Just as has been the case for the majority of 2020, Halloween is probably going to be a little different than we’re used to this year.
With 2020’s scariest visitor undoubtedly being the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this means that the usual frightful festivities of Halloween parties, trick or treating and more will be out of the question, which is leaving people to turn to other forms of fun to mark the occasion.
Netflix has undoubtedly been one of the real MVP’s for many over the past few months of lockdown by constantly churning out new content to consume, and October and Halloween is certainly no different.
A bunch of new and fan-favourite horror films and shows have already landed or are coming to the streaming platform here in the UK all through this month.
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Here’s our picks for some of the best.
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The Conjuring
1st October
The Conjuring / Flickr
The Conjuring really isn’t one for the faint-hearted.
The film stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren – paranormal investigators and authors associated with prominent cases of haunting – who come to the assistance of the Perron family after they begin to experience increasingly disturbing events in their farmhouse in Rhode Island in 1971.
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The first instalment to the franchise has already arrived to watch on Netflix now.
If you fancy immersing yourself in the full Conjuring Universe though, then get yourself down to the Scare City drive-in cinema at Event City for an experience like no other.
Corpse Bride
1st October
The Corpse Bride
Tim Burton’s cult-classic Corpse Bride is one for the whole family this Halloween.
The stop-motion animated gothic romance has spawned a thousand Halloween costumes since its release in 2005, and if you love The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, and Beetlejuice, but haven’t seen this gem yet, then you need to get it on your list.
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It’s already available to stream on Netflix now.
Friday 13th
1st October
Friday 13th
The Friday 13th franchise is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the horror film world.
The American slasher movie follows a group of teenagers on their holiday at Crystal Lake as they encounter the infamous character of Jason Voorhees and the franchise was given new life in 2009 with a reboot of the original.
Jason was redesigned to be leaner and quicker for the new film, and with his own backstory.
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Another one that’s ready to stream on Netflix now.
Paranormal Activity 4
1st October
Paranormal Activity 4
Paranormal Activity is a record-breaking franchise.
The first film broke records on its nationwide release in 2009 thanks to its incredible cheap production costs and unexpected popularity, and it’s now a six-part film series – including a seventh in the works – with the fourth instalment ready to stream on Netflix now.
Paranormal Activity 4 focuses on Alex Nelson and her family as they experience hauntings, capturing the paranormal happenings on webcams and mobile phones.
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Vampires vs The Bronx
2nd October
Vampires vs The Bronx / Netflix
The first of Netflix’s original offerings is the comedy-horror Vampires vs The Bronx.
The film follows a group of teenagers who are forced to protect their neighbourhood in the Bronx when a gathering of vampires invades and is a perfect Halloween watch for people who love the spooky season, but like to keep their wits about them.
Ready to stream on Netflix now, it’s also scored already scored an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatos.
The Binding
2nd October
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The Binding / Netflix
The Binding is another Netflix-orginal, but this one’s an Italian paranormal film.
It’s set in the stunning backdrop of rural Southern Italy, but all is not as it seems as the main character tries to fight a mysterious curse that’s trying to claim her daughter.
You can catch this on on the streaming platform now.
The Haunting of Bly Manor
9th October
The Haunting of Bly Manor / Netflix
The Haunting of Bly Manor is the much-talked-about Netflix original series which has just landed on the streaming platform on Friday.
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The second entry to Netflix’s The Haunting anthology, this chilling nine-part series comes from the same creator as the hit The Haunting of Hill House series Mike Flanagan, and will once again star Victoria Pedretti, but this time as tutor Dani Clayton.
Perhaps not one for those who aren’t keen on basements filled with creepy dolls.
Overlord
11th October
Overlord / Paramount Pictures
Overlord is the 2018 offering by acclaimed director by J.J. Abrams (Lost, Star Wars, Cloverfield).
It follows a team of American paratroopers as they drop into a Nazi-occupied village, but it doesn’t take long before they realise that there’s a more sinister experiment taking place here than they could possibly have predicted.
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Landing on Netflix today, this is one that horror fans should definitely add to their must-watch lists.
Disappearance at Clifton Hill
20th October
Disappearance at Clifton Hill
Disappearance at Clifton Hill is a critically-acclaimed 2019 Canadian thriller starting Tuppence Middleton.
It’s set in Niagara Falls – where a troubled young woman has inherited a motel in her hometown – and the memory of a childhood kidnapping quickly ensnares her.
You can catch this one landing on Netflix this month.
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The Possession of Hannah Grace
25th October
The Possession of Hannah Grace
It’s safe to say The Possession of Hannah Grace is a classic jump-scare film.
Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell is at the helm of this film playing an ex-cop working the night shift at a morgue, where the body of a young girl who died as the result of an exorcism gone wrong is under her care.
But as the trailer says, death is only the beginning.
Get ready to stream this one on Netflix from 25th October.
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Breakaway competition R360 issues statement after rubgy unions warn players of sanctions
Danny Jones
Prospective breakaway competition R360 have issued a response to the joint statement from multiple countries’ rugby unions, which has warned players of sanctions should they choose to join the new league.
While the vast majority seemingly remain opposed to the new concept, backing from certain key figures has resulted in the likes of the UK and Irish rugby unions, along with other key nations, sharing their unified stance against the potential rival.
