October 2026 streaming picks
Which of these films and TV shows are you looking forward to most?
October streaming highlights
1.10.2026
Translation: Katherine Martin
New month, new streaming recommendations. From Netflix to Prime Video, Disney+ to Apple TV, Sky Show to HBO Max and Paramount+, these are our series and film picks on streaming services this October.
What’s an owl’s favourite band? The WHO! Hopefully, this month’s streaming picks will be just as much of a hoot for you as that joke. October 2026 certainly has plenty of top-notch viewing in store for us. Let’s go through the highlights.
Netflix
Below (miniseries)
Calvin Penney (Josh Hartnett), a fisherman, lives in a remote coastal town in Newfoundland. Disaster begins to unfold when an unusual iceberg suddenly drifts into the harbour. Something hidden inside or beneath this iceberg is a threat to the future of Calvin’s hometown. In a bid to save his family and the town, he teams up with scientist Fonda Howander (Mackenzie Davis).
Mystery, a touch of horror, a dash of drama and a trailer that doesn’t reveal too much? Sometimes, that’s all it takes to pique my curiosity. Below was written by Jesse McKeown, co-writer of series such as The Umbrella Academy and The Sinner. I’m excited to watch it. Plus, I’m looking forward to seeing Josh Hartnett (Lucky Number Slevin) in the lead role, as well as seeing Natasha Henstridge (Species) again.
Starts: 8 October
Animals (film)
Mark Kimball (Ben Affleck) is running for mayor of Los Angeles when his son is kidnapped. The kidnappers are demanding a large ransom from him and his wife, Abigail. Since all their assets are tied up in the election campaign and time is running out, the two desperately try to come up with the money some other way. As a result, they end up entangled in a web of lies, deceit and dependencies.
Ben Affleck doesn’t just star in this thriller – he directed it too. With films such as Gone Baby Gone, The Town and Argo under his belt, he’s already more than proven his directing credentials. Alongside Affleck and Kerry Washington, the cast features Steven Yeun (Beef) and the ever-fabulous Gillian Anderson (The Fall). This one’s going straight on my watch list.
Starts: 9 October
The Diplomat – Season 4 (series)
The Diplomat centres around Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), the US ambassador to the UK. From her base in London, she’s tasked with handling political crises, power struggles and covert conspiracies. As if that weren’t enough, her marriage to Hal (Rufus Sewell) is on the rocks. Hal, a former ambassador himself, can’t handle the fact that it’s Kate who’s now in the spotlight, not him. And he makes sure she knows it.
The Diplomat is on my list of still-to-watch series. However, I’m definitely planning to swap it to my «watched» list as soon as possible. Especially since my colleague Luca has described it as the smartest political series of our time. And besides, I’m a sucker for political power plays and the bumpy road to diplomacy anyway. So, feel free to dive into Season 4 while I’m starting Season 1.
Starts: 15 October
Lupin – Season 4 (series)
Master thief Assane Diop (Omar Sy) is voluntarily serving time in prison to complete his sentence and leave his life as a criminal behind. But when a copycat going by the nickname «Lupin» breaks into several museums and pins the crimes on him, Assane finds himself forced to take drastic measures. To find the real culprit and prove his innocence, he’ll have to break out of his high-security prison.
Lupin is one of the most-watched non-English Netflix series in the world. I guess the creators must be thinking that all good things come in fours. If you ask me, the Season 3 finale would’ve made a worthy conclusion to the series. Even so, I’m happy to watch the charismatic Omar Sy getting into all sorts of trouble as Lupin once again. Let’s face it, who could resist that mischievous grin?
Starts: 23 October
Disney+
VisionQuest (miniseries)
After everything that went down in Westview, Vision (Paul Bettany) is living among humans, unrecognised. This white synthezoid, however, is anything but human. But what exactly is he? Who is he, and why? Vision explores these questions deep within himself, with the help of his creator, Ultron (James Spader), among others.
VisionQuest is the conclusion of a trilogy that began with WandaVision and Agatha All Along. For my colleague Luca, the series announcement was one of the highlights of this year’s D23, Disney’s fan convention. I, too, can hardly wait to see it. And I’m especially stoked to witness James Spader as a flesh-and-blood version of Ultron.
