Move over, pumpkin spice, this spooky season belongs to Janelle Monáe. AMC and AMC+ just dropped the official FearFest trailer, and it’s a full-on Halloween spectacle hosted by the multi-hyphenate icon herself. Known for pushing creative boundaries in everything she touches — whether it’s music, film (Glass Onion, Antebellum), or fashion — Monáe steps into her role as FearFest’s host with the kind of flair only a true HalloQueen could deliver.
The 2025 edition of FearFest is bigger than ever, boasting over 650 hours of horror content, from the slasher staples to brand-new series and specials. But this year’s real showstopper is the trailer itself, titled “Carnival of Frights.” Directed by Alan Ferguson — Monáe’s longtime collaborator and visual visionary — the trailer transforms the classic carnival into a kaleidoscope of eerie elegance. It’s a stylish, artful homage to horror, complete with Monáe’s playful nods to the genre’s most iconic villains: Freddy’s blades, Michael’s knife, and plenty of gothic glam in between.
Monáe’s love of horror is pure passion. She’s curated her own FearFest collection, “FearFest Favorites by Janelle Monáe,” now streaming on AMC+. Expect the films that shaped her as both an artist and a fan. Titles that blend the creepy, the campy, and the culturally resonant. It’s giving blaxploitation horror flick vibes, y’all!
And because no Monáe production is complete without a party, FearFest also extends into the real world with BACARDÍ Rum taking center stage as the “spirit of the season.” The brand is partnering with WME and Wondaland Arts Society to power Monáe’s annual Wondaween bash, a Halloween event that’s as legendary as her music videos. Attendees can sip on themed cocktails like the BACARDÍ Rave Yard Mojito, created exclusively for FearFest.
But the treats don’t stop there. Kraft Heinz is serving up their own spooky twist, spotlighting Velveeta in custom cross-platform content and sponsoring the “Best of FearFest” collection on AMC+. What’s a horror marathon without some comfort food on the couch? This is about to be a whole mood!
Programming-wise, AMC’s lineup reads like a greatest-hits list for horror lovers: A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Final Destination all return, alongside Stephen King classics like It, The Shining (celebrating its 45th anniversary), and Misery (turning 35). Plus, fans can dive into new episodes of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and the hauntingly mysterious new series Talamasca: The Secret Order from the Anne Rice Universe.
For the diehard horror buffs, The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs will feature a double feature of A Nightmare on Elm Street and Freddy vs. Jason — the ultimate slash-off.
So, whether you’re streaming Monáe’s curated picks with a BACARDÍ cocktail in hand or revisiting your favorite scream queens and final boys, FearFest 2025 promises a month-long celebration of everything that makes horror so deliciously addictive.
Check out the full schedule at AMC.com/FearFest25, and get ready to bow down to the new queen of spooky season.
