AMC Networks' FearFest 2024: Janelle Monae, marathons and more

AMC Networks’ FearFest is back, bringing tons of horror to fans throughout the Halloween season. This year, artist/actress/musician Janelle Monae will be the official host of the long-running programming event.

AMC will be giving us more than 700 hours of horror programming in the form of iconic franchises, specials, series and more, spread out amongst linear and streaming options. You can keep up with Monae’s horror expertise through social media.

AMC+ subscribers will be treated to a special collection of Monae’s “FearFest Faves,” which include Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Carrie, Puppet Master and much more.

Janelle Monae’s love of horror goes back to her childhood (as it does with most of us), and she said, “My passion for spooky season is entrenched in who I am. As a child, my cousins and I would watch our favorite horror films and my nose would bleed while I smiled. There’s something truly thrilling about sharing the chills that send shivers down my spine.”

What’s on the roster for FearFest in 2024? Let’s take a peek at some highlights:

• The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol made its premiere on September 29, and will continue during October. It's the reunion The Walking Dead fans have been waiting for!

• Shudder series Horror’s Greatest premieres October 3, with new episodes on AMC weekly (or you can binge the series on AMC+ and Shudder) through October 24. The series features horror notables sharing their thoughts and insights on the frightening genre.

• The Last Drive-In: FearFest: Friday the 13th premieres on AMC October 9 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Hosted by the incomparable Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl, this double feature will include the first and second films in the legendary franchise, peppered with JB’s commentary and shenanigans. The special guest will be Adrienne King, Friday the 13th’s first final girl.

• New series The Midwich Cuckoos: Village of the Damned debuts Thursday, October 17 on AMC+. On an ordinary summer evening, the residents of Midwich, a small English village, all fall unconscious. After coming to, the residents discover something horrifying and unexplainable. Based on the excellent novel by John Wyndham, this will be Village of the Damned’s third incarnation. It was made into a film in 1960, and again in 1995 by John Carpenter.

• Joe Bob Briggs is back on October 25 with a new live special, Joe Bob’s Beelzebub Bash. The special will premiere on Shudder TV and AMC+ TV before it is available on demand October 27. The double feature has not been announced yet, but it’s described as “so devilish that they’ll need two special guests to handle the necessary pitchforks.”

There will also be some pretty great marathons, with themes including John Carpenter, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Final Destination and Stephen King.

Keep your eyes on 1428 Elm for more info about FearFest!