New York Comic Con is back for it's 20th anniversary! And while it may not be as horror packed as last year's haunted-themed festivities, the Coney Island-themed geekery is still delivering quite a few scares.
If you like the classics, then get ready for nonstop Ghostbusters content, from the Ghostbusters Training Simulator, the Ghostbusters Slime Lab, and the Ghostbusters ESP Test running every day at NYCC's Family HQ!
You can also score photo ops and autographs from horror icons like Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich, Jamie Campbell Bower, Deborah Ann Woll, and more!
But if you love to take in the spookiest first-looks and behind-the scenes discussions, then we have you covered. Here are the must-see horror panels at NYCC 2026!
NYCC Thursday Horror Panels
MASQUERADE: Celebrating 40 Years of The Phantom of the Opera—11:15 AM to 12:15 PM in Room 408
A celebration of 40 years of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Attendees will witness an exploration of how one of the most beloved musicals of all time has been transformed into the immersive theatrical production taking New York City by storm.
Dexter: Resurrection S2 Panel—12:30 PM to 2:00 PM on the Main Stage*
On the 20th anniversary of the Dexter franchise, join the cast and creative team behind Paramount+’s Dexter: Resurrection. Attendees will get an exclusive look at what's to come in the show's second season.
Moderated by Josh Horowitz, the panel will feature Michael C. Hall, Uma Thurman, James Remar, Jack Alcott, Bokeem Woodbine, and Krysten Ritter, as well as showrunner and executive producer Clyde Phillips and executive producers Scott Reynolds and Marcos Siega.
And there will be some exciting surprises!
*This panel requires a reservation. If no reservations are available, a small stand-by line will be set up on the day of the panel.
Romancing the Horror with Horromance—3:30 PM to 4:15 PM in Room 406.1
Horromance is a subgenre that is constantly growing. It explores the places in which passion and fear meet, from doomed lovers to happily-never-afters.
Moderator Shelly Romero is joined by authors Laura R. Samotin, Eric LaRocca, Delilah S. Dawson, and Clay McLeod Chapman as the discuss the ways the genre enchants readers, how romance and horror amplify each other, and what makes us fall in love with the things that frighten us most.
Slaughterverse Unmasked: Inside the World of Something is Killing the Children—5:15 PM to 6:00 PM in Room 406.3
Join the discussion on the haunting universe created by James Tynion IV (Nice House on the Left) and Werther Dell’Edera (Something is Killing the Children) with Executive Editor, DC Comics Chris Conroy and novelist Kiersten White (Hope is a Knife) in conversation with Sami Demonster and BOOM! Studios editors, Ramiro Portnoy and Eric Harburn.
Crystal Lake: Exclusive First-Look Screening—6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on the Empire Stage*
Peacock and A24 are delivering a first-look exclusive screening of the first episode of the brand new prequel to the Friday the 13th franchise, Crystal Lake.
After the screening, stay tuned for a talkback with series creator Brad Caleb Kane and stars Linda Cardellini, William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins, Gwendolyn Sundstrom, and Callum Vinson.
*This panel requires a reservation. If no reservations are available, a small stand-by line will be set up on the day of the panel.
Obsession and Possession: When Bodies Are Taken Over—6:30 PM to 7:15 PM in Room 406.3
Human bodies can be taken over by a number of possessive forces—ghouls, zombies, spirits, demons, and beyond.
This panel explores why the human body is such a great feeding ground for takeovers and creepy makeovers, as well as how much what happens after possession is your fault.
Psychological Thrills & Chills—7:45 PM to 8:30 PM in Room 406.3
Celebrate spooky season with this conversation on psychological thriller and horror novels.
Acclaimed authors Clemence Michallon, Jason Rekulak, L. K. Steven, Emma C. Wells, and Taylor Grothe do a deep dive on their most pulse-pounding stories in this panel moderated by Jess Lee.
LGBTQIA Horror Comics with a Transgressive Edge—8:00 PM to 8:45 PM in Room 1C03
Horror is a genre which is well-known for taking on social issues and deeply personal stories. As such, it has always been a haven for LGBTQ+ audiences and creators alike, allowing for transgressive, explicit, and uncomfortable ideas to unapologetically exist.
