September is nearly over, and so comes one of the greatest months of the year, October. Halloween and spooky season is being embraced through trips to the pumpkin patches or apple orchards, sweaters and boots, and by curling up to watch our favorite horror movies. With the beginning of the new month, here is a list of the most anticipated horror films/series to hit the big screen and your screen.
Beetlejuice (October 1st – Max)
This classic comedic spook will have you laughing and reminiscing with an 80’s classic. The movie follows a recently deceased couple who are trying to keep their home from being sold and taken over by a wealthy family. Among the family is a young teenager Lydia (Winona Ryder), the only one able to see them, and helps them navigate the life of the undead. With rumors swirling of a sequel coming in 2024, you’ll have to reacquaint yourself when this hits your TV.
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (October 6th – Theatres/Paramount +)
A prequel to the first remake that came out in 2019 and from the original movies that came out in the 80’s, this scary movie based on the novel by Stephen King is sure to make you jump out of your seat. As a couple tries to leave their hometown of Ludlow, they are stopped by a stray dog in the road. Though the protagonist wants to get out of town, he must first uncover the dark secrets of the town he grew up in harbors in the “Pet Sematary.”
The Exorcist: Believer (October 6th – Theatres)
This film is going to be the first of a trio of movies to be released in the new “Exorcist” franchise. With callbacks to the first movies that came out nearly 20 years ago, and a few familiar faces from other popular films, this movie promises to be both gory and terrifying. Although this film won’t reference the past 6 films much according to the director, if you’re hoping to catch up with the other demons, you should be able to catch the first movie on Amazon Prime.
Reinfield (October 10th – Amazon Prime)
This comedic slasher-like film follows the assistant to the notorious vampire Dracula, played by none other than the iconic Nicholas Cage. Since the movie’s premiere on April 13th, 2023, reviews have been mixed with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a score of 58% while having a 6.8/10 on IMDB. If you’re looking for something that will make you laugh while also being grossed out, you will have a great time hanging out with Reinfield while he escapes a toxic relationship.
The Fall of the House of Usher (October 12th – Netflix)
With October comes Mike Flannagan season, which promises the release of a new horrifying series. The next series promises jump scares and frights that keep you up at night. The trailer features many faces we have seen before in his other series like “The Haunting of Hill House and Bly Manor,” “Midnight Mass,” and the “Midnight Club.” The series is loosely based off the same titled short story by none other than the notorious Edgar Allen Poe and follows the leader of the Usher family as mysterious things are happening to his children. If you’ve never stepped foot in the Flanaverse as fans call it, start out with Hill House, and work your way through the rest of the series to prepare.
Malibu Horror Story (October 20th – Theatres)
With documentary style cinematography and a plot following high school students that disappeared while exploring the site they were last seen lead by a team of paranormal investigators, it is reminiscent of great documentary horror like the “Blair Witch Project.” Not much has been released yet regarding more information about the plot or what follows, but it promises a scare nonetheless.
Cobweb (October 20th – Hulu)
This film that has been referred to on TikTok as the “live action Coraline” and had fans revving to find out if the rumors were true. We follow a young boy who lives in a strange home with even stranger parents. When he complains of seeing and hearing things to his parents, they write them off as bad dreams and his imagination. But are they really nightmares, or is he living it? With a low rating on rotten tomatoes, fans seemed disappointed that the film didn’t live up to its potential. Audiences can be the judges of it when it hits Hulu towards the end of October.
Five Nights at Freddy’s (October 29th – Theatres/Peacock)
The long awaited movie based on the popular game franchise is finally going to be in theaters this fall. The movie starring Josh Hutcherson playing the security guard working the night shift, follows him as he finds the truths that are haunting the halls of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. Since the first game came out in 2014, the lore and fan base has grown exponentially with several more games and books being released since then. Appearances from popular gamers who are known for their game play are rumored to appear, making this a movie for the fans.
This is a long list, and we know some of these may me flops, but there is nothing like sitting down and watching a horror film even if it’s not the best. The act alone is what makes the experience one to kick off the spooky season.
Claire Arneson is a Dakota Student Section Editor. She can be reached at [email protected].
