October ushers in spooky season with a lineup of highly anticipated movies and television shows across various streaming platforms. This month's releases range from horror and superhero dramas to literary adaptations and animated adventures.
East of Eden (October 1)
Zoe Kazan steps behind the camera as creator and writer for Netflix's adaptation of John Steinbeck's classic novel, "East of Eden." Kazan, granddaughter of the original 1955 film director Elia Kazan, pens all eight episodes of the series, which explores the interwoven stories of two families. The adaptation features Florence Pugh and Christopher Abbott, with Netflix reportedly having significant faith in Kazan's vision, having also placed her in charge of a "Lonesome Dove" reboot.
Lanterns Season 1 Finale (October 4)
The HBO series "Lanterns" concludes its first season with its finale, leaving viewers to wonder about the fates of brothers John and Hal Lantern. The show has garnered significant attention for its modern take on the DC Universe, its numerous references, and strong lead performances. The finale's success is crucial for the series' potential for a second season and setting up future DCU projects.
Carrie (October 7)
Mike Flanagan, known for his work in horror, brings a modern adaptation of Stephen King's "Carrie" to Prime Video. Set in 2026, this eight-episode series updates the story with contemporary elements like social media and school shooter drills, which significantly alter Carrie White's experiences. While familiar scenes like the prom disaster are present, the adaptation introduces surprising new directions, including Samantha Sloyan as an influencer Margaret White and a more sympathetic portrayal of bully Chris Hargensen by Alison Thornton. The series also features Summer H. Howell as Carrie.
Below (October 8)
Josh Hartnett stars in Netflix's six-episode series "Below," a supernatural thriller set in a small Newfoundland town besieged by a mysterious sea monster. The series, filmed before the buzz around "Widow's Bay," is described as a more serious take on the monster-in-a-small-town trope, drawing comparisons to "Jaws." The cast includes Mackenzie Davis, Charlie Heaton, and Natasha Henstridge. Early reviews from TIFF have praised its gorgeous cinematography and gory visuals, despite acknowledging some genre clichés.
Animals (October 9)
Ben Affleck directs and stars in Netflix's crime thriller "Animals." The film centers on a mayoral candidate, Mark Kimball, whose son is kidnapped. With only hours to secure a ransom, Kimball and his wife, played by Kerry Washington, face the challenge of retrieving their son while their campaign funds are tied up. The ensemble cast also includes Gillian Anderson and Steven Yeun, promising a highly watchable thriller.
Avatar: Seven Havens (October 9)
Paramount+ introduces "Avatar: Seven Havens," the third series in the "Avatar: The Last Airbender" franchise. Set after the events of "The Legend of Korra," the animated series follows Pavi, a young Earthbender who discovers she is the next Avatar destined to control all four elements. She and her twin sister Nisha must work together to save civilization after a past action by Korra. The series features a new animation style and a darker tone than its predecessors, with 13 episodes planned for its first season and a second, final season already greenlit.
Matchbox: The Movie (October 9)
John Cena leads "Matchbox: The Movie," a comedic action film based on the Mattel toy line. Cena plays a superspy who reunites with childhood friends, portrayed by Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro, and Teyonah Parris. Kidnapped by a villain seeking a nuclear warhead, the group must use the skills developed from playing with toy cars to retrieve the weapon and clear their names. Directed by Sam Hargrave, the film appears to blend "Fast and the Furious" action with a comedic tone.
VisionQuest (October 14)
Terry Matalas, known for "12 Monkeys" and "Star Trek: Picard," helms "VisionQuest," the third chapter in Marvel's MCU television saga, following "WandaVision" and "Agatha All Along." The series sees Paul Bettany's Vision confronting his son Tommy and facing off against an evolved Ultron. Vision's internal collection of AIs, including F.R.I.D.A.Y. (Orla Brady), E.D.I.T.H. (Emily Hampshire), and J.A.R.V.I.S. (James D’Arcy), are hunted by the villainous Paladin (Todd Stashwick) and his associate, played by Diane Morgan.
Crystal Lake (October 15)
Peacock's "Crystal Lake," a long-anticipated prequel series to the "Friday the 13th" franchise, is set to premiere. Linda Cardellini stars as Pamela Voorhees, Jason's mother. Showrunner Brad Caleb Kane expands on the lore of Pamela Voorhees and the infamous summer camp. The series aims to inject new mythology into the "Friday the 13th" universe, with A24 producing.
Yaga (October 23)
AMC+ presents "Yaga," a Canadian series exploring the legend of Baba Yaga. Noah Reid stars as Rapp, who investigates a disappearance in his fishing town and encounters Katherine (Carrie Anne-Moss), a teacher with a potential connection to the mythical witch. The series also features Hudson Williams in dual roles. "Yaga" promises a blend of horror, mystery, and dark fantasy for viewers seeking supernatural content during the Halloween season.