Golden Scythe Horror Awards 2026: The Nominees Are In

The Golden Scythe Horror Awards are back with a killer lineup. The 2026 nominations are led by Bring Her Back and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, with horror heavyweights and breakout nightmares filling out one of the most stacked ballots yet. Read all about the 2026 nominees here!

The Golden Scythe has been raised once more. The nominations for the 4th Annual Golden Scythe Horror Awards have officially been announced. Check them out to see how they are carving a bloody, brilliant snapshot of horror releases as they stand today.

With genre heavyweights, breakout sensations, and crowd-pleasing nightmares all represented, the 2026 lineup proves that horror remains fearless, inventive, and gloriously unhinged.

Adding an extra layer of excitement for us at Heaven of Horror, our very own ScreamQueen and HorrorDiva are voting members of the Golden Scythe Horror Awards this year. We’re lending our horror-loving, discerning eyes and sharp horror instincts to the final decision-making process.

The winners will be revealed during a live-streamed ceremony on February 22, 2026. This event promises a night where screams of joy and agony will echo in equal measure.

The Films Leading the Slaughter

Two films stand head and shoulders above the rest in this year’s nominations.

Danny and Michael Philippou’s Bring Her Back (which we gave a top rating) and Emma Tammi’s Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (which didn’t impress us much) dominate the field. Each has been gifted with 16 nominations, including the coveted Best Picture prize.

Bring Her Back has proven itself both a critical and commercial force. It has deservedly earned acclaim for its emotional intensity and nightmarish imagery. All while grossing $39.1 million against a $15 million budget. The film’s impact is felt across multiple categories. This includes acting, directing, screenplay, and technical achievements.

Meanwhile, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 continues the franchise’s box office reign of terror. It’s managed to pull in a staggering $125.5 million worldwide. Expanding on the mythology introduced in the 2023 original and, of course, the video game it’s based on. The sequel secured nominations across major creative and technical categories.

Performances That Cut Deep

This year’s acting categories are stacked with performances that linger long after the credits roll.

Sally Hawkins earned a Best Actress in a Leading Role nomination for her haunting turn in Bring Her Back, while the film also scored supporting nominations for Jonah Wren Philipps and Sora Wong. Over in Freddy’s territory, Mckenna Grace picked up a Best Supporting Actress nod for her role in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.

The leading categories also showcase a thrilling range of horror performances, from Michael B. Jordan’s intensity in Sinners to Madeleine McGraw’s chilling presence in Black Phone 2 and Sophie Thatcher’s genre-defining work in Companion.

Best Picture: A Killer Lineup

The Best Picture category reads like a love letter to horror in all its forms, niches and subgenres.

Here are the nominees:

• Black Phone 2
• Bring Her Back
• Clown in a Cornfield
• Companion
• Final Destination Bloodlines
• Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
• The Long Walk
• Shelby Oaks
• Sinners
• Weapons

From slashers and supernatural dread to psychological and apocalyptic horror, this lineup reflects the genre’s extraordinary versatility. For us here at Heaven of Horror, it’s easier to say which ones we wouldn’t vote for than to pick our number one!

Crafting the Nightmare

Beyond performances and storytelling, the Golden Scythe Horror Awards shine a spotlight on the artisans who make horror feel real.

Categories like Best Makeup & Hairstyling, Best Sound Design, Best Cinematography, and Best Use of Practical Effects. All these are packed with films that understand one crucial truth: horror lives in the details.

Whether it’s the brutal ingenuity of Final Destination Bloodlines, the unsettling textures of Companion, or the visceral chaos of Bring Her Back. These nominees all showcase craftsmanship at its most diabolical.

Fan-favorite categories such as Best Kill, Best Horror Movie Moment, and Best Poster also return, celebrating the scenes, images, and moments that had audiences gasping, cheering, or hiding behind their popcorn.

A Global Celebration of Fear

The Best International Film category continues to highlight horror’s worldwide reach, with nominees from Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Norway (with Denmark co-producing). It’s a reminder that fear speaks every language and that some of the most unforgettable nightmares come from beyond Hollywood’s borders.

Counting the Cuts

In terms of sheer presence, Bring Her Back and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 lead with 16 nominations each, followed closely by Black Phone 2, Companion, and Final Destination Bloodlines, all boasting 14 nominations. The numbers alone reveal a fiercely competitive year where no single film is guaranteed victory.

The Final Countdown

With ScreamQueen and HorrorDiva proudly representing Heaven of Horror among this year’s voting members, we’ll be watching the race with sharpened anticipation. The Golden Scythe Horror Awards continue to champion the genre’s boldest voices and bloodiest visions, and the 2026 nominees prove that horror is not only alive but thriving.

The question now is simple: who will take home the Scythe?

We’ll find out when the winners are announced in February 2026. Until then, let the speculation begin.

You can see the full list of nominees here.