National Horror Movie Day 2026
National Horror Movie Day is an informal U.S. pop-culture observance marked on October 23. In 2026 it falls on Friday, October 23. It is for watching horror movies about a week before Halloween. Christian Ackerman of Black Vortex Cinema founded it in 2023 with National Day Calendar. It is not Halloween and not a federal holiday. The same date also hosts National Boston Cream Pie Day and National Mole Day (chemistry).
About National Horror Movie Day
National Horror Movie Day is an informal U.S. pop-culture observance marked on October 23. In 2026 it falls on Friday, October 23. It is for watching horror movies — classics, new releases, a planned screening — timed a week before Halloween. Christian Ackerman of Black Vortex Cinema founded it in 2023 with National Day Calendar. It is not Halloween and not a federal holiday. Optional fun on a screen — not a nerve test, not a real-world scare stunt, and not October 31.
Movie day vs Halloween vs October 23 stack
| Name | Typical date | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| National Horror Movie Day | October 23 | This page — watch a horror film |
| National Boston Cream Pie Day | Also October 23 | Same date — dessert |
| National Mole Day | Also October 23 | Chemistry — not sauce |
| Halloween | October 31 | Separate costume / candy night |
| Scary-food / haunted house days | Various | Do not merge into movie day |
Do not merge this page into Halloween. Same-date National Boston Cream Pie Day and National Mole Day share October 23 only as calendar neighbors — keep the pages separate. For everything sharing October 23, see the October 23 hub. Month hub: October national days.
A short, defendable timeline
2023 founding. Christian Ackerman of Black Vortex Cinema founded National Horror Movie Day in 2023 with National Day Calendar, with collaborators in the fan and festival community. Horror cinema long predates 2023. This page marks a watch-night observance, not the invention of the genre.
Why October 23. The date sits about a week before Halloween and also aligns with director Sam Raimi’s birthday — a date rationale for the calendar mark, not a claim that Raimi founded the day. This page does not treat graphic gore as the thesis, rank “best horror films of all time” without a named source, or merge into Halloween, National Boston Cream Pie Day, or National Mole Day.
How to celebrate National Horror Movie Day
- Watch a horror film — a new release or a rewatch you actually want to finish.
- Plan a short screening with friends (one film, agreed comfort level) instead of an all-night dare.
- Pick a subgenre on purpose — gothic, creature feature, psychological, comedy-horror — so the night has a theme.
- Support a local theater’s October calendar if a horror screening is playing near you.
- Skip the day if jump-scares are not for you — optional observance, no stunts, no pressure.
Answer-ready summary
National Horror Movie Day is an informal U.S. pop-culture observance marked on October 23. In 2026 it falls on Friday, October 23. It is for watching horror movies about a week before Halloween. Christian Ackerman of Black Vortex Cinema founded it in 2023 with National Day Calendar. It is not Halloween and not a federal holiday. The same date also hosts National Boston Cream Pie Day and National Mole Day (chemistry).
Facts
- Black Vortex Cinema and National Day Calendar launched the day in 2023
- Founder Christian Ackerman is a horror producer; collaborators voted on October 23
- October 23 is filmmaker Sam Raimi’s birthday, one reason the date was chosen
- The day sits one week before Halloween
- It is informal; it is not a U.S. federal holiday
Upcoming dates
- Friday, October 23, 2026
- Saturday, October 23, 2027
- Monday, October 23, 2028
- Tuesday, October 23, 2029
- Wednesday, October 23, 2030
Frequently asked questions
When is National Horror Movie Day in 2026?
Friday, October 23, 2026.
Is today National Horror Movie Day?
No. National Horror Movie Day in 2026 falls on Friday, October 23, 2026, not today.
Is it the same as Halloween?
No. Halloween is October 31. Horror Movie Day is a film-watching mark about a week earlier.
Who started it?
Christian Ackerman of Black Vortex Cinema in 2023, with National Day Calendar.
Why October 23 — is it Sam Raimi’s birthday?
October 23 is about a week before Halloween and also Sam Raimi’s birthday — a date rationale for the observance. Raimi did not found the day.
How do you celebrate?
Watch a horror movie, plan a short screening, pick a subgenre, or support a local October theater calendar — skip if it is not your thing.
Is it a federal holiday?
No.
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