The Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards

NEW: HERE ARE THE WINNERS
OF THE (GASP!) 24th ANNUAL
RONDO HATTON CLASSIC HORROR AWARDS

   We thank the 3,100 voters who sent in ballots for the (Gasp!) 24th Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards. Their votes determined this year’s winners.

Winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions when warranted, along with Special Recognitions are listed below. Winners will receive a Rondo statuette or a plaque. There is also a Rondo Awards Ceremony at the WonderFest Convention in Louisville on Saturday, May 30 at 4 p.m.

Thanks again to all who participated, nominees and voters. You can comment at the Classic Horror Film Board Rondo Forum. For any questions feel free to email me at taraco@aol.com. And thank you again.

david colton

SINNERS narrowly tops FRANKENSTEIN in the (Gasp!) 24th
Annual Rondo Hatton Awards
‘Making Monsters’ is Book of the Year; ‘Curse of Frankenstein 4K release wins two; Hammer’s John Gore is Monster Kid of the Year

By David Colton
CHFB News

WEST ORANGE, NJ – Some of the tightest races in the Rondo Awards’ 24-year history found Ryan Coogler’s SINNERS taking the top film prize over Guillermo Del Toro’s reimagining of FRANKENSTEIN in results released Sunday night.

In category after category, nearly 3,100 voters in the (Gasp!) 24th Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards were often split between honoring classic films from the 1930s and 1950s, or more modern fare such as Friday the 13th and Jaws.

The wide range of nominees could be seen in results from the Book and Documentary categories:

The year’s Best Documentary went to BASIL GOGOS: KING OF THE MONSTERS, an in-depth look at the late painter whose colorful sometimes day-glo renditions of classic black-and-white menaces such as Dracula and the Frankenstein monster helped kick off the monster craze of the 1960s.

At the same time, the Best Book of 2025 went to MAKING MONSTERS, by effects and make-up experts Howard Berger and Marshall Julius, whose creations include some of the modern menaces seen in today’s horror films.

Top honors in the crowded category of television horror, sci-fi and fantasies went to the Season Five Finale of STRANGER THINGS, barely beating out shows like STAR WARS: ANDOR, the Charles Addams inspired satire, WEDNESDAY, and PLURIBUS.

Rondo voters honored a British independent film, THE REIGN OF QUEEN GINNARA, and picked SCREENING AFTER MIDNIGHT, a whimsical look at the lost silent film, LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT, as the top Short Film.

In individual categories, Sam Irvin, a multi-Rondo winner was picked as Writer of the Year for his bare-all memoir CONFESSIONS OF A BRIAN DE PALMA PROTEGE, while Mark Maddox was again voted Best Artist.  Lee Hartnup took away his second accolade as top Fan Artist.

Special Recognition Rondos were awarded to:

— Anthony McKay, who won the late David J. Skal Research Award, for his years of study on the making of the British monster movie, GORGO, resulting in a book-length report in the magazine LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS.

— John Gore, whose revitalization of the famed Hammer Studios in the United Kingdom has resulted in new releases on the 1957 CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and lesser-known films from the Hammer and Warner Brothers Catalog, was named Monster Kid of the Year.

— Universal Studios was cited for the 2025 opening of Dark Universe, an interactive recreation of the classic Universal Monster sets at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park in Orlando.

Finally, the newest inductees to the Rondo Awards’ Monster Kid Hall of Fame were:

— Actor, director and longtime monster memorabilia collector Daniel Roebuck, who once entertained fans as a version of Dr. Shocker and more recently appeared as The Count in The Munsters remake.

— Other inductees included horror film and TV historian Jeff Thompson, publisher Ben Ohmart of BearManor Media, and Lawrence J. Liff, developer of the monster-craze vampire fangs, rubber bloody wounds, and evil teeth of the 1960s.

— The Hall of Fame will also welcome Lisa and Chris Herzog, and artist and writer pair who have  helped host the annual WonderFest Clubhouse over the last years; and the late music and horror historian Terry Pace, along with and his family, wife Anita, and childen Forrest and Alexandra, who helped Terry fight through a stroke without losing his sense of purpose or love.

  The Rondo Awards, named after Rondo Hatton, an obscure B-movie villain of the 1940s, honor the best in classic horror research, creativity and film preservation. This year’s e-mail vote was conducted by the Classic Horror Film Board, a 31-year old online community. A full list of winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions can be found below. A Rondo Awards Ceremony will be held May 30, 2026, at the WonderFest Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

HERE ARE ALL THE WINNERS IN THE
(GASP!) 24th ANNUAL
RONDO HATTON CLASSIC HORROR AWARDS

1) BEST FILM OF 2025

SINNERS, directed by
Ryan Coogler

Runner-up: FRANKENSTEIN
Honorable mentions: WEAPONS;
BUGONIA; SUPERMAN

—————————————————-

2) BEST TV PRESENTATION

STRANGER THINGS (Season Five)

Runners-up: STAR WARS: Andor;
WEDNESDAY
Honorable mentions: ALIENS: Earth;
PLURIBUS

———————————————————-
3) BEST BLU-RAY

 CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957; Hammer/Warner Bros.
Archives)

Runner-up: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1990; Sony);
Honorable mentions: QUATERMASS XPERIMENT (1955; Hammer); ALTERED STATES (1980; Criterion)

———————————————————————-
4) BEST BLU-RAY COLLECTION
 
DAN CURTIS CLASSIC MONSTERS
(Kino)

Runners-up: UNIVERSAL’s Dracula, Frankenstein Mummy (ViaVision); A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 1984-1994 (Warner Bros.)
Honorable mention: MABUSE LIVES: Dr. Mabuse at CCC (1960-64; Eureka)
 ———————————————————————
5) BEST RESTORATION OR UPGRADE

CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957; Hammer/WB)

Runner-up: HE WHO GETS SLAPPED (1924; Flicker/Blackhawk)
Honorable mentions: FRANKENSTEIN’S BLOODY TERROR 3D (1968; 3D Film Archive; Kino);
THE DEADLY SPAWN (1983; Synapse); SAMURAI PRIEST VAMPIRE HUNTER (originally Live Evil; ETR Media)

———————————————————————

6) BEST BLU-RAY EXTRAS

JAWS @ 50, the Definitive Inside Story (2025; Amblin). Directed by Laurent Bousereau.
Included with 50th Anniversary Blu-Ray set.

