Horror Movies to Stream for October: Classics & New Releases

Classic Horror Movies

Saw

This iconic horror franchise is annually revisited each October, maintaining a cult following. It follows John Kramer, also known as the jigsaw killer, a terminally ill man with a twisted approach to enforcing justice. Jigsaw props up his victims in brutal traps, and they must find a way to survive them quickly enough, or else they will get killed in a grisly way. His motives are revealed through flashbacks, as he confronts his victims about their wrongdoings. The purpose of his games is to test the victims’ will to live as they have the chance to survive and have a new appreciation for life, or fail and die. The franchise remained active 20 years after its release in 2004, as Jigsaw finds more outlandish and gruesome ways to torture his victims with his deadly games. 

• Where to stream: The first seven installments are available on Peacock, Starz, and Disney+. The eighth part, "Jigsaw," is on Netflix and Prime Video. The ninth addition, "Spiral," is a standalone sequel on Hulu. The latest induction into the Saw universe is "Saw X," currently streaming on Starz

Scream

Widely regarded as a classic in horror cinema, Scream follows the terrifying rampage of a masked killer known as Ghostface, who terrorizes the town of Woodsboro. Using a voice modulator to conceal his identity, Ghostface taunts his victims over the phone before hunting them down with a knife. The survivors must navigate the night’s chaos while unraveling the mystery of who is behind the mask. What sets Scream apart is its characters’ self-awareness of classic slasher tropes, blending meta-humor with suspenseful horror, making it a fan favorite for its clever twists and dark fun.

• Where to stream: The first four installments are available to stream on Max, while the fifth and sixth installments are on Paramount+

Hocus Pocus 

This Halloween cult classic follows the Sanderson sisters, a trio of villainous comedic witches who are accidentally resurrected by a young boy named Max after their execution during the 17th-century Salem witch trials. The witches embark on a mission to steal children's souls to restore their youth. Max, his younger sister Dani, and their new friend Allison aim to outwit the witches to stop their mischievous plan before dawn. Hocus Pocus is a playful, humorous, and fun-spirited Halloween movie that families love for movie night.

• Where to stream: Hocus Pocus and its 2022 sequel are available to stream on Disney+

New Releases

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

The long-awaited sequel to the 1988 supernatural comedy arrived in theaters on September 6. The story follows the Deetz family - Lydia, her boyfriend Rory, her daughter Astrid, and her eccentric stepmother Delia - who return to their home in Winter River for the funeral of Lydia's dad and Delia's husband Charles. After Astrid stumbles upon a mysterious model of the town, she unknowingly opens a portal to the afterlife. Desperate to save her daughter, Lydia summons Beetlejuice to help bring Astrid back. Spooky, comedic, and full of dark fantasy, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is an all-around fun film for Halloween. 

• Where to stream: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is available to rent or buy on digital streaming platforms (VOD) such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Fandango

It's What's Inside

A group of college friends reunite for a pre-wedding getaway, but their gathering takes a wild turn when they experiment with a body-swapping device. As the characters literally step into each other’s shoes, they uncover hidden secrets, unleash suppressed desires, and reignite old grudges. Set in a secluded mansion where no one can hear them, expect some terrifying horror alongside comedic relief. This movie is a hysterical horror-comedy, making it a solid choice for watch parties with friends.

• Where to stream: It's What's Inside is available to stream on Netflix

A Quiet Place: Day One

A prequel to the critically acclaimed A Quiet Place (2018), this movie is currently the highest-grossing horror film of the year. Set on the chaotic first day of an alien invasion in Manhattan, it follows Samira, a stage four cancer patient, as she fights for survival alongside her cat and a stranger named Eric, whom she meets along the way. Together, they navigate a city in turmoil, filled with suspense and terror as they try to stay one step ahead of the deadly extraterrestrial threat. With gripping tension and heart-pounding moments, this apocalyptic thriller takes viewers on a nerve-racking ride through the early stages of the alien attack.

• Where to stream: A Quiet Place: Day One is available to stream on Paramount+

Hold Your Breath

Set in 1933 Oklahoma during the height of the Dust Bowl, this chilling tale follows Margaret as she desperately tries to protect her two daughters, Rose and Ollie, from dark forces lurking outside their isolated home. With dust storms raging and threatening to obliterate everything in their path, survival becomes a brutal challenge. Blending elements of folk horror, religious hysteria, and possession, the film creates an oppressive, eerie atmosphere that grips viewers with fear and suspense. As the dangers outside grow closer, the line between supernatural forces and human desperation blurs, making this a haunting experience you won’t soon forget.

• Where to stream: Hold Your Breath is available to stream on Hulu

How to Watch Content Blocked in Your Country

Some movies on streaming services are only available in certain countries. To stream the movie of your choice in any country, you must use a VPN.

How to use a VPN?

1. Sign up for a VPN 
2. Install it on the device you're using to watch the movie
3. Turn it on and set it to the country where your selected movie is available
4. Go to your streaming service and choose the movie you want to watch

After following these steps, you can watch the movies you like without geographical restrictions. 

VPN Recommendations 

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a key performer in the virtual private network industry. They are highly suitable for streaming service users, as they deliver online security with servers optimized for streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. CyberGhost serves a broad client base, offering over 11,000 servers in more than 100 countries, and it is available in 23+ languages. They support various operating systems, routers, smart devices, and gaming consoles. Their offer of a 45-day money-back guarantee allows users to test the service risk-free to be confident of their subscription choice. CyberGhost is an overall trustworthy VPN provider due to their extensive features and multilingual support.

NordVPN 

NordVPN is a top-performing virtual private network with their military-grade encryption, robust security features, and a user-friendly interface. This VPN offers 6,300 servers in 111 countries, allowing users to change to any provided location while maintaining complete anonymity. One of their standout features is CyberSec, a security feature that enables users to enjoy surfing the web without ads or malware threats. With the ability to connect up to six devices simultaneously, users can ensure security across all devices. NordVPN is consistently featured in top lists by Forbes, TechRadar, and PCMag, highlighting their commitment to protecting user data.

Surfshark

Surfshark is one of the most used VPN services. Their presence is strong worldwide, with over 3200 servers in more than 100 countries, and their services are available in multiple languages. Features like CleanWeb ensure a smooth web surfing experience by blocking ads and potential malware. Their feature multihop provides additional security by routing traffic through multiple servers. With Surfshark, user data is protected by their strict no-logs policy, ensuring it cannot be tracked down or stored. Surfshark's growing reputation as a secure VPN provider gained them the "VPN Solution of the Year" award in 2022 in the 6th annual CyberSecurity Breakthrough Awards program.