The cold, dark nights of Autumn have arrived, and that means one thing: Spooky season is here! That’s right, it’s that time of year to get cozied up under a nice warm blanket, pour yourself a delicious hot drink, and enjoy some of your favorite scary movies and series. 2022 has already given us a great year of horror, with films like Scream, X, The Black Phone, Nope, Pearl, and Barbarian delivering great entries to the genre – and we have a whole lot more to come.
This year’s Halloween season promises to be one of the most exciting ones yet, with a plethora of exciting releases coming to both the big and small screen. Whatever your taste, there’s something for you!
Here, we preview the most anticipated spooky content hitting screens this Halloween. So get your pens and diaries at the ready!
(Be sure to check local listings in your countries, as dates may differ.)
Smile – Out in theatres now.
Smile follows the story of Dr. Rose Cutter (Sosie Bacon), who starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain after witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality. Since its release, critics have praised the film for its examination of unhealed trauma and effective scares, and it currently holds an impressive 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. Smile’s creepy premise and supernatural elements promise a great start to this Halloween season.
Hocus Pocus 2 – Available to stream on Disney+, now.
The Sanderson sisters are back for more comedic mayhem in the long-awaited sequel to Hocus Pocus. It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high-school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy all make their return for the film which is now available to stream on Disney+.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism – Available to stream on Amazon Prime, now.
If you like some laughs with your scares, this one could be for you. Produced by the director of Freaky and Happy Death Day, Amazon Prime’s My Best Friend’s Exorcism brings us a comedic horror-thriller set in 1988. The film follows the story of teen best friends Abby and Gretchen, who grapple with an otherworldly demon that takes up residence in Gretchen’s body. Both Freaky and Happy Death Day exceeded expectations, delivering fun and violent watches, so here’s hoping Amazon dishes up another treat this Halloween season.
The Walking Dead: Final Episodes – AMC/AMC+ and Disney+ (UK), Beginning October 2nd.
After eleven seasons, The Walking Dead is finally saying goodbye. The show has become one of television’s most acclaimed and beloved series ever, and its final run will be met with much sadness amongst its loyal fanbase. In these final eight episodes, residents of Alexandria and Hilltop will commence their final showdown with The Commonwealth. We are likely to lose many beloved characters along the way, but here’s hoping it all goes down in a blaze of glory. All is not lost though – multiple spin-offs are on the way, and the threat of variant walkers on the horizon promises an exciting future for the franchise.
Interview With The Vampire – AMC, Beginning October 2nd
Chucky Season 2 – USA/SYFY, Beginning October 5th.
Don Mancini’s killer vintage Chucky doll returned to television screens in successful fashion in 2021, with both fans and critics heaping praise on the franchise’s small-screen adaptation. Chucky’s first season provided us with all the brutal kills and belly laughs we could ask for, so news of a second season came as no surprise. Season 2 will follow Chucky as he seeks revenge on those he holds responsible for foiling his diabolical plan to invade America’s children’s hospitals. The trailer promises more hilarity and bloodshed, alongside the return of a handful of fan-favorite legacy characters.
Deadstream – Shudder, October 6th.
Deadstream is a found footage, horror-comedy that focuses on the world of online streaming, and follows the story of a disgraced internet personality who attempts to win back his followers by livestreaming one night alone in a haunted house. But when he accidentally pisses off a vengeful spirit, his big comeback event becomes a real-time fight for his life. The film, which has been described as Paranormal Activity meets Sam Raimi, was a surprise smash-hit at the SXSW festival earlier this year.
Werewolf by Night – Disney+, October 7th.
Marvel Studios delivers its first-ever Halloween special this spooky season, bringing the stories of Jack Russell and Elsa Bloodstone to Disney+. The story of Werewolf by Night follows a lycanthrope superhero who fights evil using the abilities given to him by a curse brought on by his bloodline. Early reviews have called it “unique,” “super violent,” and an “ode to classic monster movies.” Acclaimed composer Michael Giacchino takes the helm for the first time and directs the special which stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Laura Donnelly.
Hellraiser – Hulu, October 7th.
Hellraiser is the latest franchise to get the reboot treatment, with Hulu taking on the responsibility of reimagining Clive Barker’s 1987 horror classic. Barker himself is back on board as a producer for the film which sees The Night House director David Bruckner at the helm. This modern day take on Hellraiser sees Sense8’s Jamie Clayton become the new Pinhead, and follows the story of a young woman, who, whilst struggling with addiction issues, comes into possession of an ancient puzzle box, unaware that its purpose is to summon the Cenobites – a group of sadistic supernatural beings from another dimension.
The Midnight Club – Netflix, October 7th.
