6 New Shows and Movies to Watch on Netflix This October: From East of Eden to Animals

Florence Pugh once again takes on a polarizing role in a period drama, but this time, the fight of opinions would not be between the youngest and eldest (second-eldest, to be exact) daughters. Based on John Steinbeck’s classic 1952 novel of the same name, East of Eden spans “multiple generations as it weaves together Cathy’s story with the Trask and Hamilton families.” Pugh plays Cathy Ames, the “unforgettable antihero” whose “motivations have been debated by readers and Steinbeck scholars since the novel’s original publication.” All seven episodes of the limited series are available to stream on Netflix, having dropped at once on October 1.

Viewers might think twice before going anywhere near the water after watching Below, an upcoming supernatural thriller and horror drama. In this six-episode limited series, a “small Canadian town is the target of a sea creature, and the terrorized residents will have to find the strength to fight back to protect their community and a vanishing way of life.” The cast is led by Josh Hartnett, Charlie Heaton, and Mackenzie Davis. The show arrives on Netflix on October 8, with all six episodes releasing simultaneously.

Animals is a crime thriller coming to Netflix on October 9. The film asks some thought-provoking questions: “How far would you go to protect your family? And who can you trust?” The official synopsis reveals what to expect: “When their son is kidnapped, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate and his wife find themselves drawn into a web of deception. As they scramble to raise the ransom payment, they’re forced to make choices – and reveal secrets – that could tear their world apart.” Well, viewers won’t have to go far to watch Animals. They can simply stream it from home with a Netflix subscription.

In The Diplomat Season 4, “two marriages threaten to eat each other alive. One catastrophic moment shatters the fragile peace Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) brokered between the US and UK, as well as the crumbling marriage she’s trying to save. While she fights to stem the bleeding, President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) and VP Hal Wyler’s (Rufus Sewell) conspiracy to steal Russia’s most powerful weapon could hurtle the United States toward war.” And there’s more. “Kate and Todd (Bradley Whitford), at best an uneasy pair, unite to stop the Grace-Hal alliance from upending the balance of power abroad and at home.” No one can remain diplomatic under such pressure from all sides. On top of that, creator Debora Cahn has promised viewers “even more surprises.” Netflix has confirmed that all eight episodes of the upcoming installment are scheduled to drop on October 15.

Romain Gavras’ satirical thriller Sacrifice, starring Chris Evans and Anya Taylor-Joy, made its official world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025. It later received limited international theatrical releases. And now, the film is coming to Netflix on October 16 in the United States and France. But what is Sacrifice about? “During a star-studded charity gala brimming with celebrities, billionaires, and empty speeches, a movie star in the midst of an existential crisis (Evans) is taken hostage by a radical warrior (Taylor-Joy) and her devoted followers. As the night descends into chaos, both an inward journey and an outward adventure ensue, where the lines between performance and belief — and salvation and sacrifice — begin to blur.”

Season 3 of Nobody Wants This will see Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody) “move in together — and enjoy all the ‘firsts’ that come with a stable, fulfilling love.” But fans can still “expect all the fun — and humor — that is signature to Joanne and Noah’s relationship.” All 10 episodes of the new installment will debut on October 22. So, fans won’t have to wait a week between episodes and can simply binge-watch the entire season in a single day.