Every single month, our favorite streaming platforms refresh their libraries with a deluge of new movies and TV shows. To help you navigate the endless options, we’ve carefully curated a list of October’s most promising and exciting new titles! (A quick heads-up: streaming schedules can sometimes shift unexpectedly, so it’s always a good idea to double-check.)
New to Amazon Prime Video
‘Play Dirty’ (Streaming Oct. 1)
Dive into the world of Donald Westlake’s iconic anti-hero, Parker, with Play Dirty. This fresh take on the Parker novels, directed by the brilliant Shane Black (who also co-wrote the script), stars Mark Wahlberg as the cunning criminal mastermind. Parker is forced into a high-stakes heist by a mix of mobsters and revolutionaries, tasked with stealing a priceless, billion-dollar jeweled statue from a heavily guarded dictatorial nation. He’s joined by LaKeith Stanfield as Grofield and Rosa Salazar as Zen, members of his elite crew. Expect trademark Shane Black: explosive action, razor-sharp dialogue, and a generous dose of dark humor.
‘Hedda’ (Streaming Oct. 29)
Director Nia DaCosta reimagines Henrik Ibsen’s classic play, Hedda Gabler, with her visually stunning film, Hedda. Set in an opulent 1950s British country estate instead of 19th-century Oslo, the film features Tessa Thompson as the captivating and complex Hedda. Married to a financially struggling academic (Tom Bateman), Hedda navigates a single, alcohol-fueled party, attempting to charm her husband’s colleagues while subtly undermining his chief rival — who also happens to be one of her former lovers, Eileen (Nina Hoss). DaCosta’s masterful direction sweeps viewers through the lavish setting, capturing guests intoxicated by both champagne and their own social standing, willing to go to any length to protect their elite status.
Also arriving on Amazon Prime Video:
- Oct. 2: “A Star Brighter Than the Son”
- Oct. 3: “Sanda”
- Oct. 7: “Ninja vs. Gokudo”
- Oct. 8: “Maintenance Required”
- Oct. 9: “Saquon”
- Oct. 10: “John Candy: I Like Me”
- Oct. 17: “The Chosen Adventures” Season 1, “Hollywood Hustler: Glitz, Glam, Scam”
- Oct. 22: “Harlan Coben’s Lazarus”
- Oct. 23: “Allen Iv3rson,” “Host”
- Oct. 29: “Hazbin Hotel” Season 2
New to AMC+
‘Talamasca: The Secret Order’ (Streaming Oct. 23)
Step into Anne Rice’s “Immortal Universe” with Talamasca: The Secret Order, a new supernatural drama series joining Interview With the Vampire and The Mayfair Witches. The series stars Nicholas Denton as Guy Anatole, a recent law school grad who uncovers a shocking truth: he’s been secretly monitored his entire life by an ancient international society. Possessing powerful telepathic abilities, Guy is now a vital asset in their centuries-long battle against vampires and witches. Elizabeth McGovern portrays Helen, one of the cabal’s leaders, while William Fichtner plays Jasper, a complex colleague whose motives might lean towards the diabolical.
Also arriving on AMC+:
- Oct. 2: “Wasp Woman: The Murder of a B-Movie Queen”
- Oct. 3: “V/H/S/Halloween”
- Oct. 10: “Aliens Expanded,” “The Braxtons” Season 2, “Darwin”
- Oct. 17: “Guts & Glory” Season 1, “Operation: Aunties,” “O.T.H.E.R”
- Oct. 23: “The Light in the Hall” Season 2
- Oct. 24: “Descendent”
- Oct. 30: “Hell House LLC: Lineage”
New to Apple TV+
‘The Lost Bus’ (Streaming Oct. 3)
Experience the harrowing true story of the 2018 Camp Fire in The Lost Bus, a disaster thriller based on Lizzie Johnson’s nonfiction book, “Paradise.” The film powerfully recounts the desperate escape of Paradise, California residents as their town burned. At its heart is the dramatic tale of school bus driver Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey), who spent hours battling flames and chaos to find a safe route for his students, aided by elementary school teacher Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera), who helped keep the children calm. Director Paul Greengrass (known for United 93 and Captain Phillips) masterfully uses visual effects to immerse viewers in the nightmare of being trapped by fire, smoke, and debris.
‘Mr. Scorsese’ (Streaming Oct. 17)
With a career spanning since the 1960s, Martin Scorsese has explored nearly every genre, from indie gems to grand studio epics, while also tirelessly advocating for global cinema. This comprehensive five-part docuseries, Mr. Scorsese, argues that if any director deserves such an extensive tribute, it’s him. Directed by Rebecca Miller, the series draws from Scorsese’s personal archives and decades of his own footage to chronicle the remarkable journey of an asthmatic New York cinephile who rose to become one of the most revered and influential artists of his generation.
Also arriving on Apple TV+:
- Oct. 3: “The Sisters Grimm” Season 1
- Oct. 10: “Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars,” “The Last Frontier”
- Oct. 15: “Loot” Season 3
- Oct. 24: “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost”
- Oct. 29: “Down Cemetery Road”
New to Disney+
‘Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation’ Season 1 (Streaming Oct. 29)
Inspired by the popular Japanese video game where players learn to become fairy tale villains (drawing from iconic Walt Disney animated characters), Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation now brings this unique concept to the screen. The anime series follows Yu, an ordinary teenager unexpectedly whisked away to a mystical magic academy. The academy is divided into seven distinct houses, each representing a different Disney villain. As Yu struggles to adapt to this strange new world and its eccentric customs, he must also desperately search for a way back home, all while avoiding becoming a dark arts target for his fellow students.
