The Most Anticipated Film Releases of October

Tonight’s lineup : whether you’re in the mood for horror and endless mazes, a disaster movie through the flames, a biopic about the most controversial president in history, or a social fable led by a cinema icon, these five movie ideas will definitely convince you to stay cozy under the covers and stream the latest October releases. We can’t wait to slip into our PJs and hit play…

The pitch : What if we dove straight into the depths of American capitalism? This biopic traces the rise of young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan), an ambitious real estate developer hungry for power, trying to make a name for himself in New York. By his side: the infamous lawyer Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong) and his first wife Ivana Trump (Maria Bakalova), who help him build, in the Big Apple of the 70s and 80s, the persona that would later become the President of the world’s leading power.

Why you’ll love it : Premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, this bold film, released in October 2024, just a month before Donald Trump’s re-election, tackles one of today’s most controversial and powerful figures. Director Ali Abassi paints an unfiltered portrait of a man so cinematic he almost feels like a self-made caricature. In the corruption-fueled New York of the late ’70s, peeking behind the curtain of this indecently brash president’s rise feels like a guilty pleasure, as if you were infiltrating the secret side of America’s empire. Sebastian Stan (Avengers, Pam & Tommy) delivers a hauntingly realistic performance, from the voice to the trademark pout, while Jeremy Strong (Succession, The Trial of the Chicago 7) continues to impress with his nuanced mix of menace and fragility. Both actors earned Oscar nominations for their roles.

The Apprentice, available on Canal+

The pitch : The most devastating fire in California’s history. 22 students in danger. A school bus driver (Matthew McConaughey) and a teacher (America Ferrera) will do everything in their power to save them and guide the bus out of the flames. Their road through the burning Californian hills is filled with danger, blocked highways, thick suffocating smoke, looters, failing communications, creating a suffocating atmosphere of tension. A true race against fire begins on the roads of Butte County…

Why you’ll love it : Because you won’t come out unscathed. Inspired by true events, this film plunges us right into the Californian inferno, a frighteningly topical story less than a year after the wildfires that devastated Pacific Palisades. And honestly, who could resist 2 hours and 10 minutes of Matthew McConaughey, heroic yet vulnerable, alongside America Ferrera, equally brave and determined ? Beyond the star-studded cast, the mix of suspense, adrenaline, and raw humanity keeps you on edge until the very last frame. An intense film to watch with your heart racing, and your blanket ready.

The Lost Bus - Au coeur des flammes, available October 3 on Apple TV+

The pitch : 24 hours to save a youth residence for troubled teens ? Challenge accepted. Set in the ’90s, we follow Steve (Cillian Murphy), the center’s director, through one day filled with chaos and obstacles as he fights to keep the facility from shutting down. Devoted to offering these kids a second chance despite his own struggles, Steve gives everything he has. Among the residents, Shy (Jay Licurgo), torn between anger and hope, finds a reluctant mentor in Steve, whose compassion becomes a lifeline. Can he save both the center and these young souls he’s come to care for?

Why you’ll love it : Its nostalgic 90s atmosphere and quasi-documentary vibe make this Netflix Original feel like an indie gem straight out of a major film festival. Cillian Murphy, Oscar-winning actor of Oppenheimer, delivers another unforgettable performance, while Jay Licurgo is a revelation, his raw, moving energy lights up the screen. Together, they form a quiet, powerful duo in a film that lingers long after the credits roll.

Steve, available October 3 on Netflix

The pitch : A simple gift can open the door to pure horror. Dakota Fanning stars as Polly, a lonely woman living in a decaying old house. After accepting a mysterious late-night gift from a stranger, she becomes trapped inside her own home, which suddenly turns into a terrifying labyrinth where every choice could be her last. Will she find a way out before it’s too late ?

Why you’ll love it : The new horror gem from Bryan Bertino, director of The Strangers, is a must for anyone who loves screaming from behind a blanket. Between rooms filled with mirrors and pitch-black corridors hiding every kind of terror, this chilling film mirrors the darkness within us all, making it even more terrifying.

Vicious, available October 10 on Paramount+

The pitch : In Lille, Claire (Isabelle Carré), a well-organized insurance agent, falls madly in love with a mysterious client (Benoît Poelvoorde). Little does she know that this charming veterinarian with an intense gaze is, in fact, a cold-blooded serial killer. Caught between desire and danger, Claire’s life spirals into a deadly dance, but can passion really blind someone to the threat that lies before them ?

Why you’ll love it : Because danger has never been this seductive. Entre ses mains sits perfectly between genres, a mix of burning romance and chilling thriller, where passion and peril intertwine. The ordinary setting and relatable characters make the horror even more unsettling. Directed by Anne Fontaine, this small cinematic gem showcases a deeply disturbing Benoît Poelvoorde and a delicately powerful Isabelle Carré, whose quiet strength anchors the story beautifully.

Entre ses mains, available on Arte

The pitch. They’re called STANS, in reference to the song Stan in which their idol Eminem tells the story of a dangerously obsessive fan. Since then, the word has even entered the Oxford English Dictionary. If the rapper’s fans have always been somewhat overzealous, he also owes part of his career to them. Through their testimonies, archival footage, re-enactments, exclusive interviews, and even a conversation with Eminem himself, the film explores his career and the complex relationship between an artist and his fanbase.

