Beyond Fest, Los Angeles’ largest genre film festival, unveiled its full 2026 program Wednesday, setting up a 14-day run packed with premieres, retrospectives and in-person guests rarely gathered under one marquee.
The festival opens September 23 with Lance Oppenheim’s “Primetime” and closes October 6 with Bassam Tariq’s “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother.” Between those bookends sit 81 features, including 10 world premieres and four North American premieres, spread across venues at the Egyptian Theatre, the Mubi Theatre at the Aero, Directors Village and the Mubi Theatre at the Los Feliz 3.
Horror anthology fans get “V/H/S/Mixtape,” a new installment built from segments by Ernest Dickerson, Flying Lotus, Tobias Forge, David Moreau, RZA and Renee Zhan. Robert Eggers will take over the Egyptian in person, running his four features — “The Witch,” “The Lighthouse,” “The Northman” and “Nosferatu” — back to back while previewing his coming project “Werwulf.” Mike Flanagan returns with the opening two episodes of his Stephen King adaptation “Carrie,” and Alex Gibney brings his new documentary on Elon Musk, titled simply “Musk.”
The slate mixes new discoveries with restorations and tributes. A 35mm print of Ken Russell’s “The Devils” screens alongside a 4K restoration of E. Elias Merhige’s 1989 film “Begotten,” with Merhige introducing it in person. M. Night Shyamalan headlines a 12-film retrospective spanning his career, including a triple feature of his so-called “Eastrail 177” trilogy. Other scheduled guests include Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Mann, Al Pacino, Danny DeVito and Dolph Lundgren.
American Cinematheque Director of Programming Chris LeMaire said the festival thrives when a world premiere, an emerging filmmaker, a large-format epic and a rare tribute can share the same lineup, calling this year’s slate a reflection of the partnership’s range and dedication to theatrical film.
Beyond Fest is presented by Mubi and produced with the American Cinematheque, with proceeds from ticket sales supporting the nonprofit institution. The event began in 2013 as a small genre showcase and has grown into the highest-attended genre festival in the country.