Starts: 14 October
Apple TV
Small Prophets (series)
It’s been seven years since Michael’s (Pearce Quigley) partner disappeared without a trace. And he’s tormented by the uncertainty. Using his father’s (Michael Palin) recipe, he tries to create homunculi (tiny, human-like creatures that can predict the future) in mason jars.
A bizarre story, plenty of British humour and a reunion with Monty Python’s Michael Palin? What more could you want? It’s high time the rest of the world got into this highly acclaimed series. Small Prophets, incidentally, premiered in the UK back in February. The BBC has since confirmed that there’ll be a second season. Keen?
Starts: 7 October
Matchbox: The Movie (film)
A group of longtime friends, who used to play with Matchbox cars (there it is!) together as kids, find themselves caught up in a global conspiracy when Sean (John Cena) turns out to be a CIA agent. Evil people are out to get them. But the group of friends obviously knows how to fight back – from behind the wheel of a high-horsepower race car, of course. It is Matchbox: The Movie, after all.
Soon, it seems every single toy from my childhood will have been made into a film. Sigh. Directed by Sam Hargrave (Tyler Rake: Extraction 2), the film stars John Cena (Peacemaker) and Jessica Biel (Blade: Trinity). The trailer promises wild car chases around the globe, insane stunts, plenty of horsepower – and a ridiculous story that wouldn’t look amiss on the back of a beer mat. If you’re into Fast & Furious style action, Matchbox: The Movie should be right up your street.
Starts: 9 October
Tenzing (film)
In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay achieved what had previously been considered impossible. They were the first people to climb Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain. Based on true events, Tenzing recounts this historic moment by focusing on the Nepalese-Indian Sherpa. It won’t be an easy journey, that’s for sure. And even though we all know how it ends, I’m still looking forward to it being brought to life on screen.
A few days ago, the mountaineering drama celebrated its European premiere at the Zurich Film Festival. Tom Hiddleston, who plays Edmund Hillary in the film, attended the event. The film also stars Genden Phuntsok as Sherpa Tenzing and Willem Dafoe as expedition leader John Hunt. Tenzing was directed by Jennifer Peedom. It’s the Australian director’s first fictional feature film, and definitely her kind of subject matter. Several of her documentaries, including Mountain and Sherpa, have explored high-altitude mountains like Everest. With a setting like this, the film is bound to have breathtaking mountain and nature shots in store for us.
Starts: 16. October
Amazon Prime Video
Kill Jackie (series)
For 20 years, former drug smuggler Jackie (Catherine Zeta-Jones) has been living a secluded, luxurious life as a successful art dealer. But then her criminal past catches up with her. When a bounty is put on her head, Jackie finds herself up against the Seven Demons – the seven best hitmen in the world. But instead of letting that intimidate her, she quickly flips the switch on them and goes from being hunted to hunter.
«Brain off, John Wick mode on», I think to myself as I’m watching the trailer. Kill Jackie is based on the novel The Price You Pay by Nick Harkaway, which he published under the pseudonym Aidan Truhen. Interestingly, the German title of the book is [«Fuck you very much»],(/s18/product/fuck-you-very-much-deutsch-aidan-truhen-andrea-stumpf-sven-koch-thomas-woertche-belletristik-14437548) which pretty much captures Catherine Zeta-Jones’ attitude in the series. The cast also features Ron Perlman (Sons of Anarchy) and Daniel Ings (A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms). I’ll get the popcorn ready.
Starts: 2. October
Carrie (miniseries)
After her father’s sudden death, shy teenager Carrie White (Summer H. Howell) transfers to a regular high school. There, she’s bullied and harassed by her classmates. Things aren’t any better at home, where her overprotective, religious fanatic of a mother (Samantha Sloyan) is waiting for her. When Carrie discovers she has telekinetic powers, she sets out to break free. But how should she use these powers? And can she even control them?
Stephen King’s debut novel has been adapted for the screen several times. To this day, Brian de Palma’s 1976 film Carrie is considered by far the most successful adaptation, and even the author himself speaks very highly of it. King actually said the film was better than his book. Will Mike Flanagan’s (Midnight Mass, The Life of Chuck) miniseries be able to hold a candle to it? Stephen King is certainly singing its praises. He clearly likes the fact that Flanagan’s Carrie is set in the present day:
Mike Flanagan’s version of Carrie is brilliant. What it has to say about social media is shocking and true.
