Just when you thought modern animation had flatlined into soulless CGI cash grabs and AI-generated mediocrity, the mad geniuses behind Spike and Mike’s Animation Extravaganza are clawing their way out of the grave to remind us what unhinged, unfiltered, freak-out indie animation really looks like. For the first time in nearly 20 years, the godfathers of deranged cartoons are storming back into theaters nationwide this Halloween weekend—October 31 through November 2—thanks to a new partnership between Skybound Entertainment and (believe it or not) Regal Cinemas.
Yes, that Spike and Mike—the same warped minds who gave early breaks to animation icons like Mike Judge (Beavis and Butt-Head), Don Hertzfeldt (Rejected), and Tim Burton—are back with 90 minutes of pure, brain-melting, gut-busting shorts. Spike and Mike’s Animation Extravaganza 2025 is a kaleidoscopic mix of retro gems from the vault and brand-new submissions from a fresh crop of demented animators who somehow slipped past the gatekeepers of studio taste.
Hosted by YouTube legends Jaiden Animations and Ross O’Donovan (aka RubberRoss), this year’s festival isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a full-blown resurrection. Skybound opened the floodgates and collected hundreds of submissions from across North America, whittling them down to 24 short films guaranteed to tickle your third eye and punch you in the funny bone.
“This isn’t sanitized, algorithm-approved content. This is the raw, risky stuff that would never make it past a Disney boardroom—and that’s exactly the point.”
Expect stop-motion aliens made of balloons. Expect skeletons dancing under the full moon. Expect body horror, dragons, weird chefs, h***y phlegm, and a zombie named Boby just looking for love. This isn’t sanitized, algorithm-approved content. This is the raw, risky stuff that would never make it past a Disney boardroom or an Amazon pitch deck—and that’s exactly the point.
“This lineup captures the irreverent and delightfully offbeat spirit that made the festival legendary,” said Executive Producer Chelsea Harfoush. “Being part of the team to bring it back to theaters feels surreal in the best way.”
Some of the new standouts include:
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“Baloney Beacon” – A stop-motion balloon alien with a taste for the bizarre.
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“Debt & Misgivings” – Bounty hunters, lizards, and capitalist chaos.
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“The Scramble” – A ninja chef on a dragon egg omelet mission.
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“Sarge Unboxes a Flamethrower” – Exactly what it sounds like. Boom.
And from the Spike & Mike vaults:
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“Boby Le Zombie” – A romantic zombie comedy with body parts falling off.
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“Cox + Combes’ Washington” – An animated fever dream about America’s first president, as only Brad Neely could imagine it.
It’s all rude, crude, funny, freaky, and exactly the kind of cinematic rebellion the indie animation scene has been missing. So while the mainstream is busy remaking Pixar sequels and rebooting IP until it’s dust, Spike and Mike are here to torch the status quo—one short film at a time.
Spike and Mike’s Animation Extravaganza 2025 is playing for three nights only—October 31 to November 2—exclusively at Regal Cinemas across the country. Tickets are on sale now at REGmovies.com.
If you give a damn about animation that actually pushes boundaries, this is your must-see event of the year. Miss it, and you might as well go back to watching Minions.
