October is set to be a packed month for movie and TV fans, with a strong mix of highly anticipated new series, returning favourites, big-screen adaptations and superhero releases, Cape {town} Etc reports.
From major streaming debuts to long-awaited theatrical projects, there is plenty on the way across different genres and platforms. Here are some of the biggest movies and TV shows to look out for in October.
East of Eden
This month, Netflix is dropping their adaptation of John Steinbeck’s acclaimed 1952 novel, East of Eden. Set against the sweeping backdrop of early 20th-century California, East of Eden follows the turbulent lives of the Trask family as love, rivalry and long-buried tensions begin to reshape their future.
Starring Florence Pugh as Cathy Ames, the series is set to be a must-watch for fans of the modern classic, with the story spanning generations and exploring themes of family, ambition, morality and choice. With a stellar cast including Christopher Abbott, (Wolf Man) and Mike Faist (Challengers), the 7-episode series is sure to be an interesting take for fans of the book.
- When to Watch: 1 October
- Where to Watch: Netflix
Verity
Hollywood has been making its way through Coleen Hoover’s novels in the past few years, including 2024’s It Ends with Us, and 2025’s Regretting You. This month, an adaptation of her 2021 novel Verity is hitting the big screen.
The film follows Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson), a struggling writer, who is given an unexpected opportunity when she is hired to finish the bestselling book series of the incapacitated Verity Crawford.
After moving into the Crawford family home, Lowen discovers a disturbing manuscript that appears to reveal secrets Verity was never meant to share. The psychological thriller also stars Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett, along with Ismael Cruz Córdova and Brady Wagner.
- When to Watch: 2 October
- Where to Watch: Nu Metro and Ster-Kinekor cinemas
Abbott Elementary: Season 6
The teachers of Abbott Elementary are back for another school year, bringing fresh challenges, classroom chaos and plenty of unexpected moments to the Philadelphia public school.
With Gregory stepping into his new role as assistant principal, his working relationship with Ava is set to take on a new dynamic, while Janine continues finding creative ways to support her students. Meanwhile, the rest of the staff face their own professional and personal hurdles, all while relying on the friendships that have made Abbott feel like family.
The latest season of the beloved comedy features returning cast members Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti, Lisa Ann Walter, Sheryl Lee Ralph and William Stanford Davis.
- When to Watch: 7 October
- Where to Watch: BET (DStv channel 129) & Disney+ in the coming months.
Carrie
Stephen King’s Carrie has seen multiple adaptations throughout the years since its release, with the last attempt releasing in 2013. Now, Prime Video is releasing its adaptation this October, starring Night of the Reaper‘s Summer H. Howell in the titular role.
The series will follow Carrie White, a sheltered teenager whose life changes dramatically when she is forced to enter public high school following her father’s death. As she struggles with bullying, social-media cruelty and an increasingly complicated relationship with her fiercely protective mother, Carrie begins to discover strange powers within herself.
Mike Flanagan’s (The Haunting of Hill House) eight-episode adaptation reimagines the story for the modern age while keeping its unsettling coming-of-age core. Along with Howell, the series stars Samantha Sloyan, Siena Agudong, Alison Thornton, Joel Oulette, Amber Midthunder and Matthew Lillard among the major cast.
- When to Watch: 7 October
- Where to Watch: Prime Video
The Social Reckoning
16 years after The Social Network‘s release, a follow-up film titled The Social Reckoning hits theatres this October. Inspired by true events, the film follows Facebook engineer Frances Haugen as she begins questioning what is happening behind the scenes at one of the world’s most powerful social-media companies.
Aaron Sorkin’s drama explores the personal risks of speaking out while offering a tense look at the technology shaping modern society. The film stars Mikey Madison (Anora) and Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), along with Wunmi Mosaku, Betty Gilpin, Billy Magnussen, Bill Burr and Jeremy Strong.
