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Chicago has never exactly lacked for great moviegoing. But for four days this April, the Music Box Theatre will become the rowdiest playground for genre films in the country. The team behind Beyond Fest — now officially the largest genre film festival in the United States — is partnering with the legendary venue to launch Beyond Chicago. Running April 2 to 5, it’s a brand-new satellite edition that promises the same anything-goes programming that made the L.A. event an annual staple for weirdo film fans.
The inaugural lineup packs 30 features, including world premieres, archival restorations, and unique screening opportunities complete with special guests. Opening night kicks off with Curry Barker’s instant supernatural sensation “Obsession,” a fittingly fresh selection that premiered to critical praise at TIFF last year. But closing night belongs to the world premiere of Daniel Goldhaber’s “Faces of Death.” Presented in 35 mm, the audacious reinvention of a notorious shock-doc tape stars Barbie Ferreira as a modern content moderator trying to assess if the murders she’s witnessing online are real.
Between those bookends, Beyond Chicago is mixing in more contemporary mayhem and cult history for a leaner lineup than LA that still packs a punch. Bob Odenkirk headlines a centerpiece screening of Ben Wheatley’s action blast “Normal.” It’s paired here with the 1974 subway-thriller “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three,” a personal repertory pick from Odenkirk. RZA will also appear with his latest film, “One Spoon of Chocolate,” and host a screening of the 1979 martial arts film “The Kid with the Golden Arm.”
You’ll notice the program leans hard into vintage discoveries and unexpected presentations, including the world premiere of a 4K restoration of “Speed Racer” with Lilly Wachowski in attendance. A slate of 15 free films emphasizing unexpected craft and global artistry will also be presented courtesy of sponsor MUBI. Chicago-area distributor Dark Sky Films co-sponsors the event.
Keep reading for the complete Beyond Chicago 2026 lineup, divided by screen. For more information, visit beyondfest.com and musicboxtheatre.com. Tickets are on sale to Music Box members starting tomorrow, March 5, and the general public on Friday, March 6. Free tickets for Screen 2 will be available to members as of Wednesday, April 1, and the general public on Thursday, April 2.
Screen 1
“BUTTHOLE SURFERS: THE HOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUTT” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Tom J. Stern
Country: United States
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 2025
Guests: Tom J. Stern, Paul Leary, Gibby Haynes
“OBSESSION” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Curry Barker
Country: United States
Runtime: 108 minutes
Distributor: Focus Features
Year: 2025
“ROSE OF NEVADA” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Mark Jenkin
Country: United Kingdom
Runtime: 114 minutes
Distributor: 1-2 Special
Year: 2025
“THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE” — Special Screening in 35mm
Director: Joseph Sargent
Country: United States
Runtime: 104 minutes
Distributor: Park Circus
Year: 1974
Guests: Bob Odenkirk
“NORMAL” — Midwest Premiere/35mm Screening
Director: Ben Wheatley
Country: United States / Canada
Runtime: 90 minutes
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Year: 2025
Guests: Bob Odenkirk
“SPEED RACER” — World Premiere of 4K Restoration
Director: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
Country: United States
Runtime: 135 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Year: 2008
Guests: Lilly Wachowski
“THE KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM” — Special Screening in 35mm
Director: Chang Cheh
Country: Hong Kong
Runtime: 86 minutes
Distributor: Celestial Pictures
Year: 1979
Guests: RZA
“LADY SNOWBLOOD” — Special Screening of 2K Restoration
Director: Toshiya Fujita
Country: Japan
Runtime: 97 minutes
Distributor: Janus Films
Year: 1973
Guests: Meiko Kaji
“FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: JAILHOUSE 41” — Special Screening in 35mm
Director: Shun’ya Itô
Country: Japan
Runtime: 87 minutes
Distributor: AGFA
Year: 1972
Guests: Meiko Kaji
“THE FURIOUS” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Kenji Tanigaki
Country: Hong Kong, China
Runtime: 113 minutes
Distributor: Lionsgate
Year: 2025
“ONE SPOON OF CHOCOLATE” — Midwest Premiere
Director: RZA
Country: United States
Runtime: 112 minutes
Distributor: Variance Films
Year: 2025
Guests: RZA
“FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN” — Special Screening in 3D
Director: Paul Morrissey
Country: Italy / France / United States
Runtime: 95 minutes
Distributor: AGFA
Year: 1973
“BOORMAN AND THE DEVIL” — Midwest Premiere
Director: David Kittredge
Country: United States
Runtime: 112 minutes
Year: 2025
Guests: David Kittredge
“EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC” — Special Screening in 35mm
Director: John Boorman
Country: United States
Runtime: 117 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Year: 1977
“OVER YOUR DEAD BODY” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Jorma Taccone
Country: United States
Runtime: 105 mins
Distributor: Independent Film Company
Year: 2026
Guests: Jorma Taccone
“FACES OF DEATH” — World Premiere in 35mm
Director: Daniel Goldhaber
Country: United States
Runtime: 98 minutes
Distributor: Independent Film Company & Shudder
Year: 2026
Guests: Daniel Goldhaber, Isa Mazzei
Screen 2
“CAMP” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Avalon Fast
Country: Canada
Runtime: 111 minutes
Distributor: Dark Sky Films
Guests: N/A
“SILVER BUTTERFLY 2: SHE-CAT GAMBLER” — World Premiere of 2K Restoration
Director: Seijun Suzuki
Country: Japan
Runtime: 88 minutes
Distributor: Kadokawa
Year: 1972
Guests: Meiko Kaji
“THE YETI” — World Premiere
Director: William Pisciotta, Gene Gallerano
Country: United States
Runtime: 93 minutes
Distributor: Well Go USA
Year: 2026
“FLUSH” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Grégory Morin
Country: France
Runtime: 70 minutes
Distributor: Dark Sky Films
Year: 2025
“BLOOD BROTHERS” + other delights — World Premiere of Remaster
Director: Mike Diana
Country: USA
Runtime: 83 min Distributor: Factory 25 Year: 1987 – 1990
“PHASE” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Jessica Vogt
Country: United Kingdom
Runtime: 80 minutes
Distributor: TBA
Year: 2025
“BULK” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Ben Wheatley
Country: United Kingdom
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2025
“IMPOSTERS” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Caleb Phillips
Country: United States
Runtime: 102 mins
Distributor: TBA
Year: 2026
Guests: Caleb Phillips
“SMALL KILL” — World Premiere of 4K Restoration
Director: Gary Burghoff, Rob Fresco
Country: United States
Runtime: 86 minutes
Distributor: Terror Vision / Culture Shock
Year: 1992
Guests: Brad Henderson
“SHEILA AND THE BRAINSTEM” — World Premiere of 4K Restoration
Director: Matt McDowell, Russell Bates Country: USA
Runtime: 79 minutes
Distributor: Severin Films
Year: 1989
“ROQIA” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Yanis Koussim
Country: Algeria
Runtime: 94 minutes
Distributor: Watermelon Pictures
Year: 2025
“IKATAN DARAH (BLOOD BOND)” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Sidharta Tata
Country: Indonesia
Runtime: 110 minutes
Distributor: TBA
Year: 2024
“CRUEL HANDS” — Midwest Premiere
Director: Al Kalyk
Country: Australia
Runtime: 76 minutes
Distributor: Dark Sky Films
English (US) ·