Runners-up: DAN CURTIS COLLECTIONS (Kino); THE BEYOND (Grindhouse);
Honorable mentions: QUATERMASS XPERIMENT (Hammer); JIM HENSON’S STORYTELLER (ViaVision)

————————————————————————–

7) FAVORITE COMMENTATOR OF 2025

TOM WEAVER

Runners-up: Tim Lucas; Gary Gerani; Stephen Bissette
Honorable mentions: Amanda Reyes; Gary Rhodes; Rebekah McKendry/Elric Kane
————————————————————————

8) BEST INDEPENDENT FILM

THE REIGN OF QUEEN GINNARRA,
directed by Lawrie Brewster

Meghan Tremethick

Runners-up: GOOD BOY; THE UGLY STEPSISTER
Honorable mention: DUST BUNNY; DANGEROUS ANIMALS

———————————————————————-
9) BEST SHORT FILM

SCREENING AFTER MIDNIGHT, directed by Ansel Faraj

Runner-up: DOMESTICATION OF VAMPIRES IN ESSEX
Honorable mentions: THE OCCUPANT OF THE ROOM;
BUNNYMAN; IT CAME FROM BEYOND
——————————————————–
10) BEST DOCUMENTARY

BASIL GOGOS, THE KING OF THE MONSTERS,
directed by Bill Diamond

Runners-up: THE VINCENT PRICE LEGACY; HEARTS OF DARKNESS: The Making of Final Friday
Honorable mentions: GEORGE A. ROMERO’S RESIDENT EVIL;
THE WILHELM SCREAM

—————————————————
11) BOOK OF THE YEAR

MAKING MONSTERS: Inside Stories from the Creators of Hollywood’s Most Iconic Creatures, by Howard Berger and Marshall Julius
  
Runner-up: CONFESSIONS OF A BRIAN DE PALMA PROTÉGÉ: How I Shadowed the Director on The Fury, Dressed to Kill & More, by Sam Irvin
Honorable mentions: CINEMA BIZARRO: The Weird Kid’s Guide to Particularly Odd Horror and Sci-Fi Movies, edited by Steven Peros and Mark Bailey with Steven B. Orkin;
ICONS OF FRIGHT: 100 Interviews with Legendary Horror Filmmakers, by Mike Cucinotta, Rob Galuzzo, Adam Barnick, Jason Alvino;
and WILLIS O’BRIEN: Lost Worlds, Giant Apes and Dinosaurs, Vol. 2, From She Who Must Be Obeyed to Mr. Joseph Young of Africa, by Greg Kulon

---

12) BEST BOOK ON GODZILLA’S 70th ANNIVERSARY

GODZILLA: THE FIRST 70 YEARS, by Steve Ryfle, Ed Godziszewski

Runner-up: KING KONG VS GODZILLA, The Most Colossal Conflict the Screen Has Ever Known, by Thom Shubilla
Honorable mentions: THE LUMINOUS FAERIES AND MOTHRA: The Original Story, translated by Dr. Jeffery Angle;
“GOJIRA” 1954, by Peter H. Brothers

—————————————————–

13) BEST CLASSIC MONSTER FICTION

DRACULA NEVER DIES: The Revenge of Bela Vorlock,
Vol. 2, by Christopher Gauthier

Runners-up: BECOMING NOSFERATU, Stories Inspired by Silent German Horror, edited by Matthew Sorrento, Gary D. Rhodes;
WHAT FRESH HELL IS THIS?, Dark Tales, by Del Howison;
TICK TOWN, by Christopher A. Miklos
Honorable mention:  DEALS WITH THE DEVIL, Dialogues With Death, by Frank J. Dello Stritto

——————————————————————
13) BEST MAGAZINE (modern)

FANGORIA

Runner-up: RUE MORGUE
Honorable mentions: HORRORHOUND;
DELIRIUM

———————————————————-
14) BEST MAGAZINE (classic)

CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES

Runners-up: LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS; SCARY MONSTERS
Honorable mentions: CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN; THE DARK SIDE; WE BELONG DEAD; VIDEOSCOPE; CRYPTOLOGY; SPACE MONSTERS

————————————————————————
15) Best Article

‘Is Horror Political? Glad You Asked…’ by Catherine Corcoran, FANGORIA Online

Runners-up:  ‘Hammer and Wheatley,’ by John Logan, CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES #34;
‘Horror’s Greatest Showman: The Fun and Frights of William Castle,’ by Frank R. Dello Stritto, SCARY MONSTERS #140;
‘The Brides of Dracula: Exploring Hammer’s Macabre Fairy Tale Anew,’ by Jonathan Rigby, CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES #36;
‘Gorgo: Monster of the Kings,’ by Anthony McKay, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #52;
Honorable mentions:
‘Vincent Price, Maestro of the Macabre,’ by Rod Labbe, SCARY MONSTERS #137
‘Merian C. Cooper: A King and a God in the World He Knew,’ by Steve Vertlieb, File 770;
‘The 88 Edits of Sinbad,’ by Larry Blamire, CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN #41.

—————————————————————————
16) BEST INTERVIEW

Guiillermo Del Toro interviewed by Michael Gingold,
FANGORIA #29

Runners-up: Clive Barker by Majo Pavlovic, RUE MORGUE #222;
Caroline Munro by Chris Alexander, Delirium #40
Honorable mentions: Sara Karloff by Diana Robertson, Ghastly Phantasms #20; Alice Cooper by Aaron Von Lupton, RUE MORGUE #225.

————————————————————
17) BEST COLUMN

SCENE QUEEN by Barbara Crampton, FANGORIA;

Runners-up: Heard But Not Seen, by Bill Timoney, VIDEOSCOPE;
Rondo Remembers by Ron Adams, MONSTER BASH
Honorable mentions: R&D by David J. Schow, bare*bones;
Kaiju Korner, Mike Bogue, SCARY MONSTERS

—————————————————————————

 

   And that’s it for Rondo 24. Thanks to everyone who voted, and for your patience and support. Til next year!

As we always say, if you’ve gotten this far,
you are a true Monster Kid.

THIS WAS THE  BALLOT FOR THE (Gasp!) 24th ANNUAL RONDO HATTON CLASSIC HORROR AWARDS

— This year’s awards are dedicated to the memory
of the ultimate Monster Kid, BOB BURNS —
And we remember also a dear friend of the Rondos, Terry  Pace …

VOTING IS CLOSED

1) BEST FILM OF 2025
Includes wide release, video-on-demand and streaming

— AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH
— BLACK PHONE 2
— BRING HER BACK
— BUGONIA
— THE CONJURING: LAST RITES

— FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS
— FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES
— FRANKENSTEIN
— JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH
— THE MONKEY

— PREDATOR: BADLANDS
— SINNERS
— SUPERMAN
— 28 YEARS LATER
— WEAPONS
— WOLF MAN
— Or write in another choice:

2) BEST TV PRESENTATION (in 2025)

— ALIEN: Earth, Hulu. Corporate overlords develop enhanced lifeforms to harvest alien species. ‘We find some nets? How big can it get?’
— FOUNDATION, AppleTV+ Psychohistory is disrupted by the unexpected: The Mule. ‘I intend to consume the Imperium, along with the Foundation.’
— IT: Welcome to Derry, HBO. The origins of Pennywise. ‘You’re saying it wants to eat us?’

