October 27–31, 2026 @ Bonnie Kate Theater
The monsters are back—and they want revenge. Monster Fest 3: The Revenge comes to the historic Bonnie Kate Theater Oct, 20–31, bringing audiences a celebration of movie history, Halloween mischief and things best left undisturbed in the laboratory.
From silent nightmares and Universal monsters to vampire favorites and family comedy, the festival invites moviegoers to choose their own level of goosebumps.
Opening night on Tuesday, Oct.20, features "Frankenstein" at 7 p.m. and "The Wolf Man" at 8:30 p.m. These landmark films helped establish the creatures and atmosphere that still define Halloween on screen.
Families can share the Halloween fun with "Hotel Transylvania" and "Ghostbusters." The PG-rated animated comedy "Hotel Transylvania"screens Saturday, Oct.24, at 2 p.m., welcoming younger monster enthusiasts for an afternoon of laughs.Ghostbustersbrings supernatural mischief, familiar faces and an opportunity for parents to introduce another generation to a Halloween favorite. Families should review individual film ratings and listings when choosing their outing.
Saturday evening, Oct.24, belongs to the vampires. At 7 p.m., "The Lost Boys" brings its leather jackets, rock music and dangerously attractive nightlife back to the big screen. "Fright Night"follows at 9 p.m., proving that getting to know the neighbors can be a terrible idea. Both films are rated R.
For vintage scares served with laughs, "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein"screens Tuesday, Oct.27, at 8:30 p.m., pitting the comedy duo against some of Universal’s most famous monsters.
With its origins in the silent-film era and its Centennial Celebration approaching in 2027, the Bonnie Kate offers a fitting setting for a journey through screen horror. Monster Fest returns these films to the experience that made them memorable: a dark auditorium, a big screen and an audience sharing every startled gasp and nervous laugh.
On Wednesday, Oct.21, "The Phantom of the Opera" screens at 7 p.m., followed by "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"at 8:30 p.m. Their haunting performances, distorted scenery and dramatic shadows offer a glimpse of how filmmakers frightened audiences before characters could be heard screaming.
Other festival selections include "Scream," "The Exorcist," "Night of the Living Dead," "Shaun of the Dead," "Psycho,""The Birds" and "Bride of Frankenstein." Together, the films span generations of suspense, supernatural terror and horror comedy.
Halloween night brings a special treat for horror fans: afree screening of John Carpenter’s "Halloween" (1978) at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct.31. Michael Myers returns to the big screen for an evening that proves a simple mask, a familiar neighborhood and an unforgettable musical theme can still make audiences check over their shoulders. The film is rated R.
At 10 p.m., the celebration takes a decidedly different turn with "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," sponsored byJiggy Ray’s Downtown Pizzeria. Rocky Horror requires a separate paid ticket and is excluded from all festival passes. Fishnets, it seems, deserve their own reservation.
Individual tickets and festival passes are available online. Patrons should review each film’s rating and event details when planning their visit, as the festival includes both family offerings and films intended for mature audiences.
The Bonnie Kate Theater is located at115 S. Sycamore Street in downtown Elizabethton. For the complete schedule and tickets, visitbonniekatetheater.org.
Category: Film