Well, if that’s what the grand master of horror has to say, maybe we should give it a watch. Right?
Starts: 7 October
Sky Show
War (series)
Tech billionaire Morgan Henderson (Dominic West) and film star Carla Duval (Sienna Miller) want to get a divorce. Inevitably, it’ll be a bitter battle. The ex-couple are being represented by two of London’s most prestigious law firms, each pursuing the legal dispute with the utmost vigour. Each party will resort to any means necessary to win, no matter how underhanded. And in the end, everyone will probably lose…
Is there such a thing as too many legal dramas? Not in my book. War is an anthology series by George Kay, who previously developed the Criminal anthology. Each season tells a different story. Filming for the second season, starring Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler) and David Harewood (Blood Diamond), is already underway according to Sky (article in German). No objections, your Honour!
Starts: 5. October
HBO Max
Yaga (series)
In the sleepy coastal town of Whittock, the heir to a wealthy fishing business has vanished without a trace. Private investigator Rapp (Noah Reid) takes on what appears to be a routine missing persons case – but things quickly become complicated. During his investigation, he finds himself caught between suspicious police officer Carson (Clark Backo) and charismatic university professor Katherine (Carrie-Anne Moss). Rapp uncovers dark secrets and ancient magic. The line between reality and the myth of legendary witch Baba Yaga begins to blur.
Did somebody say, «mystery»? I feel my curiosity being piqued again. Yaga is based on the eponymous play by Kat Sandler, the series’ showrunner and author. The Toronto International Film Festival offered viewers a first glimpse at the series, generating an encouraging response. On IMDb, Yaga is rated 8.7 out of a possible 10 stars. Although this is bound to change after the official release, it does give you a bit of a flavour of what’s to come.
Starts: 23 October
Crystal Lake (series)
It’s the early 1970s, and Pamela Voorhees (Linda Cardellini) wants a fresh start for herself and her son at Camp Crystal Lake. Then, there’s a tragic accident: Jason drowns, but his body is never found. Consumed by grief, Pamela, in her despair, continues looking for him. When strangers start digging into Pamela’s past, they have no idea what terrible consequences they’ll set in motion.
Some of us are meant to wear masks.
Did I mention that I like horror films? As a fan of this genre, the names «Crystal Lake» and «Voorhees» obviously ring a bell. Friday the 13th (1980) is considered, along with Halloween, to be a pioneer of the slasher genre. The indestructible antagonist Jason Voorhees, with his iconic hockey mask, is a cult figure. Numerous sequels have followed the originals, getting progressively sillier along the way. Crystal Lake takes us back to the beginning – and goes even further back in time. In other words, it tells the story of what happened before Friday the 13th. Sounds like a must-see for me. Plus, the trailer definitely has me feeling optimistic. And it doesn’t look silly at all!
Starts: 15 October
Paramount+
Avatar: Seven Havens (series)
Avatar: Seven Havens takes place more than 200 years after The Legend of Korra. The world of benders lies in ruins following a devastating catastrophe. Many have died, and the others live in isolation in the remaining havens for humans: the Seven Havens. Amid this post-apocalyptic world, young earthbender Pavi learns that she’s the new Avatar, the successor to Korra. But instead of being hailed as a saviour, she’s viewed as a threat. Alongside her long-lost twin sister and other companions, Pavi still has to try to reunite the people and restore balance.
Avatar: Seven Havens is the sequel to the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. Again, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the creators of the previous series, are at the helm. They quit Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender in 2020, citing creative differences. The fact that DiMartino and Konietzko are back is likely to give Avatar fans cause for optimism. Hmm, maybe I should try to figure out for myself what makes this world so fascinating?
Starts: 9 October
Header image: Marvel
I'm a full-blooded dad and husband, part-time nerd and chicken farmer, cat tamer and animal lover. I would like to know everything and yet I know nothing. I know even less, but I learn something new every day. What I am good at is dealing with words, spoken and written. And I get to prove that here.
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