With October 2025 here and the weather starting to get cooler and Halloween peace campaigning around us, Hollywood is going to leave no stone unturned in entertaining us with an exciting lineup of upcoming Hollywood movies in October 2025. From long-gestating sequels like TRON: Ares and The Black Phone 2 to chillers and thrillers to have you clutching your chest in terror, this month’s batch of new arrivals are here to offer a heady mix of sci-fi spectacle, supernatural scares and star-studded drama.
Whether you love blockbusters or smaller indie films, October’s lineup is brimming with cinematic jewels ready to take over the theater. Scroll your way through our guide to all the new Hollywood movies coming out in October 2025, including their release date as well as whats buzzing for a lowdown of what the features are about – ideal for scheduling in movie nights during the upcoming fall festival season.
Why October 2025 Is a Blockbuster Month for Hollywood?
October has always been prime time for genre-bending films, especially horrors that align with Halloween, but 2025 amps it up with high-profile sequels and franchises. Per industry trackers, the month sees more than 20 releases on tap, mixing tentpole events (like Disney’s TRON: Ares) with indie darlings and re-releases for nostalgia buffs.
As summer superhero malaise wanes, prepare for a down-to-earth dose of original shock and humanity to beckon audiences this fall at the IMAX theater as well as the cozy arthouse. These future Hollywood movies set for release in October 2025 are more than just potential blockbusters — they’re also the talk starters of awards season and social media, baby.
Top Upcoming Hollywood Movies in October 2025: A Release Calendar
Here’s a curated breakdown of the most anticipated upcoming Hollywood movies in October 2025, organized by date. We’ve highlighted key details like director, cast, and genre to help you pick your must-sees.
October 1-3: Kicking Off with Thrills and Chills
- The Strangers: Chapter 2 (OCT. 3)
- Director: Renny Harlin
- Cast: Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez
- Genre: Horror/Thriller
Plot: A follow-up to the Oct. 2024 reboot of the original film, this sequel continues as survivor Maya’s (Petsch) attackers come back for more deadly gamesmanship when the intruders return with a new set of lethal games. Lionsgate’s expansion of the “home invasion” saga promises gore and twists for slasher fans.
Why Watch: Builds on the franchise’s $100M+ global haul—ideal for opening-weekend scares.
- Good Fortune (October 3)
- Director: Aziz Ansari (directorial debut)
- Starring: Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer
- Genre: Comedy/Drama
Plot Summary: A guardian angel (Reeves) puts a couple of strangers (Rogen and Palmer) together, leading to calamity and enlightenment as fate tangles with choices in this satire about destiny.
Why to watch: Ansari meets a-list improv talent, early festival buzz bills it “hilariously profound.
October 10-17: Horror Hits and Sci-Fi Spectacles
- After the Hunt (Limited release October 10; Wide October 17)
- Director: Luca Guadagnino
- Starring: Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Liam Hemsworth
- Genre: Thriller/Drama
Synopsis: A Harvard professor (Roberts) faces moral dilemmas when a former student (Edebiri) uncovers a dark secret from her past, blending #MeToo themes with psychological tension. Hot off its Venice Film Festival accolades.
Why to watch: Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name) is a master of elegant style that can raise timely social commentary.
- The Black Phone 2 (October 17)
- Director: Scott Derrickson
- Starring: Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw
- Genre: Horror/Supernatural
Synopsis: Finney Shaw (Thames) reunites with ghostly victims to battle the Grabber’s (Hawke) lingering shadow in this sequel to the 2022 hit. Expect more phone-booth terrors and emotional gut-punches.
Why Watch: The original’s $161M box office proves its staying power—perfect for October’s spooky slate.
October 22-24: Action-Packed Sequels and Family Fun
- TRON: Ares (October 24)
- Director: Joachim Rønning
- Starring: Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jeff Bridges
- Genre: Sci-Fi/Action
Synopsis: A sentient program (Leto) crosses from the digital Grid into the real world, sparking chaos and high-stakes chases. Bridges reprises his iconic role in this third TRON installment, loaded with neon visuals and philosophical undertones.
