Horror Movies Coming to Theaters October 2025

Spooky season is officially in full swing, and horror fans have already had plenty to scream about this September. The Conjuring: Last Rites kicked things off, followed by the eerie journey in The Long Walk on September 12. A week later came the unsettling thriller HIM, and just before October, The Strangers – Chapter 2 returned to terrify audiences.

Now, with October upon us, the scares aren’t slowing down October is bringing an entire lineup of fresh nightmares to the big screen.

Horror Movies Releasing October 3

• Bone Lake

• Casper (30th Anniversary Re-release)

• Coyotes

• Good Boy

• Scared Shitless

• Scurry

• Shell

  
  

Horror Movies Releasing October 6

• The Devil's Rejects (20th Anniversary Re-Release)

  
  

Horror Movies Releasing October 14

• Trick 'r' Treat (Restored in 4K Re-Release)

  
  

Horror Movies Releasing October 17

• Black Phone 2

• Frankenstein

  
  

Horror Movies Releasing October 24

• Shelby Oaks

• Queens of the Dead

Horror Movies Releasing October 3

Horror fans, mark your calendars! October 3 is shaping up to be a full-on fright fest. Whether you’re into psychological mind games, supernatural chills, or just want a nostalgic return to ghostly comfort, there’s something hitting the big screen for everyone. Here’s the lineup.

Bone Lake

What starts as a romantic getaway quickly devolves into a nightmare. A couple arrives at a secluded estate expecting peace and privacy, but when another mysterious couple shows up, the dream spirals into a twisted game of sex, lies, and manipulation. It’s luxury meets paranoia, and survival isn’t guaranteed.

• Director: Mercedes Bryce Morgan

• Writer: Joshua Friedlander

• Stars: Alex Roe, Maddie Hasson, Marco Pigossi

Casper (30th Anniversary Re-Release)

Yes, the friendliest ghost of the ‘90s is back. Casper returns to theaters for its 30th anniversary, bringing nostalgic vibes and family-friendly frights. Perfect for horror fans who want something a little sweeter with their spooky season.

• Director: Brad Silberling (original 1995 release)

• Writers: Sherri Stoner, Deanna Oliver

• Stars: Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Malachi Pearson (voice of Casper)

Coyotes

Picture this: you’re trapped inside your Hollywood Hills home. Outside, a raging wildfire. Also outside, a hungry pack of savage coyotes. It’s survival against nature from all angles in this tense creature feature.

• Director: Colin Minihan

• Writers: Tad Daggerhart, Daniel Meersand, Nick Simon

• Stars: Mila Harris, Brittany Allen, Kate Bosworth

  
  

Good Boy

A loyal pup moves with his owner to a quiet rural home — but something sinister lurks in the shadows. As dark forces threaten the person he loves most, this brave dog steps up to face supernatural evil head-on. Horror with a canine hero? Count us in.

• Director: Ben Leonberg

• Writers: Alex Cannon, Ben Leonberg

• Stars: Indy, Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman

  
  

Scared Shitless

Yes, that’s the actual title. A plumber and his germophobic son are forced into the dirtiest job imaginable: fighting a genetically engineered monster crawling through the plumbing system of an apartment building. If you’ve ever side-eyed the shower drain… this one might just ruin you.

• Director: Vivieno Caldinelli

• Writer: Brandon Cohen

• Stars: Steven Ogg, Daniel Doheny, Chelsea Clark

Scurry

Claustrophobes, beware. Two strangers find themselves trapped underground as a monstrous threat devastates the city above. Injured, low on resources, and running out of time, they must navigate collapsing tunnels in a desperate bid to escape.

• Director: Luke Sparke

• Writer: Tom Evans

• Stars: Jamie Costa, Emalia, Peter O’Hanlon

  
  

Shell

Elisabeth Moss and Kate Hudson star in this chilling tale of beauty and ambition gone horribly wrong. When a fading actress enters the glamorous world of wellness, she discovers her mentor’s perfect empire is hiding something far more monstrous beneath the surface. Think luxury lifestyle… with teeth.

• Director: Max Minghella

• Writer: Jack Stanley

• Stars: Elisabeth Moss, Kate Hudson, Kaia Gerber

Horror Movies Releasing October 6

The Devil’s Rejects (20th Anniversary Re-Release)

Rob Zombie’s grindhouse classic roars back into theaters on October 6 for its 20th anniversary. Originally released in 2005, The Devil’s Rejects follows the murderous Firefly family as they flee a brutal police raid. Otis and Baby Firefly escape and reunite with their patriarch, the deranged Captain Spaulding, while the vengeful Sheriff Wydell vows to hunt them down by any means necessary. What follows is a bloody, unflinching road trip of sadism, survival, and violent revenge that cemented the film as a cult horror landmark.

The movie is infamous for pushing the boundaries of the R rating with Rob Zombie himself admitting it was one of the hardest films he’s ever had to cut down for release. Over the years, it’s earned a reputation as one of the most relentless, disturbing, and iconic modern horror films.

