In the world of horror, what you don’t see is often far more terrifying than what you do. That philosophy is being celebrated in a big way this year as the Cinema Audio Society (CAS) has officially announced its nominees for the 2026 awards gala. Among the prestige titles leading the pack are two genre standouts that have redefined sonic terror over the last year: Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic Sinners and the high-energy animated thrill ride K-Pop: Demon Hunters.
Genre Excellence in Sound Design
The nomination for Sinners comes as little surprise to those who have experienced its bone-chilling soundscape in theaters. Starring Michael B. Jordan, the film relies heavily on a claustrophobic, immersive audio experience to convey the lurking dread of its supernatural antagonists. The re-recording mixers and foley artists managed to create a unique auditory signature for the film's creatures, blending organic snarls with atmospheric hums that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. This CAS nomination solidifies Sinners as a frontrunner not just for its storytelling, but for its technical mastery.
Equally impressive is the inclusion of K-Pop: Demon Hunters. While the film leans into the action-horror subgenre, its sound team faced the monumental task of balancing high-octane musical performances with the visceral sounds of supernatural combat. The result was a vibrant, thumping audio experience that proved horror and music can coexist in a way that is both terrifying and exhilarating. The film's recognition by the CAS panel highlights the growing respect for animated genre films within the industry.
A Night of Horror Royalty
Beyond the competitive categories, the 2026 CAS Awards will be a landmark event for horror fans due to its special honorees. Legendary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is set to receive the CAS Filmmaker Award. Del Toro, a man who has dedicated his career to the beauty of monsters, has always prioritized sound as a central pillar of his world-building. From the clicking gears of Cronos to the wet, heavy footsteps of the Pale Man in Pan’s Labyrinth, Del Toro’s filmography is a masterclass in how audio can evoke empathy and terror simultaneously.
Joining him on the podium is re-recording mixer Skip Lievsay, who will receive the CAS Career Achievement Award. Lievsay is a titan in the field, having worked on some of the most iconic soundscapes in cinema history. Horror aficionados will recognize his touch on classics like The Silence of the Lambs and No Country for Old Men, where his ability to use silence as a weapon changed the way we experience suspense.
Why Audio Defines the Modern Horror Experience
At ScreamDesk, we’ve long argued that the "audio-scare" is the most potent tool in a director's arsenal. The 2026 nominations reflect a shift in how the industry views horror. No longer seen as merely "jump-scare machines," modern genre films are being recognized for their sophisticated use of spatial audio and psychological sound triggers. When a film like Sinners earns a CAS nod, it’s a win for the entire horror community, proving that our favorite nightmares are crafted with the highest level of technical precision.
The winners will be revealed during the official gala on March 7, 2026. Stay tuned to ScreamDesk for live coverage as we see if our favorite genre hits can take home the gold.