Also arriving on Disney+:
- Oct. 1: “SuperKitties” Season 3
- Oct. 3: “The Balloonist,” “Something Wicked This Way Comes”
- Oct. 8: “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” Season 2
- Oct. 15: “Vampirina: Teenage Vampire” Season 1
- Oct. 18: “Brittany Murphy: An ID Mystery”
- Oct. 24: “LEGO Disney Frozen: Operation Puffins”
- Oct. 29: “Star Wars: Visions” Season 3
New to HBO Max
‘The Chair Company’ Season 1 (Streaming Oct. 12)
The creative minds behind the beloved cult comedies Detroiters and I Think You Should Leave, Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, reunite for a new series that masterfully blends absurdist conspiracy with corporate satire. Robinson stars as Ron Trosper, a rising executive at an Ohio property development firm. When Ron literally falls out of his chair during a crucial presentation, he becomes consumed by the belief that the chair’s manufacturers are to blame. What begins as a personal vendetta escalates into a career-threatening crusade, yet Ron might just be right — the furniture-maker indeed seems to be involved in something sinister. The show dials up the familiar discomfort and embarrassment found in Robinson and Kanin’s previous work, finding the sweet spot where humor and mortification brilliantly collide.
‘It: Welcome to Derry’ Season 1 (Streaming Oct. 26)
Delve into the terrifying origins of Stephen King’s It with Welcome to Derry, a prequel series set in 1962. Before the events of Andy Muschietti’s recent film adaptations, this new series reveals how a fresh wave of Derry citizens grapple with the unspeakable evil that resurfaces every 27 years to hunt and feed, primarily on children. The show follows a diverse group of adolescents trying to survive, alongside newcomer Leroy Hanlan (Jovan Adepo), a Black soldier stationed nearby, whose family faces a different, yet equally pervasive, form of malevolence: racism.
Also arriving on HBO Max:
- Oct. 3: “Bring Her Back”
- Oct. 6: “Haha, You Clowns” Season 1, “Smiling Friends” Season 3
- Oct. 8: “Alex vs America” Season 5
- Oct. 10: “The Alabama Solution,” “The Substance”
- Oct. 17: “An Intimate Evening With Adam Pally”
- Oct. 21: “Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud”
- Oct. 30: “Sorry, Baby”
New to Hulu
‘Murdaugh: Death in the Family’ (Streaming Oct. 15)
The infamous trial of Alex Murdaugh — the aristocratic South Carolina attorney accused of murdering two family members and a host of other alleged crimes — has captivated the nation, inspiring numerous true crime documentaries and books. Now, the new TV dramatization Murdaugh: Death in the Family brings the scandal to life, building upon the groundbreaking long-form journalism of Liz Farrell and Mandy Matney’s “Murdaugh Murders Podcast.” The mini-series compresses years of the Murdaugh family’s life, illustrating how Alex (Jason Clarke) leveraged his immense wealth and community standing to evade accountability. Patricia Arquette portrays his wife, Maggie, whose privileged life spirals into horror as the truth unravels.
Also arriving on Hulu:
- Oct. 2: “Abbott Elementary” Season 5
- Oct. 8: “Fate,” “Stay”
- Oct. 10: “Frankie Quiñones: Damn That’s Crazy”
- Oct. 12: “One-Punch Man” Season 3
- Oct. 13: “Solar Opposites” Season 6
- Oct. 17: “40 Acres,” “The Murky Stream”
- Oct. 20: “Anyone but You”
- Oct. 22: “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”
New to Paramount+
‘Matlock’ Season 2 (Streaming Oct. 12)
The surprising reimagining of the classic 1980s-90s legal mystery series, Matlock, was a huge hit last year, delighting audiences with its unexpected twist. Initially introduced as sweet-natured Matty Matlock (Kathy Bates), an older woman joining a prestigious New York law firm who charms her colleagues with folksy wisdom, the Season 1 finale revealed her true identity: Madeline Kingston, a wealthy retiree secretly working from within to expose the firm’s deep-seated corruption linked to Big Pharma. As Season 2 kicks off, Matty’s boss, Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), now privy to her secret, must decide whether to join Matty’s cause. These two formidable women face a critical choice: can they trust each other, and can they continue their elaborate deception?
Also arriving on Paramount+:
- Oct. 1: “Fight or Flight”
- Oct. 5: “A Grammy Salute to Cyndi Lauper: Live From the Hollywood Bowl”
- Oct. 7: “Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now,” “Red Alert”
- Oct. 10: “Vicious”
- Oct. 12: “Elsbeth” Season 3
- Oct. 13: “DMV” Season 1, “Watson” Season 2
- Oct. 16: “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” Season 2, “Ghosts” Season 5
- Oct. 17: “Boston Blue” Season 1, “Fire Country” Season 4, “Sheriff Country” Season 1
- Oct. 19: “The Road” Season 1, “Tracker” Season 3
- Oct. 22: “The Thundermans: Undercover” Season 1
- Oct. 26: “Mayor of Kingstown” Season 4
- Oct. 28: “Don’t Date Brandon”