October is here, and the best streaming services have once again updated their libraries with some great horror hits.
Now is the perfect time to dive into the best horror movies, and I’ve found some great new additions coming to streaming this season. Whether you’re looking for the biggest new releases, some hidden gems or 80s classics, there’s something for all tastes this October.
Better yet, most of these were added on the first of the month so you don’t even need to wait until Halloween to check out some scares.
Scanners
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When: October 1
Where: Shudder, Hulu (US); rent or buy (UK, AU)
David Cronenberg is known for being king of the body horror genre, and Scanners is one of his earliest works that helped to elevate him to that status. Before The Fly, Videodrome and Dead Ringers existed, Scanners was out here grossing out audiences.
The movie follows ‘scanners’, people who have unusual telepathic and telekinetic powers. A corporation called ConSec soon wants to exploit scanners’ abilities, forcing ConSec to try and stop the powerful scanner who wants to form an alliance with others of his kind and dominate the world.
Made famous by a gross head exploding scene, Scanners is a treat for body horror fans everywhere.
Cat People (1982)
When: October 1
Where: Prime Video (US); rent or buy (UK, AU)
This is a remake of a 40s movie of the same name, and follows a young woman who learns she is descended from werecats after reuniting with her brother and learning a dark family secret.
Cat People is a grisly, sensual movie and is considered a cult classic. While it may not have performed well critically when it was released, it’s definitely gained a following in new audiences.
With a great cast that includes Nastassja Kinski, Malcolm McDowell, John Heard and Annette O’Toole, and music from David Bowie, it’s a real 80s nostalgia trip.
All Hallows’ Eve
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When: October 1
Where: Shudder (worldwide)
If you think that thumbnail looks familiar, yes that is Art the Clown from the Terrifier movies. You may not know that Art made his feature film debut in All Hallows’ Eve, so if you’re keen to see more of him, then you’re in luck.
The movie is set on Halloween and follows two children named Tia and Timmy who find an unmarked VHS tape in their candy bag. They watch the tape with their babysitter Sarah, which features three short films by director Damien Leone, called The 9th Circle, Something in the Dark and Terrifier, all starring Art the Clown.
I highly recommend this one for anthology fans especially.
The Strangers
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When: October 1
Where: Netflix (US); Prime Video (UK); Paramount+ (AU)
Recently, I discovered a hidden teaser for the The Strangers: Chapter 2 inside a fake tourism website, which made me want to revisit the original 2008 movie. Now it’s been added to Netflix, I can do just that.
The Strangers is one of my favorite home invasion horrors of all time. It follows a couple (Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman) whose stay at a vacation home is disrupted by three terrifying masked intruders.
With a new sequel now playing, why not check out the original one this October?
Sinister 2
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When: October 1
Where: Netflix (US); Rent or buy (UK, AU)
Despite its 15% Rotten Tomatoes critical rating, Sinister 2 is still a worthy watch and does have what is widely regarded as one of the most effective scares ever.
While it perhaps has too many jump scares for some people’s liking, I still recommend checking this one out if you’re in the mood to be terrified, as this one left me chilled to the bone.
The sequel follows Courtney, a young mother, and her sons after they move into a haunted house and experience a string of supernatural occurrences. Meanwhile, a local deputy decides to try and save them.
Bring Her BackÂ
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When: October 3
Where: HBO Max (US, AU); Rent or buy (UK)
Bring Her Back is the latest A24 movie to hit HBO Max, where it’s been added in both the US and Australia. It’ll join the Philippou brothers’ first movie Talk to Me, which is perfect if you want a double bill and are based in the US (those in the UK and Australia can find it on Netflix).
This new movie follows two step-siblings who find themselves orphaned and placed in the middle of an occult ritual by their new foster mother, played brilliantly by Sally Hawkins.
Don’t miss this movie while it’s streaming in October, it’s perfect for spooky season.
The Substance
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When: October 10
Where: HBO Max (US); Mubi (worldwide)
The Substance is one of my favorite horrors of last year, and I wasn’t alone: I was thrilled to see it nominated for so many awards for its brilliant female-led story, which focuses on the struggles many women face in a male-dominated world.
Demi Moore brilliantly plays Elisabeth Sparkle, who is heartbroken when her boss fires her from her aerobics TV show for being “too old”. When she’s given the chance to try a life changing substance, she does, but things soon go horribly wrong.
Both Moore and Margaret Qualley are incredible in this movie, I highly recommend it.
O.T.H.E.R
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When: October 17
Where: Shudder (worldwide)
Finally, O.T.H.E.R is a Shudder original that looks like it’s worth your time. The movie stars Olga Kurylenko, who will be well known to Marvel fans for her role in Thunderbolts* recently.
Here, we follow Kurylenko’s character Alice, as she returns to her childhood home following her mother’s death. It’s a typical horror movie set up that soon turns uneasy, when she learns that the house is rigged with surveillance tracking her every move and a sinister presence is lurking.
I’m very excited to stream this one.
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