The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass creator, Mike Flanagan, serves up another spine-chilling series this spooky season, with his latest work seeing the director adapt the work of Christopher Pike. The series follows a group of terminally ill teenagers who reside at Brightcliffe Hospice. Whilst there, they form a group who meet in secret at midnight to tell horror stories – and form a pact that the next of them to die will give the group a sign from the beyond. Flanagan is one of the genre’s most acclaimed directors, and his previous work for Netflix has delivered some of the greatest horror series to date, so optimism for The Midnight Club is high.
The Winchesters – The CW, Beginning October 11th.
The family business continues, as a whole new generation of hunters are tasked with saving people and hunting things. The brand new Supernatural prequel series will tell the story of a young John and Mary Winchester, detailing how they met and put everything on the line to save their love and the entire world. Jensen Ackles returns to narrate the series from Dean Winchester’s perspective, as well as serve as an executive producer.
The series synopsis reads:
When John returns home from fighting in Vietnam, a mysterious encounter sparks a new mission to trace his father’s past. In his journey, he crosses paths with 19-year-old demon hunter called Mary, who is also searching for answers after the disappearance of her own father. Together, the two join forces to uncover the hidden truths about both of their families.
Drake Rodger and Meg Donnelly carry on the family legacy, taking on the roles of a young John and Mary Winchester.
Spirit Halloween: The Movie – VOD platforms, October 11th.
Dark Glasses – Shudder, October 13th.
The Italian Master of Horror, Dario Argenta, returns to the directors chair for the first time in a decade with his latest release, Dark Glasses. Argenta is mostly known for his influential work in the subgenre of Giallo – a genre of mystery fiction and thrillers made famous in Italian cinama – and this latest outing looks to have these elements in abundance. The film takes place in Rome and tells the story of a woman named Diana, who is pursued by a serial killer who preys on prostitutes. Diana, a young woman who lost her sight, finds a guide in a Chinese boy named Chin, and together they set out to track down the dangerous killer through the darkness of Italy.
The Watcher – Netflix, October 13th.
American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy brings Netflix a brand new limited series which is based on the shocking true story of the infamous “Watcher” house in New Jersey. The series follows the story of the Brannock family, who, after moving into their new dream suburban home, begin receiving ominous letters from someone calling themself “The Watcher.” These letters are just the beginning, as all of the neighborhood’s sinister secrets soon come spilling out.
Halloween Ends – In theatres, and streaming on Peacock, October 14th.
Jamie Lee Curtis returns for the last time as Laurie Strode as the saga of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode comes to a spine-chilling climax in this final installment of the franchise. The film takes place four years after the events of Halloween Kills, and picks up with Laurie who is now living with her granddaughter, Allyson. Laurie, after allowing the spectre of Michael to determine and drive her reality for decades, has decided to liberate herself from fear and rage and embrace life. But when a young man, Corey Cunningham, is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can’t control, once and for all.
Only time will tell who survives the final encounter between two of horrors greatest icons.
American Horror Story: NYC – FX, Beginning October 19th
Ryan Murphy’s long-running horror anthology series American Horror Story returns with its eleventh season, which is titled AHS: NYC, and will take the franchise to the Big Apple. A trailer has yet to be released, and plot details remain under wraps, but photos from the set seem to indicate that it will take place in the 1970s-80s. The cast for season 11 includes Joe Mantello, Billie Lourd, Zachary Quinto, Russell Tovey, Leslie Grossman, Charlie Carver, Sandra Bernhard, Isaac Powell, Denis O’Hare, and Patti LuPone.
V/H/S/99 – Shudder, October 20th.
V/H/S/99 marks the return of the hit found footage horror franchise and will harken back to the final punk rock analog days of VHS while taking one giant leap forward into the hellish new millennium. Its arrival comes swiftly after the release of the franchise’s previous entry, V/H/S/94, which went on to become Shudder’s most-watched premiere of 2021. In the film, a thirsty teenager’s home video leads to a series of horrifying revelations, in a simpler time before smartphones and selfies.
Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities – Netflix, October 25th.
Prey for the Devil – In theatres, October 28th.
Lionsgate’s latest release comes just in time for Halloween day itself, and follows the story of Sister Ann – a young nun who believes she is answering the call to become the first female exorcist. In response to a global rise in demonic possessions, Ann seeks out a place at an exorcism school reopened by the Catholic Church. Until now these schools have only trained priests in the Rite of Exorcism – but a professor recognizes Sister Ann’s gifts and agrees to train her. Thrust onto the spiritual frontline with fellow student Father Dante, Sister Ann finds herself in a battle for the soul of a young girl, who Sister Ann believes is possessed by the same demon that tormented her own mother years ago. Determined to root out the evil, Ann soon realizes the Devil has her right where he wants her.
Wendell & Wild – Netflix, October 28th.
