10 Must-Watch New TV Shows Coming in October 2026 (11 photos)

If you're looking for a reason to stay in this October 2026, here are ten! From a Steinbeck adaptation starring Florence Pugh to a

Friday the 13th

prequel and the

WandaVision

spin-off featuring James Spader, this month is packed with major premieres. Below, you'll find release dates, episode counts, and streaming platforms for every title on our list.





East of Eden

— October 1

East of Eden

brings John Steinbeck’s classic novel about two generations of the Trask family to the screen. Set in early 20th-century California, the story begins when Cathy Ames inserts herself between the Trask brothers, fracturing their family ties and igniting a multi-generational conflict that shapes their destinies. The series stars Florence Pugh, Mike Faist, and Christopher Abbott.



A still from

East of Eden

starring Florence Pugh.

Steinbeck's novel was famously adapted into a 1955 film by Elia Kazan. The script for this new version was written by his granddaughter, Zoe Kazan, allowing the television format to dive much deeper into the source material. The entire seven-episode first season premieres October 1, 2026, on Netflix.

Noon

— October 1

Noon

is a new sci-fi adaptation based on the Strugatsky brothers' famous novella

Beetle in the Anthill

. Set across star systems in the year 2278, the story follows Maxim Kammerer, who is tasked with tracking down Lev Abalkin. After Kammerer vanishes while investigating the dead planet Hope, Abalkin unexpectedly resurfaces on Earth carrying a dangerous mission.





A still from the sci-fi series

Noon

, based on the works of the Strugatsky brothers.

Directed by Klim Kozinsky, the six-episode series stars Maxim Matveyev, Yury Kolokolnikov, and Yulia Snigir. The show premieres October 1, 2026, on KION and Okko. Another Strugatsky adaptation,

Hard to Be a God

, premiered earlier on September 3.

War

— October 1

War

is a British legal drama about a high-profile divorce that devolves into all-out warfare. When tech mogul Morgan Henderson splits from movie star Karla Duval, it triggers the largest divorce settlement in British legal history. Represented by London's top two rival law firms, the case becomes a trial by fire for young associate Johnny Warren.



Sienna Miller and Dominic West as the estranged couple in

War

.

Dominic West (

The Wire

) plays Henderson, while Sienna Miller stars as Karla Duval. Created by George Kay (

Hijack

), the show is designed as an anthology series, with Season 2 already greenlit. The eight-episode drama will air weekly starting October 1, 2026, on HBO and Max, followed by its UK debut on Sky on October 2.

Carrie

— October 7

Carrie

offers a new television adaptation of Stephen King’s classic horror novel. Raised in isolation by her domineering, overly religious mother following her father's death, teenage Carrie White becomes the target of relentless bullying at school. The mounting trauma unleashes powerful telekinetic abilities, driving the story toward its infamous bloody climax.



Summer H. Howell as Carrie White in the new Stephen King adaptation.

Previously adapted for the big screen in 1976 and 2013, King's seminal story is getting the series treatment for the first time. Helmed by horror veteran Mike Flanagan (

Doctor Sleep

,

Gerald's Game

), all eight episodes will drop October 7, 2026, on Prime Video.

Below

— October 8

Below

is a Canadian creature-feature horror set in Snook's Arm, a small town on the island of Newfoundland. When a deadly aquatic organism surfaces off the coast, the entire community is put in jeopardy, forcing a local fisherman into a terrifying struggle to protect his family and town.



Josh Hartnett in a still from the horror series

Below

.

Screenwriter Jesse McKeown drew inspiration from authentic Newfoundland sea monster folklore. Starring Josh Hartnett and Mackenzie Davis, the six-episode series blends character drama with bleak survival horror. All episodes arrive October 8, 2026, on Netflix.

Treasure Island

— October 11

Treasure Island

brings Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless adventure novel back to the screen. Young Jim Hawkins discovers a secret treasure map belonging to the legendary Captain Flint and sets sail aboard the

Hispaniola

alongside his mother, Bess—unaware that the charismatic yet dangerous pirate Long John Silver is among the crew.



Hayley Atwell and David Oyelowo in a still from

Treasure Island

(2026).

Tom Sweet stars as Jim Hawkins alongside Hayley Atwell as Bess and David Oyelowo as Long John Silver. The six-part miniseries premieres October 11, 2026, on MGM+, with new episodes dropping weekly.

VisionQuest

— October 14

VisionQuest

continues the narrative arc following the events of

WandaVision

. Having been resurrected, White Vision possesses his memories but lacks his former emotional humanity. Searching for purpose, he turns to various AI systems to rediscover his identity—all while being pursued by deadly mercenaries.



Paul Bettany as White Vision in

VisionQuest

.

On the run, Vision teams up with teenager Thomas Shepherd, who shares a mysterious connection to him. James Spader also reprises his role as Ultron. The eight-episode Marvel series premieres October 14, 2026, on Disney+, airing new episodes weekly.

Crystal Lake

— October 15

Crystal Lake

serves as a prequel to the legendary

Friday the 13th

slasher franchise. Set in 1971, the story opens with sickly 11-year-old Jason Voorhees drowning in the lake. A year later, his grief-stricken mother, Pamela, takes a job as a cook at Camp Crystal Lake.



Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees in the prequel series

Crystal Lake

.

When two mysterious strangers arrive asking questions about her past, a series of disturbing events unfolds, leaving the locals questioning who Pamela really is. All eight episodes of the prequel arrive October 15, 2026, on Peacock.

The Seventh Player

— October 15

The Seventh Player

is a sports comedy starring Anton Lapenko. Once a contender for the KHL, the struggling "Stroitel" ice hockey club is on the brink of being dissolved by its owner. Enter Artyom, a former figure skating coach appointed as the team's new general manager.



Anton Lapenko as coach Artyom in

The Seventh Player

.

Armed with unorthodox methods, Artyom works to unite the fractured team from the ground up—drawing early comparisons to

Ted Lasso

, albeit set on the ice rink. The 12-episode series kicks off October 15, 2026, with a three-episode premiere followed by weekly releases.

Yaga

— October 23

Yaga

reimagines iconic Slavic folklore through the lens of a mystery thriller. Private investigator Rapp arrives in a small coastal town to investigate the disappearance of a fishing dynasty heir, only to discover that the locals are hiding sinister secrets. Joining forces with Detective Carson and mysterious university professor Catherine, Rapp uncovers something far deeper than a simple missing-persons case.



Carrie-Anne Moss in the mystery thriller

Yaga

.

As supernatural forces begin to surface, the investigation turns dangerous. Carrie-Anne Moss (

The Matrix

) stars as Catherine alongside Noah Reid as PI Rapp. Based on Kat Sandler's play, the eight-episode series debuts October 23, 2026, with a two-episode premiere on AMC+ in the US and Crave in Canada, continuing with new episodes on Fridays.