October is nearly here, and for fans of streaming entertainment, that can mean only one thing: a tidal wave of new movies, shows, and specials arriving just in time for Halloween. From family-friendly adventures on Disney+ to spine-chilling documentaries on Netflix and the much-anticipated return of Pennywise on HBO, the month promises something for every taste—and every scare threshold. As the days grow shorter and the nights a little darker, streaming platforms are ramping up their offerings, ensuring that viewers are spoiled for choice as they settle in for the most macabre season of the year.
Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN are leading the charge with a robust October 2025 lineup. According to reporting from Popverse and Disney’s own schedule, the month kicks off on October 1 with the premiere of SuperKitties Season 3 on Disney+. This season, the feline heroes embark on a wild “Su-Purr Wild” story arc, venturing into the Kittydale Wild Jungle alongside their wildcat friend Willa and a host of new critters. That same day, Hulu rolls out new episodes of the international Korean drama Tempest, which follows Seo Munju, a former diplomat, as she uncovers a high-stakes conspiracy stretching all the way to the White House. Meanwhile, ESPN+ drops a fresh episode of Eli’s Places, with Eli Manning exploring the quirks and history of college football—this season, he even sets a toilet paper world record at Auburn’s Toomer’s Corner and revives his alter ego Chad Powers with actor Glen Powell.
For those who prefer their scares with a side of music, Disney+ debuts Mickey & Minnie’s Holiday Songs: Halloween on October 2. These stop-motion sing-along videos feature the beloved Disney characters getting into the Halloween spirit with songs like “This is Halloween” and “Monster Boogie.” Over on Hulu, new seasons of Abbott Elementary and Shifting Gears premiere, providing some laughs and drama before the fright fest truly begins.
October 3 brings a flurry of premieres: Disney+ introduces The Balloonist, a family drama about an arrogant hot-air balloon pilot who crash-lands into a woman’s life, while the streamer also drops a Halloween episode of Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends. Hulu keeps the international flavor going with new episodes of The Murky Stream, a historical drama set in lawless Joseon-era Korea. Sports fans aren’t left out—ESPN airs Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at 8 pm ET, kicking off a month packed with live sporting events.
Anime lovers have plenty to celebrate as well. On October 4, Hulu premieres Season 8 of My Hero Academia and Season 3 of Spy x Family, both highly anticipated by fans worldwide. Disney+ adds three seasons of Halloween Wars for those who like their October with a dash of culinary competition, and ESPN offers UFC 320 live on pay-per-view for fight enthusiasts.
Halloween-themed content continues to dominate the schedule. Disney+ releases a new Halloween episode of Kiff on October 5, while Hulu introduces Digimon Beatbreak for anime fans. Sports coverage remains strong, with the WNBA Finals Game 2 airing on ESPN and NFL Monday Night Football featuring the Chiefs at Jaguars on October 6.
Mid-month, the horror and true crime genres take center stage across all major platforms. Netflix’s headline offering is Monster: The Ed Gein Story, a chilling docuseries that delves into the life of one of America’s most infamous real-life monsters. As Popverse notes, “If the horror stories you’re interested in are the real-life kind, then Netflix’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story is probably already on your to-watch list for this coming month.” For those seeking a different kind of terror, Netflix also presents Nightmares of Nature, narrated by Maya Hawke, which explores the darker side of the animal kingdom.
Amazon Prime Video jumps into the Halloween fray with the second season of the devilishly irreverent animated series Hazbin Hotel on October 29, and the psychological thriller Lazarus from Harlan Coben, starring Bill Nighy, on October 22. HBO Max, meanwhile, brings back one of horror’s most iconic villains with IT: Welcome to Derry, a prequel series that expands the mythos of Stephen King’s terrifying clown Pennywise. As Popverse puts it, “IT: Welcome to Derry will act as a prequel to the blockbuster horror franchise that reintroduced Pennywise to the American subconscious and inspired plenty of nightmares in the process.”
Hulu isn’t content to let the competition have all the chills. On October 13, the platform premieres the sixth and final season of the animated sci-fi comedy Solar Opposites, and on October 15, the true crime adaptation Murdaugh: Death in the Family starring Patricia Arquette. This series, inspired by a popular podcast, follows the scandal-plagued Murdaugh family as they face the fallout from a deadly boat crash and a string of mysterious deaths.
Disney+ continues to cater to families and younger viewers with the release of Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 on October 29, an anthology of nine new anime stories that put a unique spin on the beloved galaxy far, far away. The streamer also debuts Vampirina: Teenage Vampire—the first live-action portrayal of the popular book and animated series character—and new episodes of Traveling with Snow Man, which chronicles the Japanese idol group’s journey of self-discovery.
Peacock, not to be outdone, offers up the true crime docuseries Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy on October 16, while Apple TV+ brings a touch of dark fantasy with The Sisters Grimm, an animated adaptation of Michael Buckley’s bestselling children’s series, streaming from October 3.
Sports fans can look forward to a packed calendar: ESPN’s coverage includes the WNBA Finals, NFL Monday Night Football, NHL Opening Night, UFC pay-per-views, and even Formula 1’s United States Grand Prix. College football remains a staple on ESPN and Disney+ with College GameDay airing multiple times throughout the month.
For those in need of lighter fare, Netflix’s October slate also features new seasons of Love is Blind, Riv4lries, and Selling Sunset. Paramount+ offers a break from horror with the fourth season of Mayor of Kingstown debuting October 26.
With so much to choose from, viewers are sure to find the perfect blend of scares, laughs, and drama to suit their Halloween mood. Whether you’re planning a horror movie marathon, seeking family-friendly fun, or just looking for something new to binge, October 2025’s streaming landscape is rich and varied. As Danny Elfman famously said, “Life’s no fun without a good scare.” And this year, the streaming world is making sure you get plenty of both.
