A Spooky Guide to All the New Horror Streaming in October

As a seasoned horror enthusiast who’s seen more than my fair share of chilling flicks and spine-tingling tales, I must say that the lineup for this October looks absolutely terrifying… in a good way!

As autumn’s chill sets in and the leaves dance their final dance, I find myself drawn to the thrilling world of horror movies to mark the changing seasons – and streaming giants like Netflix, Hulu, and Peacock are more than happy to oblige! They know that horror is consistently one of the most popular genres on their platforms, especially in the run-up to Halloween. This year, they’ve pulled out all the stops with a plethora of intriguing new releases designed to send shivers down your spine. Some of these have already graced the screens at festivals like Toronto and Fantastic Fest, while others remain tantalizing enigmas waiting to be unveiled.

Hold Your Breath

October 3, Hulu

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Pcpb-Zq4-dQ

It wouldn’t be October without Sarah Paulson haunting your streaming algorithms, but she’s actually not involved in the recent Ryan Murphy projects Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story or Grotesquerie. Instead, she’s leading a new Hulu original horror film that premiered at the end of the Toronto International Film Festival last month. Set in 1930s Oklahoma, Hold Your Breath is a story of a terrifying dust storm which a young mother asserts hides a supernatural entity that means her harm. It co-stars Emmy winner Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear), and critics praised Paulson’s work out of Toronto. Of course they did. She almost never misses.

Salem’s Lot

October 3, Max

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=QtVzKkv03ic

Frequently, creatives revisit Stephen King’s second novel, which is now close to four decades old. Tobe Hooper created an underappreciated miniseries adaptation in 1979, and the less said regarding the Rob Lowe version from 2004, the better. The film adaptation gained momentum following the success of “It” in 2017, as every studio sought a King classic to remake. James Wan, known for his work on “The Conjuring,” was involved as a producer from the beginning, along with writer-director Gary Dauberman, who penned the movies about the menacing clown. Filmed years ago and initially scheduled for release in September 2022, the story of a writer confronting his hometown overrun by vampires was delayed due to COVID complications and the peculiar happenings at Max/WB that seemed poised to bury it like “Coyote vs. Acme.” It wasn’t until King himself raised questions in February 2024 that the film received a release date. It’s worth mentioning that it recently opened the esteemed genre event Beyond Fest, typically signifying an imminent release of something noteworthy.

It’s What’s Inside

October 4, Netflix

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=RJBNi0CjX5I

The biggest deal to come out of Sundance this year wasn’t for a clever comedy about a family coming to terms with one another — it was for the film that Netflix hopes will be the next huge horror hit for the streaming company. That’s why they paid $17 million for Greg Jardin’s It’s What’s Inside, though the director doesn’t exactly embrace the genre branding, telling producer Colman Domingo that “it’s a sci-fi thriller with jokes.” What’s the killer concept that broke the bank in Park City? At a pre-wedding party of close friends, one shows up with a body-swapping machine, leading to revelations, betrayals, and what Jardin calls “existential chaos.” The key to the film’s likely success is that it doesn’t sound like anything else on any of the streamers, and standing apart from the genre crowd is sometimes the best thing a new movie can do.

The Platform 2

October 4, Netflix

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=UKFMYWNatQM

Five years after the initial release left Netflix audiences captivated, filmmaker Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia is back with “The Platform 2”, a thrilling sci-fi-horror follow-up that aims to delve deeper into the intriguing concepts introduced in the original movie. “The Platform” envisions a chilling future where vertical prisons have a central platform filled with enough food for all to survive, provided those near the top share fairly – an ideal seldom met in real life. With its sharp, grim portrayal of society, it was particularly haunting during the early days of COVID-19 lockdowns. Given the numerous paths a sequel can take, “The Platform 2” promises to be one of the most intriguing original streaming productions not only for October but for the entire year.

Sweetpea

October 10, Starz

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=fLqrB7g_xvg

Ella Purnell has proven herself to be a consistent powerhouse in television, with standout performances in “Yellowjackets” and leading roles in “Fallout” for Prime Video. Her latest project on Starz finds her venturing into uncharted territory, portraying an ordinary woman driven to extreme measures by the neglectful people in her life in a series adaptation of C.J. Skuse’s book. Purnell plays Rhiannon Lewis, a frustrated, disgruntled woman who struggles with work and relationships. Unlike most individuals, Rhiannon takes drastic, lethal action against those who have made her life miserable. This British import seems to be unlike anything else debuting this season, which could potentially make it the cult sensation that Starz needs at this time of year.

Teacup

October 10, Peacock

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=TlgFApr-VLA

As a fan who’s excited about the upcoming series, I must admit that despite the two premieres at Fantastic Fest, there’s still a lot we don’t know about this intriguing Peacock production based on Robert R. McCammon’s novel “Stinger”. However, its pedigree is undeniably impressive, given McCammon’s renown in ’80s and ’90s horror, with an iconic episode of the ’80s reboot of “The Twilight Zone” titled “Nightcrawlers”, being a testament to his storytelling prowess.

