Spooky Season Streaming: Your Ultimate Netflix Guide for Halloween

As October races by, the biggest weekend of the month is almost upon us. With Halloween falling on a Thursday this year, the prime party weekend for spooky season is just one week away. If you haven't planned a costume yet, don't worry - there's a wealth of inspiration waiting for you on Netflix. Whether you're in the mood for scares, romance, or cozy comfort, the streaming platform has the perfect movie or show to get you ready for your Halloween celebrations.

Unlock the Secrets of Spooky Streaming

A New Case to Crack

Season 3 of "The Lincoln Lawyer," starring Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as the title character from Michael Connelly's bestselling book series, is ready to take the stand. For a crime thriller with a twist, check out "Woman of the Hour," Anna Kendrick's directorial debut, which dramatizes the true story of a woman who crossed paths with a serial killer on "The Dating Game" in the 1970s. And for a dose of laughter, don't miss "Rachel Bloom: Death, Let Me Do My Special," where the "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" co-creator and star gets real about a variety of subjects, including the one that's on everyone's mind this time of year.

A Night of Chilling Thrills

If you only have one night to spare, dive into the cult classic "The Babadook." Jennifer Kent's 2014 horror hit will scare you silly and leave you with major hat envy. Essie Davis stars as a widowed single mom whose son begins behaving oddly, seemingly in response to the content of a creepy children's book. As the strange and inexplicable occurrences ramp up around them, the book's titular menace, the Babadook, becomes the focus of their nightmares.

A Day of Dazzling Costumes

For a full day of streaming, indulge in a trio of well-dressed period pieces. Start in the early 19th century with "Persuasion," Carrie Cracknell's 2022 adaptation of Jane Austen's classic, starring Dakota Johnson as the steady heroine Anne Elliot and Cosmo Jarvis as the dreamy Captain Wentworth. Then fast-forward to the 1920s with "Downton Abbey," Michael Engler's 2019 feature-length continuation of Julian Fellowes' beloved series, which returns to the drama of the Crawley family (including the late, great Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess Violet Crawley). And jump ahead to the 1940s with the 2004 tearjerker "The Notebook," Nick Cassavetes' adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' novel starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling.

A Weekend of Dystopian Thrills

If you have the entire weekend to spare, dive into the dystopian world of "Squid Game." Hwang Dong-hyuk's wildly popular 2021 series from South Korea imagines a high-stakes competition in which struggling people play children's games to win an enormous cash prize – but risk their lives in the process. The series, which is set to return with Season 2 in December, also inspired a reality-competition spin-off, "Squid Game: The Challenge," in 2023. And the best part? The characters' cozy tracksuits and sensible jumpsuits are perfect for a weekend of binge-watching.

One Last Chance for Playtime

As the month draws to a close, don't forget to check out the creepy "Child's Play" franchise. Six films – John Lafia's "Child's Play 2" (1990), Jack Bender's "Child's Play 3" (1991), Ronny Yu's "Bride of Chucky" (1998), and Don Mancini's "Seed of Chucky" (2004), "Curse of Chucky" (2013), and "Cult of Chucky" (2017) – bring the possessed killer doll to life. He'll be your friend till the end – of the month, that is.