Written By: Sam Santiago
There's no easy way to put this, and we've been turning it over in our heads nonstop since Creep I.E. Con V wrapped up, we can’t shake it. What we witnessed was something we didn’t think was possible in California for years, and yet here it is: Southern California finally has a premier horror movie convention.
We don't say this lightly. We remember the days of the Creation events and Fangoria shows of the late 90s and early 2000s. It seemed that the Southern California area, specifically Los Angeles, couldn't keep a good horror convention for more than a few years at most. Every time you thought a convention was gaining steam, they folded. This made us very wary of a new horror convention coming along to try and tame SoCal, but CREEP I.E. CON has done just this, and in of all places, not Los Angeles, but the Inland Empire, specifically Ontario. Now that, in and of itself, is impressive as all hell.
The convention has endured five years of ups and downs, from scheduling curveballs to permit headaches. They’ve weathered grumbling fans, influencers claiming the world revolves around them, and every other challenge you can imagine. And in 2026, it all paid off—on Saturday, January 31st, Creep I.E. Con was officially awarded Best Horror Convention, a distinction we wholeheartedly agree with, as well as a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by Congresswoman Norma J. Torres for the Inland Empire. This is not to throw shade on any other event that takes place in California, but it does let the horror community know that Los Angeles isn't the end-all be-all of horror, and the I.E. is just as passionate, if not more so, than anywhere else in California.
Getting into the event was smooth, with parking designated to local lots and a streamlined check-in process. (We'll get into a few areas where this wasn't the case later.) Each year, the staff refines the operation, getting fans in and out of the Ontario Convention Center more efficiently than ever. Attending this year’s con was nothing short of electric. Walking the floor, we soaked in a mix of nostalgia, artistry, and sheer horror fan energy. Vendors like VideoShock, Fangoria, Warlord Clothing, Tee No Evil, and Midsummer Scream were on full display, offering everything from rare collectibles to exclusive convention merch. With over 150 vendors haunting the halls of CREEP I.E. we knew we would have our hands on our wallets the entire time, just itching to pull out that plastic card of debt and add another item to our collections.
We even caught up with our pal Sammy Ruiz, whose cholo- and homeboy-inspired artwork continues to turn heads. We took a photo with some crazy vatos over at Sammy's booth and you can check out that image below.
,There was so much to see this year that we really needed more than just three days to soak everything in, but from Jan 30th till feb 1st, Ontario California, became spooky central once again, and we couldn't have been happier. We saw custom t-shirts and handbags to rare VHS tapes of horror films only true aficionados could identify. All types of collectors were roaming the halls of CREEP I.E. CON.
Starting off January in this fashion has spoiled us so. Having a spooky event pop up right after the holidays and before the heat of summer comes to brandish us with bad sun tans and cranky afternoons, Creep I.E. Con shines as a beacon of horror and hope for so many who get down after spooky season ends. This includes us fine fiends. You're not alone, so when Creep I.E. comes around, we know our spirits and our fandom will be lifted once again.
Celebrity Guests and Star Power
The main stars of the weekend were Robert Englund, Cassandra Peterson, and Kiefer Sutherland, each stationed in separate rooms for signings and photo ops. Fans were thrilled to capture moments with these icons, and throughout the weekend, some incredible cast reunions took place—including members from "Ash vs Evil Dead", "A Nightmare on Elm Street", and "The Lost Boys", making for some truly epic photo opportunities. Darren Lynn Bousman made a last-minute Sunday appearance, signing autographs and taking photos with fans as well. Check out the full list of guests that were at CREEP I.E. CON V.
We did hear about a few hiccups with Robert Englund’s signing and photo-op setup, but the staff quickly resolved the issues. Another topic fans mentioned was that there was only a single entrance for ticket processing. The frustration is understandable—especially at the very start of the event, when lines were long. With cosplay weapon checks and standard security measures in place, it’s no surprise it took some time to get everyone through. Ultimately, we heard nothing but high praise for the event and the guests' interactions with celebrities over the weekend.
