Buzz
October 2022 is brimming with horror films, offering a wide variety for every type of horror enthusiast. Whether you're into hidden gems, you'll find intriguing options like Deadstream and Piggy. For fans of mainstream hits, there are new installments from popular series such as Halloween and Hellraiser. Additionally, niche films like Giantess: Battle Attack are also releasing. Below, I’ve curated a list of 16 horror movies arriving in October that show the most promise.
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (Oct. 5)
This October, a chilling adaptation of a Stephen King short story hits the screen. Mr. Harrigan’s Phone features Jaeden Martell and Donald Sutherland in a tale about a young boy and a deceased man who connect through a supernatural iPhone buried in a coffin. If this film lives up to the quality of recent Netflix/King collaborations like 1922 and Gerald’s Game, it will undoubtedly stand out as a must-watch.
Where to watch: Netflix
Terrifier 2 (Oct. 6)
The original Terrifier, produced on a shoestring budget funded by crowdfunding, quickly gained a cult following among die-hard horror enthusiasts for its relentless gore, surreal elements, and iconic killer clown. The sequel promises to deliver more of the same, but in the most thrilling way possible.
Where to watch: Theaters
Deadstream (Oct. 6)
Deadstream might not be on everyone’s radar, but this low-budget horror-comedy about a disgraced live-streamer spending a night in a haunted house has earned praise from critics and audiences at film festivals. Its clever writing and perfect mix of humor and horror make it a must-watch for me.
Where to watch: Shudder
Hellraiser (Oct. 7)
This reimagining of Clive Barker’s iconic 1987 horror classic Hellraiser has big shoes to fill. With its grotesque cenobites, a mysterious puzzle box, and Jamie Clayton stepping into the role of a gender-swapped Pinhead, all the elements are there. Here’s hoping they come together as seamlessly as The Lament Configuration.
Where to watch: Hulu
The Midnight Club (Oct. 7)
Helmed by Mike Flanagan, the mastermind behind Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club takes place in a hospice for terminally ill teens. The group makes a pact: the first to die will return to communicate with the others from the afterlife. Something tells me someone’s going to regret this pact.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Visitor (Oct. 7)
From Blumhouse, the powerhouse of horror, comes The Visitor. Robert relocates to his wife’s hometown, only to find it steeped in Southern gothic eeriness—creepy old men, crumbling mansions, and, most unsettlingly, a haunted painting of a Civil War soldier who bears an uncanny resemblance to him.
Where to watch: Video on demand
Werewolf by Night (Oct. 7)
While technically a Halloween “special presentation” and not a full-length movie, this Marvel production pays tribute to the classic Universal horror films of the 1930s and 1940s, featuring werewolves and a vintage aesthetic. The black-and-white trailer, complete with old-school cinematic flair, has me completely sold.
Where to watch: Disney+
Grimcutty (Oct. 10)
In Grimcutty, the titular character is a terrifying meme that leaps from the digital realm into the real world to haunt its victims. A film that taps into the alienation and isolation of online life to generate fear holds immense promise.
Where to watch: Hulu
Spirit Halloween (Oct. 11)
Spirit Halloween is a movie inspired by the seasonal store that pops up for just one month each year, making it more of a novelty than anything else. While this family-friendly horror flick might not terrify seasoned horror fans or win any awards, there’s always a chance it could surprise us all and become a hidden gem. Why not give it a shot?
Where to watch: VOD
Halloween Ends (Oct. 14)
Let’s be honest—Halloween probably isn’t ending anytime soon, given that this franchise has been around since 1978. In this installment, Jamie Lee Curtis faces off against Michael Myers once again, and plenty of others meet gruesome fates. It’s comfortingly familiar for horror fans, like catching up with an old friend. For me, a new Halloween movie feels like a family reunion, and I’m ready to greet Michael Myers as warmly as I do my brother-in-law Dana at a cookout.
Where to watch: Theaters
Piggy (Oct. 14)
For fans of unconventional, thought-provoking horror, Piggy is a must-watch. This Spanish film has garnered a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its bold lead performance and its clever use of slasher conventions to explore the mundane nature of human cruelty.
Where to watch: VOD
VHS 99 (Oct. 20)
While anthology films often struggle to find success, the VHS series has carved out a niche, thriving since 2012 with six entries and a loyal following. VHS 99 takes a unique approach, setting all its stories in 1999 and presenting them as found footage. I’m excited to see how emerging horror directors breathe new life into this often-underappreciated genre.
Where to watch: Shudder
Matriarch (Oct. 21)
From the trailer, Matriarch looks like the kind of horror film that digs into your deepest, darkest fears and refuses to let go. The premise of returning to your hometown only to discover that your mother—and everything else—feels unsettlingly off is spine-chilling in the best way.
Where to watch: Hulu
Hunted (Oct. 25)
This lesser-known British film has garnered praise from early screenings, and its premise is intriguing: wealthy British elites hunting children for sport makes for a compelling story. I was a fan of Get Duked, which explored a similar concept with Scottish elites, so this idea has already proven its potential.
Where to watch: VOD
Prey for the Devil (Oct. 28)
When a horror movie trailer features a nun, you can expect exorcisms, priests, and a young girl possessed by evil. While this isn’t the most original premise, it’s a formula that has worked before—just like the classic “man goes insane and starts killing” plot, which has been the foundation of many great films.
Where to watch: Theaters
Wendell and Wild (Oct. 28)
Labeling Wendell & Wild as a horror film might be a stretch, but this dark fantasy comes from Henry Selick, the visionary director behind Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline. As his first film since 2009, it’s a project that demands attention.
Where to watch: Netflix
