I forgot to write that some of these movies are SOOOO LAME. Willard??? Constantine??? Is that even a horror movie??

AMC has done better. Anyone agree???

AMC AMC what were you thinking with this list? Now this proves you pay no attention to ANY of our Blogs! What happened to 13-Days? Now we only get eight? What the heck is this? You get one hit show; “Mad Men” and you forget your fans, which we made you so great and paved your way by word of mouth! Why bother having a Monster Fest Blog? It’s a waste of time. I am so incredibly disappointed all around that I don’t know where to start. Well let’s start with Piñata Island. How many fans have complained and complained over this flick and yet you still air this crap movie. Then there is Psycho from 98, what the heck is this? Major slap in the face. The Constantine, speechless!! Where is Friday the 13th one and two? Jason Goes To Hell? Good Lord!? Where is the Omen, Carrie, and the true original Universal Monsters. (Which I know you would air at the wee hours of the morning so no one would watch!) We all gave you such a fair and respectable list of great classic chilling horror flicks that I can’t believe your staff picked these? Do you not break down our Blog lists to the most requested? Is your staff 12?
I commend the AMC Monster Fest Bloggers for all their fabulous horror picks and thoughts. I have by word of mouth advised so many people to tune into 13-Days of future great Halloween horror and this is what we get??? DISAPOINTED I SAY!! Now how do I explain? AMC you are making me look bad!
Shame on you AMC for dissing your always-loyal fans!
Signed,
The Queen of Scream

One last comment please… Where the Devil is, (no pun intended)
THE EXORCIST ????!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How can you NOT show the all time classic, scariest movie ever written, directed, screened and acted during your Halloween Fear Fest?
Now this is just a crying shame!

OK, reviewing the 2008 Fear Fest Horror list for our 8-Day total? Nice that AMC tossed us a bone? (Yes I am trying to be nice Deb, but as far as kids they should stick with 13-Days on The Disney Channel and the Family Channel, and leave AMC to the big kids!
Here are my thoughts on this list. If I would have created this list yes I to would have had considered all our viewer pools and take all in consideration of picks. Such as, looked at the most picked, requested movies then decided and of course to be fair mixed it up a bit.
Lets start with which movies I would have pulled. This is way to easy. Lets start with Bride of Chucky, The Bride of Frankenstein, Constantine, Curse of Frankenstein, Damien: Omen II, Frankenstein Meets Space Monster, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers, House of Dracula, House of Frankenstein, Horror of Dracula, Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday, Magic, Omen III: The Final Conflict, Survival Island, Psycho (1998, Puppet Master, Resident Evil, Return to the House on Haunted Hill, Son of Dracula, Son of Frankenstein, The She-Creature, Tales from the Crypt: Bordello of Blood, and finally Willard.
This is 25 out of 38 movies I would have pulled form this list. Only to have them replaced with the following. Lets see if you agree? I am trying to be fair and make all happy. Ok here I go.
The Exorcist, The Omen (Original Only), Carrie, The Shinning, Psycho (the original), Night of the living Dead, Friday the 13th, Children of the Corn, Childs Play, Black Christmas (original only), Candyman, Cujo, The Blair Witch Project, The Howling, Creep Show, Scream, Salem Lot (Original), Amityville Horror (original), Evil Dead, Dracula, The Wolfman, Frankenstein, (all three the originals!), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (original only), Hell Raiser, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Re-make please) and finally Phantasm...
What do you think? I think this is a killer list! Not that AMC list is so bad, I mean they did try. They can only get so many rights to movies. So I am trying to be fair and nice. It just feel that it really stinks that it's down to what 8-days, and you know you will have repeats.
Please tell me/us which movies you would have picked and switched?
Thank you!

8 days is horrible, years ago didn't it use to be all month long

AMC's Monsterfest is one thing I get incredibly excited for every fall and I definitely understand the expectations when it comes to the schedule every year. I've had the experience for years now of waiting to see what would be on, and I can remember years ago back when the boards were really crappy and simple when people would try to recommend movies to be played and complain if they didn't get ones they wanted. It's pretty clear AMC doesn't look at what people on their site ask for, and if they do, they are limited in how much they try to accommodate them. I remember a few years ago they posted a little message saying they were going to take suggestions into account and try to add more classics to the lineup after having several years of NO movies earlier than the 70s basically, and they have done so. I think some people here are being a little too critical of the list. There was a time when all anyone wanted was more variety and more classic horror. Now it seems people want to see many of the same old movies and even though there are some classics, some want it to be ALL classics. You just can't win here.

