October has arrived – and, with it, a bunch of new movies are set to take the stage in theaters worldwide.
However, considering it's officially the spookiest time of year, there's only one new horror film available to catch in cinemas this weekend. With The Smashing Machine, an A24 sports biopic starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson also out, though, maybe it's for the best that this year's most terrifying offerings get out of the way of the A-lister's latest flick.
Whether you'll be seeing Johnson's newest theatrical vehicle or not, there'll be plenty of big screen entertainment fare to enjoy in the weeks and months ahead. So, read on to see what new movies are coming to a silver screen near you soon.
New movies: October
The Smashing Machine
Release date: out now (worldwide)
Hailed as Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's best acting performance, this sports biopic sees the wrestler-turned-A-lister portray Mark Kerr, an iconic figure in the world of UFC. Johnson reteams with Jungle Cruise star Emily Blunt for this one, with Blunt playing Kerr's devoted then-wife Dawn Staples.
Directed by Benny Safdie, who co-helmed Uncut Gems, The Smashing Machine has been lauded for its look back at Kerr's distinguished career in the octagon and issues outside of it. Don't be surprised if this one is up for numerous prizes on the 2026 awards circuit, even if its 75% Rotten Tomatoes critical rating implies it might not be the masterpiece that some led you to believe.
Him
Release date: out now (worldwide)
The latest unsettling feature to be executively produced by horror extraordinaire Jordan Peele, Him follows Tyriq Withers' Cameron Cade, a rising American football star who's trained by eight-time Championship quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans) after Withers emerges from a coma following an attack by a hysterical fan.
However, Cade soon realizes that his hero isn't all that he seems and, in the pursuit of greatness, he's forced down a disorienting rabbit hole that might cost Cade more than he realizes. Based on its average to terrible Rotten Tomatoes scores, I'd suggest steering clear of this polarizing flick.
Good Boy
Release date: out now (US); October 10 (UK); TBC (Australia)
A horror film that's been praised by critics who've seen it early – it's sitting on 92% at Rotten Tomatoes – Good Boy is a frightful canine-starring flick you'll want to sink your teeth into.
In this incredibly breezy frightful flick (it only lasts for around 75 minutes), Indy the dog must navigate the supernatural horrors that begin to haunt the home he and his owner Todd move into. As these dark forces consume their abode, Indy must fight to protect the one he loves. Indy lives or we riot!
Tron: Ares
Release date: October 10 (worldwide)
15 years after Tron: Legacy reignited people's interest in the Tron movie series, the franchise's third entry is set to make a new generation aware of light-cycles and the perils of digital worlds.
In a twist on the series' formula, though, Tron: Ares will see Jared Leto's Ares, a highly sophisticated program, sent to the real world for reasons unknown. Greta Lee, Evans Peters, and Gillian Anderson are among its supporting cast, while franchise veteran Jeff Bridges will return in some capacity.
With artificial intelligence (AI) becoming an increasingly regular fixture in our lives, you can expect Tron: Ares to explore themes concerning the digital landscape, AI, and the dangers of other technological advancements as part of its story.
Anemone
Release date: October 10 (US); October 16 (Australia) November 7 (UK)
Eight years after he retired from acting, Daniel Day-Lewis returns to moviemaking in Anemone, a psychological drama that the award-winning actor co-penned with his son Ronan. The latter is also the film's director.
Anemone's story is quite the mystery. With no official story brief and only a couple of unsettling trailers to go on, it's anyone's guess what this flick is really about. Nonetheless, it's fantastic to see Day-Lewis back in business. He'll be joined by similarly talented actors in Sean Bean and Samantha Morton among others, too, for this one.
After The Hunt
Release date: October 16 (Australia); October 17 (US and UK)
Luca Guadagnino will look to continue his hot-streak with this enticing Amazon/Sony Pictures psychological drama that'll star big names including Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri.
In it, Roberts plays Alma Olsson, a college professor whose professional and personal lives collide when her star student Maggie (Edebiri) levels an accusation against one of Alma's colleagues Hank (Garfield), who also appears to be obsessed with Alma. If you liked Challengers, you'll probably love After The Hunt.
Good Fortune
Release date: October 16 (Australia); October 17 (UK and Australia)
Aziz Ansari returns to the big screen after an 11-year absence in this religion-centric comedy flick that's already sparked some comparisons with Dogma.
In it, fan-favorite actor Keanu Reeves plays Gabriel, a well-meaning but inept guardian angel who begins meddling in the affairs of a down-on-his-luck gig worker (Ansari) and wealthy venture capitalist (Seth Rogen). However, when Gabriel switches their lives and things go awry, he's punished by losing his wings. Cue Gabriel trying to make amends in the most outlandish ways possible. One of October's new movies that could be a sleeper hit.
The Black Phone 2
Release date: October 16 (Australia); October 17 (US and UK)
Four years after its predecessor was a surprise hit in theaters, a sequel to that supernatural horror film will aim to frighten audiences as much as its forebear did.
The Black Phone 2 will reunite us Mason Thames' Finn, who continues to struggle to live his life after his near-fatal encounter with The Grabber (Ethan Hawke). However, when his younger sister Gwen starts experiencing nightmarish visions of dead kids and receiving calls from the titular black phone in her dreams, Finn and his sibling will be forced to confront the film series' terrifying villain – and try to stop him for good.
The Astronaut
Release date: October 17 (US); TBC (UK and Australia)
Another fear-inducing film to enjoy during the spookiest time of the year, The Astronaut stars Kate Mara as the titular space voyager who crash lands back on planet Earth and is quarantined soon after.