 — THE LAST OF US, HBO. Bitter survivor and teenage girl pick their way through the end of humanity. ‘You can’t keep her safe forever, no matter how hard you try.’
 — PLURIBUS, AppleTV+. A tiny handful are left to resist a seemingly benevolent hive mind. ‘Do you want an atom bomb?’
 — THE SANDMAN, Netflix. Dream becomes the custodian of Hades after Lucifer abandons her post. ‘It has begun. Hell is closed.’
— SILO, AppleTV+. Ten thousand survivors demand answers as rebels learn about the Beforetime. ‘Did I just hear you say you want to go outside?’

— STAR TREK: Strange New Worlds. Paramount+. The adventures of Captain Pike, Spock and a young Kirk before “The Cage” ‘You can call me Jim.’
— STAR WARS: Andor, Disney+. Prequel series to Rogue One. ‘If I die fighting the Empire, I want to go down swinging.’
— STRANGER THINGS, Netflix. The final season brings the battle to the Upside Down. ‘I need you to trust me to make the right choice.’
— THE WALKING DEAD: The Ones Who Live, AMC. The seventh franchise series reunites Rick and Michonne. ‘You don’t understand. In the dead world, love is dead!’
 — WEDNESDAY, Netflix. The Addams family delves deeper into Nevermore’s dark school history. ‘I’m where fun goes to die.’
 
— Or write-in another choice:

3) BEST BLU-RAY OF 2025:

— ALTERED STATES (1980; Criterion)
— ASYLUM (1972; Severin)
— CRACK IN THE WORLD (1965; Kino)
— CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957; 4K; Warner Bros.)
— DEAD OF NIGHT (1945; Kino)

— THE FINAL PROGRAMME (1973; Severin)
—  THE KEEP (1983; Vinegar Syndrome)
— THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH (1959; Vinegar Syndrome)
—  NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1990; Savini; Sony)
— THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT (1955; Hammer)
— Or write in another choice:

4) BEST BLU-RAY COLLECTION

— BRIVIDO GIALLO  (1987-88; Cauldron) Lamberto Bava’s TV films include Graveyard Disturbance, Until Death, Ogre, and Dinner with a Vampire)
—  DAN CURTIS’ CLASSIC MONSTERS (Kino). Dracula (Jack Palance), Frankenstein (Bo Svenson), Jekyll and Hyde (Palance).
—  DANZA MACABRA: Volume Four (Severin): Terror Creatures from Grave; Night of Damned; Devil’s wedding Night; Baba Yaga

— HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN: Rarities Collection, Vol. 2 (Severin; curated by Kier La-Janisse). Butterfly Kiss, Morgiana, Savage Eye, Glass Ceiling.
—  INVASION USA and ROCKET ATTACK USA (1952, 1960; Film Masters)
— MABUSE LIVES! Dr. Mabuse at CCC, 1960-1964 (Eureka). Four discs, six films: Thousand Eyes, Return, Invisible Testament, Scotland Yard, Death Ray.

— A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: 7-Film 4K Collection (1984-1994; Warner Bros). First seven films, including extras.
— TALES OF ADVENTURE: Collection 9 (1974-1978; Imprint) Land Time Forgot, People Time Forgot, At Earth’s Core, Warlords of Atlantis, all directed by Kevin Connor
— TERROR IN THE FOG: The Wallace Krimi, 1963-1964 (Eureka). Yellow Snake, Blackmoor Castle, Mad Executioners, Monster London City, Racetrack Murders.
— UNIVERSAL COLLECTION: Dracula, Mummy and Wolfman series from ViaVision have 10 new commentaries
— THE X TRILOGY (A24) Ti West’s X (2022), Pearl (2022), and MaXXXine (2024)
— Or write in another choice:

5) BEST RESTORATION OR UPGRADE

— CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957; 4K Warner Bros). Three discs include British, American, and TV aspect ratios.
—  THE DEADLY SPAWN (1983; Synapse). Douglas McKeown, Ted Bohus’ film gets 4K treatment.
— FRANKENSTEIN’S BLOODY TERROR 3D (1968; 3D Film Archive; Kino). Third-dimension shows what could have been.
— HE WHO GETS SLAPPED (1924; Chaney; Flicker Films/Blackhawk). First time in high definition, from a safety print.,
—  SAMURAI PRIEST VAMPIRE HUNTER (2009 original version; ETR Media). Originally the film was called ‘Live Evil’, revived as a B-movie extravaganza.; ETR Media).

— Or write in another choice:

 6) BEST DVD EXTRAS

— THE BEYOND (1981; Grindhouse), six discs of interviews and music, plus a copy of The 7 Doors of Death.
— CAPTAIN KRONOS, VAMPIRE HUNTER (1974; Hammer), Director Brian Clemens documentary; Caroline Munro commentary.
— CRACK IN THE WORLD (1965; Kino), Two-part discussion with Tim Lucas and Stephen R. Bissette
— DAN CURTIS COLLECTIONS (Kino), Jeff Thompson introductions to all the telefilms.

— FRANKENSTEIN’S BLOODY TERROR 3D, Tim Lucas discusses film and restoration.
— IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS (1995, Arrow), interview with Sandy King Carpenter.
— INVASION USA (1952; Film Masters) ‘Better Dead Than Red: Hollywood vs Communism in the 1950s’ (Ballyhoo)
— JAWS @ 50: the Definitive Inside Story (2025; Amblin). Directed by Laurent Bousereau, 90-minute bonus feature on anniversary 4K.

— JIM HENSON’S THE STORYTELLER (ViaVision) ‘Best Place by the Fire: Making of Jim Henson’s The Storyteller,’ video essay by Ryan Cauchi.
— THE KEEP (1983; Imprint) ‘A World War II Fairy Tale: The Making of Michael Mann’s The Keep’, directed by Stewart Buck, Stephane Piter.
— MABUSE LIVES (Eureka), Six introductions by Tim Lucas
— QUATERMASS XPERIMENT: Limited Collector’s Edition (1955; Hammer) Five discs, new documentaries on Nigel Kneale and more

— TERROR IN THE FOG (Eureka), 84-minute discussion with Steve Bissette and Tim Lucas.
— UNKNOWN WORLD (1951, Severin), ‘A Blacklist Legacy,’ Crawford Kilian on actor/grandfather Victor Kilian’s blacklisting in the 1950s.
— Or write in another choice:
  
7) FAVORITE COMMENTATOR OF 2025 (Below is a representative sample, but feel free to WRITE IN your favorite).

