As spooky season creeps back in, October brings an exhilarating lineup of shows with a little something for everyone. If you’re wondering what to watch, this month is ready to spoil you. First up, HBO Max’s It: Welcome to Derry dives into exploring the eerie origins of Pennywise and how his reign of terror began in the town of Derry. For something closer to home, Prime Video’s original Thai thriller Host follows Ing, a teenage girl sent to a strict reform school on a remote island where obedience is enforced with an iron fist. If you’re in the mood for fantasy, Genie, Make a Wish explores the journey of a quirky genie as he reawakens from his milennium long slumber.
Not into horror? No worries. For the adrenaline junkies, the hit South Korean fitness survival show Physical 100 returns with a global edition, Physical: Asia. Netflix’s fan-favorite Nobody Wants This also returns for a sharper and unexpectedly emotional second season. Kristen Bell and Adam Brody reprise their roles as Joanne and Noah, navigating relatable relationship chaos, while Leighton Meester (Brody’s real-life wife) joins as Abby—a middle school rival turned mom-fluencer. Joining in on the rom-com buzz, Disney+ turns up the heat with Would You Marry Me—a witty story about two opposites getting married, marking the comeback of rom-com king himself, Choi Woo-shik.
Speaking of comebacks, Oscar winner Cillian Murphy graces our screens once again in Steve, this time as a troubled but dedicated teacher at a last-resort reform school. And for film buffs, the crown jewel of the month—Apple TV+ premieres a five-part documentary series directed by Rebecca Miller about the visionary filmmaker, Martin Scorsese.
Below, find our full curation of shows to watch this October—all available on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max and Apple TV+.
1 / 8
IT: Welcome to Derry
If you’ve ever wondered how Pennywise came to be, or why Derry seemed cursed long before the Losers’ Club arrived, this nine-episode prequel is here to reveal the truth. Arriving just in time for spooky season, Bill Skarsgård returns as the terrifying clown in a comeback fans have been eagerly anticipating. Set in 1962, It: Welcome to Derry explores the town’s haunted past, uncovering buried secrets and chilling events like the infamous Black Spot fire.
Watch It: Welcome to Derry on HBO Max from 26 October.
2 / 8
Host
Real horror enthusiasts know that some of the most chilling scares come straight from Thailand—and Host, a Prime Video original, proves exactly why. This film marks the first cinematic reimagining of Thailand’s legendary Mae Sue ghost story, bringing a uniquely eerie folklore to life. The story follows Ing, a young woman sent to a strict reform school on a remote island where obedience is the only rule. But soon after her arrival, disturbing and unexplainable events begin to unfold. Ing faces a terrifying dilemma: is she just another victim caught in a supernatural nightmare, or could she be the very source of the haunting?
Watch Host on Prime Video from 23 October.
3 / 8
Genie, Make a Wish
Fan favourite pairing Suzy and Kim Woo-bin return to our screens in this fantasy drama. The drama follows Ga-young, an emotionally cold young woman, who awakens a genie from his 1000-year long slumber to grant her three wishes. As the story unfolds, the two form a surprising connection. But the twist? The genie is actually the devil with a darker agenda to prove humans are corruptible.
Watch Genie, Make a Wish on Netflix from 3 October.
4 / 8
Physical: Asia
The hit South Korean fitness survival show Physical: Asia goes global—and it’s better than ever. Olympic gold medalist Yun Sung-bin joins team South Korea, but this time, the stakes are sky-high. Elite athletes and fitness pros from eight countries clash in brutal, expertly crafted challenges that push every limit of strength and endurance. With legends like Manny Pacquiao leading Team Philippines, expect jaw-dropping feats and fierce rivalries.
Watch Physical: Asia on Netflix from 28 October.
5 / 8
Nobody Wants This Season 2
Joanne and Noah’s whirlwind romance goes for another spin in Season 2 of Nobody Wants This. As they navigate love after the honeymoon phase, the couple finally address a major complication—the fact that Joanne isn’t Jewish, while Noah is a rabbi. With sharp writing and heartfelt moments, the new season leans into the messiness of love and what it really means to commit.
Watch Nobody Wants This Season 2 on Netflix from 23 October.
6 / 8
Would You Marry Me
The fake relationship trope is alive and thriving, and this time, it’s in the expert hands of rom-com veterans Choi Woo-shik and Jung So-min. Together, they breathe fresh life into a witty story about two very different people who enter a fake marriage to win a prize—only to find themselves navigating unexpected emotions along the way. If you love a rom-com that keeps things buzzy and light while still delivering heart flutters, this one’s definitely worth your time.
Watch Would You Marry Me on Disney+ from 10 October.
7 / 8
Steve
Fresh off his Best Actor win at last year’s Oscars, Cillian Murphy returns to the screen as a jaded yet altruistic headteacher at a reform school. Set in the 90s, the film follows a man who throws himself into the lives of his defiant students. As their stories begin to intertwine, a more fragile portrait of the teacher emerges as his own struggles with alcoholism and mental health unravel.
Watch Steve on Netflix from 3 October.
8 / 8
Mr. Scorsese
For once, Martin Scorsese isn’t behind the camera, but in front of it. In this intimate, eponymous documentary, the legendary filmmaker offers a rare look at his early years and the moments that shaped his career. Known for his gritty demeanour and an ambitious body of work, Scorsese brings that same raw candor to this documentary. He’s joined by longtime industry friends Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Steven Spielberg, who offer their own anecdotes about the man behind the camera.
Watch Mr. Scorsese on Apple TV+ from 17 October.
