October 2025 is proving to be a landmark month for entertainment, ushering in a wave of highly anticipated movie and series releases across all major streaming platforms and theaters. Leading the charge is Netflix’s premiere of “Monster: The Ed Gein Story,” the latest installment in Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed true-crime anthology series, which debuted on October 3rd. This new series delves into the chilling life of serial killer and body snatcher Ed Gein, brought to life by Charlie Hunnam in the titular role.
‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’ Grips Netflix
“Monster: The Ed Gein Story” marks the third chapter in Murphy and Ian Brennan’s “Monster” franchise, following the successful “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” and “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” The new eight-episode series focuses on Ed Gein, a figure whose horrific crimes in 1950s Wisconsin inspired some of cinema’s most iconic horror villains, including Norman Bates in “Psycho,” Leatherface in “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” and Buffalo Bill in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Charlie Hunnam stars as Gein, exploring his isolated upbringing, his obsessive relationship with his mother, Augusta (played by Laurie Metcalf), and the macabre discoveries that redefined the American nightmare. The series also features Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock and Olivia Williams as Alma Reville, adding layers to its exploration of Gein’s impact on popular culture and horror filmmaking. Critics have delivered mixed reviews, yet the series has undeniably captured significant attention as a major October release.
A Packed October Release Slate Across Platforms
The deluge of new content extends far beyond Netflix. Cillian Murphy stars in “Steve,” a drama that also premiered on Netflix on October 3rd, following a headteacher’s intense day at a reform school. In theaters, Dwayne Johnson headlines “The Smashing Machine,” a biographical sports drama chronicling the life of MMA fighter Mark Kerr, which opened on October 3rd to critical praise. Co-starring Emily Blunt, the film is directed by Benny Safdie and has already garnered significant buzz.
For fans of thrillers and survival stories, “Bone Lake,” an erotic horror-thriller, hit theaters nationwide on October 3rd, offering a blend of dark comedy and suspense. Apple TV+ also dropped “The Lost Bus” on October 3rd, a survival drama starring Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera, based on the harrowing true story of the 2018 California Camp Fire. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video launched “Play Dirty” on October 1st, an action-thriller starring Mark Wahlberg and LaKeith Stanfield as thieves involved in a dangerous heist.
Peacock’s October lineup includes the dark comedy “Honey Don’t!,” directed by Ethan Coen, which became available on October 3rd. Disney+ and Hulu are bolstering their libraries with “The Balloonist,” premiering on Disney+ on October 3rd, and “The Murky Stream,” a Korean historical drama, with new episodes available on both platforms from October 3rd.
Diverse Genres Cater to Every Entertainment Taste
This October’s entertainment offerings span a wide spectrum of genres, ensuring there’s something for every viewer. From the deep psychological exploration of “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” and the intense character study in “Steve,” to the adrenaline-fueled action of “Play Dirty” and the gritty sports biopic “The Smashing Machine,” the month provides a rich tapestry of cinematic and serial experiences. The survival thriller “Bone Lake” and the true-story-based “The Lost Bus” offer gripping narratives, while “Honey Don’t!” provides a dose of dark humor. This robust slate of releases underscores a vibrant period for the entertainment industry, with new movies and series consistently arriving to captivate audiences.
As October 2025 unfolds, viewers have an abundance of new content to explore. The premiere of “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” is a major highlight, but it is just one piece of a much larger, compelling picture of new entertainment releases that promise to keep audiences engaged throughout the month.