— Rod Barnett, Adrian Smith (Curse of the Voodoo)
— Rudy Behlmer (Chang, 1927).
— Michael Blake, He Who Gets Slapped (1924, Flicker Alley)
— Gary Gerani, Crack in the World (1965; Kino); A&C Meet Frankenstein (1948; ViaVision)
— John Harrison, Crawlspace (1986, Kino)

— Troy Howarth, Troy Guinn, Rodney Barnett (Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror 3D
— David Kalat (Five of six Mabuse films; Fantomas Returns)
— Stephen Bissette (Unknown World; Quatermass Xperiment)
—  Samm Deighan (Altered States)
— David DelValle

— Kat Ellinger (Butterfly Kiss)
— C Courtney Joyner, Steve Haberman
— Tim Lucas Son of Dracula; Werewolf of London, Mummy’s Curse, all ViaVision.

— Steve Mitchell, Nathaniel Thompson, Night of the Juggler (1980)
— Kim Newman, Stephen Jones (Land Time Forgot, People Time Forgot)
— Rebekah McKendry, Elric Kane, In the Mouth of Madness (1995, Arrow)
— Amanda Reyes, Dan Curtis Late Night Mysteries
— Gary Rhodes (Dracula’s Daughter (1936, ViaVision; Revenge of the Zombies; 1941; Kino)

— Jonathan Rigby, Kevin Lyons Earth’s Core, Warlords of Atlantis (Imprint); Castle of Evil (Vinegar Syndrome).
— Paul Scrabo, Rich Scrivani, Mummy’s Tomb (1942, ViaVision)
— Tom Weaver (House of Dracula, The Wolfman, She-Wolf of London, The Mummy’s Hand, with Larry Blamire, Mummy’s Ghost, all ViaVision)
— Or write in another choice:

8 ) BEST INDEPENDENT FILM
Includes festivals and streaming channels.

— ABRAHAM’S BOYS: A Dracula Story, directed by Natasha Kermani. Based on short story by Joe Hill, vampire-hunter’s children confront his past. See trailer here
— ADULTHOOD, directed by Alex Winter. Brother and sister discover a body buried in the family basement. See trailer here
— DANGEROUS ANIMALS, directed by Scott Byrne. A serial killer adds sharks to the mix. See trailer here
— DUST BUNNY, directed by Bryan Fuller, A neighbor helps a girl search for a monster. See trailer here
— FOREIGNER, directed by Ava Maria Safai. A Persian teen tries to fit in, with monstrous results. See trailer here

— GOOD BOY, directed by Ben Leonberg. A loyal dog fights off supernatural evil in a rural house. See trailer here
— THE HAUNTING AT JACK THE RIPPER’S HOUSE, directed by Stephen Stanley, Natasha Tosini. Paranormal influencers try to prove they aren’t fakes.  See trailer here
— HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE? directed by Elinore Mortimer. Deep-sea miners confront a species of the abyss. See trailer here
— KEEPER, directed by Osgood Perkins. Folk horrors in the woods, starring Tatiana Maslany. See trailer here
— THE REIGN OF QUEEN GINNARRA, directed by Lawrie Brewster. Old Dark Gods intervene in the battle for a Kingdom.
See trailer here
— THE UGLY STEPSISTER, directed by Emilie Blichfeldt. A deadly take on Cinderella. See trailer here
— Or write in another choice:
 
 9) BEST SHORT FILM

— BUNNYMAN, directed by Matthew Silva (4 mins). Feeding a legend. See film here
— THE DOMESTICATION OF VAMPIRES IN ESSEX, directed by Angie Darling Baby.  (15 mins). Three women are more than welcoming to a mysterious stranger. See trailer here
— IT CAME FROM BEYOND, directed by Achille Brunet (23 mins). Aliens invade but will anyone believe? See trailer here
—  LOOK CLOSER, directed by Tyson Edwards. (5 mins). Artist experiences strange events at night. See film here
— THE LORD OF ALL FUTURE SPACE & TIME, directed by Chris Paul Russell (26 mins). The Old West becomes a portal to a Future That Matters. See trailer here

— THE OCCUPANT OF THE ROOM, directed by Kier-La Janisse (32 mins). Adaptation of Algernon Blackwood tale of a teacher seeking late-night lodging. See trailer here
— SCREENING AFTER MIDNIGHT, directed by Ansel H. Faraj (22 mins). David Selby in fanciful search for the lost London After Midnight. See film here
— SMORE OF THE WORLDS, directed by Michael Varrati (3 mins). Hungry monster sniffs out food. See film here

— Or write in another choice:

10) BEST DOCUMENTARY

— BASIL GOGOS, KING OF THE MONSTERS, directed by Bill Diamond. Interviews and highlights of artist’s impact on the genre and art. See episode here
—  GEORGE A. ROMERO’S RESIDENT EVIL, directed by Brandon Salisbury. Explores the reasons Romero’s adaptation of the video game was never made. See trailer here
— HEARTS OF DARKNESS: The Making of the Final Friday, directed by Michael Felsher. Behind the scenes at Jason Goes to Hell. See trailer here
— THE SINISTER CINEMA STORY, directed by Jack Perez. Behind the scenes of Greg Luce’s pioneering source for rare VHS and DVD films. See trailer here

— STRANGE JOURNEY: The Story of Rocky Horror, directed by Linus O’Brien. Creators and cast describe how cult musical became a midnight sensation.  See trailer here
— VIDEOHEAVEN, directed by Alex Ross Perry. Return to the 1980s as VHS and video stores transformed how people watched movies. See trailer here
— THE VINCENT PRICE LEGACY, directed by Laurent Ohmansiek. Interviews include Alice Cooper, Joe Dante, David DelValle and others.  See trailer here
— THE WILHELM SCREAM, directed by Anna Quinlan, producer Steve Lee. The untold story of the most famous sound effect in Hollywood. See trailer here
— Or write in another choice:

11) BOOK OF THE YEAR (non-fiction)
Note: List prices are often discounted.

— ART! TRASH! TERROR!: Adventures in Strange Cinema, by Chris Alexander (Headpress, softcover, 460 pages, $25.44).  Essays, interviews from a personal perspective.
— BLUTO, BUSTER AND THE BLOB: Conversations with Actors and Writers from Hollywood and Radio’s Golden Age, by Leonard J. Kohl (BearManor Media, softcover, 524 pages, $38). Interviews range from serials to sci-fi, Our Gang and more.
— CINEFILMANIA: Adventures in the Retro Hi-Def Film Forbidden Zone, edited by Anthony Taylor (Independent, softcover, 367 pages, $17). The best reviews, old and new, from Apes on Film.
—  CINEMA BIZARRO: The Weird Kid’s Guide to Particularly Odd Horror and Sci-Fi Movies, edited by Steven Peros and Mark Bailey with Steven B. Orkin (BearManor Media, softcover, 182 pages, $25). Essays from pros and monster enthusiasts examine 38 movies.