Join LGBTQ+ comic book creators Danny Lore, Valerie Complex, Greg Anderson Elysée, Connie Michelle Molina Orjuela, and Faebian Ceruleo alongside moderator Ram Devineni to explore their unique styles and takes on horror.
NYCC Friday Horror Panels
Ghostface Forever: The 30th Anniversary of Scream—11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on the Empire Stage*
This must-see panel celebrates the 30th anniversary of Scream, the slasher that redefined the horror genre.
Join Matthew Lillard, Lee Waddell, Skeet Ulrich, and Jamie Kennedy as they reflect on the iconic horror classic, share behind-the-scenes stories, and discuss Ghostface's lasting legacy.
*This panel requires a reservation. If no reservations are available, a small stand-by line will be set up on the day of the panel.
GHOSTS & ETERNALLY YOURS Panel—1:45 PM to 3:00 PM on the Main Stage*
Get your fill of comedy with this panel on Ghosts, a CBS fan-favorite series, and CBS' brand new series, Eternally Yours.
Stars Utkarsh Ambudkar, Rebecca Wisocky, Sheila Carrasco, Devan Chandler Long, Ed Weeks, Allegra Edwards, Jaren Lewison, Helen J Shen, Parker Young, and Rose Abdoo will be joined by executive producers Joe Port and Joe Wiseman.
*This panel requires a reservation. If no reservations are available, a small stand-by line will be set up on the day of the panel.
Rocky Horror Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again!—1:45 PM to 2:30 PM in Room 406.2
Join the queer and trans stars of Broadway's Rocky Horror for a fast-paced, fun, and candid 45-minute conversation about life under the spotlight, navigating Hollywood, authentic representation, fandom, and the geek culture that helped shape them along the way.
Jake Shears, Kevin McHale, and Anania will be in attendance.
Celebrating 50 Years of Interview with the Vampire—2:00 PM to 2:45 PM in Room 408
Louis, Lestat, and Claudia first graced the pages of our favorite books more than five decades ago.
Celebrate the legacy of this story with those who knew author Ann Rice the best, her son Christopher Rice, her producing partner Eric Shaw Quinn, and her friend JR Ward.
Guarantee your seat at this panel with a separate ticket, which includes a copy of the special 50th Anniversary edition of Interview with the Vampire signed by Christopher RIce. Visit the NYCC Add-On Experiences page to check current ticket availability and purchase.
Any remaining seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Standby seating is not guarantee.
MrBallen Presents The Terror Within—2:45 PM to 3:30 PM in Room 1B02
MrBallen (aka John B. Allen) is one of the most popular storytellers on the internet, with more than 29 million listeners tuning in to hear him share real-life mysteries, unexplained events, and true crime stories.
He's back at comic with his new book, MrBallen Presents: The Terror Within: The Graphic Stories.
Guarantee your seat at this panel with a separate ticket, which includes a signed copy of this book. Visit the NYCC Add-On Experiences page to check current ticket availability and purchase.
Any remaining seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Standby seating is not guarantee.
AMC+ Spotlight: Kill Jackie, YAGA, Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon—3:30 PM to 6:00 PM on the Main Stage*
This panel covers the highlights of some of the year's most highly-anticipated shows!
Join the stars and creators of Kill Jackie, YAGA, Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches, and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon for exclusive reveals, behind-the-scenes stories, and first looks you won't see anywhere else.
*This panel requires a reservation. If no reservations are available, a small stand-by line will be set up on the day of the panel.
Frightening and Fantastic Worlds of James Tynion IV—4:00 PM to 4:45 in Room 1B02
James Tynion IV is an award-winning writer behind many chilling worlds, from Something is Killing the Children to Exquisite Corpses and beyond.
Join him and special guests and collaborators Martin Simmonds and Werther Dell'Edera in a panel moderated by Tiny Onion Community Manager Sami DeMonster!
VIOLENT NIGHT 2 and BLUMFEST 2026—5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on the Empire Stage*
The horror event every NYCC attendee is eager for, Blumfest 2026 has combined with a first-look at the new holiday horror sequel Violent Night 2.