Put in the simplest terms, the R360 model is rugby’s equivalent of what the proposed European ‘Super League’ was for football just a few years ago, with similar questions being raised around how it could jeopardise existing contests, player wellbeing and more.
Now, though, the new format – which has been largely backed and developed by former World Cup winner with England, Mike Tindall – delivered its own reply on Wednesday, 8 October.
Shared publicly to the press, the alternative tournament wrote: “It’s not always easy to embrace new opportunities, but as we’ve seen throughout history, it’s essential for any sport to grow. So many players love what R360 can do for them and the game, and we can’t wait to kick off next year.
“Player welfare is one of the key reasons for creating our global series, which will greatly reduce player load and capture the attention of a new generation of fans globally. We want to work collaboratively as part of the global rugby calendar.
“The series is designed with bespoke schedules for men’s and women’s teams and R360 will release all players for international matches, as written into their contracts. Our philosophy is clear – if players want to play for their country, they should have that opportunity. Why would the unions stand in their way?
“We look forward to submitting to the World Rugby Council for sanctioning next summer as planned.”
At present, R360 is due to hold its inagural season this time next year, with eight new male teams and four women’s sides expected to get underway from October 2026 onwards.
In addition to more lucrative contracts like those promised in the IPL (Indian Premier League) cricket, LIV Golf and the aforementioned albeit failed Super League, R360 is also set to offer a reduced playing schedule but one that would still tempt athletes away from their current teams to new franchises.
The national rugby unions of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy have released the following statement on the proposed R360 competition ⬇️#IrishRugby
Although they have assured player care is an utmost priority, their health and fitness is one of my concerns put forward by the total eight rubgy unions who have urged current pros to stay away from the breakaway competition.
In case you haven’t seen the statement release by England, Ireland and Scotland, as well as France, Italy, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, it begins by “urging extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition.”
Assuring that they welcome “investment and innovation in rugby”, they feel this particular idea won’t improve the sport but could instead “fragment or weaken it.”
Having assessed the proposals supposed value/addition to the “rugby’s global ecosystem”, it seems the fear is that the outcome will be a “net negative to the game”, with little to no detail as to how it can run alongside existing fixtures, assure proper management of player welfare and more.
As for Wales, despite opting not to put their name to the open letter itself, they have stated publicly: “The Welsh Rugby Union supports this statement, and we’re considering changes we may need to make to qualification rules in Wales as part of ongoing analysis following our recent consultation process.”
The statement continues: “The R360 model, as outlined publicly, rather appears designed to generate profits and return them to a very small elite, potentially hollowing out the investment that national unions and existing leagues make in community rugby, player development, and participation pathways.”
It seems there is deep concern for how it could affect grassroots and the international rugby too, not just league and union, and have failed to full explain or help key organisations “better understand their business and operating model.”
Most notably, they sign off by adding: “Each of the national unions will therefore be advising men’s and women’s players that participation in R360 would make them ineligible for international selection.”
What do you make of the whole debate – do you like the current schedule/format as it is, or do you think there’s room for a new chapter in the rugby world?
New CGIs released of Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel in Wigan town centre
Emily Sergeant
Some new CGIs have given us a sneak peak inside Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel soon to open in Wigan town centre.
In case this is the first you’re hearing of the development, Wigan Council announced back in March 2024 in collaboration with its development partner Cityheart that it had signed a franchise agreement with world-renowned hotel brand, Hilton, for a stunning six-storey Hampton by Hilton hotel pop up right in the heart of Wigan town centre, just off Market Street.
The new venture forms part of the Greater Manchester town’s £135 million redevelopment of the former Galleries Shopping Centre – which was approved in July 2023.
The hotel will be located directly-opposite the bus station entrance of New Market Street, and is within 500 yards of both town centre train stations.
It’s being called ‘one of the most important elements’ of the Galleries masterplan.
New CGIs have been released of Hilton’s fancy 144-bedroom hotel in Wigan town centre / Credit: Supplied
As well as the 144 bedrooms – with ‘accessible’ rooms to be built on each accommodation level – the new hotel will also house a gym overlooking the new square, a main reception area and dining space on the ground floor, meeting and conference rooms, and secure parking will be available for guests.
Dozens of staff are expected to be employed at the new hotel – which the Council says will provide a range of job opportunities for local residents.
Once complete, the hotel will form part of the exciting new town centre neighbourhood providing a new Market Hall and food court, more than 400 homes, bars, restaurants, and leisure uses, all designed to celebrate Wigan’s proud heritage and unique identity.
The new venture forms part of the Greater Manchester town’s £135 million redevelopment / Credit: Supplied
“It’s great to see the progress of this exciting Hampton by Hilton development, which not only plays a role in Wigan’s regeneration, but continues to strengthen our footprint in the North West,” commented Paul Blackmore, who is the Vice President of Development at Hilton UK & Ireland, as the CGIs were released this week.
“The ambition shown by Wigan Council and Cityheart to create a dynamic new hub for retail, leisure, business and living truly resonated with us, and we look forward to welcoming guests when the hotel opens in late 2027.”
Emily Sergeant -
9th October 2020 