However, Mara's Sam Walker soon realizes that something isn't right and that some kind of extraterrerial must have followed her back to her home world. Laurence Fishburne, Gabriel Luna, Ivana Milicevic, and Macy Gray are among its supporting cast.
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
Release date: October 23 (Australia); October 24 (US and UK)
Jeremy Allen White will temporarily hang up his apron from The Bear as he trades the kitchen for the big stage in 20th Century Studios' Bruce Springsteen biopic.
The movie, which is based on Warren Zanes' similarly titled book, chronicles the making of the legendary musician's 1982 'Nebraska' album as he contends with demons from his past and being on the precipice of global superstardom. Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere's first trailer suggests it'll hook us all when The Boss' biopic hits theaters in late October, while its most recent teaser (see above) gives a much better picture of its story.
Regretting You
Release date: October 23 (Australia); October 24 (US and UK)
The latest film adaptation of a best-selling Colleen Hoover novel, Regretting You stars McKenna Grace and Allison Williams as Clara and Morgan, a daughter-mother dynamic forced to navigate an incredibly difficult situation after a devastating accident sheds light on some shocking family secrets.
Fans of It Ends With Us will find plenty to weep about with one of October's final new movies – after all, Hoover penned that book, too. Dave Franco and Mason Thames are also set to appear in substantial supporting roles, FYI.
Blue Moon
Release date: October 24 (US); November 14 (UK); January 29, 2026 (Australia)
The second film starring Ethan Hawke to arrive in the space of seven days (in the US, anyway), Blue Moon sees the A-lister play legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart.
On the eve of the opening night of the ground-breaking hit musical 'Oklahoma!', which his former collaborator Richard Rodgers created, Hart is forced to face his shattered self-confidence and reflect on his own career in Sardi's bar. Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, and Andrew Scott also star.
Bugonia
Release date: October 30 (Australia); October 31 (US and UK)
The latest cinematic team-up between actor Emma Stone and director Yorgos Lanthimos, Bugonia is a western remake of South Korean sci-fi comedy film Save the Green Planet!.
In it, Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis play two conspiracy-fuelled young men who kidnap the CEO of a powerful corporation (Stone) after they become convinced she's an alien hellbent on destroying planet Earth. Expect plenty of unusual camera shots, quirky and cringe-based humor, and deadpan performances from its cast throughout.
New movies: November
Predator: Badlands
Release date: November 6 (Australia); November 7 (US and UK)
The latest Predator project from Dan Trachtenburg, Predator: Badlands is the first to start one of the titular Yautya as its protagonist.
The R-rated sci-fi movie series' latest installment will see Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a young Predator outcast, attempt to prove himself by traveling to a remote planet in search of killing a worthy adversary that'll prove his worth to his tribe. Dek will also team up with Thia (Elle Fanning), a damaged Weylany-Yutani synthetic as the duo try to survive this world's hostile flora and fauna.
Predator: Badlands' first trailer dropped some big clues that it could be an Alien versus Predator (AVP) movie in all but name. And, while Badlands' official trailer appeared to double-down on that prospect, Trachtenburg has since said it isn't a secret AvP flick. Sad faces all around.
The Running Man
Release date: November 6 (Australia); November 7 (UK); November 14 (US)
An Edgar Wright-directed remake of the 1987 classic, The Running Man sees Glen Powell play working-class hero Ben Richards, who joins the titular game to win its cash prize so he can pay for his sick daughter's treatment.
With balls-to-the-wall action, wacky humor aplenty, dystopian vibes, and Wright's signature filmmaking style, The Running Man could be one of November's most popular new movies. Lee Pace and Colman Domingo are among its starry cast.
Die My Love
Release date: November 6 (Australia); November 7 (US); November 14 (UK)
Billed as a psychological dark comedy, Die My Love is set to star Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson as Grace and Jackson. A loving couple who relocate from New York to the country, all initially seems well for the pair and their newborn baby. However, when Grace starts to struggle amid her newfound motherhood and surroundings, her reality starts to warp around her for better and worse.
From Lynne Ramsay, one of the industry's hottest ones to watch, Die My Love will also feature LaKeith Stanfield, Nick Nolte, and Sissy Spacek.
Now You See Me: Now You Don't
Release date: November 13 (Australia); November 14 (US and UK)
Lionsgate's popular magician-based film franchise returns with a bang later this year with its third installment.
In Now You See Me 3, the Four Horsemen – Daniel (Jesse Eisenberg), Jack (Dave Franco), Henley (Isla Fisher), and Merritt (Woody Harrelson) – reunite to carry out their biggest heist yet. Alongside an intrepid trio of other illusionists, they attempt to steal the world's most valuable diamond from under the nose of a powerful crime syndicate. Rosamund Pike, Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, and Morgan Freeman are also involved.
Wicked: For Good
Release date: November 20 (Australia); November 21 (US and UK)
The sequel to last year's movie adaptation of the world-famous stage play, Wicked: For Good tells the second half of the tale depicted in the aforementioned musical.
Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jeff Goldblum return as Elphaba, Glinda, and the Wizard of Oz as the trio continue to navigate the fallout from the previous film's climax. Meanwhile, a certain red shoe-wearing character, alongside a tin man, lion, scarecrow, and dog make landfall in Oz, which further complicates matters. One of November's new movies that'll surely be as well received as its multi-award nominated forebear.
Want more new movies recommendations? Our new Netflix movies, new HBO Max movies, new Prime Video movies, and new Disney+ movies lists are full of streaming-based suggestions for a night at home instead.
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