This is pretty scary but in a good way, because it looks like Southern California is rising above the rest when it comes to horror conventions.

Macabre Daily, an online publication that covers the national horror industry, has just published its list of the Top 10 Must Attend Horror Conventions of 2025, and four are here in the Southland.

“There are other conventions throughout the nation but Southern California seems to be cornering the market when it comes to horror conventions,” said Samuel Santiago, the senior reporter who compiled the list for the Ohio-based publication that covers everything from movies to sci-fi and horror-oriented video games.

The list was published Jan. 7 and includes Long Beach’s Midsummer Scream, which started in 2016 and is the largest of the local horror-specific conventions, attracting more than 50,000 people to the city’s convention center during its three-day run each summer. It’s set to return Aug. 15-17.

Also on the list is Monsterpalooza, which takes place May 30-June 1 at the Pasadena Convention Center. And San Diego Comic-Con, while not horror-specific, also made the Top 10 due to its international appeal and strong horror component. It returns June 23-27.

Rounding out the list is Creep I.E., the newest of the conventions, which launched in 2022 and is returning Jan. 31-Feb. 2 to the Ontario Convention Center.

“We’ve been around three short years, so to make that Top 10 list of most anticipated conventions in the United States along with other major conventions here in Southern California is a major honor,” said Brian Boget, founder of Creep I.E. and its equally scary sequel convention, Creep I.E. Aftermath, which will take place this September in Ontario.

“We pride ourselves on our celebrity guest list, our cosplayers and our themed experiences,” Boget added.

To compile the Top 10, Santiago looked for conventions that covered key factors including horror film releases, memorabilia and prop sales, celebrity attendance, and vendors selling home decorations and other items.

Creep I.E. stood out to Santiago not just for its focus on celebrities — who this year include Cassandra Peterson, best known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, plus “Jigsaw” actor Tobin Bell — but because of its location in the Inland Empire.

“Everybody thinks that L.A. is the be-all and end-all of the movie industry and horror, and that’s not the case,” he said. Santiago noted that the Inland Empire’s large population offers a built-in audience for horror.

“This means huge numbers of people not having to drive to L.A. And Creep I.E. Con also does a great job of providing VIP experiences for their guests and providing exclusive reunions of cast members,” Santiago said.

Midsummer Scream stood out not just for its size but because this is where large amusement parks that create their own haunts, like Universal Studios Hollywood and Knott’s Berry Farm, come to offer fans a sneak peek of attractions for the spooky season. It also made the list thanks to its widely popular Hall of Shadows, where professional and amateur haunt creators set up walk-thru mazes for attendees.

“Everyone loves to go to haunts during Halloween, but having that during the summertime is amazing,” Santiago said.

One of Santiago’s favorite conventions is Monsterpalooza, which started in 2009 on the East Coast as a mask convention before moving here in 2014.

It has since grown to include all aspects of horror while still staying true to its roots with makeup and special effects demonstrations plus celebrity signings and a Saturday night concert.

“Celebrity sightings are everywhere, they have amazing after parties, and the VIP and the early sales and experiences given to them are outstanding. You will not find a list of more intriguing companies and celebrities than at Monsterpalooza,” he said.

While these four conventions made Macabre Daily’s list, they aren’t the only scary gatherings in the area.

In September Horrorcon LA creeps back into the Los Angeles Convention Center, and there are smaller events, too, such as Witches Brew Night Market in Orange County and the Spooky Swap Meet at Heritage Square in Los Angeles.