- When to Watch: 9 October
- Where to Watch: Nu Metro and Ster-Kinekor cinemas
Avatar: Seven Havens
Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender can look forward to the highly anticipated third series in the franchise, following a new Avatar in a dystopian future. Avatar: Seven Havens takes place after 2012’s The Legend of Korra, focusing on a young Earthbender named Pavi who discovers she is the Avatar.
Rather than being welcomed as a hero, the Avatar is feared as a threat, forcing Pavi and her long-lost twin Nisha to uncover the truth about their origins while being pursued by humans and spirits. Their journey takes them across a fractured world where the fate of the Seven Havens – humanity’s remaining strongholds – hangs in the balance.
For long-time Avatar fans, this new series is a must-see, with three episodes of the 13-episode season dropping weekly. As Paramount+ is unavailable in South Africa, it is unclear where South African fans will be able to stream the series after the shutdown of Showmax, which streamed Paramount originals.
- When to Watch: 9 October
- Where to Watch: Currently unknown.
VisionQuest
It’s been a quiet year for MCU fans in the buildup to Avengers: Doomsday, but fans can expect VisionQuest to hit the small screen this month. Following the events of WandaVision, Vision is back, but the rebuilt android is still searching for a sense of identity and purpose.
After going into hiding, his quiet existence is disrupted when a bounty forces him to go on the run with Thomas Shepard, a mysterious young boy who may hold a surprising connection to Vision.
Marketed as the third part to WandaVision and Agatha All Along, the Marvel series stars Paul Bettany as Vision, with James Spader, Ruaridh Mollica, Todd Stashwick, T’Nia Miller, Emily Hampshire, Orla Brady and James D’Arcy among the major cast.
- When to Watch: 14 October
- Where to Watch: Disney+
Hollywood Arts
2010’s Victorious was a beloved Nickelodeon teen sitcom in its day, continuing to do well on Netflix over a decade later. Now, the series is returning with a new spin-off titled Hollywood Arts, following Daniella Monet’s Trina Vega returning to the performing arts high school as a substitute teacher.
Surrounded by a new generation of ambitious young performers, Trina quickly finds herself clashing with her students while unexpectedly becoming an influence in their lives.
The Victorious spin-off stars Daniella Monet along with a new cast of kids to fill the halls of the iconic school. Fans can expect plenty of callbacks to the original series, along with some surprise familiar faces.
- When to Watch: 15 October
- Where to Watch: Netflix
Street Fighter
A new adaptation of the beloved arcade game, Street Fighter, is hitting the big screen this October. Set in 1993, the film follows estranged fighters Ryu and Ken Masters, who are pulled back into the world of martial arts when the mysterious Chun-Li recruits them for the dangerous World Warrior Tournament.
Based on Capcom’s iconic video game franchise, the film combines familiar characters with a fresh big-screen story. The major cast includes Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken, Callina Liang as Chun-Li, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, Jason Momoa as Blanka, Joe ‘Roman Reigns’ Anoa’i as Akuma, Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson as Balrog and Cody Rhodes as Guile.
Fans of the game will definitely want to give this film a try, and this should be a fun, action-packed option for family night at the cinema this month.
- When to Watch: 16 October
- Where to Watch: Nu Metro and Ster-Kinekor cinemas
Clayface
DC is returning to the big screen this month, with a new film focusing on an iconic Batman villain. Clayface follows Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), a rising Hollywood actor whose promising career is shattered when a violent encounter leaves him horribly disfigured.
Desperate to reclaim his former life, he turns to an experimental treatment that restores his appearance, but comes with consequences he could never have anticipated. As Matt struggles to hold on to his identity and reality, his transformation sets him on a dark and increasingly dangerous path.
Along with Harries, the DC Studios horror thriller stars Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice), David Dencik (Beginnings), Max Minghella (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Eddie Marsan. (Ray Donovan)
- When to Watch: 23 October
- Where to Watch: Nu Metro and Ster-Kinekor cinemas
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