Here's my thoughts on the list. First of all, 8 days. That's kind of a bummer but at the same time, not that big of a deal. I remember when Monsterfest was only around 6 or 7 days anyway, during only the week leading up to Halloween, so 8 days isn't that bad. If you think about it, a lot of the time there were lots of repeats towards the end of the 13 day ones, just because they can't possibly get the rights to 13 whole days worth of movies. 8 days makes a bit more sense. I'd imagine it would make it easier to just show all new movies all week (of course I'm assuming there will be some repeats on Halloween, like the Halloween films, but that's OK) Anyone that is really into horror movies and the holiday will probably be watching different movies all month anyway, I know I always do. You have to realize, AMC is a business, just like anything else. Remember, Monsterfest is a one-time a year thing. It's a pretty standard and sensible thing they have going, picking up movies for Fear Friday and using a lot of them on Monsterfest, plus picking up several other movies just for Monsterfest itself. AMC has to take into consideration the rest of the year's worth of movies when they sign up for rights. If they went out and signed up for the rights to a ton of new movies just for a once a year thing like Monsterfest, it wouldn't make much sense for them, and I can at least respect that a little bit, even if I wish they could just grab a ton of awesome horror movies, being the insane horror fan I am.

As for the movies, it's really not bad. Not great, but not absolutely terrible. I'm a little perplexed by a couple of the choices. As some have mentioned, the use of Pinata every year is making me pull out my hair, I just don't get that one. Yes, Constantine is technically considered horror. It's really a decent movie, but I don't know if it's one I'm really excited for around Halloween, so that's another iffy one. Bordello of Blood is one I never did like. Jason Goes to Hell is my most hated Friday the 13th, but I'm kind of interested with that choice. I love seeing the other Fridays, but they have played parts 2 and 4 in past years, as well as this summer, and I welcome any change-ups and that's a neat one. I haven't seen that on TV in years. I'm very happy to see The Fly, Nightmare on Elm Street, and An American Werewolf in London, as those movies weren't on last year anywhere and they're great around Halloween. Jeepers Creepers is a nice new addition as well. Of course, having the Halloween films is great in my book (But I'm a HUGE Halloween fan, so I'm biased, I know there is a lot of disgust over them playing parts 4 and 5 constantly and I understand that one, but 1 and 4 are two solid and atmospheric films that are great to watch in late October) They also have a very nice arrangement of classic horror with The Mummy, Bride of Frankenstein, etc. but I do hope they aren't relegated to 3 a.m. time slots. I gotta say seeing an actual new movie, Return to the House on Haunted Hill, is also nice just to add something more modern and fresh to the table. Remember, a lot of movies (like many in Rebecca's list) are going to be on other channels like MonstersHD, IFC, etc., so AMC kind of has to offer some unique views, and I think movies like Magic, Christine, Motel Hell, and some others at least offer that, even though they may not be the best films. Don't forget, they have done a decent job of shipping off some of the ones they showed for years, like Scream 2 and 3.

Please, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying a lot of these choices are great movies (with the exception of Halloween, ANOES, American Werewolf..., and the classic films) but I do think many of them are decent horror flicks that bring something new to the table. I know it's nice to see movies like many that have already been listed (Rebecca's list is solid), but at the same time it can be nice to expand your horizons and get into some movies you might not normally check out, and I think AMC is doing OK trying to introduce new stuff to the Marathon, even though the newer movies may not be what we expect/want.

Also, this list is really really small, which leads me to believe that it is very incomplete, especially if they're saying it's an 8 day marathon. I have often seen early lists like this in years past that seemed a little bare-bones, only to see a much more expansive and interesting list later in October when the full schedule is revealed. As this list was an email, I imagine there were some movies that have been left out. I imagine as we get closer to October we'll see a few more films added to that list. In the past the list provided once Monsterfest was announced was usually twice as long as this one, so I don't see it being the official, complete one. They have played Friday the 13th movies and Creepshow and other horror movies this past year, I imagine they will be included, as well as some others.

