New Movies & TV Shows to Watch: October 2026

Period drama

Zoe Kazan adapts John Steinbeck’s family saga, with Florence Pugh at the center of a story about two brothers, a fiercely independent woman, and consequences that pass between generations. The setting is the early twentieth century; the question is how much of your family’s history you can escape.

Cast: Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist

Created by Zoe Kazan

Try it if: You want a substantial family drama to settle into over several evenings.

Streaming on Netflix

Supernatural horror

Stephen King’s first novel becomes an eight-episode series under Mike Flanagan. Summer H. Howell plays Carrie White, a sheltered teenager thrust into public school after her father’s death. Bullying, a controlling home life, and emerging telekinetic powers make for a combustible combination.

Cast: Summer H. Howell, Samantha Sloyan, Siena Agudong, Amber Midthunder, Matthew Lillard

Showrunner Mike Flanagan

All eight episodes.

Try it if: You like horror built around characters and their relationships.

Watch the official trailer

Streaming on Prime Video

Crime thriller

Ben Affleck directs and stars as a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped. He and his wife, played by Kerry Washington, must raise a ransom while confronting secrets that threaten their marriage and public lives. The hook is uncomfortable: when the stakes become personal, how firmly do your principles hold?

Cast: Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun

Directed by Ben Affleck

Try it if: You like thrillers driven by desperate decisions and a strong ensemble.

Watch the official trailer

Streaming on Netflix

Action adventure

John Cena plays Sean, an undercover CIA agent whose return to his hometown throws his childhood friends into an international pursuit. Sam Hargrave directs the adventure, which turns an ordinary reunion into a much less ordinary mission.

Cast: John Cena, Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro

Directed by Sam Hargrave

Try it if: You want an action movie built around friends getting pulled far beyond their comfort zone.

Watch the official trailer

Streaming on Apple TV

Science fiction

Steven Spielberg returns to extraterrestrial life with a story about humanity discovering it is not alone. If you missed the theatrical run, October 9 is the Peacock streaming arrival. Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor lead an ensemble that also includes Colin Firth and Colman Domingo.

Cast: Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Try it if: First-contact stories make you want to talk through the possibilities afterward.

Watch the official trailer

Streaming on Peacock

Marvel science fiction

Paul Bettany returns as Vision, with James Spader returning as Ultron. The series continues the questions of identity and connection surrounding Vision, making it a natural next entry for viewers following his story after WandaVision.

Cast: Paul Bettany, James Spader

Try it if: The questions about identity and family in *WandaVision* were your favorite part.

Watch the official trailer

Streaming on Disney+

Horror

The Friday the 13th world expands with a prequel focused on Pam Voorhees, played by Linda Cardellini. The series returns to the camp and the story surrounding Jason’s childhood. Peacock is releasing all eight episodes together, giving horror fans a full season to add to the Halloween watchlist.

Cast: Linda Cardellini, William Catlett, Gwendolyn Sundstrom, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins

Creator Brad Caleb Kane

All eight episodes.

Try it if: You enjoy the atmosphere and mythology surrounding a familiar horror setting.

Streaming on Peacock

Political drama

Kate Wyler returns to diplomacy, political maneuvering, and a marriage that can be as difficult to manage as an international crisis. Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, and David Gyasi continue the series created by Debora Cahn. Catch up on the earlier seasons before taking on the next round of complications.

Cast: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi

Created by Debora Cahn

Try it if: Your idea of suspense includes a conversation where everyone wants something different.

Streaming on Netflix

Biographical adventure drama

Genden Phuntsok plays Tenzing Norgay in Jennifer Peedom’s film about the Himalayan climber and his partnership with Edmund Hillary, played by Tom Hiddleston. Alongside the ascent, the story examines the recognition and respect Tenzing must fight to receive within the expedition.

Cast: Genden Phuntsok, Tom Hiddleston, Willem Dafoe, Caitríona Balfe, Thinley Lhamo

Directed by Jennifer Peedom

Streaming October 16; limited theatrical release October 9.

Try it if: You want an adventure grounded in a person’s life and ambition.

Watch the official trailer

Streaming on Apple TV

Action thriller

Chris Pratt returns as James Reece in a season adapted from Jack Carr’s True Believer. Having finished his list, Reece is pulled into a wider conspiracy connecting Moscow, Langley, and his family’s history. The story expands into an international espionage mission.

Cast: Chris Pratt, Constance Wu, Tom Hopper, Dar Salim, Luke Hemsworth

Showrunner David DiGilio

All eight episodes.

Try it if: You want a complete season of military action and espionage ready to watch.

Watch the official trailer

Streaming on Prime Video

Crime mystery

Omar Sy returns as Assane Diop, the thief inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin. Part 4 brings another chapter of deception, ingenuity, and personal stakes. The draw is watching Assane turn an apparently impossible situation into a plan, then waiting for the detail that changes everything.

Cast: Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Antoine Gouy, Soufiane Guerrab

Created by George Kay

Try it if: You prefer crime stories with clever schemes and a mischievous streak.

Streaming on Netflix

Crime drama

Michael C. Hall’s Dexter returns to a dangerous New York landscape. Brian Cox and Dan Stevens join the story as two killers who complicate Dexter’s balancing act, while familiar faces bring unfinished business of their own.

Cast: Michael C. Hall, Uma Thurman, Jack Alcott, Brian Cox, Dan Stevens

New episodes weekly; Paramount+ Premium subscription required.

Try it if: You are already following Dexter’s story and want the next chapter on your Halloween calendar.

Watch the official trailer

Streaming on Paramount+ Premium