Key Facts
Montreal's Fantasia Festival marks its 30th anniversary in 2026 with a lineup of genre-bending films. The festival runs from July 14 onward, showcasing world premieres and North American debuts. Here are ten must-see movies that promise wild narratives, from Nazi beatdowns to Christmas chaos.
1. Sour Minnows
Director Harrison Atkins returns with 'Sour Minnows', a follow-up to his debut 'Lace Crater'. The story follows Ricky (David Brown) and Tepper (Chase Williamson) who accidentally pierce reality and witness six men licking a street. Things escalate as Ricky's relationship with Aura (Suzanna Son) intertwines with the pursuit of 'The Yellow Thing', a being that wears others' skin.
2. The Last Temptation of Becky
The third installment of the 'Becky' franchise sees the Nazi-killing heroine (Lulu Wilson) now working as a CIA agent. Directed by Jenn Wexler, the film pits Becky against a modern Nazi played by Neil Patrick Harris. Expect intense action and emotional battles between good and evil.
3. The Eyes
A remake of the 2010 thriller 'Julia's Eyes', this Korean adaptation stars Shin Min-a as Seo-jin, a woman scheduled for a corneal transplant from her twin sister. When the sister commits suicide, Seo-jin suspects her stalker ex-boyfriend. Director Yeom Ji-ho crafts a spooky mystery.
4. Corpus
Set in late-1990s New York City, Corrin Evans's period thriller follows Sayo (Jeff Wahlberg), a nightlife fixture who attends a party upstate to meet a movie star (Brodie Townsend). Things take an unexpected turn, offering a dreamy, queer portrait of youth.
5. Freaks Part II
Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein return to their 2018 indie sci-fi hit with a sequel. Mary (Amanda Crew) and her daughter Chloe (Lorelei Olivia Mote) flee the Abnormal Defense Force while Chloe learns to control her powers. The film balances family themes with creative gore.
6. The Glorious Dead
The Adams Family's latest film follows a sheriff (Toby Poser) and her deputy (Zelda Adams) investigating evil in their small town. After winning the Cheval Noir Award for 'Mother of Flies', this family affair promises suspense.
7. Unholy Night
A bloody Christmas horror reminiscent of 'Evil Dead', director Michael Gabriele's debut features a dead grandma who won't stay down during family time. Expect funny and gross-out moments in this off-season holiday treat.
8. Suzuki=Bakudan
A man (Jiro Sato) arrested for assault claims he can predict the future and warns police about bombs set to explode hourly. Detective Yuki Yamada must unravel the mystery in Akira Nagai's feature.
9. Nameless
Based on Jiro Sato's web-manga, this film follows a man who can kill instantly without a weapon. Police track his deadly antics on CCTV. Hideo Jojo's kinetic direction makes the 81-minute runtime fly by.
10. The Mouths
Director Takashi Shimizu delivers a J-horror entry about a cursed tree in a haunted cemetery. When someone disturbs the tree, chaos ensues. The film relies on creepy atmosphere and lore rather than jump scares.
FAQ
What is the Fantasia Festival?
Fantasia Festival is an annual genre film festival held in Montreal, Canada, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026.
Which films are highlighted in this article?
The article highlights 10 must-see films including 'Sour Minnows', 'The Last Temptation of Becky', 'The Eyes', 'Corpus', 'Freaks Part II', 'The Glorious Dead', 'Unholy Night', 'Suzuki=Bakudan', 'Nameless', and 'The Mouths'.
Who are some notable directors featured?
Notable directors include Harrison Atkins, Jenn Wexler, Yeom Ji-ho, Corrin Evans, Zach Lipovsky, Adam Stein, Michael Gabriele, Akira Nagai, Hideo Jojo, and Takashi Shimizu.