I know this was long, but I just wanted to put a little optimism in here. Like I said, I'm not defending some of these movies, but I do think a lot of them are pretty good and they should add something new to the Monsterfest experience this year, and isn't that something to be at least a little excited about?

First of all, where did you find what the movies for MonsterFest were gonna be?

Secondly...they changed the name to "FearFest"???? Oh man...I loved that it was called "MonsterFest" and I'm even more bummed that amctv shortened it to 8 days only!!! I have Directv so I can watch the Chiller tv channel too...but I LOVE MonsterFest. I look forward to it so much every single year! It's become a tradition for my husband and I. I print the schedule...we try to watch as many as possible and especially close to Halloween we stay up really late eating popcorn and watching the scary movies. I even would print the schedule and hand it out to all my friends. We'd even have MonsterFest movie night with our friends. How can AMC do this to us loyal fans? I'm so disappointed...at least they're not showing Tremors a million times! AND...It's a DISGRACE to show the Psycho remake and not the original. And where are more of the Friday the 13th movies?

AMC stands for "American Movie Classics". Nothing from the mid-90s onward should be CONSIDERED a "classic" as far as I'm concerned. I mean, there are some exceptions. Titanic is one. Gladiator is another. But, Piñata? As it is, that movie isn't even a HORROR classic, nor even a REAL movie. It's like, one of those Sci-Fi Channel original movies.

It's interesting to see Jason Goes To Hell, but I would've loved some new classic horror movies to the mix. Maybe the first two Texas Chainsaw Massacres, Phantasm 1 & 2, Return of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead(original), The Burning, My Bloody Valentine, Hell Night, Without Warning, Candyman, Near Dark, A Nightmare On Elm Street 3, 4 & 5, Friday the 13th 5 & 8, Bad Dreams, April Fool's Day, From Beyond, Deadly Friend, CHUD 1 & 2, The Beast Within, Fright Night 1 & 2, Vamp, Dolls, Cronenberg's Rabid & The Brood, Eraserhead, The Gate, The Hills Have Eyes(original), Suspiria, Tenebrae, One Dark Night, Re-Animator, The Blob(1988), Sleepaway Camp, Witchboard...just to name a few.

HorrorFace81, The Burning will be playing on IFC, along with Madman (another 80s slasher gem) all month during October. Return of the Living Dead, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scanners, and a couple Nightmare on Elm Street movies will also be on IFC in October. (They're also showing Halloween and Jeepers Creepers uncut, although they're both on Monsterfest too) If you have IFC, you'll get them at least.

Your list is decent but Friday the 13th 5+ 8? Nightmare on Elm Street 4 + 5? Fright Night 2? Your list lost some credibility there!

OMG, YES Yes, yes…. Witchboard! What a classic hoot of a movie that was.
“Just a little physic humor.” This is a most see! The 80’s are legendary for their slasher horror. I also as many people want to see Phantasm! One please, the sequels are just ok? But the 1st one from “79” will make you pee in your pants!

Wow ...... Im very upset with you AMC. I love watching Monsterfest, each year I mark it off on the callender with a countdown until Monsterfest. Not only that but you have cut it short and changed the name to "fearFest" ??? thats weak and the Movie selection blows... No one wants to watch "magic" or "willard" ... thats a horrible movie, a man thats in love with rats that kill people ...... what happend to Halloween 2? or even the 3rd ..? even though it wasent good I still was looking forward to seeing it. At least keep your original name of "Monsterfest" and maybe put in a little more work on the commercials, one year you guys had like 15 different commercials to sponsor monsterfest those were sweet. last year I didint see anything change and it seems that you guys kept with the same commercials with different screens that change colors, started with monsterfest then you kept it with everything until today. please re-look at your movie selection! get better movies at least include the 2nd Resident evil and get rid of some of these horrible 80's fims (not saying all are bad some are great!) But the cheesy horror movies HAVE TO GO! Thank god you guys have some what of a brain and got rid of the "children of the corn" movies, but PLEASE GET ALL THE HALLOWEENS ON!

- Zombie Out

I completely agree with u, Zombie. They should bring back the Halloween movies, especially Halloween II. I might be a little biased, cause Halloween is my favorite movie, but I think they should have a whole Halloween nite of Halloween movies.

