‘Tis the season to be scared out of your wits! We all know that October is just another excuse to watch horror movies from sundown to sunrise. This year is no different, as a whole host of scary movies and television series are set to be released just in time for Halloween. Don’t limit your choices though; there are plenty of other genres coming out this month as well.
The new releases this October include highly-anticipated seasons of beloved TV shows starring fan favourite actors like Tom Hiddleston–swoon. If it’s prestige you’re looking for, this month also marks the worldwide release of a film that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to widespread critical acclaim. It’s the range for us.
Here’s what to add to your watchlist this October.
Our Flag Means Death (Season 2)
Premieres 5 October on Max
Pirates! Murder! Love! Murderous pirates falling in love! Our Flag Means Death has them all and so much more. The first season of this underrated Max Original gathered a large, cult-like following last year with scores of fans falling in love with these fictionalised versions of the legendary Blackbeard and the Gentleman Pirate. This month, the crew of The Revenge is back and better than ever, ready to pick up right where they left off from the heartbreaking season finale.
Watch the trailer here.
Gen V
First three episodes premiered 29 September, following episodes will air from 6 October on Prime Video
We’re all familiar with the six-time Emmy-nominated hit TV series, The Boys. Given its popularity, turning the show into a franchise is a no-brainer. That’s where the first spin-off series from The Boys, Gen V, comes in. Set in the same universe where powerful supervillains (masquerading as saintly superheroes) are celebrities, Gen V follows a group of students attending university exclusively for, you guessed it, superpowered people. But Gen V is much more than just another cash-grabbing superhero show—this series promises to set the bar higher than its predecessor, and that’s saying something.
Watch the trailer here.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Premieres 20 October in cinemas
The list of filmmakers audiences would sit through a three-hour-long movie for isn’t a long one—we can’t all be Christopher Nolan, after all. Award-winning director Martin Scorcese, lauded as one of the best filmmakers in history, definitely tops the list. The latest in Scorcese’s five-decade filmography, Killers of the Flower Moon stars Leonardo Dicaprio alongside exciting newcomer Lily Gladstone. An epic western crime saga based on the true story of Osage Nation members, Killers of the Flower Moon is brimming with romance, murder, and betrayal. Be sure to check out Killers of the Flower Moon, one of the highest-rated movies of the year.
Watch the trailer here.
The Exorcist: Believer
Premieres 5 October in cinemas
Now onto the horror fest! The Exorcist (1973) is celebrated as one of the greatest horror films ever made, even scoring ten Academy Award nominations—which is no small feat for a horror flick. This year, The Exorcist: Believer serves as the movie’s direct sequel with Ellen Burstyn reprising her iconic role as the mother of the girl who was possessed 50 years ago. Curious about what other nightmares unfolded after the (literal) bile-spewing horrors that happened half a century ago? You have to see it to believe it.
Watch the trailer here.
Five Nights At Freddy’s
Premieres 27 October in cinemas
If you’re a fan of scary video games, then this movie should definitely be on your watchlist. Five Nights at Freddy’s is a popular video game franchise about a pizza restaurant which is haunted by hostile, sentient animatronic mascots. Expanding their universe to the big screen, Five Nights at Freddy’s utilises the same concept of a security guard (played by our favourite Hunger Games actor, Josh Hutcherson) who is forced to use everything at his disposal to survive the murderous mascots; Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy. May the odds be ever in his favour in this one, too.
Watch the trailer here.
The Fall of the House of Usher
Premieres 12 October on Netflix
From the genius mind of Mike Flanagan who brought us spine-tingling horror shows like The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass comes a new potential classic, The Fall of the House of Usher. A gothic miniseries based on a short story of the same name, The Fall of the House of Usher follows a wealthy family who owns a corrupt pharmaceutical company. When the members of the family start experiencing tragedy one after the other, the company’s CEO (and family patriarch) is forced to confront his troubled past. Think Succession, but with jumpscares.
Watch the trailer here.
Loki (Season 2)
Premieres Oct 5 on Disney+
Everyone’s favourite God of Mischief is back this month in the second series of his hit TV show, Loki. Picking up the loose ends from the first season, Loki teams up with Mobius (played by Owen Wilson) to track down his lost romantic interest (and also a variant of Loki himself… bit weird), Sylvie. Anyone would think it’ll be easy for a literal god to locate a single person but when working against the Time Variance Authority and with countless dimensions to search through, even a god has his work cut out for him.
Watch the trailer here.
Chucky (Season 3)
Premieres Oct 4 on Peacock
If we had a nickel every time a ginger doll is possessed by an evil spirit hellbent on murdering people, we’d have two nickels—which isn’t a lot, but, weirdly, it happened twice. Before Annabelle, there was Chucky. This bloodthirsty horror icon has haunted the nightmares of children since 1988 and the third season of his television show is sure to leave a mark on a brand new generation. Set in New Jersey, Chucky’s brand-new kill streak is a definite must-watch. It promises to be a bloody affair.
Watch the trailer here.
Pain Hustlers
Premieres Oct 27 on Netflix
Looking for a non-horror movie? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a crime drama starring Captain America (Chris Evans) and Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt). Based on a novel of the same name, Pain Hustlers follows a high school dropout who landed a job at a pharmaceutical company, only for her to realise that her workplace is far from your average 9 to 5. Only Emily Blunt can find herself smack dab in the middle of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences while just trying to be a productive member of society. Our hearts go out to her.
Watch the trailer here.
Goosebumps
Premieres Oct 13 on Disney+ and Hulu
Everyone loves the horror comedy genre and it’s obvious why—the scary parts are evenly balanced with good old-fashioned humour. Originally a popular book series by R.L. Stine, Goosebumps is now a major franchise spanning several different forms of media including feature films, video game series, and now a television show. In keeping with the original idea from the novel, Goosebumps follows a group of teenagers who accidentally released supernatural forces and must now work to rectify that mistake. It’s not often that a TV show gives you goosebumps and tickles your funny bone at the same time, so don’t miss out.
Watch the trailer here.
Lessons in Chemistry
Premieres October 13 on AppleTV+
Fans of period dramas focusing on women should tune into Lessons in Chemistry. Starring our favourite superhero, Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) as Elizabeth Lott, Lessons in Chemistry is set in the 1950s when women weren’t allowed to follow their dreams as easily as today. A victim of this circumstance, freshly-fired scientist Elizabeth accepts a job as a cooking show host who sets out to teach her audience much more than just your regular everyday recipes. You go, girl!
Watch the trailer here.