Daddy’s Head

October 11, Shudder

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=J9aJCu30R_g

Benjamin Barfoot’s nightmare fuel was one of the few films at Fantastic Fest this year that was legitimately creepy, and it’s making a quick turnaround to Shudder to keep everyone up at night. Rupert Turnbull plays a young man named Isaac whose father dies in a car crash, leaving him alone at an isolated estate in the middle of nowhere with a stepmom who never really wanted to be a single parent. Before the domestic drama can really unfold, Isaac is visited by something that has the same head as his father. Elements of folk horror and science fiction blend into a singular vision, a study of grief that’s unlike anything else on Shudder right now. It’s a movie that will haunt you, especially when you’re alone late at night and you could swear you just heard or saw something that shouldn’t be there.

Hysteria!

October 18, Peacock

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=E2yv6LYktKc

Creative individuals will never run out of exploring the horror or even dark comedy aspects from the era of Satanic Panic. The blend of Julie Bowen and Bruce Campbell implies a playful take on the story of a missing varsity quarterback in a small American town during the 1980s. As townsfolk believe the athlete was taken by the surge of Satanism, an outcast band named Dethkrunch chooses to embrace the hysteria, becoming targets themselves. This sounds entertaining, and all eight episodes will be available on Peacock simultaneously.

MadS

October 18, Shudder

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Vm6_MDnj3Hg

Among the standout movies at Fantastic Fest, there’s one that draws significant influence from films like “Victoria” and “[REC],” while maintaining the frenetic pace reminiscent of a George A. Romero-style apocalypse. Indeed, it’s quite impressive! Directed by David Moreau, who brought us the terrifying “Ils (Them)” from 2006, this film is an unapologetically wild ride. The narrative unfolds in real-time over approximately 90 minutes, escalating relentlessly with horror. It all begins when a bloodied woman leaps into the car of a young man named Romain. After transferring her blood onto him and vanishing mysteriously, Romain displays some rather unusual behavior. However, the festivities persist. As a contagious, zombie-like illness that this woman carried spreads, it becomes increasingly clear that none of them will survive this night. This is a sharp, exhilarating film that’s likely to become a recommendation you’ll hear on Shudder. Don’t miss the chance to join the bandwagon early!

Woman of the Hour

October 18, Netflix

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=qeVkVI0hH0g

Anna Kendrick demonstrates her versatility as a director with her debut film, which leans more towards suspense than typical horror flicks, but it’s still unsettling enough to fit the bill. Kendrick portrays Cheryl Bradshaw in this movie, who competed on The Dating Game in 1978 and was matched with Rodney Alcala, a man later revealed to be a serial killer. The film delves into Alcala’s subconscious thoughts and explores how societal phrases like “get the girl” might contribute to the mindset of the psychotic. It tackles systemic misogyny in a subtle way, avoiding preachiness, and is a taut thriller (just 94 minutes long!) that’s expected to be one of Netflix’s most popular streamed productions this year.

More Streaming Horror

➼ The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist (Netflix, October 3) – The popular books by Aaron Blabey have been turned into a major DreamWorks film for 2022, but are also becoming traditional holiday fare on Netflix. This year’s holiday special is joined by a Halloween-themed spin-off.

➼ Oscar Winner Ariana DeBose Stars in “House of Spoils” (Premiering October 3 on Prime Video) — Ariana DeBose, an Academy Award winner, takes on the role of a rising chef who launches a unique dining establishment within an isolated house. This secluded abode seems to offer more than just delicious meals; it could potentially serve ghostly dishes as well.

➼ In October, you can expect a fresh installment of the anthology series V/H/S. This time, it features segments helmed by Justin Long and Kate Siegel, with the script penned by Mike Flanagan, her spouse.

➼ Caddo Lake (October 10 – Max): M. Night Shyamalan creates an original chilling tale surrounding a missing girl in the vicinity of the legendary lake, known for its supernatural occurrences, straddling the boundary between Texas and Louisiana.

➼ In a chilling turn of events, the beloved children’s TV show host from the 90s, Mr. Crocket (Hulu, October 11), is revealed to have been using his platform for sinister purposes: kidnapping children and brutally killing their parents in this gripping Hulu original film.

🎃 Enjoy the Family Guy Halloween Special on Hulu, airing October 14! This year’s episode will showcase Glen Powell as the reigning champion of the town-wide Quahog pumpkin carving competition.

➼ Horror Tales from America (Hulu, October 15) – Five fresh installments in the American Horror Story anthology series featuring notable stars like Michael Imperioli, Henry Winkler, June Squibb, Jessica Barden, and others.

➼ The Rogue Director Timo Tjahjanto, known for movies like “The Night Comes for Us” and “The Big 4”, is back with his latest work, “The Shadow Strays”. Despite not being a horror film, its extravagant use of fake blood makes it worthy of mention. You can catch it on Netflix starting October 17th.

MAXXine (Max, October 18) – Director Ti West completes his three-part series featuring Mia Goth, which encompasses “X” and “Pearl”. These films can be streamed only on our platform.

➼ Catch (Max, October 25) — M. Night Shyamalan’s latest film, which has been met with mixed reactions, is now available on Max, offering an opportunity for those preparing their Lady Raven costumes for a Halloween celebration.

2024-10-02 22:55