• Director: Rob Zombie

• Writer: Rob Zombie

• Stars: Sid Haig, Sheri Moon Zombie, Bill Moseley

Horror Movies Releasing October 14

Trick ‘r Treat (Restored in 4K Re-Release)

One of the ultimate Halloween cult classics returns to theaters, this time restored in stunning 4K. Michael Dougherty’s Trick ‘r Treat has become a seasonal staple, and its theatrical re-release gives fans a chance to experience its twisted tales the way they were meant to be seen: on the big screen.

The film intertwines five chilling stories that all unfold on the same night, on the same block. A couple learns the consequences of blowing out a jack-o’-lantern before midnight. A high school principal reveals his secret double life as a serial killer. A college virgin searching for her first time may have met more than she bargained for. A group of cruel teens play a prank that goes too far. And finally, a bitter old man crosses paths with Sam, the mysterious, pumpkin-headed enforcer of Halloween’s rules.

One of the most memorable behind-the-scenes details? Because all of the movie’s candy was either poisoned or stuffed with razor blades, the crew couldn’t use real candy brands. Instead, they designed their own including the unforgettable “Big Fudge Log.”

• Writer/Director: Michael Dougherty

• Stars: Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Dylan Baker

Horror Movies Releasing October 17

October 17 delivers both a modern nightmare and a timeless classic. The terrifying continuation of The Black Phone saga, and the rebirth of one of horror’s most enduring stories.

Black Phone 2

The nightmare of The Black Phone isn’t over. On October 17, director Scott Derrickson returns with Black Phone 2, a chilling sequel that dives even deeper into Joe Hill’s terrifying world.

Now 17, Finney Blake is still struggling to move forward after his abduction by the Grabber.

But the horror begins again when his sister Gwen starts receiving calls in her dreams from the infamous black phone. Her visions reveal three boys being stalked at a winter camp known as Alpine Lake, drawing Finney and Gwen into another deadly mystery.

Fans of the original will be thrilled (and terrified) to see Ethan Hawke reprise his role as the Grabber, alongside returning cast members Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, and Jeremy Davies.

• Director: Scott Derrickson

• Writers: C. Robert Cargill, Scott Derrickson, Joe Hill

• Stars: Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies

Frankenstein

Also releasing on October 17 is Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece, Frankenstein. Known for his darkly imaginative style, the Oscar-winning director reimagines the tragic tale of Victor Frankenstein, the brilliant but arrogant scientist whose monstrous experiment leads to devastating consequences.

This adaptation promises to honor Shelley’s original themes of ambition, isolation, and humanity’s darker impulses — while giving del Toro the perfect canvas for his signature blend of horror and beauty.

With a powerhouse cast that includes Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Christoph Waltz, Frankenstein is set to be a hauntingly beautiful cinematic event.

• Director: Guillermo del Toro

• Writers: Mary Shelley, Guillermo del Toro

• Stars: Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Christoph Waltz

Horror Movies Releasing October 24

From chilling psychological demons to a zombie apocalypse dripping in sequins, October 24 delivers a horror double feature unlike anything else this spooky season.

Shelby Oaks

On October 24, Shelby Oaks brings psychological terror to the big screen. The film follows a woman’s desperate search for her long-lost sister, which spirals into obsession when she begins to suspect that the imaginary demon from their childhood wasn’t imaginary at all.

With its blend of mystery, supernatural dread, and emotional weight, Shelby Oaks promises to unsettle audiences who enjoy horror with a psychological edge.

• Director: Chris Stuckmann

• Writers: Sam Liz, Chris Stuckmann

• Stars: Camille Sullivan, Brendan Sexton III, Michael Beach

Queens of the Dead

Balancing out the darkness is Queens of the Dead, a campy, bloody, and fabulous horror-comedy. When a zombie outbreak erupts at a drag show in Brooklyn, drag queens and club kids must put their rivalries aside and use their unique talents to take on the undead.

With brains, glitter, and stilettos flying, Queens of the Dead offers a fresh and outrageous spin on the zombie genre, proving that drag queens really do know how to slay.

• Director: Tina Romero

• Writers: Erin Judge, Tina Romero

• Stars: Riki Lindhome, Katy O’Brian, Jack Haven

Spooky Season Wrap-Up

October 2025 is a horror fan’s dream and nightmare month at the theaters. From the sinister psychological twists of Bone Lake and Shelby Oaks, to re-releases of cult classics like The Devil’s Rejects and Trick ’r’ Treat, to Guillermo del Toro’s haunting take on Frankenstein, this month has delivered something for every kind of horror lover.

Whether you’re into psychological thrillers, slashers, supernatural hauntings, or horror with a wink and a wig, October’s lineup has made one thing clear: spooky season is alive and thriving on the big screen.

So grab your popcorn or maybe something stronger and step into the dark. After all, the real horror is missing out.