Spooky Seasons Guide: 13 Movies and TV Series That Are Sure to Give You the Scares Before Halloween

CNN
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Although fall spirit and pumpkin spice lattes have been with us for a few weeks now, it’s now official: spooky season is finally here.

You may have already gotten into the mood with entries like the witchy “Agatha All Along” on Disney+, the slow-paced “Rosemary’s Baby” prequel “Apartment 7A” on Paramout+, or went to the cinema to see the glitz and gore of “The Substance,” but don’t worry there is much more to it.

Here’s a handy guide to all the scares coming to Shocktober on screens and streaming:

‘American Horror Story’ heroine Sarah Paulson looks terrifying as ever in this period piece that doubles as a psychological horror film about a woman in 1930s Oklahoma who becomes convinced that something evil is attacking her family as they struggle with traumatic sandstorms in the area.

“Hold Your Breath” premieres October 3 on Hulu.

Oscar winner Ariana DeBose stars in a terrifying culinary story about an emerging chef opening her first restaurant and the ghost of the property’s previous owner who threatens to… ruin her plans. “Euphoria” rising star Barbie Ferreira stars.

The film will debut on October 3 on Prime Video.

Vampires never really go out of style… just ask Stephen King. His second published novel, 1975’s Salem’s Lot, tells the story of a picturesque town in (where else?) Maine overrun by bloodsuckers. After two rather dated TV miniseries – one from 1979 and the other from 20 years ago starring Rob Lowe – this film version looks like a new, elegant and terrifying adaptation.

“Salem’s Lot” will premiere on October 3 on Max, which, like CNN, is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.

Judging by the trailer, this PG-13-rated caper still looks a bit spooky, with a healthy dash of “Stranger Things”-style nostalgia. Kids on bikes on Martha’s Vineyard team up with a retired cop (Mel Gibson) to investigate a mysterious and most likely monstrous force invading their island. Look for Patrick Renny of “Sandlot” fame as a baseball umpire.

“Monster Summer” will hit theaters on October 4.

The latest in the spine-chilling horror franchise that began with 2012’s “V/H/S,” “Beyond” has a decidedly sci-fi tinge and features six spine-chilling stories that promise to push “the boundaries of fear and suspense,” according to the film’s synopsis on IMDb.

“V/H/S/Beyond” will be available to stream on Shudder on October 4.

Starring Dylan O’Brien, known for “Teen Wolf” and “Love & Monsters,” “Caddo Lake” tells the story of the disappearance of a little girl on the sinister Caddo Lake and how the secrets of the past may be connected to what happened to her happened. If you’re afraid of what might be lurking beneath the surface of the water, this movie is definitely not for you. (Or is it?)

“Caddo Lake” will premiere on Max on October 10.

Somewhat similar to “Hold Your Breath” without the period aspect, “Teacup” is about a group of neighbors trapped on a rural Georgia farm who face a mysterious but seemingly unstoppable threat. Just the guy in the old gas mask is enough to make the creep factor skyrocket. The main roles are played by “Underworld” star Scott Speedman and Yvonne Strahovski, known from “The Handmaid’s Tale”.

The series premieres October 10 on Peacock.

Without a doubt the most disgusting title on this list, “Terrifier 3” follows the absolutely murderous and deranged clown Art as he wreaks havoc before Christmas, thus entering the evil ranks of the holiday horror subgenre (think “Krampus,” but even more bloody). If sequel math is anything to go by – and “Terrifier 2” was definitely the bloodiest film of 2022 (or maybe ever) – this one will certainly give new meaning to the term “stomach scary.” Be warned.

“Terrifier 3” will hit theaters on October 11.

And speaking of scary sequels, ‘Smile 2’ builds on the disturbing premise of the 2022 first – a demonic force that makes those who watch it… smile (but not in a good way) before committing suicide in a gruesome way way – and describes it in the glitz and glamor of the world of a rising pop star (Naomi Scott). Look for appearances by Drew “Scream” Barrymore and “White Lotus” star Lukas Gage.

“Smile 2” in cinemas from October 18.

This seemingly self-aware title builds on underrated titles like “Jennifer’s Body” and follows the aftermath of a gruesome occult murder and a struggling high school heavy metal band trying to ride the wave of attention and make money as a Satanic metal band. Of course, this plan falls into the background.

The eight-episode series will debut on Peacock on October 18.

Probably where the term “torture porn” was coined, “Saw” came out an astounding 20 years ago and introduced the world to the cunningly… hilarious serial killer Jigsaw, who wreaked bloody mayhem in nine subsequent titles. Return to where it all began with Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, Shawnee Smith and Tobin Bell.

“Saw” will be released unrated in theaters on October 20 and 23.

Not much is known from the trailer for this ominous-looking film, except that the unfortunate soul (“Fargo’s” Kelsey Asbille) has 20 minutes in the woods to escape the killer’s clutches before her body shuts down under the influence of a nerve agent. Remember that terrifying scene with Michelle Pfeiffer in What Lies Beneath? It’s that vibe. It stars Finn Wittrock, another mainstay of “American Horror Story,” and is co-produced by horror master Sam Raimi.

“Don’t Move” will be available to watch from October 25 on Netflix.

A quirky but crazy-looking hybrid of romance and horror, “Your Monster” is about a distraught woman (Melissa Barrera, fresh off her tenure on “Scream” and 2022’s “Scream VI”) who discovers a hideous but adorable monster in her closet. What follows will most likely be a combination of “Beauty and the Beast” and a therapy session to defeat the monster that is your ex-partner.

“Your Monster” will hit theaters on October 25.