— CONFESSIONS OF A BRIAN DE PALMA PROTÉGÉ: How I Shadowed the Director on The Fury, Dressed to Kill & More, by Sam Irvin (Independent, softcover, 343 pages, $39.87). A young filmmaker thrives in the shadow of a genius director, wild actors and Hollywood crazies.
— DEATH BY SNAILS, Vol. 2: A Guide for How to Watch Anything Through the Art and Majesty of Film Criticism, by Lucas Hardwick (Independent, softcover, 316 pages, $16.99). Why movie critics still matter, especially now.
— DOUBLE SHOCK HORROR! Horror/SF/Fantasy in British Cinema 1958-1970, by Barry Atkinson (BearManor Media, softcover, 628 pages, $52). Looking back at Britain’s Golden Age of weekly double-bills.
— FINATICS: 50 Years of Jaws, by Michael A. Smith, introduction. By Richard Dreyfuss (BearManor Media, hardcover, 278 pages, $52). A look at the film, the spinoffs, impact on culture, and the fans.

— FROM PAGE TO SILVER SCREEN; 21 Novels That Became Horror and Sci-Fi Movie Favorites, by Tom Weaver (BearManor Media, softcover, 308 pages, $35). The unexpected origins of some of the genre’s famous films.
— HOLLYWOOD HAUNTS THE WORLD: An Investigation into the Cinema of Occulted Taboos, by Robert Guffey (Headpress, softcover, 368 pages, $29.95). From UFOs to JFK, how filmmakers have handled conspiracies and the supernatural.
— ICONS OF FRIGHT: 100 Interviews with Legendary Horror Filmmakers, by Mike Cucinotta, Rob Galuzzo, Adam Barnick, Jason Alvino (Harker Press, softcover, 470 pages, $21.99) Seventy-five years of discussions (some new, others vintage), with creators of classic cinema.
— INCUBUS: Inside Leslie Stevens’ Lost Horror Classic, by David J. Schow (Cimarron, softcover, 264 pages, $25). Exploring the fate of the 1966 thriller — in Esperanto! — starring William Shatner.
— THE MAGIC OF SPECIAL EFFECTS AND STOP-MOTION ANIMATION, Vol. 1: 1952-1974, by Harry Walton (Independent, softcover, 217 pages, $50). A hands-on look at a lifetime of effects work and genius encounters.

— MAKING MONSTERS: Inside Stories from the Creators of Hollywood’s Most Iconic Creatures, by Howard Berger and Marshall Julius (Welbeck, hardcover, 320 pages, $37.02). Hundreds of images, and top talents reveal secrets behind make-ups and effects.
— NIGHTMARE AUTOPSIS: A Return to Elm Street, by Lowell Greenblatt (Harker Press, softcover, 423 pages, $24.99) Offers new franchise insights along with rare photos and original interviews.
— 1968: Diary of a Monster Kid, by Allan Bryce. (Ghoulish Publishing, softcover, 196 pages, $33) Dark Side magazine editor recalls his young introductions to horror movies, and other spicier parts of life.
— POSSESSION: Dreams of Suffering and Sanity, by Chris Kelso (PS Publishing, hardcover, 90 pages, $22.19). Monograph explores 1981 film of infidelity and dread.

— ROBERT BLOCH: An Unconventional Bibliography, by Jim Nemeth, with essays by Randall Larson (Independent, softcover, 384 pages, $18.99). Comprehensive listing of his writings, scripts, interviews, quotes and more.
— SCRIPTS FROM THE CRYPT No. 17: A Trip to Mars, by Stephen Jacobs and Tom Weaver (BearManor Media, softcover, 246 pages, $23.62). The lost screenplay of the never-produced 1930s Universal project.
—SUCCUBUS, by Tim Lucas (PS Publishing, hardcover, 220 pages, $28). An appreciation of the film, aka Necronomicon, and director Jesus Franco.
— THRILLS UNTAPPED 2: More Discoveries for Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Movie Fans, 1928-1936, by Michael R. Pitts (McFarland, softcover, 347 pages, $42.50). Highlighting more than 150 films often overlooked by genre fans.

— TOBE HOOPER’S SALEM’S LOT: Studies in the Horror Film, edited by Antony Earnshaw (Centipede Press, softcover, 736 pages, $185 signed) 400 pages of photos and text added to landmark 2014 edition.
— TROG: The Ultimate Tribute, by John Hamilton (We Belong Dead, softcover, $26). Excavating the truth about the 1970 cult film.
— UNLOCKING DRACULA A.D. 1972, by David Huckvale (McFarland, softcover, 203 pages, $37.95). A revisionist look at a Hammer film that reflected the influences of the early 1970s.
— WEIRDUMENTARY: Ancient Aliens, Fallacious Prophecies, and Mysterious Monsters from 1970s Documentaries, by Gary D. Rhodes (Feral House, softcover, 336 pages, $27.98). From ancient aliens to cryptids, examining the pseudo-science genre.

— WILLIS O’BRIEN: Lost Worlds, Giant Apes and Dinosaurs, Vol. 2, From She Who Must Be Obeyed to Mr. Joseph Young of Africa, by Greg Kulon (Kulon Ventures, softcover, 379 pages, $63.90). Second of three volumes covers She, Mighty Joe Young, Last Days of Pompeii, and more.
— Or write in another choice:

12) BEST BOOK ON 70 YEARS OF GODZILLA

— GHIDORAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER, by Christopher Stewardson (Liverpool University Press, softcover, 144 pages, $25). How the fanciful alien foe helped transform Godzilla into a defender of earth.
— GODZILLA: THE FIRST 70 YEARS, by Steve Ryfle, Ed Godziszewski (Harry Abrams, hardcover, 432 pages, $75). Two kaiju experts explore all aspects of Japan’s King of the Monsters with historic analysis and visuals.
—  “GOJIRA” 1954, by Peter H. Brothers (Independent, softcover, 257 pages, $19.54). Looking back at the atomic fears that helped launch Japan’s kaiju franchise.
— IN SEARCH OF GODZILLA, by Rick Wallach (McFarland, softcover, 174 pages, $39.95). Focusing on the 1954 Japanese original.

