dailynewsnblog
Netflix is living up to its commitment to invest in original content, because this month, there is almost too much to watch on the streaming platform. This October, there are over 50 original films, shows and specials premiering; some are returning hits like the Emmy Award-winning series The Diplomat, and the charming rom-com Nobody Wants This starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody as religiously-mismatched partners.
There are also several original films to look out for, like Animals, co-written and directed by Ben Affleck, who also co-stars with Kerry Washington; and documentaries like Tyson, a four-part series about boxer Mike Tyson; The One About Matthew Perry, about the life and death of the Friends star; and more. John Steinbeck’s novel East of Eden, first adapted as a film starring James Dean, is also getting a new adaptation starring Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist. It’s tough to narrow down the things we can’t wait to watch, but since it’s October, here’s a curated list of the (lucky) 13 titles we’re excited to check out on Netflix this month.
What’s on Netflix in October 2026
Oct. 1
NetflixEast of Eden (Season 1)
John Steinbeck’s novel East of Eden, about the complicated lives of the Trask brothers, was first adapted to the screen in 1955 — the film version was directed by Elia Kazan. More than 70 years later, the book is being adapted again, this time as a seven-episode series by Kazan’s granddaughter, filmmaker Zoe Kazan. But it will be reframed to focus more on the story of the woman who upends the brothers’ lives. Mike Faist and Christopher Abbott play Charles and Adam Trask, and Florence Pugh plays Cathy Ames, the woman who eventually marries Adam and creates a rift in the family with her manipulative ways. Tracy Letts, Martha Plimpton and Hoon Lee also star. Every episode will be available on Oct. 1.
Oct. 2
NetflixThe Ramparts of Ice (Season 2)
Based on Kocha Agasawa’s manga series, The Ramparts of Ice is about a group of teens, the shy and aloof Koyuki Hikawa, popular Miki Azumi, overly friendly Minato Amamiya and basketball player Yota, as they navigate the complex social anxieties specific to high school. The show first debuted last spring, and now season 2 will drop a new episode each week, starting Oct. 2.
Oct. 9
NetflixAnimals
Ben Affleck co-wrote, directed and stars in Animals, a new political thriller about a mayoral candidate, Mark Kimball (Affleck), whose son is kidnapped. Kimball and his wife (Kerry Washington) are forced to expose their secrets in order to come up with the ransom. (Fun fact: Affleck recently revealed that he originally considered casting his ex-wife Jennifer Garner in Washington’s role.) Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun and Adriana Paz co-star in the film, which arrives on Oct. 9.
Oct. 13
NetflixTyson
Mike Tyson has had several documentaries made about his life, but Netflix’s Tyson may be the most emotional one yet. In the four-part series, Tyson sits down for a conversation about his life, including his most controversial and infamous moments. The series is directed by Floyd Russ, who also worked on the American Manhunt and Untold documentary series.
The Trap
NetflixIn the new German film The Trap, a woman named Lisa Konrad (Friederike Becht) remains housebound after the trauma she suffered after witnessing the murder of her sister. While watching TV, she recognizes her sister’s killer and plans to trap him, luring him to her so she can get her revenge. The movie comes out Oct. 13.
Oct. 15
Kailey Schwerman/Paramount+/NetflixHollywood Arts (Season 1)
Nickelodeon’s Victorious ran for four seasons, ending in 2013, but the popular show is getting a spin-off starring one of its main characters, Trina Vega, played by Daniella Monet. On the original show, Trina played the older sister of the more talented Tori Vega (Victoria Justice), as they both attended Hollywood Arts, a performing arts high school. On the new show, Trina returns to her alma mater as a substitute teacher, molding the young minds of a new class of talented teens. While a few Victorious co-stars, including Yvette Nicole Brown, Eric Lange and Matt Bennett, have committed to appear on the series, no word yet on whether co-stars Justice, Leon Thomas or Ariana Grande will show up.
NetflixThe Diplomat (Season 4)
Keri Russell and company return for a new season of The Diplomat on Oct. 15. All four of the show’s stars received Emmy nominations this year: Russell for her role as Ambassador Kate Wyler, Rufus Sewell, who plays Vice President Hal Wyler, Allison Janney as President Grace Penn and Bradley Whitford as Todd Penn. (Janney won.) If that pedigree wasn’t enough, in season 4, Kate and Todd are forced to team up when they start to worry that Grace and Hal’s powerful alliance in the White House could lead to serious diplomacy issues abroad.
Oct. 16
Norm: The Tale of Norm MacDonald
Norm MacDonald was what you call a comedian’s comedian; he was respected by his peers for his distinctive voice and deadpan humor. Judd Apatow directed and produced the new documentary Norm: The Tale of Norm MacDonald, his latest doc highlighting comedy greats (he previously helmed documentaries about Mel Brooks, Garry Shandling and George Carlin), a film that highlights what made the late comedian and Saturday Night Live star so great.
The film is also one of a few showbiz documentaries on the platform this month. If you’re a comedy buff, you may also want to check out Paralyzed By Hope: The Maria Bamford Story on Oct. 23 and Who Is Martin Mull?, out on Oct. 7.
NetflixThe Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable
The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable is a new feature-length documentary from filmmaker Joanna Natasegara. The film is the story of how the Wu-Tang Clan’s mythical seventh studio album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, came to be, and how Dutch rapper Cilvaringz, a fan-turned-collaborator, affected the Staten Island music legends. The album was recorded in secret over six years and sold at a 2015 auction for a reported $2 million (to eventually convicted pharma bro Martin Shkreli, if you remember him), under strict terms that it cannot be released or mass-produced until 2103. Hip-hop fans will appreciate the deep dive into this unique story, which is ultimately about making music for the sake of art rather than for commercial success.
Oct. 22
Nobody Wants This (Season 3)
The romantic sitcom Nobody Wants This, about an agnostic podcaster, Joanne (Kristen Bell), who falls in love with Noah, a rabbi played by Adam Brody, returns for season 3 this month. After two seasons of wavering commitment, the couple is poised to make a big leap this season, which premieres Oct. 22.
Oct. 23
Lupin (Season 4)
Omar Sy reprises his role as gentleman thief Assane Diop in Lupin’s fourth season, out on Oct. 23. What began as a tale of revenge – Diop became a thief to clear his father’s name after he was framed – has come a long way, and as we enter season 4, we find Diop behind bars. Having sacrificed himself for the safety of his wife and son, the question is, how will he get out of prison, and what will he do when he’s out?
Oct. 27
Chris Polk/FilmMagicThe One About Matthew Perry
It’s been nearly three years since actor Matthew Perry’s tragic death at age 54, and a new Netflix original documentary promises never-before-seen interviews, videos from his family’s archive and more. The three-part docuseries will feature appearances from Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick, and several of his closest friends and will explore his career and public success as well as his private struggles with addiction.
Oct. 30
NetflixSCTV: The Greatest Show You’ve Never Heard Of
Every season of SCTV, the Canadian sketch comedy that ran from 1976 to 1984, recently arrived on Netflix, so you can binge the show that introduced us to comedy greats like Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Andrea Martin, John Candy and Eugene Levy. Then tune in to the new documentary SCTV: The Greatest Show You’ve Never Heard Of, which arrives on Oct. 30. The doc features interviews with many of the show’s cast members who reunite to celebrate their scrappy show.
See full bio
