WYNTK: EPCOT Food & Wine, Halloween Horror Nights, "The Dog Stars" Premieres, and More This Week in the World of Disney and Beyond

Two popular fall events kick off in the Orlando theme parks this weeks, Ridley Scott's The Dog Stars hits theaters, and FX's Adults returns for its second season. Here’s just some things to keep your eyes on in the coming week. Be sure to check back here at Laughing Place as we will have reviews, recaps, and coverage from each of these events, series, and movies!

EPCOT Celebrates 30 Years of the Food & Wine Festival

• The popular International Food & Wine Festival is returning to EPCOT for its 30th year on Thursday, August 27, running through November 21, 2026.
• Just like previous years, the Global Marketplaces will offer a plethora of amazing food items from cultures around the world as well as kid-friendly and plant-based options.
• Live music takes center stage with the return of the Eat to the Beat Concert Series at the America Gardens Theatre.
• Of course, there will also be plenty of new and exclusive merchandise!

Halloween Horror Nights Returns to Terrorize Universal Orlando

• Down the street, another popular event is kicking off this week – specifically on Friday, August 28 – Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights!
• This year's event marks the 35th anniversary of the popular after-hours Halloween event, which will be fronted by icons Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow.
• In addition to five original houses, popular IPs such as Sinners, Stranger Things, Evil Dead Burn and Hellraiser will be a part of the event.
• Even the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne, will be honored with his very own haunted house!

Ridley Scott's The Dog Stars Arrives in Theaters

• The story focuses on Hig (Jacob Elordi), a young pilot living in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a pandemic alongside a military survivalist, Bangley (Josh Brolin). A mysterious radio transmission sends Hig on a journey that will bring him into contact with a medic known as Cima (Margaret Qualley).
• The Dog Stars is written by Mark L. Smith (The Revenant), with the cast also including Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce, with Pearce reuniting with his Prometheus and Alien: Covenant director, Ridley Scott.
• The Dog Stars will wrap up the summer movie season, opening exclusively in theaters on Friday, August 28.

The Simpsons Goes Black Mirror with New Disney+ Special

• The third of three special Disney+ exclusive episodes of The Simpsons is set to debut on Wednesday, August 26.
• Titled "Yellow Mirror" and serving as a spoof of the popular Netflix series Black Mirror, the special sees a defective lamp reveal a heartbreaking truth about what Homer believes is reality, while an AI-powered tablet befriends and controls Maggie.
• The Simpsons struggle to find the light through two dark tales of the curious and bizarre in this Disney+ exclusive.
• Check out our reviews/recaps of the previous two specials – "Extreme Makeover: Homer Edition" and "Simpsley"

FX's Hilarious Comedy Series Adults Returns for Season 2

• Adults is an ensemble comedy series about a group of twenty-somethings in New York leaning on each other to navigate love, work, friendship and family.
• Across eight episodes, the housemates navigate the messy realities of adulthood, from changing relationships and family dynamics to finding unexpected satisfaction in ordinary life.
• Several notable guest stars are joining the cast, including Raven-Symoné, Susie Essman, Gaten Matarazzo, Zosia Mamet, Ben Marshall, Jake Shane, and Isaac Powell. 
• The full second season will debut on Thursday, August 27 on FXX and Hulu beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
• The season was preceded by a special prequel episode which introduced the lovable friend group and reveals Paul Baker’s origin story. Be sure to check out Alex's recap of the prequel episode.

New Star Wars Video Game Zero Company Sees Its Release

• Star Wars Zero Company is an upcoming turn-based strategy and tactics video game from developers Respawn Entertainment and Bit Reactor, published by Electronic Arts.
• In Star Wars Zero Company, players take on the role of former Republic officer Hawks, assembling an unconventional squad that includes a clone trooper voiced by Dee Bradley Baker, a Mandalorian of Clan Verminoth, a Tognath Jedi Padawan, and recruitable Operators.
• The voice cast for the game was revealed during San Diego Comic-Con, which includes a number of names known to longtime Star Wars fans.
• Star Wars: Zero Company is set for release on PC, Xbox Series X, and PS5 on Thursday, August 27.

Meet the Elite Contestants Competing in Season 4 of Jeopardy! Masters

• The fourth annual Jeopardy! Masters tournament will be hosted by regular series host Ken Jennings, and will feature the year’s elite Jeopardy! champions as they face off for the grand prize of $500,000.
• The lineup of top players is as follows:
  • Reigning Jeopardy! Masters champion Yogesh Raut
  • Returning finalist Juveria Zaheer
  • Returning finalist Victoria Groce
  • 2026 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions winner Paolo Pasco
  • 2026 Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament winner Andrew He
  • 2026 Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament runner-up Long Nguyen
• The 2026 Jeopardy! Masters tournament will premiere Tuesday, August 25 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC (streaming the next day on Hulu) and will air across the following nine episodes:
  • Tuesday through Friday, August 25-28 (Episodes 1-4)
  • Tuesday through Friday, September 1-4 (Episodes 5-8)
  • Tuesday, September 8 — Finale