Time for some spooky streaming selections. For the past several years, our monthly column, the Nerd’s Watch, has been the place to find out all the best genre titles coming to the biggest streaming services. It wasn’t a complete list. We just posted the titles we think you’d care about, but it was still long, and frankly, it was hard to pick out the best of the best.
Well, over the past few months, that changed. What follows isn’t a list of all the best stuff streaming on all the big streaming services. We’ve looked at all those lists and come up with a few dozen titles that we think are noteworthy this month. Some are new, some are old, but either way, we’ll tell you why you should care. Or at least joke about it.
So sit back, grab your remote, and get ready for the updated and streamlined Nerd’s Watch, highlighting the best movies and shows coming to streamers this month.
The Goonies (October 1 on Netflix)
There are about to be a lot of creepy films on this list to celebrate Halloween but if you want something a little lighter, a little more fun, but still great for the whole family, we suggest this 1980s classic.
The Mask (October 1 on Netflix)
Is this Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz comic book adaptation still as “smmmmmooooookinnnnn'” as it was in 1994? There’s only one way to find out.
The Martian (October 2 on Netflix)
Project Hail Mary may still be a few months away, but you can kill the time with this other Andy Weir adaptation, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon.
The Maze Runner series (October 9 on Netflix)
Before he went to the Planet of the Apes or Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda, director Wes Ball helmed this highly underrated YA trilogy starring Dylan O’Brien. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a mysterious and cool sci-fi series. There’s The Maze Runner, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, and Maze Runner: Death Cure.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (October 17 on Netflix)
There have been many, many adaptations of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, both in theaters and on TV, but for our money, this one is by far the best. Just stellar on every level. Plus, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 are also coming to the streamer.
The Blade Trilogy (October 1 on Hulu)
Before he made a triumphant return in Deadpool and Wolverine, Wesley Snipes was one of Marvel’s first superheroes in this epic trilogy that includes Blade, Blade 2, and Blade: Trinity.
Edward Scissorhands (October 1 on Hulu, HBO Max, and Peacock)
I’m not quite sure why Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s surreal romance is coming to so many streamers this month, but we aren’t mad at it. It’s perfectly unsettling for the season.
Seven Saw movies (October 1 on Hulu)
There are lots and lots of Saw movies but the first seven, released between 2004 and 2010, are all coming to Hulu. And honestly, they’re a perfect binge. Truly. That’s the best way to watch these gory, fun horror flicks.
The Scream Trilogy (October 1 on Hulu, Paramount Plus, and Peacock)
What’s your favorite scary movie? Is it Scream, Scream 2, or Scream 3? If so, you’re in luck, because all three are coming to multiple streamers this month.
The Cabin in the Woods (October 16 on Hulu and Peacock)
Chris Hemsworth co-stars in this mind-melting horror movie from writer Joss Whedon and director Drew Goddard. It’s so freaking good and yet, we feel, a little underrated. Check it out if you haven’t seen it.
Star Wars: Visions – Volume 3 (October 29 on Disney+)
The incredible animated Star Wars anthology series returns, and this time, for the first time, it has sequels. What could be more Star Wars than that?
The Nightmare on Elm Street series (October 1 on HBO Max)
One, two, Freddy’s coming for you… on HBO Max. The streamer has a bunch of the original films coming this month. That includes A Nightmare on Elm Street, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child and Freddy vs. Jason. Sorry, Freddy’s Dead and New Nightmare fans.
Freaks (October 1 on HBO Max)
Before they blew your minds with Final Destination: Bloodlines, directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein made this excellent and surprising sci-fi film starring Emile Hirsch that is basically like lo-fi X-Men. Seek it out.
Several Friday the 13th films (October 1 on Various)
This is a little confusing, but Jason Voorhees is also streaming this month. Peacock is getting the first three films: Friday the 13th, Friday the 13th – Part II, and Friday the 13th – Part III, while Hulu is getting the very underrated 2009 reboot. All worth watching.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (October 1 on HBO Max)
What is the perfect counter-programming to all this horror? This perfect faux-documentary from the director of Lilo & Stitch about the titular character, who tries to find his family. It’s hilarious, heartwarming, and amazing.
Poltergeist (October 1 on HBO Max and Peacock)
One of the biggest, most exciting, and scariest horror movies ever is this Tobe Hooper classic from 1982. A true staple of the genre.
The Exorcist (October 1 on HBO Max)
And speaking of staples of the genre, William Friedkin’s original Exorcist is on horror’s Mount Rushmore. So, if you want to watch a true all-time classic this Halloween season, look no further.
Bring Her Back (October 3 on HBO Max)
Those are classics, but what about some new blood? This 2025 release from the team behind Talk to Me (also streaming on HBO Max this month) is one of the most gut-wrenching, hard-to-watch, but oddly satisfying horror movies in a while. It’s about a woman who takes in foster kids for, let’s just say, not the best reasons.
The Substance (October 10 on HBO Max)
Horror movies don’t usually get nominated for Oscars, let alone win them. But horror movies aren’t usually The Substance, the incredible Demi Moore-Margaret Qualley film about an aging star who takes a dangerous substance to reinvigorate her youth.
V/H/S/Halloween (October 3 on Shudder)
Seen all the classics and franchises mentioned above? Well, you probably haven’t seen the latest installment in the VHS series because it hasn’t come out yet. It’s debuting on Shudder this month, and this time, it’s all Halloween-themed.
Aliens Expanded (October 10 on Shudder)
If you love James Cameron’s Aliens, you will love this documentary that dives deep into its production, release, legacy, and so much more.
Scary Movie movies (October 1 on various)
With the Scary Movie spoof franchise coming back next year, this Halloween season might be the time to revisit some of the originals. The first one will be on Peacock on October 1, while Scary Movie 4 and Scary Movie V will be on Paramount+.
The Frighteners (October 1 on Peacock)
Peter Jackson’s criminally underrated horror comedy starring Michael J. Fox as a paranormal investigator is just about the perfect movie to revisit this spooky season.
How To Train Your Dragon (2025) (October 10 on Peacock)
One of this summer’s biggest hits, the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, is finally coming to streaming on October 10. Plus, to get pumped for it, all three animated movies—How to Train Your Dragon, How to Train Your Dragon 2, and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World—will be on the streamer on October 1.
Shaun of the Dead (October 1 on Peacock)
The Cornetto Trilogy was born with this legendary romantic comedy horror movie co-written and directed by Edgar Wright, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Aim for the head.