Why you’ll love it. A whole generation grew up with him. A large part of his discography may even have been the soundtrack to key moments in your life. After all, he is the best-selling artist of the 21st century. And his fans, the STANS, are among the most passionate and extreme fanbases. Sometimes scary, some look exactly like him, others literally have him under their skin with over twenty tattoos of the star, while perfectionists know everything about both his life and discography. The most touching ones explain how Eminem’s music comforted them, marked their lives, even saved them. Moving yet unintentionally funny, this documentary will make you want to replay his Real Slim Shady bangers, while questioning the bond between an artist and those who idolize him. Bonus: interviews with guest stars like Dr. Dre… and even Ed Sheeran!

STANS, August 27 on Paramount+ and MyCanal.

The pitch. Whitney Wolfe proves unstoppable right out of university. Her ingenuity is unmatched when it comes to breaking into the male-dominated tech industry. But her rise as an entrepreneur isn’t as rosy as it seems, and the road to recognition as a revolutionary woman in tech is filled with challenges and battles. Don’t recognize her name? You probably owe Whitney Wolfe your most beautiful love story—or at least your last steamy night. She co-created Tinder, then founded Bumble, becoming the woman who glamorized online dating for a new generation.

Why you’ll love it. Inspired by real events, this story lifts the curtain on the extraordinary journey of this tech powerhouse who imposed her vision in a deeply misogynistic industry—ultimately becoming the “youngest self-made female billionaire.” Disney brings her story to life, with Lily James (Baby Driver, Pam and Tommy, Cinderella) playing the groundbreaking entrepreneur. A narrative showing how powerful, brilliant women still unsettle the status quo—but also how they can now take their revenge on invisibility.

Swipe, available September 19 on Disney+.

© Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/2025 20th Century Studios

The selection. No less than five iconic Tom Cruise films, including Collateral, where a taxi driver’s night spins out of control, Vanilla Sky with Penélope Cruz on the edge of dream and reality, and The Firm by Sydney Pollack, in which a brilliant lawyer becomes an FBI informant. Fans of Steven Spielberg will also get War of the Worlds and Minority Report, with Cruise once again shining in leading roles.

Why you’ll love it. Do we really need to introduce Tom Cruise? Both talented and prolific, he’s among the most bankable and influential stars in the world. For this special France TV cycle honoring him, you can binge these five classics. Editorial favorites? Minority Report, a masterclass blending sci-fi and whodunit in a dystopian society, where Cruise’s character, haunted by his son’s loss, faces an Orwellian nightmare… But it’s in the chilling War of the Worlds, adapted from HG Wells’ masterpiece, that he truly shines as a father ready to do anything to save his daughter—a powerful mix of thrills and emotions.

Tom Cruise Collection, starting September 4 on France TV.

The pitch. David King (Denzel Washington), a music mogul famed for his golden ear, is set to buy back his label Stackin’ Hits. But just as the deal is about to close, a kidnapper announces he has abducted his son, demanding a ransom that would ruin the operation. The twist? By mistake, the kidnapper didn’t take his son—but his chauffeur’s. Will David sacrifice his ambitions to help the childhood friend he deeply cares for?

Why you’ll love it. A new collaboration between Oscar winners Spike Lee (Malcolm X, BlacKkKlansman) and Denzel Washington (Training Day, The Magnificent Seven), Highest 2 Lowest is a bold, free remake of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low. This version unfolds in New York, within the world of hip-hop and African-American culture. Add to that a glamorous cast: Jeffrey Wright (Westworld, American Fiction), Ilfenesh Hadera (Godfather of Harlem), plus A$AP Rocky and Ice Spice! The film divided audiences at Cannes—praised for action sequences and its rap battle finale, criticized for kitsch excess. Still, it’s deeply rooted in the social and moral issues of today. One more reason to watch? A$AP Rocky also contributed to the soundtrack.

Highest 2 Lowest, available September 5 on Apple TV.

The pitch. Every Thursday evening in their Kent retirement home, three friends—Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), Ron (Pierce Brosnan), and Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley)—delight in investigating cold cases. But when real crimes threaten their residence, and murders coincide with a property takeover, their amateur detective skills, along with new recruit Joyce (Celia Imrie) and a police ally, become essential to uncover the truth.

Why you’ll love it. Netflix’s new release is directed by Chris Columbus (Harry Potter, Home Alone) and takes us into a third-age whodunit, 100% British (with an all-star UK cast). Fully embracing the “cosy mystery” genre—crime investigations in a warm, charming atmosphere—the film isn’t reinventing the wheel, but its gags, deluxe production by Amblin Entertainment (Steven Spielberg’s studio), and an all-star cast having real fun (Pierce Brosnan shines as a former union leader) make it cozy and delightful. Watching these quirky seniors team up will melt your heart. A charming comedy perfect for tea time.

The Thursday Murder Club, available on Netflix.

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