The Ross Theater’s 2025 “Fright Fest” Features Evil Dead 2, The Lost Boys, The Excorcist, and More

Mel Brooks turned his considerable comedic talents to this riff on the classic monster story, starring Gene Wilder as the mad scientist and Peter Boyle as his monstrous creation. The film also stars Cloris Leachman, Teri Garr, Madeline Kahn, and Gene Hackman. Released the same year as Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein helped solidify Brooks reputation as a filmmaker, and he considers it his finest film. (Buy Tickets)

As the name suggests, this is a sequel to 1981’s The Evil Dead, but it’s actually more like a reboot. For starters, whereas the original was more of a straightforward horror film, Evil Dead 2 ably splices all of its gore with uproarious humor due in large part to Bruce Campbell’s unhinged performance. Filmed for just a measly $3.5 million, Evil Dead 2 has achieved cult status, and has influenced numerous filmmakers including Don Coscarelli, Eli Craig, Drew Goddard, and Edgar Wright. (Buy Tickets)

Francis Ford Coppola’s take on the classic vampire story has not been without controversy, from his filmmaking methods and deviations from the source material to Keanu Reeves’ woeful miscasting as Jonathan Harker. But there’s no denying that the film is a feast for the eyes, filled with incredible cinematography and vivid production design. And of course, there’s Gary Oldman’s performance as the dreaded Count himself. (Buy Tickets)

Santa Carla, California seems like any other picturesque seaside town. But Sam Emerson, who has just arrived in town with his family, quickly learns that something dark and sinister lurks below the surface — and it’s threatening his family. With a powerhouse ’80s cast that includes Corey Feldman, Jami Gertz, Corey Haim, Jason Patric, and Kiefer Sutherland, The Lost Boys’ cult classic status was guaranteed as soon as it was released in 1987 (Buy Tickets)

Arguably the most (in)famous horror movie of all time, The Exorcist’s story of two priests trying to save a young girl from demonic influence has been surrounded by controversy to this day. When it was released in 1973, The Exorcist was immediately criticized for its shocking and graphic content, which induced fainting and vomiting amongst audience members. Nevertheless, it was the first horror movie ever nominated for a “Best Picture” Oscar and its influence can still be felt throughout pop culture. (Buy Tickets)

Dario Argento’s films have been screened in The Ross’ previous “Fright Fests,” and the string continues with this 1982 giallo about an American author who becomes involved in the search for a serial killer who might’ve been inspired by his writings. Tenebrae is arguably Argento’s most violent film, and underwent extreme cuts in order to satisfy censors. It also lacks many of the supernatural elements that characterized previous films like 1977’s Suspiria. (Buy Tickets)

Written and directed by Brian De Palma, Phantom of the Paradise is a flamboyant rock n’ roll take on both Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera. After a gifted composer is betrayed and left for dead, he swears revenge on the producer who ruined his career and stole his girlfriend. (Buy Tickets)

Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Leonard Nimoy, and Jeff Goldblum star in this sci-fi horror remake about a San Francisco health inspector who discovers that human beings are slowly being replaced by alien replicas. But who can you warn when you can’t tell who’s human or not? Originally released in 1956, this 1978 version is widely considered one of the best remakes of all time, with critics reevaluating its commentary on post-’60s American society. (Buy Tickets)

After 2017’s award-winning Get Out, writer/director Jordan Peele released Us, a darker film about a family on vacation that’s terrorized by their doppelgängers. Much like Get Out, Us received widespread critical and commercial acclaim, and received numerous award nominations; lead Lupita Nyong’o received multiple “Best Actress” awards for her performance as the family matriarch. (Buy Tickets)

After directing some of the most iconic horror films of the ’70s and ’80s, including The Hills Have Eyes and A Nightmare on Elm Street, scream king Wes Craven resurfaced in the ’90s with Scream, a slasher film that deconstructs the genre. Written by Kevin Williamson, Scream follows a group of teens who become targets of a serial killer, and in the process, pays homage to — and pokes fun at — horror and slasher movies. (Buy Tickets)

