AMC Global Media today announced that the Crypt Keeper, the underground icon from the beloved 90s cult classic Tales From the Crypt voiced by John Kassir, will be the official host of this year’s FearFest to mark the 30th anniversary of the epic horror celebration. With presenting sponsor Bacardi Rum returning for a second year, the long-running annual horror and genre programming event, featuring over 650 hours of iconic horror films, franchises, new series, specials and more, kicks off Thursday, October 1 on AMC and AMC+. 

Famed special effects master, AMC’s longtime creative partner and The Walking Dead director, Greg Nicotero (Creepshow, Guts & Glory) re-created the legendary puppet for a ghoulish refresh, leveraging his expertise in practical effects and creature design to update the Crypt Keeper’s signature look, movement and personality for today’s audiences. In collaboration with AMC Global Media’s Content Room, the company’s in-house branded entertainment studio, Nicotero directed the Crypt Keeper segments for “FearFest” with Kassir providing the signature cackle and wit that cemented the Crypt Keeper’s legacy. The on-air hosting segments mark the first time in 30 years that new Tales From the Crypt content will be available to fans since the series ended in 1996. 

“What a great honor and privilege to re-create this iconic character and get a chance to revisit some of his clever quips and puns with John Kassir again reprising his role,” said Nicotero. “Having the chance to re-create Kevin Yagher’s amazing puppet at my studio KNB EFX and get the opportunity to ‘direct him’ in a series of FearFest spots was like going back in time and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.” 

“FearFest has long been one of AMC’s most beloved horror traditions, and we couldn’t be happier to resurrect the Crypt Keeper as this year’s master of ‘scary-monies’ as we celebrate 30 years of FearFest. Revived by Greg Nicotero, a master of special effects and genre storytelling, the Crypt Keeper will give fans a fresh and wickedly fun gateway into our incredible horror library,” said Kim Granito, chief marketing officer for AMC Global Media. “We’re also proud to partner once again with Bacardi, a brand that perfectly complements FearFest and our celebration of the spirit, creativity and community of horror fandom.” 

“With the iconic bat at the heart of our brand and ‘Do What Moves You’ grounded in freedom and self-expression, Bacardi Rum has an authentic connection to Halloween - a moment when people are encouraged to transform, express themselves and celebrate,” said Lisa Pfenning, Vice President of Bacardi in North America. “As we return for our second year as presenting sponsor of FearFest, we’re thrilled to celebrate its 30th anniversary and welcome the Crypt Keeper back into the spotlight as the ultimate ghost with the most. We’re honoring everything fans love about this horror icon while bringing his signature humor and mischievous spirit to a new generation.” 

In addition to marathons of Tales from the Crypt, FearFest programming highlights include seasonal favorites and nostalgic franchises such as  Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Final Destination, Insidious and the Stephen King library including It (2017), IT the mini-series, The Shining, Misery and Christine, as well as the AMC premiere of The Terror: Devil In Silver, AMC+’s new supernatural thriller YAGA, starring Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix Films, Humans), Noah Reid (Schitt’s Creek, The Vampire Lestat) and Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry), plus themed marathons, such as “Fear the 80s” (Silver Bullet, Christine, Poltergeist, etc.), “Creature Feature” (Tremors, Lake Placid, Pet Sematary, etc.) and more. 

Original and exclusive programming highlights for FearFest on AMC and AMC+ include: 

YAGA (AMC+ Exclusive Series) 
Two-episode series premiere Friday, October 23 on AMC+; new episodes continue weekly until the Season Finale on November 27 

Based on the hit play by showrunner and writer Kat Sandler, YAGA follows Rapp (Noah Reid; Schitt’s Creek, The Vampire Lestat), a private investigator who arrives in a small coastal town to investigate the disappearance of a young heir to a powerful fishery, Henry Park (Hudson Williams; Heated Rivalry). He finds himself at odds with an apprehensive local detective, Carson (Clark Backo; Venom: The Last Dance, Letterkenny), a charismatic university professor with a taste for younger men, Katherine (Carrie-Anne Moss; The Matrix Films, Humans), and a labyrinth of enigmatic suspects, secret lives, and ancient magic. 

The Terror: Devil in Silver (AMC Original Series Premiere) 
Series premieres Sunday, September 20 at 9/8c on AMC until the Season Finale on October 25; Binge all Episodes Now on AMC+ 

The newest installment in the acclaimed horror anthology, executive produced by Ridley Scott, stars Dan Stevens (Legion, Downton Abbey) as Pepper – a working-class moving man who, through a combination of bad luck and a bad temper, finds himself wrongfully committed to New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital – an institution filled with those society would rather forget. There, he must contend with patients working against him, doctors harboring grim secrets, and perhaps even the Devil himself. As Pepper navigates a hellscape where nothing is as it seems, he finds that the only path to freedom is to face the entity which thrives on the suffering within New Hyde’s walls – but doing so may prove that the worst demons of all live inside him. Also starring Judith Light (Before, Out of My Mind), CCH Pounder (Rustin, NCIS: New Orleans), Aasif Mandvi (Evil, This Way Up), John Benjamin Hickey (The Big C, Lilly), Stephen Root (Barry, Heads of State), Michael Aronov (The Americans, Operation Finale), Marin Ireland (Sneaky Pete, Glass Chin), Chinaza Uche (Silo), Hampton Fluker (Shades of Blue, Instant Family), b (WeCrashed, You), Hayward Leach (Tom Swift, Love Life) and Philip Ettinger (First Reformed, I Know This Much Is True). 