— KING KONG VERSUS GODZILLA, The Most Colossal Conflict the Screen Has Ever Known, by Thom Shubilla (BearManor Media, softcover, 248 pages, $28). From film rights to special effects, how this 1962 clash of the titans emerged.
— THE LUMINOUS FAERIES AND MOTHRA: The Original Story, translated by Dr. Jeffery Angle (University of Minnesota Press; softcover, $14.56, 120 pages). The original Japanese novella.

 13) BEST CLASSIC MONSTER FICTION
(Fiction that uses classic horror as jumping off points)

— BECOMING NOSFERATU: Stories Inspired by Silent German Horror, edited by Matthew Sorrento, Gary D. Rhodes (BearManor Media, softcover, 324 pages, $29). Numerous contributors offer stories, essays and more.
— DARK SISTERS: A Novel, by Kristi DeMeester (St. Martin’s Press, hardcover, 336 pages, $16.61). A healing witch’s curse reaches across three generations.
— DEALS WITH THE DEVIL, DIALOGUES WITH DEATH, by Frank J. Dello Stritto (Cult Movies Press, hardcover, 519 pages, $32.14) Facts, dread and cinema combine to reveal Faustian bargains.
— DRACULA NEVER DIES: The Revenge of Bela Vorlock, Vol. 2, by Christopher Gauthier (Independent, softcover, 260 pages, $15.99). An actor fights battles those who destroyed his reputation in 1950s Hollywood.

— HOUSE OF THE APE MAN: An Anthology, by Kurt McCoy (Independent, softcover, 106 pages, $14.99). New tales of Lugosi’s doomed Dr. Brewster.
— MITZI AT MIDNIGHT, by Lyndon W Joslin (Palmetto Publishing, hardcover, 248 pages, $28.99) A Houston traffic reporter must battle a demon’s vampire plague.
— MODERN MUMMIES: A Horror Anthology, edited by A.C. Bauer (Cat Eye Press, softcover, 202 pages, $14.99) Thirteen tales unwrap new takes from the tombs.
— RISE OF THE BEAST, by Joe Overlay (Independent, softcover, 78 pages, $11.99). Has the curse of the Talbots returned to Lainwelly?

— TICK TOWN, by Christopher A. Miklos (Castle Bridge, softcover, 198 pages, $14.99) In the tradition of pulps, giant bugs take over a town.
— WHAT FRESH HELL IS THIS?: Dark Tales, by Del Howison (Crystal Lake, softcover, 232 pages, $12.99). Stories of the supernatural by the former owner of Burbank’s Dark Delicacies bookstore.— Or write in another choice:

14) Best Magazine of 2025

— Bare*Bones
— Castle of Frankenstein
— Cinema Retro (UK)
— Classic Monsters of the Movies (UK)
— Cryptology
— The Dark Side (UK)

— Delirium
— Dracula Beyond Stoker
— Fangoria
— Freaky Monsters
— G-Fan
— Ghastly Phantasms
— HorrorHound
— Infinity (UK)

— Little Shoppe of Horrors
— Monster Bash
— Phantasmagoria (UK)
— Rue Morgue

— Scary Monsters
— Scream (UK)
— Screem
— Shock Cinema
— Space Monsters
— Videoscope
— We Belong Dead (UK)
— Or write in another choice:

15) BEST ARTICLE (You can pick two)

— ‘‘Black Stars of Classic Horror,’ by Mark Voger, CRYPTOLOGY #6. From stereotypical comedy to menacing supporting players.
— ‘The Brain of Frankenstein:  Or Who’s Knocking Around In That Noggin?’ by Kevin Hoxsey, WE BELONG DEAD #45. Which Monster am I talking to? A fair question.
— ‘The Brides of Dracula: Exploring Hammer’s Macabre Fairy Tale Anew,’ by Jonathan Rigby, CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES #36. Exploring one of Hammer’s earliest and most satisfying horror films.
— ‘The Curse of Frankenstein,’ by Mark Clark, SCREEM #44. A look at the 4K reincarnation of the Hammer version.
— ‘Cryptids in Westerns,’ by Stephen R. Bissette, bare*bones #21-24. Four-part examination into natural and unnatural monsters out West.

— ‘The Dead Zone,’ by Andy Allard, WE BELONG DEAD #47.  The inevitable pairing of David Cronenberg and Stephen King.
— ‘Die a Million Deaths: A Short History of the Grand Guignol,’ by Aaron Aubochon, HORRORHOUND #194. The influence of Gruesome 19^th Century theatre on cinema.
— ‘The 88 Edits of Sinbad,’ by Larry Blamire, CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN #41. A frame by frame breakdown of the confrontation with the Cyclops in 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD.

— ‘Elizabeth Bathory,’ by Elizabeth Belmont, SPACE MONSTERS #2. Don’t believe everything you’ve heard about the Countess of Blood.
— ‘Gorgo: Monster of the Kings,’ by Anthony McKay, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #52. Complete 270-page issue devoted to the English monster film.
— ‘Hammer and Wheatley,’ by John Logan, CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES #34. How Hammer handled three works by Dennis Wheatley – Devil Rides Out, Lost Continent, To Devil a Daughter.
— ‘Heavy Metaluna: This Island Earth on Page and Screen,’ by Matthew R. Bradley, bare*bones #23.
— ‘Horror’s Greatest Showman: The Fun and Frights of William Castle,’ by Frank R. Dello Stritto, SCARY MONSTERS #140. From Emergo to the Punishment Poll and beyond, every movie gimmick.

— ‘Is Horror Political? Glad You Asked…’ by  Catherine Corcoran, FANGORIA. Star of Terrifier links cinema horrors to real-life issues of war, race, communism and identity.
— ‘Just a Gorilla Named Joe,’ by Mike Hankin, INFINITY #89. The making of Mighty Joe Young.
— ‘Live to Air: The War of the Worlds Broadcast,’ by Phil Hore, CRYPTOLOGY #3. How Orson Welles’ 1938 broadcast was preceded by similar radio stunts elsewhere.

— ‘Merian C. Cooper: A King and a God in the World He Knew,’ by Steve Vertlieb, File 770. Years of Kong scholarship is revealed.by Steve Vertlieb, File 770.
— ‘The Phantom of the Opera, A Centennial Retrospective,’ by John H.Navroth, CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN #42. The origins and filming of Chaney’s silent masterpiece.
— ‘Requiem is a Dream,’ by Dennis Daniel, DELIRIUM #40. Exploring Requiem for a Vampire, a gateway to Jean Rollin.

