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HorrorFam.com’s Faves for October 2025 Horror Movies Streaming Now
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Lauren Spear’s Pick
Return to Oz (1985) is the horror sequel to the Wizard of Oz (1939) and it’s been a favorite of mine since before I could walk! Several of my fellow HorrorFam.com writers say it gives them nightmares, but I’ll never understand why. Sure, things start out a bit rough for Dorothy (Aunt Em takes her to a mental institution to get shock therapy so she’ll forget about Oz and be a better farmhand), and when she makes the titular return to the land of Oz things aren’t exactly how she left them… But even in the darker setting, Dorothy does what she does best: She makes friends and has an amazing adventure! Also, Return to Oz is a perfect Halloween or near-Halloween film because it’s a horror film set ON Halloween!! Rated PG | Runtime 1h 49m
Where to Watch Return to Oz (1985):
Frank Spear’s Pick
Frank Spear says: “Satan’s Little Helper follows Dougie, a 9-year-old kid who’s hooked on a game where he’s, well, pretending to be Satan’s little helper. Reality and fantasy blend on Halloween when Dougie meets a serial killer dressed as Satan and begins unknowingly helping him with his murders. Dougie eventually manages to bring his new friend around his family and it goes as well as you might expect. This movie is so weird that it’s funny, and the interactions the characters have range from creepy to flat-out hilarious. Despite the wacky plot, there are a lot of dark themes woven through the movie, too. But the generous layer of humor and satire make this a must-watch for people who consider themselves fans of dark humor.” Rated R | Runtime 1h 40m
Where to Watch Satan’s Little Helper (2004):
Christi Bandy’s Pick
Christi Bandy says: TAKE ME TO HALLOWEENTOWN! This was one of my kids’ favorites and it still holds up as a great choice for getting into the spirit of the season. It’s similar to Lauren’s pick in that the young protagonists go to another, much mor magical, land; but, unlike Lauren’s pick, this one won’t give anyone bad dreams! Hahahaha. It has a wonderful cast, fun effects, and it’s just so sweet. Remember – ‘Magic is really very simple, all you’ve got to do is want something and then let yourself have it!'” Unrated | Runtime 1h 24m
Where to Watch Halloweentown (1998):
Isaiah Swanson’s Pick
Isaiah Swanson says: “The Legend of the Psychotic Forest Ranger (2011) is a love letter to the ’80s, blahblahblah I know, I know– EVERY movie is a love letter to the ’80s now, but this movie nails the low budget shot-on-video quality we’ve come to expect from B-movies of that era. And I mean that in a very complimentary way; the movie evokes that old school, goofy slasher vibe from the way it’s shot to how the characters talk and behave. The plot is very familiar: Your standard group of teens takes a wrong turn in the woods and get stranded there. A kindly forest ranger finds them and goes for help, only to become the unfortunate victim of the fabled Psychotic Forest Ranger, and the teens are left to fight for their lives in the woods. The ranger slashes his way through the trees, bellowing out one-liners like, ‘I’m here to relieve you . . . of LIFE!’ and chasing down the terrified teens. The movie’s hilarious, and I highly recommend it if you’re in the mood for some lighthearted, brainless fun. Unrated | Runtime 1h 12m
Where to Watch The Legend of the Psychotic Forest Ranger (2011):
AJ Spencer’s Pick
AJ Spencer says: “Oh! I have to recommend Ernest Scared Stupid! I’m choosing it because it’s a personal Halloween tradition for me and it’s a fun Halloween movie that the family can enjoy together.” Rated PG | Runtime 1h 32m
Where to Watch Ernest Scared Stupid (1991):
Robert Tharp’s Pick
Robert Tharp says: “Trick ‘r Treat is the BEST Halloween horror anthology – if not the best horror anthology movie period! It also has one of my favorite monster unmasking moments ever.” Rated R | Runtime 1h 22m
Where to Watch Trick ‘r Treat (2007):
Cathy Tharp’s Pick
Note: Lauren’s mom doesn’t write articles for HorrorFam.com, but she’s an important cheerleader behind-the-scenes and wanted to contribute to this page!
Mom’s been trying to choose Something Wicked This Way Comes as her streaming Pick o’ the Month for months now, but it wasn’t available. Disney JUST released it this month (and will likely take it down again next month) so catch it while you can!! It’s one of Mom’s all-time favorites – she loves Mr. Dark and the overall “fall” atmosphere. She recommends watching Something Wicked This Way Comes earlier in the month to get you in the mood for Halloween later on! Rated PG | Runtime 1h 35m
Where to Watch Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983):
Adam Page’s Pick
Adam Page says: “The Salem’s Lot movie/mini-series still remains terrifying because it knows that real horror lies in patience and atmosphere. Tobe Hooper creates a slow-burning nightmare, with dread building in the familiar streets of small-town America.
What makes it really unsettling is how he changes the everyday into the monstrous. Barlow, the head vampire with his Nosferatu-like appearance is not the charming vampire from classic horror. He’s a true creature of the night, all razor teeth and claws for hands. And the scene where the young Mark Petrie turns and sees the undead Danny Glick floating outside his window, scratching to be let in? Still nightmare fuel 40-odd years later! The runtime also helps, giving Stephen King’s story room to breathe. Straker, played by James Mason brings a touch of sophisticated terror, while the practical effects bring an unease that CGI still can’t touch. It’s a rare horror that trusts silence, suggestion, and shadows. Salem’s Lot knows that what we imagine waiting in the dark is often more frightening than what we can actually see.” Rated PG | Runtime 1h 40m
Where to Watch Salem’s Lot (1979):
Heather Landry/SandpaperDaisy’s Pick
You’ll be singing the Silver Shamrock jingle all month! And that’s a good thing. Rated R | Runtime 1h 38m
Where to Watch Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982):
The Top 3 Horror Films Streaming Online for October 2025:
Note: This section changes/updates on the 15th and again on the 30th as more info for the month comes in!
#1 Alien: Earth (Horror TV Series)
Where to Watch Alien: Earth (2025):
#2 Weapons
Where to Watch Weapons (2025):
#3 28 Years Later
Where to Watch 28 Years Later (2025):
Thank you for supporting HorrorFam.com! We update every single Friday with new articles and reviews – and you can come back to this page for our latest pick-of-the-month.
Miss last month’s recommendations from our writers? Click here for September 2025’s picks!
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