Tales From the Crypt 
All seven seasons available on SVOD exclusively on AMC+ and Shudder 

Tales from the Crypt, the popular 90s horror anthology series inspired by the 1950s EC Comics is back! Each episode is a self-contained story often featuring well-known talent and directors – and hosted by the Crypt Keeper (John Kassir), a wisecracking corpse known for his macabre puns. With its signature unrestricted gore, profanity, and dark irony, the show’s episode styles range from comedy to drama and deliver twisted moral lessons where "bad people" meet poetically horrific ends – and issues like greed, lust, and moral decay lead to tragic consequences. The series features a long list of A-list guest stars including Brad Pitt, Demi Moore, John Lithgow, Christopher Reeve, Catherine O’Hara, Steve Buscemi, Brooke Shields and many more. Several episodes have been directed by well-known talent including Robert Zemeckis, Tobe Hooper and William Friedkin, as well as acclaimed actors such as Tom Hanks, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Michael J. Fox. 

The Vampire Lestat (AMC Original Series) 
Full season available to binge now exclusively on AMC+ 

In the latest rock and roll centric season, the Vampire Lestat (Sam Reid) goes on an electric multi-city tour while being haunted by “muses” from his wild and rebellious past. As his band’s popularity and star power rises, so does Lestat’s influence over vampires and humans alike, leaving others to contend with Lestat’s power in the face of the Great Conversion, an unnatural surge in the vampire population. The series also stars Jacob Anderson, Assad Zaman, Eric Bogosian, Delainey Hayles and Jennifer Ehle. 

The Walking Dead: Dead City (AMC Original Series) 
Season 3 available to binge now exclusively on AMC+ 

In season three, Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) finally put aside their differences to build the first thriving community in Manhattan since the apocalypse, but when chaos in the city begins to arise, they are forced to question: have they learned from their old wounds or will their dark past spell doom for the entire city? Also starring Jimmi Simpson, Raúl Castillo, Aimee Garcia, Logan Kim and Michael Emery.

Check out the detailed schedule below to see when to catch all your other favorites on AMC all October. Plus, don’t forget you can stream many of these movies on AMC.com with a cable login or by signing up for AMC+.

Thu, October 1 
FearFest Halloween Kickoff Marathon: 
11am: Halloween III: Season of the Witch
1pm: Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
3pm: Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
5pm: Halloween II (1981)
7pm: Halloween (1978)
9pm: TNA iMPACT!
11pm: Tales from the Crypt Marathon

Fri, October 2 
AMC Celebrates Insidious Marathon: 
8pm: Insidious (15th Anniversary)  
10:30pm: Insidious: Chapter 2  
1am: Insidious: Chapter 3

Sat, October 3 
Stephen King Marathon: 
6:30am: Graveyard Shift 
8:30am: Pet Sematary
10:30am: Silver Bullet 
12:30pm: Stephen King’s It Part 1 
2:45pm: Stephen King’s It Part 2  
5pm: Christine   
7pm: It (2017)  
10pm: Carrie (2013) 
12:15am: Misery  

Sun, October 4 
Slasher Sunday: 
12:15pm: Halloween (2007) 
2:45pm: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) 
5pm: Friday the 13th (1980)  
7pm: Halloween II (1981)  
9pm: The Terror: Devil In Silver Episode 103

Mon, October 5 
Final Destination Marathon: 
8pm: Final Destination (2000)  
10pm: Final Destination 2
12am: The Final Destination (2009)

Tue, October 6 
5:45pm: Thir13een Ghosts  
7:45pm: Ghost Ship 
9:45pm: Jeepers Creepers  

Wed, October 7 
Chucky Marathon: 
3pm: Child’s Play 3  
5pm: Child’s Play 2  
7pm: Child’s Play (1988) 
9pm: Bride of Chucky  
11pm: Seed of Chucky  
1am: Curse of Chucky
3am: Cult of Chucky

Thu, October 8 
4:30pm: Stephen King’s It Part 1  
6:45pm: Stephen King’s It Part 2 
9pm: TNA iMPACT! 
11pm: Carrie (2013) 

Fri, October 9 
Run Michael Run Marathon: 
1pm: Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers 
3pm: Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers 
5pm: Halloween II (1981) 
7pm: Halloween (1978) 
9pm: Halloween (2007) 
11:30pm: Halloween II (2009) 

Sat, October 10 
Creature Feature: 
11am: Leprechaun
1pm: Gremlins
3:30pm: The Fly 
5:30pm: The Thing 
8pm: Tremors 
10pm: Lake Placid 
12am: Cujo

