October is spooky season, and so every year, it's filled with new horror releases. October 2023 is no exception to the rule. Horror enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to in the lead-up to Halloween, with plenty of new horror video games, new horror movies, and new horror TV shows to check out.
Various companies have made exciting announcements about horror games, movies, and TV shows coming out in October 2023, though fans of the genre should keep in mind that plans could change. As a matter of fact, the Alone in the Dark reboot was originally supposed to launch in October, but its release date was pushed to January 2024 so it would have less competition. Likewise, Saw 10 was once pegged for an October 2023 release, but the movie's release date was ultimately moved forward to September.
It's possible that more October 2023 release dates will move around, but with the month finally here, that seems unlikely. And while this is not necessarily a comprehensive list, here are all the major horror games, movies, and TV shows that genre fans have to look forward to in October 2023.
New Horror Games for October 2023
- High on Knife (PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X) - October 3
- Scorn (PS5) - October 3
- The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope (Switch) - October 5
- Sunshine Manor (PS4/PS5/Switch/Xbox One/Xbox Series X) - October 6
- Dementium: The Ward (Switch) - October 12
- Haunted House (Atari VCS/PC/PS4/PS5/Switch/Xbox One/Xbox Series X) - October 12
- Slender: The Arrival (PS5/Xbox Series X) - October 18
- The 7th Guest VR (PC/PS5/Quest 2) - October 19
- World of Horror (PC/PS4/PS5/Switch) - October 19
- Slay the Princess (PC) - October 20
- Alan Wake 2 (PC/PS5/Xbox Series X) - October 27
- Resident Evil Village (iOS) - October 30
- Stray Souls (PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X) - October 31
- Phasmophobia (PS5/Xbox Series X) - TBA
Video games best represent the horror genre in October 2023, with plenty of brand-new horror games set to launch for various platforms throughout the month. Some of the new horror games for October 2023 are admittedly re-releases of pre-existing titles, but it should still be exciting for anyone that prefers those particular platforms.
When it comes to new horror game releases for October 2023, things are getting started with High on Knife, the new DLC for Squanch Games' High on Life. High on Knife doesn't require one to have completed the High on Life base game to play it, and it applies the base game's bizarre, over-the-top humor to a horror story. While certainly more comedy than horror, High on Knife should still prove to be a solid pick for horror fans looking for something to play this October.
October 3 will also be the day that Scorn releases for PS5. Scorn is a first-person survival-horror game with a focus on puzzle-solving. It tasks players with exploring a disgusting alien world inspired by the twisted designs of Xenomorph creator H.R. Giger. Scorn was previously only available for PC and Xbox. Scorn was incredibly divisive at the time of its release, so PlayStation gamers will have to try it for themselves.
Scorn isn't the only horror game re-release dropping in October 2023. For example, Nintendo Switch gamers will get to try The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope on October 5. T he Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope is the second game in Supermassive's Dark Pictures series. Featuring Will Poulter in the starring role, Little Hope takes inspiration from games like Silent Hill, tasking players with exploring a mysterious town with dark secrets.
Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope isn't the only horror game coming to the Switch this month. Underrated Nintendo DS horror game Dementium: The Ward is also making the jump to the Switch. Dementium: The Ward is a first-person horror game that has players fighting for their lives in a seemingly abandoned psych ward. The game is considered a cult classic of the Nintendo DS era, and Switch owners will be able to give it a go come October 12.
Horror Game With 'Mostly Positive' Reviews Coming to Switch in Time for Halloween
A horror game with 'Mostly Positive' reviews will be making its way to the Nintendo Switch in October, just in time for Halloween.
The headlining new horror game for October 2023 is easily Alan Wake 2, the highly-anticipated sequel that's been over a decade in the making. While the original Alan Wake was more of an action-adventure game than horror, Alan Wake 2 is a pure horror experience, with the game's terrors brought to life thanks to the cutting-edge graphics from Remedy Entertainment. Alan Wake 2 takes direct inspiration from Capcom's Resident Evil remake games, and it looks like it has potential to be one of the best horror games in recent memory. Remedy is riding high after the success of Control, and it will be exciting to see if the studio can keep the momentum going strong when Alan Wake 2 launches on October 27.
Alan Wake 2 may be the biggest new horror game release of October 2023, but it's not the last notable horror game releasing this month. Those who have managed to pick up an iPhone 15 Max can check out the iOS version of Resident Evil Village on October 30, while PS5 and Xbox Series X gamers will finally get to try ghost-hunting game Phasmophobia, which has so far only been available on PC. Phasmophobia was a big hit when it first released, and chances are good it will find similar success on PlayStation and Xbox. Unfortunately, Phasmophobia is currently without a release date, but it is still scheduled to release for consoles by the end of the month.
Other horror games releasing in October 2023 include Sunshine Manor on October 6, Haunted House on October 12, Slender: The Arrival on October 18, The 7th Guest VR on October 19, World of Horror on October 19, Slay the Princess on October 20, and Stray Souls on October 31. It's entirely possible even more horror games will be released this month that just haven't been announced yet, so fans of the genre may want to keep an eye out for more surprise reveals.
New Horror Movies for October 2023
- The Exorcist: Believer - October 6
- Pet Sematary: Bloodlines - October 6
- Totally Killer - October 6
- Dark Harvest - October 11
- Five Nights at Freddy's - October 27
As usual, there are plenty of new horror movies for fans to check out this October, with three dropping on October 6. On that day, horror fans can check out The Exorcist: Believer, a new entry in the classic religious horror series, as well as Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, a prequel to the classic Stephen King horror story. Totally Killer, a brand-new horror IP, may really be the one to watch on October 6, though. The new horror comedy already has strong reviews from critics, and could very well turn out to be the breakout new horror movie release for October.
Horror movie Dark Harvest then releases on October 11, and the month will close out with the highly-anticipated premiere of Five Nights at Freddy's. The Five Nights at Freddy's movie adaptation has been years in the making, and it will be exciting to see if it lives up to expectations. The Five Nights at Freddy's IP seems ripe for quality adaptations, and the movie coming on October 27 will be the first test of that.
And while it technically released at the end of September, horror fans may also want to watch Saw 10 in October if they haven't seen it already. The latest installment in the long-running Saw franchise, Saw 10 has surprisingly earned critical acclaim, establishing itself as the highest-rated entry to date.
New Horror Shows for October 2023
- The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix) - October 12
- Goosebumps (Hulu) - October 13
- American Horror Stories (Hulu) - October 26
There won't be nearly as many new horror TV shows in October 2023 as there are new movies and games, but there's still a lot for fans to look forward to this month. The big one is The Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix. The Fall of the House of Usher is the latest series from Mike Flanagan, known for acclaimed horror shows like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass. Then on October 13, Hulu subscribers can check out the Goosebumps revival, which will look to adapt some of R.L. Stine's most famous Goosebumps stories. And finally, Hulu subscribers will also get to check out the new season of American Horror Stories on October 26.
While there won't be many brand-new horror shows debuting in October, there will be plenty of Halloween-themed episodes in existing shows, plus there are some ongoing horror shows that will air new episodes this month, like The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and American Horror Story: Delicate.