Beyond Fest LA 2025: Hollywood’s Biggest Genre Film Festival is Back with Guillermo del Toro, Park Chan-wook & Emma Stone

When it comes to celebrating horror, sci-fi, and fantasy on the big screen, no festival in America does it quite like Beyond Fest. This year, Beyond Fest 2025 (September 23 – October 8) is set to be the largest genre film festival in the U.S., hosting a record 90 films across Los Angeles. From world premieres of cult-worthy new titles to a massive Guillermo del Toro retrospective, the lineup has cinephiles buzzing worldwide—including fans back home in India who follow Hollywood’s cutting-edge cinema.

Why Beyond Fest Matters

If Cannes is about glamour and Venice about prestige, then Beyond Fest is about pure madness and genre love. Horror, sci-fi, action, fantasy—the festival embraces cinema that breaks rules, shocks audiences, and pushes storytelling to extremes.

For Indians who grew up on both Bollywood masala and Hollywood blockbusters, Beyond Fest feels like that one mela where you get everything at once: action, thrill, scares, laughter, and even those arthouse films that make you scratch your head.

The Big Premieres: Park Chan-wook & Yorgos Lanthimos

• Opening Film: No Other Choice by Park Chan-wook, the Korean genius behind Oldboy. The dark comedy promises his signature mix of violence, wit, and visual brilliance.

• Closing Film: Bugonia by Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Emma Stone (yes, she shaved her head for this role!). The sci-fi thriller reimagines the Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet!, with Lanthimos’ trademark absurdity.

Other biggies include:

• Black Phone 2 (the sequel horror fans have been waiting for)

• Dust Bunny (directed by Bryan Fuller)

• Good Fortune (Aziz Ansari stepping behind the camera)

• After the Hunt by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name)

Guillermo del Toro Retrospective: Está Vivo

The crown jewel of 2025’s festival is a 12-film retrospective of Guillermo del Toro’s work, titled Está Vivo: The Gods and Monsters of Guillermo del Toro. From his cult debut Cronos to Oscar-winning The Shape of Water, every milestone is playing on the big screen. Fans will also get Q&A sessions with del Toro himself.

This retrospective drops just as hype builds for his upcoming Frankenstein, making it feel like a victory lap before his next big creation.

Retro Screenings: For the Nostalgic Cinephiles

Beyond Fest isn’t just about premieres—it’s also about giving classics their due. Highlights include:

• To Live and Die in L.A. + Manhunter (a rare double bill)

• Stand By Me + Misery (a Rob Reiner tribute)

• The Ring with director Gore Verbinski in attendance

• House with actor William Katt
  

Free Screenings for All

In a move that feels like true “cinema for the people”, Beyond Fest 2025 offers completely free screenings at Los Feliz 3, courtesy of indie powerhouse NEON. Films like Killing Faith, I Live Here Now, and Hellcat will be shown without tickets—something Indian festivals can definitely take inspiration from.

Why Indians Should Care

Beyond Fest has become a launchpad for global genre cinema. Many films screened here later trend worldwide on OTT platforms (Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+). For Indian audiences who love horror, sci-fi, or fantasy with substance, Beyond Fest is where tomorrow’s cult favorites are born.

With Park Chan-wook, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Guillermo del Toro headlining, 2025 feels like a golden year. It’s proof that while mainstream Hollywood runs after superheroes and remakes, the real creative fire still burns in festivals like this. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When and where is Beyond Fest 2025 happening? 👉 Beyond Fest 2025 will take place in Los Angeles from September 23 to October 8, 2025, across three venues: the Egyptian Theatre, Aero Theatre, and Los Feliz 3.

Q2. What are the biggest highlights of this year’s festival? 👉 The major attractions are the world premiere of Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, the closing film Bugonia by Yorgos Lanthimos starring Emma Stone, and a 12-film Guillermo del Toro retrospective titled Está Vivo.

Q3. Can international audiences, including Indians, watch these films? 👉 Yes! While the films premiere in Los Angeles, many titles later release on OTT platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+ Hotstar, making them accessible globally.

Q4. Why does Beyond Fest offer free screenings? 👉 The festival partners with indie studio NEON to provide completely free screenings at Los Feliz 3, making genre cinema more accessible to wider audiences.

Q5. Is Beyond Fest only about horror films? 👉 Not at all. While horror and sci-fi dominate the lineup, the festival also showcases fantasy, action, thrillers, and experimental cinema, ensuring something for every movie lover.