2026 marks Bristol FIlm Festival’s tenth anniversary, so we naturally had to make it a Halloween season to remember. From family-friendly favourites to gothic chillers and truly terrifying horrors, we’re heading to some of the best venues in the city (new and old), for nearly a month of spooky screenings.

To help you choose the perfect screening, we’ve tagged each film with a “scare level,” so whether you’re after vintage classics, eerie atmosphere, or cult oddities like Rocky Horror and Twilight, you’ll know exactly what kind of scare (or laugh) to expect.

For some of our top picks - including rare screenings and unmissable events - select ‘Handpicked Horror’ for a curated selection.

SCARE LEVELS

Handpicked Horror - new for this year, Handpicked Horror is our curated list of absolute must-sees. From bucket-list genre favourites to rarely screened classics, the list contains the team's top picks for the season

Family Friendly – safe, spooky fun for (almost) all ages

Vintage Frights – classic horror, iconic but not too extreme

Comedy Horror - mixing the frightening and the funny, expect to laugh more than jump

Dark Harmonies - Halloween with a musical slant

Cult Classics - offbeat fan-favourites perfect for the season - mild to moderate frights, but full of iconic moments

Gothic Tones - atmospheric, moody and haunting (with a few jumps in for good measure!)

Sinister Suspense - unsettling, creepy and tense - you’ll be on the edge of your seat…

Hardcore Horror - not for the faint-hearted, films for those looking for a true Halloween scare-fest

Please note: our “scare levels” are just a bit of fun and designed to help guide your choices. We recommend checking the official BBFC ratings (available on each event page) and content advice before booking, and deciding what feels right for you