After the crew of a deep space vessel discovers the wreckage of an alien spaceship, they soon find themselves being hunted by a vicious, cold-blooded creature. Directed by Ridley Scott, with designs inspired by H.R. Giger’s nightmarish artwork, Alien is a sci-fi/horror classic. The movie Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm, and of course, Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, one of sci-fi cinema’s most iconic female characters. (Buy Tickets)

It’s the year 2057 and the Sun is slowly dying. In a last ditch effort to save the sun, Earth has dispatched a spaceship with a “stellar bomb” designed to reignite the Sun. But as they draw closer to their goal, they encounter a spaceship from a previous mission — and not surprisingly, their mission only grows more dangerous. Boasting an international cast that includes Hiroyuki Sanada, Benedict Wong, Cillian Murphy, and Chris Evans, as well as some truly astounding visuals, Sunshine is a very unique sci-fi thriller. (Buy Tickets)

One of 2025’s most acclaimed films, Sinners chronicles the efforts of twin brothers — both played by Michael B. Jordan — who return home to Jim Crow-era Mississippi with plans to create a juke joint for the local Black population. Unfortunately for them, there are greater evils waiting in the darkness than the local KKK. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Sinners is an interesting twist on the vampire genre that’s steeped in Black music and culture. (Buy Tickets)

Ten thousand years in the future, magic and technology are essentially one in the same, and vampires rule the world. The only ones who can battle the undead lords are hunters, deadly warriors who possess special skills and training. The greatest of these hunters is D, whose skills are heightened by the fact that he’s part vampire himself. Based on Hideyuki Kikuchi’s best-selling novels and directed by Toyoo Ashida (Fist of the North Star, Inuyasha), Vampire Hunter D is an ’80s anime cult classic. (Buy Tickets)

After the success of 2007’s Juno, writer Diablo Cody turned her attention to the horror genre with Jennifer’s Body. Megan Fox plays a high school student who goes on a murder spree after becoming possessed. Meanwhile, her best friend (Amanda Seyfried) tried to find a way to stop her. Although Jennifer’s Body was far less successful than Juno, it’s been reevaluated since its release, with some critics now hailing it a queer and feminist classic. (Buy Tickets)

Starring Fairuza Balk, Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True, The Craft is peak ’90s MTV goth, as four schoolgirls explore witchcraft — with dangerous ramifications. Indeed, the film, which was directed by Andrew Fleming, won an MTV Movie Award for “Best Fight” in 1997. (Buy Tickets)

James Woods is an unethical TV president who begins broadcasting snuff footage on his UHF station. Of course, things quickly go wrong, and he’s soon drawn into bizarre conspiracies and even more bizarre transformations. Videodrome is one of the key titles in David Cronenberg’s “body horror” catalog, and is filled with shocking and bizarre imagery. (Buy Tickets)

Shinya Tsukamoto’s body horror flick about a Japanese office worker who begins transforming into a metal monstrosity is a seminal work in the realm of cyberpunk cinema. Inspired by Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and David Cronenberg’s Videodrome, Tsukamoto delivered a visceral film that critics have praised for its visual intensity and experimental spirit. (Buy Tickets)

In this satirical dark comedy, two rival actresses — played by Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn — seek to fend off aging with a potion that grants them immortality. But their selfishness runs amok, leading to all manner of outrageous situations. Also starring Bruce Willis, Isabella Rossellini, and an uncredited Sydney Pollack, Death Becomes Her used revolutionary CGI for its various scenes, garnering it a “Best Visual Effects” award at the 1992 Oscars. (Buy Tickets)

Lon Chaney stars as the titular phantom in Rupert Julian’s silent adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s famous novel. Praised for its makeup and costume design, which were done by Chaney himself, as well as its lavish sets and production, The Phantom of the Opera has been lauded as one of the great silent horror films. Features live musical accompaniment by The Anvil Orchestra. (Buy Tickets)

In one of the silent era’s most influential masterpieces, the mysterious Count Orlok (Max Schreck) summons Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) to his remote Transylvanian castle. The eerie Orlok seeks to buy a house near Hutter and his wife, Ellen (Greta Schroeder). After Orlok reveals his vampire nature, Hutter struggles to escape the castle, knowing that Ellen is in grave danger. Meanwhile Orlok’s servant, Knock (Alexander Granach), prepares for his master to arrive at his new home. Features live musical accompaniment by The Anvil Orchestra. (Buy Tickets)