Here is a full list of all celebrity guests at CREEP I.E. CON V
Main Headliners
• Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Stranger Things)
• Cassandra Peterson (Elvira, Mistress of the Dark)
• Kiefer Sutherland (The Lost Boys, 24)
• Linda Blair (The Exorcist)
• Henry Winkler (Happy Days, Scream)
• Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future, Addams Family)
• Tom Wilson (Back to the Future series)
• Skeet Ulrich (Scream, Riverdale)
• Jasmin Savoy Brown (Scream series, Yellowjackets)
• Ted Raimi (Evil Dead franchise)
• Ray Santiago (Ash vs Evil Dead)
• Jane Levy (Evil Dead, Don’t Breathe)
• Dana DeLorenzo (Ash vs Evil Dead)
• Jose Mangin (SiriusXM host)
• Spencer Charnas (Ice Nine Kills)
A Nightmare on Elm Street Alumni
• Amanda Wyss
• Tuesday Knight
• Brooke Theiss
• Brooke Bundy
• Joann Willette
• Lisa Wilcox
Other Notable Guests
• Jonathan Breck (Jeepers Creepers)
• Emily Kinney (The Walking Dead)
• CJ Graham (Friday the 13th Part VI)
• Darcy DeMoss (Friday the 13th Part VI)
• Jaime Pressly (A Haunted House 2)
• Lou Diamond Phillips (Young Guns, La Bamba)
• Jason Patric (The Lost Boys, Terrifier 3)
• Alex Winter (The Lost Boys, Bill & Ted)
• Billy Wirth (The Lost Boys)
• Chance Michael Corbitt (The Lost Boys, Pumpkinhead)
• Dermot Mulroney (Scream VI, Young Guns)
• Ken Kirzinger (Freddy vs Jason, The Cabin in the Woods)
• Gina Philips (Jeepers Creepers)
Vinyl, Comics, and Collectibles
The convention wisely split the entertainment into specialized rooms. The record room was packed wall to wall, with fans digging through crates of classic horror soundtracks and rare vinyl finds. We personally found a clean copy of the soundtrack for "Ed Kemper" we were hunting for, and our friends at Driptone Records held court with selections ranging from slasher scores to ambient horror themes, while the comic book room was equally slammed. Our friends at Outpost 31 Comics were the focal point of this room but it also had fans discovering everything from indie hits to mainstream classics. David Dastmalchian and Leah Kilpatrick were on hand promoting their latest comic project, "THE ACCESSORIES", giving fans insight into their creative work beyond the screen.
Cosplay and Community
Cosplay was a major highlight, with fans bringing their A-game—from characters of "Sinners" to evil clowns and Ghostfaces roaming the halls. The energy was infectious, a reminder of why conventions like this exist—to bring fans, artists, and creators together in one shared love of horror. The tunes were blasting nonstop from the VIP area thanks to DJ Reaper, keeping the party going all three days.
We saw so many families having a blast walking through each area of the convention. Little ones were laughing and running around while parents talked about favorite horror scenes or kills and what decorations would look best in their homes. The thing about Creep I.E. Con, we have noticed, is that everyone who attends is genuinely in a great mood and willing to chat or meet new people. One would assume that folks who watch others get torn to shreds and wear black 365 days a year would be a bit standoffish, but at Creep I.E. Con, we're all misfits, and we all fit in. That's what makes attending every year so special: we feel connected to the community and the actors that support us, and in turn, we support them.
Tickets are already on sale for Creep I.E. Aftermath, scheduled for this July, with special guests to be announced soon, promising another weekend of horror mayhem, cosplay, fan interactions, and celebration. This wasn’t just a convention—it was an experience. From the collectibles to the conversations, the scares to the laughs, Creep I.E. Con proved that California can host a horror event on par with anywhere else in the country.
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