A bunch of new horror movies and series are landing on Netflix just in time for Halloween
With the new films coming to Netflix during the next few weeks, a night spent watching a horror flick whilst curled up under the safety of the duvet covers might actually be the best way to celebrate Halloween this year.
It was there for us in March when we all hunkered down for the first time, and it’ll be there if we need it on October 31.
Indeed, with so much scary media popping up on Netflix during the next few weeks, a night spent watching horror movies whilst curled up under the safety of the duvet covers might actually be the best way to celebrate Halloween this year.
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Here’s what’s set to drop on the streaming platform in time for the spookiest date on the calendar.
Ratched
Netflix
What better way to embrace the chilling spirit of Halloween than by watching an origin story about one cinema’s most iconic villains of all time?
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Nurse Ratched – the widely-despised antagonist from One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest – is being given her very own series on Netflix, with Sarah Paulson replacing Louise Fletcher in the title role.
It drops tomorrow (18 September).
#Alive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev_GF4TvU64
What better way to escape from the surroundings of a real-life pandemic than watching a movie where a disease turns people into flesh-eating monsters?
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#Alive, a South Korean zombie flick, has generated some good buzz among critics and is currently certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes – putting a scary new spin on a genre that has its fair share of competition.
Directed by Cho Il-hyung, this horror movie documents a video game streamer’s struggle for survival as he’s boxed inside his Seoul apartment whilst the undead roam outdoors.
It’s available to watch right now.
The Haunting Of Bly Manor
A follow-up series to The Haunting of Hill House, Bly Manor has been conceived by horror master Mike Flanagan – the man behind Absentia, Oculus, Hush, Ouija, Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep.
A reimagining of literary classic The Turn of the Screw, the film is set in England in the 1800s – examining the strange happenings that occur to a woman whilst nannying a pair of children at the eponymous location.
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According to Entertainment Weekly: “The story tells of a young governess hired by a man to look after his niece and nephew at the family country house after they fall into his care. Arriving at the Bly estate, she begins to see apparitions that proceed to haunt the premises.”
It’s set to be released on Netflix on October 9.
House of 1,000 Corpses
One of the most gruesome horror films of the early noughties, Rob Zombie’s House of 1,000 Corpses is an unapologetically violent ode to seventies slashers.
It simultaneously managed to impress and repulse audiences upon its initial release, and it’s coming to Netflix next month – giving younger audiences the chance to watch the debut of a horror filmmaker who has gone on to develop a notorious reputation.
Watch it from October 1.
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Unsolved Mysteries – Series 2
The first series of the rebooted Unsolved Mysteries series was an enormous success – and now a second instalment is set to follow.
A fresh set of true crime investigations will land on Netflix on October 19.
According to What’s On Netflix, a bunch of classic horror movies are also set to appear across the platform in the coming days.
These include:
Halloween (2018) – September 25
Addams Family Values (1993) – October 1
Corpse Bride (2005) – October 1
Into The Storm (2014) – October 1
Paranormal Activity 4 (2012) – October 1
The Conjuring (2013) – October 1
Yep. There’s definitely plenty of opportunity to scare yourself senseless whilst remaining indoors this year.
What's On
Matilda The Musical at Palace Theatre Manchester – a lesson in letting your imagination run wild | Review
Emily Sergeant
I think growing up is overrated. I’m just going to start off by saying that, okay? Right… now onto the actual review.
Matilda The Musical has finally arrived in Manchester, and it’s every bit as imaginative as the title character herself.
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s smash-hit musical production – which is, of course, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book of the same name – has been seen by more than 12 million people in over 100 cities around the world since it first debuted back in 2010, and it continues to play to packed houses in London’s West End and on Broadway each week… but now, it’s Manchester’s turn.
The critically-acclaimed musical is currently out on a tour of the UK and Ireland, and has just arrived for a special four-week run here at Manchester’s iconic Palace Theatre.
Touring to celebrate its 15-year anniversary, the multi-award winning musical about a determined young heroine with a vivid imagination is written by Dennis Kelly, and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, with music and lyrics by comedian Tim Minchin.
Matilda The Musical is now on stage at Manchester Palace Theatre / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Despite being a fan of musical theatre, and even of the production’s popular soundtrack prior, Matilda The Musical was one I was yet to experience live on stage before last night.