After a conversation and never-before-seen footage is unveiled for Violent Night 2, Blumhouse and Atomic Monster will give insight into their upcoming slate of films, TV shows, and games.
And there will be plenty of surprises!
*This panel requires a reservation. If no reservations are available, a small stand-by line will be set up on the day of the panel.
SLAYYY! DRESSING TO KILL: The Iconic Costumes of FX’s American Horror Story—8:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Room 405
American Horror Story: 13 is haunting NYCC with stars Sarah Paulson, Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, and Leslie Grossman, along with acclaimed costume designers Lou Eyrich and Catherine Crabtree for a spellbinding conversation celebrating the iconic costumes that defined AHS.
NYCC Saturday Horror Panels
Embracing the Horror: Modern Masters of the Genre—12:15 PM to 1:00 PM in Room 1B02
Saga Press is bringing you a top-notch roster of horror writers to celebrate the genre.
Panelists include Stephen Graham Jones, Eric LaRocca, Nick Martell, Alex Singer, and Kris Triana.
THE BOULET BROTHERS’ DRAGULA: 10 YEARS OF TERROR—2:00 PM to 2:45 PM in Room 408
The Boulet Brothers celebrate a decade of horror, filth, and glamour with New York Comic Con. They also give a sneak peak at their show's upcoming seventh season!
Shudder Is Here to Scare the S--- Out of You! Celebrating the Season of Screams—6:30 PM to 7:30 PM in Room 405
Shudder brings special guests David Dastmalchian, Deborah Ann Woll, Ernest Dickerson, Jessica Rothe, and Ryan Barrett together to discuss the state of the horror genre, what terrifies us, and the futur of horror.
Includes a look back at the year, exclusive first looks, and and what’s to come to the streamer.
Horror 365 LIVE at NYCC—8:15 PM to 9:15 PM in Room 406.2
This 18+ event delivers nonstop horror, including a discussion on the current state of the genre, Halloween memories, the NYC horror scene, and even more!
NYCC Sunday Horror Panels
Playbill presents: Feed Me! The Staying Power of NYC's Record-Setting Little Shop of Horrors—11:00 AM to 11:45 AM in Room 408
Little Shop of Horrors off-broadway has surpassed 2,300 performances—and is showing no signs of stopping!
Join the cast and creatives of the Westside Theatre's award-winning revival, which celebrates a record-setting milestone this fall as the longest-running production in the show’s history, for a discussion about the musical's legacy, cross-generational staying power.
R.L. Stine on Tubi—12:15 PM to 1:15 PM in Room 409
To celebrate the launch of Tubi’s “Terror on Tubi Hub,” a permanent destination for fans to discover their favorite horror titles ranging from Originals, fan favorite classics, and creator-led series, there is no one better to lead the charge than the iconic R.L. Stine.
Last October, the streaming platform kicked-off an iconic partnership by premiering the widely successful Tubi Original family-friendly horror film, R.L. STINE’S PUMPKINHEAD.
Joining Stine are writer-director Jem Garrard, designer, drag queen, and actor Jimbo, and Tubi Chief Content Officer and Variety "Horror Impact Report" honoree Adam Lewinson as they dive into the impact R.L. Stine has had within the horror community, discuss their respective films coming to the platform, and share breaking news on what’s up next for “R.L. Stine on Tubi."
Introduction to Gore: Special Effects in Indie Horror—2:45 PM to 3:45 PM on the River Pavilion: Pro Stage 1
Join horror director Robin Careless and Special Effects Costume and Prop Builder Ian Campbell as they take you through the core concepts of how to do practical horror effects for your indie projects.
This River Pavilion panel is open to Pro and Industry ticket holders, plus fans with a Saturday, Sunday, or 4-Day Weekend ticket.
Pro and Industry fans may walk in without a reservation. Fans without a Pro or Industry ticket must reserve a free, limited-capacity spot through the mobile app beginning one week before the show.
Passing the Knife: How Horror Tells the Truth—2:45 PM to 3:30 PM in Room 406.1
This panel presents a roundtable with the very best in horror, including R.L. Stine, Spencer Ackerman, Julio Anta, Punko, and Christina Henry.
