Best Horror of October 2026: ‘Other Mommy’ Goes for the Heart, ‘Carrie’ Returns, Josh Hartnett Hunts for Sea Monsters and More

“Beware Boiúna” (In theaters Oct. 2 via Lionsgate Films) — Director Mike P. Nelson, who delivered strong horror reboots in recent years with 2021’s “Wrong Turn” and 2025’s “Silent Night, Deadly Night,” returns with a giant killer snake story. Kiana Madeira, Jessica Rothe and Logan Marshall-Green star in an adventure that works to develop well-rounded humans before the titular snake bares its fangs.

“V/H/S/Mixtape” (Debuts on Shudder on Oct. 9) — The ninth installment in the long-running Shudder anthology series has a music-driven focus, with contributions from Ernest Dickerson, Flying Lotus, RZA, David Moreau and Renee Zhan. The initial press release for the project promised “outrageous splatter and groundbreaking practical effects,” which sounds perfect for a Halloween treat.

“Crawlers” (In theaters Oct. 16 via RoadsideFlix and Saban Films) — Deadly spiders get loose in an apartment building in Angel Gómez Hernández’s creature feature. Jayson Rothwell scripted the film, which stars Matilda Lutz, Gregg Sulkin, William Miller and Melina Matthews.

“The Cycle” (Debuts of Shudder on Oct. 23) — Deborah Ann Woll and Jeffrey Donovan star in this dark film with a great hook: A woman has to untangle her father’s dark past after his body is found at a crime scene 36 years after he went missing. Director and co-writer Jordan Downey’s twisty feature is filled with plenty of dread, tension and practical FX.

“Stiletto” (In theaters Oct. 30 via The Horror Section) — Eli Roth’s latest project as a producer is this film where a serial killer is targeting exotic dancers. With a script from director Samuel Gonzalez Jr. and star Gigi Gustin, who based elements on her own experience as an exotic dancer, expect plenty of blood, kinks and NSFW fun.

“Christmas at the Kringles” (In theaters Oct. 30 via Briarcliff Entertainment) — Ron Livingston, Rachel Bilson, Rob Riggle, Arden Myrin, Donald Faison and Thomas Lennon lead this stacked cast of funny people in the seasonal horror comedy. When a normal family starts getting close with a household that celebrates Christmas all year long, things take a turn for the surprising and bloody.