Netflix has officially launched its “Netflix and Chills” campaign for 2026, marking the start of October with a massive influx of licensed horror classics and a slate of highly anticipated original productions. The streaming giant kicked off the month on October 1 by adding 25 licensed horror and thriller films to its library, anchored by rare streaming appearances of iconic franchises and modern box-office hits.
The centerpiece of this year’s original lineup is the series Below, starring Josh Hartnett, which is scheduled to premiere on October 8. This joins Nia DaCosta’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which has already established itself as a top-ranked horror title on the platform for the season. For viewers seeking a structured way to navigate the surge of content, Netflix Tudum has released a 31 Days of Horror guide, offering daily recommendations to fill every night of the month with a different fright.
The October 1 Licensed Library Expansion
The library expansion on October 1 focused heavily on established franchises and acclaimed thrillers. One of the most notable additions is the Psycho trilogy, featuring the original 1960 masterpiece alongside Psycho II and Psycho III. While the original film is a frequent staple of streaming services, the sequels are often harder to find, making their simultaneous arrival a significant draw for genre enthusiasts.
In addition to the Hitchcockian classics, several high-intensity modern films were added to the roster. Viewers can now stream the 2013 reimagining of Evil Dead, the slasher staple Friday the 13th, and M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological thriller Split. Other major additions include the supernatural hit The Sixth Sense and the dark culinary satire The Menu.
For those looking for “gateway horror”—titles that offer seasonal atmosphere without extreme gore—Netflix also added all five films in The Twilight Saga. This allows younger audiences or more casual fans to participate in the Halloween viewing cycle alongside the more intense offerings.
Upcoming Releases and Original Series
The momentum continues through the first half of the month with several high-profile licensed and original debuts. Following the initial wave of films, The Boogeyman (2023) is set to arrive on October 5. On the original series front, October 9 marks a double premiere with the second season of the paranormal investigation series Haunted Hotel and a seasonal spin-off of the popular baking competition, Is It Cake? Halloween.
The middle of the month brings one of the more unorthodox horror-comedies to the service. Cocaine Bear, the survival thriller based loosely on a true story, is slated for an October 14 release.
Beyond the new additions, many of these titles are expected to dominate the “Top 10” lists as the “31 Days of Horror” challenge encourages subscribers to keep up with a heavy rotation of content. With the debut of Hartnett’s Below, the 2026 season represents one of the platform’s most concentrated efforts to secure its position as a primary destination for Halloween programming.
