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Fangoria Unveils 2026 Chainsaw Nominees; Fan Voting Ends July 15

7/3/2026

Summary

Fangoria Announces

FANGORIA announced the 2026 Chainsaw Awards nominees, covering releases from July 2025 to June 2026.
Editor-in-Chief Phil Nobile Jr. said the slate rebukes box-office awards logic and emphasizes fan-favored films.
Writer-director Michael Varrati called the field a mix of stories and creators horror fans support.
Fans can vote until 11:59 PM PT on July 15, 2026, with winners announced on October 25, 2026, on Shudder.

Summary

Horror Wins

The Substance and Sinners each earned ten Chainsaw nominations in 2025 while also securing Oscar nominations.
Weapons, Frankenstein and Sinners won multiple Academy Awards, showing horror’s recent Oscar success.
Weapons is a 2026 Chainsaw Best Picture nominee, positioning it as a potential Oscar contender again.
Industry observers say the 2025 crossover wins signal a growing horror-award trend, citing Obsession and Backrooms as early dark-horse Oscar candidates.

History

Historical Context

In 1973 The Exorcist earned ten Academy Award nominations in 1974, becoming the first horror film nominated for Best Picture and winning Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound. Its $193 million box office proved horror could achieve mainstream success. That legacy underpins the 2026 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, hosted by Phil Nobile Jr. and Michael Varrati, presented alongside the Oscars, showing horror’s entrenched award status.

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Fangoria Announces

FANGORIA announced the 2026 Chainsaw Awards nominees, covering releases from July 2025 to June 2026.
Editor-in-Chief Phil Nobile Jr. said the slate rebukes box-office awards logic and emphasizes fan-favored films.
Writer-director Michael Varrati called the field a mix of stories and creators horror fans support.
Fans can vote until 11:59 PM PT on July 15, 2026, with winners announced on October 25, 2026, on Shudder.

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