It’s Spooky Season, and this month is packed with new horror releases that promise plenty of thrills and chills.
Whether you're into monsters, madness, or eerie suspense, this list offers something for every horror fan. Here are five must-watch movies and shows premiering in October:
1. Joker: Folie à Deux
Joaquin Phoenix returns as Joker, joined by Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn in this highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 award-winning hit Joker. This time, Arthur Fleck, a.k.a. Joker, is confined to a mental institution, where he meets fellow inmate Harleen Quinzel. What follows is a twisted musical romance, centered on their shared madness—a disorder known as “folie à deux.”
(In cinemas October 2).
2. Disclaimer
Directed and written by Oscar winner Alfonso Cuarón (Roma, Gravity), this Apple TV+ limited series premiered at the Venice Film Festival to critical acclaim. Disclaimer stars Cate Blanchett as a journalist whose dark secrets threaten to unravel when a new novel reveals shocking parallels to her life. The cast includes Sacha Baron Cohen, Kevin Kline, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Squid Game star Hoyeon.
(Streaming on Apple TV+ starting October 11).
3. Smile 2
The unsettling grins are back in Smile 2, the sequel to the 2022 hit. This time, the evil entity takes its terror to a global stage, cursing a pop sensation (think Taylor Swift) right before her world tour. With more scares and an expanded world, Smile 2 promises to outdo its predecessor. Look out for a cameo from scream queen Drew Barrymore as herself!
(In cinemas October 16.)
4. Venom: The Last Dance
The final chapter in the Venom trilogy, The Last Dance finds Eddie Brock and his alien symbiote Venom (Tom Hardy) on the run from enemies in both the human and alien worlds. Juno Temple and Chiwetel Ejiofor join the cast in this epic conclusion. Fans are eager to know: “Will Tom Holland’s Spider-Man finally make an appearance?”
(In cinemas October 23).
5. Pasahero
From the mind of cult director Roman Perez, Jr., Pasahero follows a group of commuters who find themselves haunted by a malevolent force after a disturbing incident on a train. This Filipino horror film features an ensemble cast including Bea Binene, Louise Delos Reyes, Katya Santos, and Mark Anthony Fernandez.
(In cinemas October 30).