Why Watch: After 15 years in development, it’s a visual feast for IMAX—poised to revive the franchise’s cult following.
- If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (Oct. 24)
- Director: Jordan Weiss
- Starring: Lil Rel Howery, Tichina Arnold
- Genre: Comedy
Summary: A wheelchair-bound prankster (Howery) goes to war with his overbearing family in this gritty, touching underdog tale inspired by real-life resilience.
Watch If You Like: Howery’s (Get Out) comic timing works well in a new inclusive story.
October 29-31: Halloween Closers and Biopics
- Stitch Head (October 29)
- Director: Various (Animation)
- Starring: Voices of Benedict Cumberbatch, Helena Bonham Carter
- Genre: Family/Animation/Fantasy
Synopsis: Adapted from Guy Bass’s book, a patchwork monster (Cumberbatch) escapes his mad scientist creator for adventure in a traveling circus, learning about friendship and fame.
Why Watch: Annecy Festival darling—timely family fare for trick-or-treat crowds.
- Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere (October 31)
- Director: Thom Zimny
- Starring: Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen
- Genre: Biographical Drama/Musical
Synopsis: Chronicling the Boss’s turbulent Nebraska album era, with White channeling Springsteen’s raw passion amid personal demons.
Why Watch: White’s (The Bear) intensity meets iconic rock lore for an emotional finale.
| Release Date | Movie Title | Genre | Director | Key Cast | Buzz Factor |
| Oct 3 | The Strangers: Chapter 2 | Horror | Renny Harlin | Madelaine Petsch | Franchise Expansion |
| Oct 3 | Good Fortune | Comedy | Aziz Ansari | Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen | Directorial Debut |
| Oct 10/17 | After the Hunt | Thriller | Luca Guadagnino | Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri | Festival Hit |
| Oct 17 | The Black Phone 2 | Horror | Scott Derrickson | Ethan Hawke | Sequel Scares |
| Oct 24 | TRON: Ares | Sci-Fi | Joachim Rønning | Jared Leto, Jeff Bridges | Visual Spectacle |
| Oct 24 | If I Had Legs I’d Kick You | Comedy | Jordan Weiss | Lil Rel Howery | Underdog Charm |
| Oct 29 | Stitch Head | Animation | N/A | Benedict Cumberbatch (voice) | Family Adventure |
| Oct 31 | Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere | Biopic | Thom Zimny | Jeremy Allen White | Musical Drama |
What Makes These Upcoming Hollywood Movies in October 2025 Stand Out?
This Octobers line-up plays up diversity: chills, like with The Black Phone 2 in supernatural fear, or TRON: Ares and its futuristic escapism. Levity is provided by comedies like Good Fortune and prestige picks like After the Hunt, which will suggest Oscar contenders.
Hidden Gems and Re-Releases
Don’t miss indies like Bone Lake (October 10, survival thriller with Justin Long) or the 30th-anniversary re-release of Casper (October 3-31), blending nostalgia with family fun. For anime fans, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Bomb Girl Arc (October 24) explodes with action.
Where and How to Watch Upcoming Hollywood Movies in October 2025?
Catch these in theaters via Fandango or AMC apps for tickets. Premium formats like IMAX for TRON: Ares enhance immersion. Post-run, expect Hulu/Netflix drops. Follow Rotten Tomatoes for reviews and trailers to stay ahead.
Conclusion
The treasure–thermofusion of cinema that is Hollywood’s October 2025 screeching at us includes everything from flat-on-the-floor horror thrillers to lump-in-throat biopics, which seems about right for this as ideal a month to hit the cineplex, no? Whether TRON: Ares transports you into the Grid, or The Black Phone 2 keeps you up at night, these are the titles that give a fantastic experience. Bookmark this guide, break out your popcorn and enjoy.