— ‘The Science Fiction Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen, by Mark Phillips, INFINITY From #82 to 88. A five-part look at the longtime career of TV and movie producer.
— ‘Sell Your Soul for Rock and Roll: Phantom of the Paradise,’ by Jessica Dwyer, HORRORHOUND #104.
— ‘Skelton Knaggs: A Face for Horror,’ by Brian J. Robb, THE DARK SIDE #271. The little known, but unforgettable character actor.
— ‘You Can’t Keep a Good Monster Down: The Monster Renaissance of the 1990s,’ by Lance Brick, SCARY MONSTERS #138. Year-by-year, how classic monsters reconquered to the culture.

— ‘Universal Studios Monsters: Prequels, Sequels, and In-Between Duels,’ by George Humenik, CASTLE OF FRANKENSTEIN #42. How the studio wrestled with monstrous storylines, film by film.
— ‘Unlucky Thirteen,’ by Gregory Kulon, THE DARK SIDE #271. Thirteen Women battled censorship to survive as a classic horror.
— ‘Vincent Price, Maestro of the Macabre,’ by Rod Labbe, SCARY MONSTERS #137. No matter the role, the actor came with a warm chill.
— Or write in another choice:

16) BEST INTERVIEW

— Clive Barker by Majo Pavlovic, RUE MORGUE #222
— Michael Berryman by Jessie Robbins, SCREAM #88.
— Jeffrey Combs by Jessica Dwyer and Paul David, HORRORHOUND #105

— Alice Cooper by Aaron Von Lupton, RUE MORGUE #225.
— Guillermo Del Toro, by Michael Gingold, FANGORIA #29
— Imagineering makeup founders (Larry Liff, Gino Acevedo, Barry Koper) by Ray Castile’s Basement of Horror
— Sara Karloff by Diana Robertson, GHASTLY PHANTASMS #20.
— Ari Lehman, the first Jason, by Andrew Graves, SCREAM #90

— Caroline Munro by Chris Alexander in DELIRIUM #40
— Star Trek Doctor Robert Picardo by Anthony Petkovitch, SHOCK CINEMA #66
— Hellboy makeup artist Matt Rose by Pat Jankiewicz, VIDEOSCOPE #129.
— Zandor Vorkoff by Ernie Magnotta, THE DARK SIDE #264
— Or write in another choice:

17) BEST COLUMN

—- Emma Dark’s Dark Corner, WE BELONG DEAD
—- Deep Focus, by John-Paul Checkett, SCREEM
—- Devil’s in the Details, by Stacie Ponder, RUE MORGUE
—- Exordium, by Michael Gingold, FANGORIA

— Heard But Not Seen Adventures in Voice-Acting! by Bill Timoney, VIDEOSCOPE
— It Came from Bowen’s Basement, John Bowen, RUE MORGUE
— Kaiju Korner, by Mike Bogue, SCARY MONSTERS
— Kim Newman’s Dungeon, THE DARK SIDE

—- Ralph’s One & Only Traveling Reviews, by Richard Klemensen, LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS
—- R&D, by David J. Schow, BARE*BONES
—- The Rochon Report, by Debbie Rochon, VIDEOSCOPE.
—- Rondo Remembers, by Ron Adams, MONSTER BASH

—- Scene Queen, by Barbara Crampton, FANGORIA
—- Strange Days by Jason Strangis, SCARY MONSTERS
—- They Came from the Krypt, by Jon Kitley. HORRORHOUND
—- Or write in another choice:

18) Best Cover

 

bare*bones #22 by Woody Welch (1951-2021)	Castle of Frankenstein #42 by Scott Jackson
Classic Monsters of the Movies #34 By Daniel Horne	Cryptology #6 By Bernie Wrightson (1993)
The Dark Side #271 By Rick Melton	Delirium #41 By Suspiria Vilchez
Fangoria #27 By Matt Ryan Tobin	Freaky Monsters #42 By Arliss
G-Fan #148 By Rudy Gardea	By Matthew Therrien
Little Shoppe of Horrors #52 By Mark Maddox	Monster Bash #56 By Kerry Gammill
Phantasmagoria #27 By Graham Humphreys	Rue Morgue #225 Design by Shane Mills
Scary Monsters #139 By Scott Jackson	Scream #92 Design by Imran Kelly
Screem #44 By	Videoscope #128
We Belong Dead #46 By Josh Ryals

19) BEST WEBSITE

— Bill Fleck’s Classic Horror Behind the Scenes Author’s blog delves deep.
— BlackHorrorMovies   Too long ignored, revelations abound.
— Bloody Disgusting Tracking the latest across all horror platforms.
— Bloody Pit of Rod   Rod Barnett’s musings on monsters and horror.
— Cinema-crazed.com Dissecting pop culture for 20 years.
— Camp Kaiju The talk of Monster Island and beyond.
— The Doctor’s Model Mansion Collector Mark Glassy’s amazing monster displays.

— Dread Central Horror’s front page.
— Dwight Frye Appreciation Group He was more than an assistant.
— Final Girl  Stacie Ponder’s cinema survival guide.
— The Frankenstein Lens  Monster scholarship, unseen photos and fun.
— It Came From … Musings from nostalgia curator David Weiner.
— Monster Kid Central Richard J. Schellbach’s site offers columnists and news.

— Ray Castile’s Basement of Horror All about the toys and masks of yesteryear.
— Robert Bloch Official Website A comprehensive look at the master of suspense, with webmaster Jim Nemeth.
— Scared Silly  Paul Castiglia’s tribute to classic horror comedies.
— Shudders and Shadows Midnight Marquee’s Gary Svehla’s online board.
— A Strange Man in a Film Land Jay Kay’s bodies of work.

— Trailers from Hell Joe Dante and friends talk over vintage trailers.
— This Monstrous Life Frank Dietz opens doors to his decades of fandom.
— Universal Horror & Classic Creatures A Facebook page with rare photos and more.
— Universal Monster Army  Ultimate destination for models, toys, collectibles.
— World of Monsters John Navroth’s 50-year obsession.
— Or write in another choice:

20) BEST PODCAST

— B-Movie Cast Long-running podcast still going strong.
— Borgo Pass Horror Podcast The Universal horrors discussed in detail.
— Bride of Monster Kid Radio Derek Koch and guests discuss classic horrors.
— Celluloid Cemetery Mark Bessenger digs deep.
— The Cobwebs Channel Daniel Epler’s fresh takes on classic horrors.
— Colors of the Dark  Rebekah McKendry and Elric Kane celebrate latest horror releases.

— Cult Radio a Go-Go  Pioneers of the horror-talk genre.
— DieCast Movie Podcast Steven Turek and friends dissect films old and new.
— Discover the Horror Hosts Kitley, AuBuchon, and Glonek discuss conventions and films.
— Faculty of Horror Hosted by Andrea Subissati and Alexandra West.

