands in horror, demand for the early screenings — especially the debut — is likely to be high. Booking in advance is strongly advised.

What to Expect From Future FANGORIA Staff Picks Events

With the series structured as a monthly event on the 13th, fans can look forward to a new horror title every single month. While the full slate of upcoming films hasn't been announced, the "Staff Picks" format suggests a mix of beloved classics, underrated gems, and potentially some more recent horror films that the FANGORIA editorial team wants to champion.

The growing collectible patch series is itself a compelling reason to attend every month. As the series matures, early patches from the debut screenings will likely carry significant sentimental (and potentially collector) value within horror fan communities. Horror merchandise and collectibles — from horror movie collectible figures to limited edition prints — have a robust secondary market, and a FANGORIA-branded patch series tied to theatrical events could follow the same trajectory.

There's also the community dimension to consider. Regular monthly events at local Regal theaters have the potential to build genuine local horror communities — groups of fans who see each other month after month, share recommendations, and form the kind of scene that horror fans have always gravitated toward at conventions and film festivals, but now available in their own city every month.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the first FANGORIA Staff Picks screening?

The first screening is on April 13, 2026, featuring Sinister (2012) at Regal theaters nationwide.

What film is being shown at the debut screening?

Sinister, the 2012 horror film directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Ethan Hawke. It's available on Sinister (Blu-ray) for home viewing as well.

Do all attendees receive a collectible patch?

Yes — every attendee at a FANGORIA Staff Picks screening receives a free collectible patch as part of the event experience.

Are there special perks for Regal members?

Yes. Both Regal Crown Club and Regal Unlimited members receive exclusive deals as part of the FANGORIA Staff Picks series. Unlimited members can also apply their subscription to attend the monthly screenings.

How often do FANGORIA Staff Picks screenings happen?

The series runs monthly, always on the 13th, exclusively at Regal theaters across the United States.

The Bottom Line

The FANGORIA x Regal Cinemas FANGORIA Staff Picks series represents one of the most exciting developments in horror event cinema in years. By combining FANGORIA's unimpeachable genre credibility, Regal's national theater network, a perfectly timed monthly date, and tangible collectible rewards, this partnership has the ingredients to become a genuine institution in horror fan culture.

Whether you're a lifelong horror devotee or someone who's been looking for a reason to make theatrical moviegoing a regular habit again, the 13th of every month at your local Regal theater is now a date worth protecting on your calendar. The ritual begins on April 13, 2026 — and with Sinister as the opening act, it's starting on very solid, very scary ground.