October might be “spooky season” but there’s a lot more than just horror hitting your screens this month. From musicals and sci-fi adventures to historical epics and riveting thrillers, there’s a variety of titles for our screen picks this month
Whether you’re in the mood for music, action, or a few bone-rattling jump scares, October is packed with tricks, treats, and everything in between.
1. Hamilton
Want to be in the room where it happens? The filmed version of the Broadway mega-hit Hamilton is finally arriving in Philippine theaters for an exclusive one-week run in select cinemas. The screening also includes “Reuniting the Revolution,” a special prologue featuring all-new interviews with the original cast and creators. Don’t throw away your shot to see Lin Manuel Miranda’s celebrated musical on the big screen!
In cinemas October 1.
2. Tron: Ares
With virtual reality and artificial intelligence more present than ever, the return of the Tron franchise feels especially timely. Tron: Ares marks the third film in the series, following 2010’s Tron: Legacy. Jeff Bridges reprises his role as Kevin Flynn and is joined by Jared Leto, Evan Peters, Greta Lee, and Gillian Anderson for another neon-lit, high-tech adventure. This time, the digital world seeps into reality, forcing humankind to confront AI beings from the Tron universe.
In cinemas October 8.
3. Quezon
The third and final installment of Jerrold Tarog’s esteemed “Bayaniverse” trilogy centers on former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon. Jericho Rosales stars as Quezon in this anticipated historical epic, navigating the ruthless world of politics to outmaneuver his rivals. Among his adversaries are Emilio Aguinaldo (Mon Confiado), Sergio Osmeña (Romnick Sarmenta), and American military officer Leonard Wood, played by Game of Thrones’ Iain Glen.
In cinemas October 15.
4. A House of Dynamite
Kathryn Bigelow, the first woman to win the Oscar for Best Director (The Hurt Locker), returns with A House of Dynamite, a gripping political thriller set within the walls of the White House. The film follows U.S. government officials as they attempt to thwart a nuclear missile headed for Chicago. Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, and Idris Elba headline this high-stakes drama filled with the kind of intensity and action Bigelow is known for.
Streaming on Netflix October 24.
5. It: Welcome to Derry
Pennywise, your favorite killer clown, is back to terrorize Derry, Maine in a brand-new prequel series. Set in the 1960s, It: Welcome to Derry follows a group of kids as they stumble into red balloons, shapeshifting nightmares, and the early stirrings of Pennywise’s reign of fear. Arriving just in time for Halloween, the series also unpacks the town’s chilling history and the roots of its horrors.
Streaming on HBO Max starting October 27.
If you’re looking for even more to watch this month, Netflix has new seasons of Nobody Wants This and Monster (this time featuring serial killer Ed Gein), along with the Filipino romantic-horror film The Time That Remains.
In theaters, James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water returns to IMAX ahead of the third film’s December premiere, while Laika’s stop-motion classic ParaNorman is back, now with a brand-new short film. And kicking off this month, the Cinemalaya Film Festival launches its 21st edition on Oct. 3 and runs until the 12th.
With thrills, chills, and mysteries all month long, October promises to keep you on the edge of your seat.