The first weekend of October is here and we’re ready to get a little bit spooky!
This weekend, Oct. 4-5, we’ve got one project that’s sure to scare the socks off you (and likely give you gory nightmares for days so don’t say we didn’t warn you!), while the rest are a little more for the faint of heart. We’re easing you into the month, of course.
We would be remiss not to mention the movie that will inevitably be heard (yes, heard) round the world this weekend, courtesy of the one and only pop icon Taylor Swift, who is bringing a visual accompaniment to her newest album, The Life of a Showgirl, to the big screen.
And there’s more! Here’s a list of the nine best new movies and shows to watch this weekend and where to stream them.
The Official Release Party of a Showgirl
Swift fans can rejoice — in addition to 41 minutes worth of new music, they can enjoy 89 minutes of behind-the-scenes clips of the making of the songs, the music video for the single “The Fate of Ophelia” and lyric videos for other tracks.
The movie is playing exclusively in cinemas this weekend, so run, don’t walk, to your nearest theater — and don’t delay on purchasing the in-demand tickets!
The Official Release Party of a Showgirl releases in theaters on Oct. 3.
The Smashing Machine
One can imagine that anyone in a relationship with someone whose profession is to beat other people up may have some concerns about their partner’s well-being when they leave for their 9-to-5. And such is the plight of real-life former partner Dawn Staples (Emily Blunt) as she supports a Herculean Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) in The Smashing Machine.
The A24 film centers around Kerr as he becomes one of the most prolific wrestlers and mixed martial artists, while struggling with personal woes and relationship issues along the way.
The Smashing Machine releases in theaters on Oct. 3.
Good Boy
If there’s one rule we hold true, it’s never let us in a theater playing a movie about a dog or we will walk out crying. After Good Boy, though, you may be crying for different reasons…
Whoever thought to turn man’s best friend into a prop for horror certainly has a spooky streak to them, as Good Boy tells the story of a haunted house told from the perspective of the owner’s pet dog.
Good Boy releases in theaters on Oct. 3.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story
If you’re seeking something truly bone-chillingly disturbing and horrific, look no further than the third installment of Ryan Murphy’s Monster series.
This time, the anthology looking into the lives and downfalls of convicted murderers turns its attention to Ed Gein, the psychopath inspiration behind movies like Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Silence of the Lambs.
Watch Monster: The Ed Gein Story on Netflix.
Love Is Blind season 9
The reality competition show with a blinding twist (wink!) sets its sights on Denver, Colo., this season as a new slate of contestants compete to find their match.
Who will walk down the aisle? And who won’t stand the test of a relationship built on (literally) blind dates? Time will tell…
Watch Love Is Blind season 9 on Netflix.
Abbott Elementary season 5
The teachers at Abbott Elementary have more stories to tell — and they’re ready to spill the beans as a new school year dawns upon them.
This time around, Ava (Janelle James) is back in the principal’s office and is eager, as usual, to see Janine’s (Quinta Brunson) downfall as she’s overloaded with 40 students in her second-grade class. Meanwhile, Janine and Gregory’s (Tyler James Williams) relationship continues to burn brighter.
Watch Abbott Elementary on Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC and next day on Hulu.
The Lost Bus
Based on true events of one of the most devastating wildfires in California history, The Lost Bus tells the story of Kevin McKay, (Matthew McConaughey) a bus driver who risks his life to drive 30 miles to save 22 children and two teachers during the Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif.
The movie is a family affair as McConaughey’s real-life son and mom play the same roles in the film, which also stars America Ferrera as Mary Ludwig, one of the teachers.
Watch The Lost Bus on AppleTV+.
Play Dirty
As the title implies, Parker (Mark Wahlberg) and Grofield (LaKeith Stanfield) aren’t interested in playing nice — they’ve got a billion dollars to steal from a whole country and they’re on a schedule.
The forces working against them are the mafia, a billionaire and an army, but who doesn’t love a challenge?
Watch Play Dirty on Prime Video.
One Chicago shows
Last week brought us the Law & Order shows to fill your Thursdays, and this week another procedural franchise is here to stack your Wednesdays: the One Chicago shows.
The night kicks off with Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET, followed by Chicago Fire at 9 p.m. and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. on NBC.
Watch new episodes of the One Chicago shows the following day on Peacock.
