It’s Chainsaw Awards season, baby! Our 2026 ceremony airs on Shudder in just over two weeks, and we’re excited to present the stars that will, in turn, be presenting our prestigious (and bloody good!) awards when they air on October 25.
This year’s Chainsaw Awards are written and directed by Michael Varrati, and hosted by scream king Devon Sawa, known for his roles in Final Destination and Heart Eyes. (Or, if you were a creepy little kid like me, the human version of Casper.) He’s joined by some of the genre’s most legendary names, including Rick Baker and Dee Wallace making special appearances, and our own editor in chief Phil Nobile Jr., returning once again to present our Editor’s Eyeball award.
This year’s nominee pool is massive, and absolutely stacked with some of the best horror of the last year. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and Dust Bunny share the lead with nine nominations each, though you’ll recognize plenty of other films, like Backrooms, Hokum, Queens of the Dead, Obsession, and many more.
The 2026 Chainsaw Awards air on Shudder on October 25 at 9PM ET. Keep scrolling for the full list of our wonderful presenters, and let us know who you’re most excited to see!
Best Costume Design — Spencer Williams and Kelli Maroney
Best Creature FX — John Kassir
Best Documentary Feature — Dr. Emily Zarka and Vander Von Odd
Best International Movie — Aurora Perrineau
Best Limited Release Movie — Krsy Fox and Adam Marcinowski (as Big Baby)
Best Makeup FX — Darren Stein and Peaches Christ
Best Non-Fiction Series — Isa Mazzei and Sarah Lind
Best Score — Curtis Rx and Cerina Vincent
Best Series — Julia Marchese and Teri Gamble
Best Streaming Premiere Movie — Patrick Brice
Best Supporting Performance — Tracie Thoms
Best Video Game — Alanah Pearce
Best Screenplay — Dr. Stephen Graham Jones
Best Director — Mick Garris and William Malone
Best Lead Performance — Mink Stole
Best Wide Release Movie — Lin Shaye
Best Kill — Tiffany Shepis and Felissa Rose
Best First Feature — Chris Colfer
Best Cinematography — Dylan Clark
You can stream the Chainsaw Awards live on Shudder on 10/25, and dive into nominated screams including V/H/S/Halloween, Reflection in a Dead Diamond, and Faces of Death with an annual subscription available to new U.S. subscribers for just $29.99 now through showtime.