Where r the Friday the 13th movies. Only 1?? I know those movies aren't exactly American Classics (except the first one), but there's something about them that make 'em a Halloween-holiday staple!

Plus, I wonder if there's gonna be a DVD on TV with any of these movies. From what I know, they've been having one each year since '05
(Friday the 13th, Halloween and the Exorcist).

Monsterfest is like my favorite tv show time a year. 2 weeks before halloween I sit glued to the tube and don't do anything but watch the movies ... I don't think "Fearfest" has the same ring to it as "Monsterfest"... that could be a cool movie title name in itself. Some of the chosen movies are good, some are bad. I'm wondering why they're playing Omen 2 and 3 and not 1??? 1 is the best. I'm looking forward to Nightmare/elm street. No Friday films except the last? One of the worst save Jason X and 5? Geez. I'm ashamed to say I actually like Children/corn, but they're not playing that either! The Exorcist's omission, I mean, come on! And where is Amityville? Only the scariest movie I've ever seen--which prevented me from sleeping maaaany nights when I watched it as a kid.
If I had the power, these are the movies I would play:
Nightmare/elm! Checck
Amityville
Exorcist
From beyond
Evil dead
Reanimator
Society (although I can understand why they could not play this on basic cable!)
Hellraiser!!!!
The Ring
Altered States, even though its more sci fi than horror.
Halloween 1 and 2
Night and Dawn of living dead (both original/possibly remake of night, but def. original of dawn)
Original Texas Chainsaw
Child's play
Phantasm!
The Fly remake
Children of the Corn
The Omen
Friday 13th 4,6, 7
This would be my list, save a few movies I'm sure I've forgotten. Even though its now Fearfest, only 8 days long, and has some bad movies (though it has had every year; can't please everyone, of course) it still rocks, regardless. I just hope next year they still have it and maybe do a little better. I'm sure they will.
By the way, what ever happened to the short indie films they used to play? They would show one during every commercial break and have an actual half hour show on the 31st? Those were awesome too. They were only a minute or two long, but I really liked those... but anyway, Amc, thanks for keeping me glued to the tv every monsterfest and fear friday! It's just sad that the only thing I look for during the weekdays is FearFriday. I'm 29. For me its comparable to the fun some people my age get going to a club or bar... I just stay home and watch my horror movies!!

Hey im just glad there having it and guys try not to complain to much or else they may just not have it at all.

I saw the lineup and figured I should create a user name and post my comment.

First of all, I appreciate the fact that AMC DOES seem to cater to fans of horror. The fact that they have Monsterfest, Fearfest or whatever you want to call it should prove that to you. I have occasionally been known to watch Fear Friday as well.

I work in the media industry... you should all know that it is not as easy as "well so and so on our message board wants to see Halloween 2 this year, so lets get it". There are contracts that must be negotiated and there are pre-existing exclusivity deals that AMC cannot control. One of the main reasons why you will not see any Universal classics is because Universal now has its own HD channel. You can bet that you will see all of those horror classics on the Universal HD channel next month.

Do I get sick of seeing Halloween 5?? Sure, sometimes I do, but I would rather have that on for 5 years straight than some Will Smith movie that did really well at the box office. I am sure AMC has a competent research team who is not only looking at ratings but also primary research showing them what the fans want to see. The message boards and fan communities are, whether you like it or not, a small part of their program decision-making. They listen to you for sure... but if your opinions don't match up with ratings or with primary research then do not expect changes.

I should come out and say that I am a fan of the lineup. Could it have been better?? Of course... But I am a fan of the NOES, F13th, Child's Play, Omen, Pet Sematary and Halloween series. I will definitely be watching again this year.

Thanks AMC!

I know the contracts are a deal, but I mean, c'mon, there are tons of horror movies that I don't think are that popular. Movies like Slaughter High or 976-Evil, movies that AMC could probably snag the contracts to. I could imagine the big names like NOES, Ft13, Halloween and such will always have a LOT of channels fighting over the rights to air them. But there are so many classic and cult horror movies that are almost NEVER aired. I remember when USA used to have the Up All Night, they aired a LOT of good old horror movies!! Movies like Killer Party and Night of the Creeps!