From a cult favorite (literally) docu-series to spooky new arrivals ahead of Halloween, here’s a list of what to watch in October 2020!

Now that autumn has officially arrived and the days are getting shorter, time spent cozying up indoors is undeniably on the rise! More and more we’ll also be turning to our streaming services to keep us entertained whilst wasting away by our favorite autumn scented candles with a piping hot mug of tea or an adult beverage of our choosing.

What to Watch – October 2020

Fortunately, October 2020 features a lineup of new additions that are perfect for the autumn season! So many in fact, that I actually have a list of premiere dates hanging out in the notes app of my iPhone. Today? I’m sharing that list with you as I know sometimes knowing what to watch is a bit overwhelming giving the abundance of options we have at our fingertips.

Whether you’re on the hunt for something spooky or seeking out a bit more charm, the list of what to watch below satisfies whatever you’re looking for!

Emily in Paris (Now on Netflix)

Obviously from the photos, you probably would predict that Emily in Paris would be on somewhere on this list of what to watch in October. So, I’m just going to get it out of the way! From the creator of Sex and the City, the show follows a young digital marketing professional on international move to a small firm in Paris. While much more sugary sweet than SATC was, Emily in Paris has a lot of charm as well as an interesting array of characters. Lily Collins is the lead, but it’s her boss Sylvie(played by Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) that is the real star of the show in my book.

The Vow (HBO)

Wow. If you haven’t yet caught wind about The Vow on HBO, you really need to look into it. The 10-part docuseries follows the NXIVM scandal in a way that will have you hooked. The series shows the uprising of NXIVM, dubbed to be a professional development organization, and the dark secret cult at its core. The series also features real-time footage of whistleblowers as they bring a case to New York State’s attorney general. With NXIVM co-founder Keith Raniere awaiting his (likely lifetime) sentencing later this month, it’s also the perfect time to watch!

The Haunting of Bly Manor (Now on Netflix)

Creators of The Haunting of Hill House take a page from Ryan Murphy’s book, switching gears in this apparent anthology series to reimagine Turn of the Screw. While The Haunting of Hill House failed in my opinion as a book-to-series adaptation, I’m definitely intrigued and hopeful to see where this series goes next. We’re also in the countdown to Halloween, making it the ideal time for a ghost story set at a majestic estate where a governess may or may not be losing her mind.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix on October 16)

If you’re asking what to watch this month, The Trial of the Chicago Seven absolutely needs to be on your list! Aaron Sorkin’s much-anticipated film hits Netflix on October 16 and it’s guaranteed to be an award contender. This is easily my most anticipated film of the year, with a heavyweight cast that includes Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen and new Emmy winner Jeremy Strong of Succession. The film tells the story of an infamous 1969 trail where seven defendants faced charges brought by the federal government after they peacefully protested the Vietnam war. It’s also a very timely release as we again today face protests and police brutality as a nation.

Rebecca (Netflix on October 21)

Rebecca is the latest book-to-film adaptation from Netflix, bringing to life Daphne du Maurier’s classic Rebecca. Lily James plays a naive young woman who meets and quickly marries a widower. Upon moving to Manderley, his vast estate, she is surrounded by the presence of his late wife Rebecca. Rebecca is a remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s film and a fabulous tale of suspense and paranoia that’s perfect for the spooky season as we await Halloween. I’m also looking forward to Lily James in a darker project. In her recent cover story interview for Shape magazine, she shared that she lost herself in this role more than she ever has before and I’m optimistic for her performance!

The Witches (HBO Max on October 22)

Another spooky book-to-film adaptation I’m looking forward to this month? HBO Max’s remake of The Witches, based on Ronald Dahl’s classic novel. Replacing Angelica Houston in the 2020 adaptation is Anne Hathaway, leading a star-studded cast that also includes Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci and Kristin Chenoweth.

The Undoing (Premiering October 25 on HBO)

Finally Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant’s The Undoing is being released! Originally set to premiere following season 3 of Westworld this spring, HBO pushed it back after the pandemic influenced schedule changes. The David E. Fincher (Big Little Lies) series is based on Jean Hanff Korelitz’s best-selling novel and set in New York City. Kidman plays the lead character, who faces a chain of events that unravel her seemingly perfect life.

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