Understandably because of this, it was one I was therefore really anticipating watching – and 15 years on, it’s truly not hard to see why it’s so beloved by so many.
Manchester audiences who gathered inside the storied walls of the Palace Theatre on opening night last night (26 March) were enchanted from the moment the colourful, eclectic stage lit up and the sets came to life, immersing you in the world right from the get-go.
It’s a production every bit as imaginative as the main character herself / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Now, it would be fair to say that so much could go wrong in this production, given how many moving parts are involved in the stage design and choreography, but it’s a complete credit to every single member of the company that not once, as an audience member, did you ever feel anything would go wrong – that’s how technically impressive the staging was.
Those technical elements barely scratch the surface of just how much this show grabs you by the heart and makes you cling onto the magic of childlike imagination, though. This is where it really shines.
Through well-known songs like ‘Naughty’, ‘Revolting Children’, ‘When I Grow Up’, and ‘Quiet’, you are left feeling in awe of the incredibly (almost unbelievably, to be honest) talented ensemble cast of young performers on stage before you.
Led last night by Mollie Hutton as Matilda, who brought her own charm and cheekiness to the iconic role, each youngster really is living proof that ‘even if you’re little, you can do a lot’.
It’s now on stage in Manchester up until Saturday 25 April / Credit: The Manc Group
Tessa Kalder as Miss Honey, Richard Hurst as Miss Trunchbull, and Esther Niles as Mrs Phelps were all stand-out performances too, as were Adam Stafford and Rebecca Thornhill as Matilda’s parents, Mr and Mrs Wormwood.
It’s a show full of humour, eccentric characters, and captivating sets… and it’s well worth your time, whether a theatre-lover or not.
The beaming smiles from the cast at the end during the curtain call say it all.
Matilda The Musical is now playing at Manchester Palace Theatre until Saturday 25 April 2026, and you can get last-minute tickets online here.
Featured Image – Publicity Picture (Supplied)
What's On
Stretford’s free neighourhood festival returns this weekend
Danny Jones
Stretford’s still fledgling and completely free all-day festival is BACK for 2026 and is happening this coming weekend.
So, if you didn’t have plans this Saturday, you do now.
Simply named The StretFest, this is the third edition of the now annual celebration in one of Manchester’s fastest growing neighbourhoods – and an increasingly up-and-coming one at that.
Kicking off in the morning and running right into the wee small hours thanks to a healthy dose of varied daytime activities, evening events and de facto afterparties, there’s plenty on the cards.
🎉 It's the big one on Saturday! Stretfest is back & we're thrilled to have a fab selection of LIVE Music on from 3pm – 8pm for it!
We can't wait to greet loads of faces, old and new. #Stretford will be buzzing with activity so come on down & make a day of it ! 🍻 pic.twitter.com/16Rnn5w1qj
StretFest only started back in July 2024, but it has quickly grown into a cult favourite not only among locals living in and around the Trafford town, but also among plenty of people from all over Greater Manchester, with last year seeing more visitors than ever.
Based not just over at Stretford Mall but the surrounding parks, Public Hall, across the bridge and an area they dub ‘The Beach’, there are several distinct but equally vibrant hubs, all offering something different.
For instance, venues like Longford Tap, Head Bar and Stretford Canteen are all involved, as are the likes of the Library and Martin Luther Church, but also recently opened cafes like Swig and Cuppello’s, as well as many, many more.
To be honest, we’ll probably be popping over for all the food and drink alone.
And, of course, there’s going to be plenty of live music, DJ sets, other bits of entertainment, and all-around fun to be enjoyed; there’s even going to be everything from arts, crafts and workshops, to pirates and boat rides.
Getting underway from as early 9am – thanks to the likes of the regular Stretford parkrun crew teaming up with the festival, and Mr & Mrs hosting a coffee morning for their first birthday – there really is going to be something for everyone from start to finish.
You can see the full StretFest schedule or build your own personal day-into-night programme HERE.
As for what else is on the cards for the final few days of March (give or take a couple), you can find out what else is on in and around the ten boroughs down below.
The Manc -
17th September 2020 