— Frankenstein Minute   Podcast dissects the Frankenstein series minute by minute.
— Grim and Bloody Podcast Interviews and other horrors.
— Grimm Life Collective  Visits to real-life horror film locations.
— The Hysteria Continues Slashers get their cuts.

—  Icons of Fright After 20 years, a return of a trailblazing podcast.
—  Kicking the Seat Ian Simmons and Aaron Christensen go deep.
— Midnight Mass Peaches Christ and Michael Varrati invite you in.
— The Monster Archives Deep dives into Universal classics.
— Monster Attack Jim Adams hosts a horror roundtable.
— Monster Party Always something different when it comes to horror talk.

— The Monsters That Made Us Dan Colon and Mike Manzi celebrate the Universal classics, old and nedw.
— Movie Dumpster  Podcast rummages through cinema’s discarded gems.
— Planet CHH Christian Hanna dissects classic and latest releases.
— Plan 9 Crunch Readings and discussions of cult films.
— Ray Harryhausen Podcast Latest from the Ray Harryhausen Foundation.
— Steve & Crypto Show  On-the-news monster and pop culture talk.
— Terror at Collinwood Horror host Penny Dreadful explores the secrets of Dark Shadows.
— Or write in another choice:

21) BEST EVENT OF 2025                                                                     

— Back to Lost World, stop-motion experts including Neil Pettigrew and Mike Hankin visit the Blue Posts pub in London where brontosaurus scene was filmed 100 years ago.
— The Bride at Rest, Elsa Lanchester’s grave is officially marked with a plaque in Los Angeles.
— Harryhausen up close: Animator’s models and artifacts on tour in Kalamazoo and Tucson.
—  Lurchfest, annual celebration in Philippi, West Virginia of all things Addams family. Ted Cassidy’s son, Sean attends.

— Monsters on Main Scary Monsters editors Don and Vicki Smeraldi open a horror themed store in Van Buren, Ark.
— Murders Double Down. Historians Frank Dello Stritto and Greg Mank offer separate lectures on Murders in the Rue Morgue at Monster Bash.

— Plan 9 Cemetery Visit, Los Angeles. Dana Gould and author Harry Medved tour the graves where Ed Wood’s classic was filmed..
—  Popcorn Frights Film festival in South Beach now in 12^th year.
— Robby the Robot and Arnold Leibovit celebrate Forbidden Planet and George Pal Puppetoons in Beverly Hills.

— Producer Michael Felsher, discusses Friday the 13^th documentary at HorrorHound Weekend.
— Serlingbration at Monsterama in Atlanta celebrates Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling’s 100^th anniversary.
— Son of Frankenstein presentation by author Julian David Stone, and Carl Laemmle grandniece Antonia Carlotta at Monsterpalooza.
— Stoker on Stoker, Dacre Stoker, great grand-nephew of Dracula’s creator, speaks and offers never before published illustrations. In Aiken County, S.C.

— Or write in another choice:

22) FAVORITE HORROR HOST

— Arachna of the Spider People (Beware Theater)
— Bobby Gammonster (Monster Movie Night)
— The Bone Jangler (and Enchantress Nocturna)
— Captain Calico Drake (Dead and Buried)
— Count Gore De Vol (Creature Feature)

— Doctor Sarcofiguy (John Dimes)
— Don O’Malley (Breakfast Serials)
— Drac and Countess Carita (Transylvania Tonight)
— Dr. Dread (John Murray)
— Dr. Dreck (Dungeon)
— Dr. Gangrene Presents

— Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
— Gruesome Graves (Haunted Hotel)
— Halloween Jack (The Monster Channel)

— Halloween Harvey (Festival of Fear)
— Hexen Arcane (Vortexx)
— Igorro (The Igorro Show)
— Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Lady (The Last Drive-In)
— Karlos Borloff (Monster Madhouse)

— Lord Blood-Rah (Nerve Wrackin’ Theatre)
— Marlena Midnite (Midnight Mausoleum)
— Mistress Malicious (Mistress Peace Theater)
— Mr. Lobo (OSI74)
— The Mummy and the Monkey (Hairy Scary Hangout)

— Penny Dreadful (Shilling Shockers)
— Ritch and Triv (The Midnight Movie)
— Sally the Zombie Cheerleader (Vortexx)
— Scarlet Fry (Arizona)

— Son of Ghoul (Ohio)
— Svengoolie (Berwyn)
— Vincent Van Dahl, Tangella, Mr. Livingston (Creature Features, Bay Area)
— Zelda, Bird & Theo (Offbeat Cinema)
— Or write in another favorite host

23) BEST GRAPHIC ARTS PRESENTATION

— THE ART OF GEORGE WILSON, by Anthony Taylor (Hermes Press). More than 300 illustrations from famed pulp, comic book and poster artist.
— THE ART OF RICK CATIZONE AND ANIVISION LTD, by Rick Catizone (Independent). Secrets and artwork from artist behind Creepshow, Evil Dead and more.
— CURSE OF DARK SHADOWS, by Craig Hurd-McKinney, and Jok (Hermes Press). Graphic novel, a deathbed promise brings back Barnabas.
— CREATURAE NOCTIS: The Horror Art of Frederick Cooper (Frederick Cooper Arts, hardcover, 152 pages, $40).

— EARTHDIVERS OMNIBUS, by Stephen Graham Jones, illustrated by Davide Gianfelice, Riccardo Burchielli (IDW) All three volumes of time travel epic.
— THE GOON: Them That Don’t Stay Dead. By Eric Powell (Dark Horse). New graphic novel marking 25^th anniversary.
— HALLOWEEN GIRL Book Three: Gods and Monsters, by Richard T. Wilson, Shahed R (Mad Shelley Comics). The responsibilities of goth are not always pleasant.
— IN THE MOOD FOR MONSTERS, by Stephen R. Bissette (Monster Sketchbook Series). 178 pages of illustrations and musings on an artist’s monster love.

— LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT (Chaney Entertainment. Source Point). Graphic novel version of lost film.
— MONSTERS Trading Cards, by Mark Spears. Classic monsters reimagined.
— MONSTROUS MAGAZINE (Monstrous Books). Illustrated tales of mystery and menace.
— ROBOT MONSTER COMICS IN 3-D, edited by Paul Castiglia (3-D Film Archives). 17 stories, along with vintage ads. Glasses of course included.

 

WRITE-IN CATEGORIES
 
The following categories are based on write-in votes, and in some cases help Rondo organizers honor those whose accomplishments don’t always fit in other categories.

24. BEST WRITER OF 2025

25. BEST ARTIST OF 2025 (all formats)

26. BEST FAN ARTIST OF 2025 (The Linda Miller Award)

ADVISORY CATEGORIES
(Help Rondo organizers decide who should be selected
in the following categories)

Rondo Awards copyright David Colton, 2026