24 ‘Sick & Twisted’ films make up the inaugural 3-day ‘Animation Extravaganza 2025’ comeback festival that’s releasing in the U.S.on October 31.
Big announcement from Skybound Entertainment… Your favorite, iconic, hand-picked “Sick & Twisted” animation curators are back…
For nearly four decades, Spike & Mike championed the “wildest, most daring animated shorts — giving a platform to the fearless and downright outrageous animators who would go on to shake up the industry.” From Oct.
31-Nov.2, Skybound will unlock the vault and bring to U.S.theatres nationwide. The 2025 lineup marks the festival’s triumphant return after nearly two decades, celebrating the audacious spirit that made it legendary from the 1970s through the early 2000s.
Hosted by internet YouTubers Jaiden Animations ( @jaiden_animations) and Ross O’Donovan (RubberRoss—@rubberninja), this 90-minute program mixes retro ‘70s and ‘80s animation with quirky live-action bits and fresh, one-of-a-kind new shorts. Skybound has selected 24 shorts from hundreds of submissions from creators across North America to be part of the inaugural three-day comeback festival.These 24 shorts, alongside festival favorites and hidden gems from the Spike and Mike vault.The program will “transport audiences through a kaleidoscope of animation — retro 8-bit adventures, balloon-based aliens with interstellar appetites, plentiful heaps of phlegm-spitting characters, zombies just trying to make friends, skeletons dancing under full moons, and video game marathons that race against reality itself.“ “Spike and Mike was my crash course in just how weird and wonderful animation could be,” said Chelsea Harfoush, Executive Producer of Spike & Mike’s Animation Extravaganza.
“This lineup captures the irreverent and delightfully offbeat spirit that made the festival legendary.Being part of the team to help bring it back to theatres feels surreal in the best way, as we can’t wait for audiences to relive the nostalgia, experience these films in theatres, and discover the next generation of animation visionaries.” Tickets for the festival are on sale now at REGmovies.com.For more information, including the full schedule and participating Regal locations, visit HERE. The will showcase a wild mix of films that includes: New Shorts , dir.
Max Landman—A godlike alien hungers for exotic delicacies from the deepest reaches of space in this stop-motion animated film made entirely with balloons., dir.Max Johnson—A phlegm-spitting, bone-cracking, mind-bending man experiences a body falling apart on a beautiful day in this mixed-media animated short and music video.
, dir.Dawn Brown—Skeletons rise from the grave to frolic under the full moon in tribute to Disney’s classic The Skeleton Dance., dir.
by Conor Cole, DJ Garcia, & Maya Ash Buttmaggot—Two bounty hunters fight tooth and nail to pay their rent and feed their lizard in a world ruled by mischief and self-interest., dir.Preston King—A detective encounters a house that devours him alive.
, dir.Loserville Animation Studios—A couple celebrates a birthday at a restaurant that really loves to celebrate birthdays., dir.
Sam Grinberg—A man faces the choice between lust and love., dir.Mélissa Navarro—After killing a monster to save her baby brother, Andrea is haunted years later by a familiar sound.
, dir.Chenglin Xie—An overworked clerk begins to have hallucinations linked to his own death., dir.
Matt Somma—Sarge and the boys unbox a new flamethrower with chaotic results., dir.Steven Shea (Abyssmal Entertainment)—A mother granted the miracle of conception discovers the true essence of existence.
, dir.Angelina Retodo—A ninja chef embarks on a quest to find a rare dragon egg and cook the ultimate omelet, encountering mysterious obstacles along the way., dir.
Del Agnew—A man contemplates his life in his room when something completely unexpected occurs. Spike & Mike Vault Favorites, Newly Unearthed , dir.Loïc Guetat—Boby is a friendly zombie trying to make a date go right, but his delicate constitution turns romance into nightmare., dir.
Brad Neely—A whimsical retelling of the story of the first president.Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
Skybound Entertainment Relaunches Iconic 'Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation'
‘Animation Outlaws’ Shows How Spike & Mike Made ‘Sick & Twisted’ a Household Name
Podcast EP74: Spike & Kat Share ‘Animation Outlaws’ Spike & Mike Documentary
ShortsHD Rolls out Spike & Mike Animation Showcase
Spike & Mike's Sick & Twisted Animation Fest Celebrates 20 Years
Spike & Mike's Animation Fest Turns 30
Spike & Mike Launch Site For Animated Shorts