Sun, October 11 
Stephen King Marathon: 
7am: Silver Bullet 
9am: Children of the Corn
11:15am: Misery 
1:45pm: Christine 
3:45pm: Carrie 
6pm: It (2017) 
9pm: The Terror: Devil In Silver Episode104

Mon, October 12 
Nightmare on Elm Street Marathon: 
11am: A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child 
1pm: A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master
3:15pm: Wes Craven’s New Nightmare 
5:45pm: A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors 
8pm: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
10:15pm: A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge 
12:15am: A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) 
2:15am: Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare

Tue, October 13 
5:30pm: House of Wax 
8pm: Thir13en Ghosts 
10pm: Ghost Ship

Wed, October 14 
6pm: Halloween (1978) 
8pm: Christine
10pm: It (2017) 

Thu, October 15 
4pm: Halloween II (2009) 
6:30pm: Halloween (2007) 
9pm: TNA iMPACT! 
11pm: Ghost Ship 

Fri, October 16 
Friday the 13th Marathon: 
10am: Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday
12pm: Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan 
2pm: Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives
4pm: Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood
6pm: Friday the 13th (1980)
8pm: Friday the 13th Part 2 
10pm: Friday the 13th Part III 

Sat, October 17 
Final Destination Double Feature 
7pm: Final Destination (2000) 
9pm: Final Destination 2

Sun, October 18 
Freddy vs Jason Marathon 
6:15am: Friday the 13th Part III 
8:15am: Friday the 13th (1980) 
10:15am: Friday the 13th Part 2 
12:15pm: A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors 
2:30pm: A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge 
4:30pm: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) 
6:45pm: Freddy vs Jason 
9pm: The Terror: Devil in Silver Episode105

Mon, October 19 
5pm: From Dusk Till Dawn 
7pm: Tremors 
9pm: Jeepers Creepers

Tue, October 20 
6pm: Friday the 13th (2009) 
8pm: Halloween (2007) 
10:30pm: Halloween II (2009)

Wed, October 21 
Insidious Marathon 
7pm: Insidious 
9:30pm: Insidious: Chapter 2 
12am: Insidious: Chapter 3 

Thu, October 22 
5pm: Tremors 
7pm: Lake Placid 
9pm: TNA iMPACT! 
11pm: Final Destination (2000)

Fri, October 23 
5:45pm: Carrie
8pm: It (2017) 
11pm: Silver Bullet 

Sat, October 24 
Fear the 80’s 
7:30am: The Return of the Living Dead
9:30am: Cujo
11:30am: The Fly 
1:30pm: Fright Night
4pm: The Lost Boys 
6pm: Christine 
8pm: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
10:15pm: Friday the 13th (1980) 
12:15am: Halloween III: Season of the Witch

Sun, October 25 
Halloween Marathon
10:30am: Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers  
12:30pm: Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
2:30pm: Halloween (2007)
5pm: Halloween II (1981) 
7pm: Halloween (1978) 
9pm: The Terror: Devil In Silver Episode 106

Mon, October 26 
Friday the 13th Marathon: 
9am: Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives 
11am: Friday the 13th : A New Beginning 
1pm: Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood 
3pm: Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan 
5pm: Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday
7pm: Friday the 13th (2009) 
9pm: Friday the 13th (1980)
11pm: Friday the 13th Part 2
1am: Freddy vs. Jason
3:15am: Friday the 13th Part III

Tue, October 27 
Nightmare on Elm Street Marathon: 
4:45pm: Freddy vs. Jason
7pm: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
9:15pm: A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge 
11:15pm: A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
1:30am: A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) 

Wed, October 28 
Final Destination Marathon: 
6pm: Final Destination (2000)
8pm: Final Destination 2
10pm: The Final Destination (2009) 

Thu, October 29 
6pm: It (2017)
9pm: TNA iMPACT!
11pm: Thir13en Ghosts

Fri, October 30 
Halloween on Halloween Marathon: 
4:30am: Halloween (1978) 
6:30am: Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers 
8:30am: Halloween II (2009) 
11am: Halloween III: Season of the Witch 
1pm: Halloween (1978)
3pm: Halloween II (1981)
5pm: Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
7pm: Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers 
9pm: Halloween (1978)
11pm: Halloween (2007) 
1:30am: Halloween II (2009)
4am: Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers

Sat, October 31 
Halloween on Halloween Marathon: 
6am: Halloween II (1981) 
8am: Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
10am: Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
12pm: Halloween II (2009) 
2:30pm: Halloween III: Season of the Witch
4:30pm: Halloween (2007)
7pm: Halloween (1978) 
9pm: Halloween II (1981)
11pm: Halloween (1978) 
1am: Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers 
2am: Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers

Sun, November 1 
Halloween Hangover 
6am: Christine
8am: Halloween (1978)
10am: The Terminator
12:30pm: Predator
3pm: Men in Black
5pm: Men in Black II
7pm: Jurassic World: Dominion