New Action Movies & TV Shows Set to Release in October 2025

October 2025 is stacked with high-energy premieres and returning favorites across theaters, broadcast, and streamers. Franchises expand with new chapters, game adaptations jump to animation, and several network staples kick off fresh seasons.

Below, the month’s action-forward releases are organized with the most recent dates first, followed by other originals and then returning seasons. Each entry includes concise plot, cast, and key creative details so you can plan what to watch—on the big screen or at home—without the guesswork.

‘Bāhubali: The Epic’ (2025)

This special event feature remasters and re-edits S. S. Rajamouli’s two-part saga—combining the narratives of ‘Baahubali: The Beginning’ and ‘Baahubali 2: The Conclusion’ into one large-scale cut—set for theatrical release on October 31. The film reunites Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah Bhatia, Ramya Krishnan, Sathyaraj, and Nassar, with music by M. M. Keeravani and cinematography by K. K. Senthil Kumar. Formats announced include IMAX, 4DX, Dolby Cinema, and more.

Story-wise, the streamlined presentation follows a lost prince who returns to reclaim his kingdom, with the cut described as a technically enhanced edition that features restored or previously unseen material. Promotional materials emphasize upgraded sound and image alongside the combined narrative of the two original films.

‘Down Cemetery Road’ (2025)

Apple TV+ launches this limited series on October 29. Based on Mick Herron’s novel, it follows Sarah Tucker as she obsessively investigates a missing local girl after an explosion; the search brings her together with PI Zoë Boehm. Ruth Wilson plays Sarah and Emma Thompson plays Zoë; the series is written by Morwenna Banks and directed by Natalie Bailey.

Produced by 60Forty Films, the show lists Adeel Akhtar, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Tom Goodman-Hill, Darren Boyd, Tom Riley, and Adam Godley among its ensemble. Apple TV+ schedules a global premiere with multiple episodes at launch.

‘Star Wars: Visions’ (2021– )

Volume 3 of the animated anthology arrives on Disney+ on October 29 with nine new shorts from Japanese studios including david production, Kamikaze Douga + ANIMA, Kinema citrus, Polygon Pictures, Production I.G, Project Studio Q, TRIGGER, and WIT Studio. Executive producers include James Waugh, Josh Rimes, and Jacqui Lopez.

Early teases highlighted weapon and character designs in new shorts such as ‘The Duel: Payback,’ continuing Ronin’s story first seen in Volume 1. Disney confirms the date and participating studios for the action-heavy anthology.

‘Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc’ (2025)

The MAPPA-produced feature adapts the “Reze” arc from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga and opens in U.S. theaters on October 24. Directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara and written by Hiroshi Seko, the film stars Kikunosuke Toya and Reina Ueda (JP cast), with global distribution outside Japan handled by Crunchyroll through Sony Pictures Releasing.

Set after the events of the first anime season, the story follows Denji’s chance meeting with café worker Reze that spirals into high-stakes conflict. The movie premiered in Japan on September 19 and continues its international rollout through October.

‘Tracker’ (2024– )

CBS’s action drama returns October 19 with Season 3, continuing the story of reward-seeker Colter Shaw, a skilled survivalist who uses his tracking expertise to locate missing persons. Justin Hartley stars and executive produces; the character is inspired by Jeffery Deaver’s novel ‘The Never Game.’

Network materials and recent previews confirm the premiere date and tease an arc involving Colter’s past and his brother Russell (Jensen Ackles). Episodes stream next day on Paramount+.

‘Sheriff Country’ (2025)

The ‘Fire Country’ universe expands with Morena Baccarin leading as Sheriff Mickey Fox when the spinoff premieres Friday, October 17 (then moving to its regular slot the following week). Set in Edgewater, the series follows Mickey as she polices rural Northern California, contends with her off-the-grid father Wes, and faces lingering family complications.

CBS positions ‘Sheriff Country’ alongside ‘Fire Country,’ with the two series swapping times after the premiere. The ensemble includes W. Earl Brown and guest appearances from ‘Fire Country’ characters to bridge the shared setting.

‘Boston Blue’ (2025– )

Premiering October 17 on CBS, this ‘Blue Bloods’ offshoot centers on Danny Reagan’s transfer to the Boston Police Department. Donnie Wahlberg stars and executive produces alongside Jerry Bruckheimer Television; Sonequa Martin-Green, Ernie Hudson, Maggie Lawson, Gloria Reuben, Marcus Scribner, and Mika Amonsen co-star.

Developed by Brandon Sonnier and Brandon Margolis, the series inherits a Friday slot and is positioned as a direct extension of the ‘Blue Bloods’ universe, with recurring and guest appearances expected from franchise characters.

‘Good Fortune’ (2025)

Aziz Ansari writes, directs, and stars in this action-tinged comedy opening October 17, featuring Keanu Reeves as an angel named Gabriel and Seth Rogen as a venture capitalist whose fate intersects with a struggling gig worker. Lionsgate is distributing; the current Tomatometer sits in the Fresh range.

The cast also includes Keke Palmer and Sandra Oh. Festival coverage and studio notes describe a fantastical setup in which divine meddling triggers a life-swap scenario that drives the plot.

‘Delivery Run’ (2025)

A lone delivery driver becomes the target of a relentless snowplow on remote, icy roads, forcing a desperate overnight fight to survive. Joey Palmroos writes and directs this action-thriller, with Saban Films handling distribution.

Loglines describe a cat-and-mouse pursuit in the Minnesota wilderness; festival and database entries first catalogued the project ahead of its wide release plans.

‘Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning’ (2025)

This South Korean action-horror animation from Locus Animation Studios opens in North America on October 17. Directed by Kim Dong-chul and written by Lee Dong-ha, the film follows a monk and an excommunicated priest who must protect a powerful child amid a demonic uprising.

U.S. materials list Viva Pictures as distributor and an R rating for some bloody violence. The feature previously screened at Annecy and Sitges and was released in Korea earlier in 2025.

‘Fire Country’ (2022– )

Season 4 premieres October 17 on CBS, with Max Thieriot starring as Bode Leone. The new season follows significant fallout for Station 42 and confirms notable cast changes; scheduling places the premiere directly alongside the launch of ‘Sheriff Country.’

The series, inspired by Thieriot’s Northern California roots, continues to focus on high-risk Cal Fire operations and the personal consequences that follow each mission.

‘9-1-1: Nashville’ (2025– )

ABC’s new spinoff debuts October 16, led by Chris O’Donnell as Captain Don Hart, a former rodeo rider turned Nashville fire captain. Trailers preview large-scale rescues—such as a concert stage collapse and a “firenado”—set at notable city landmarks.

Supporting players include Jessica Capshaw, Michael Provost, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and more; ABC will stream episodes next-day on Hulu. Franchise veterans and producers have teased crossovers and cameos from across the ‘9-1-1’ universe.

‘9-1-1’ (2018– )

The flagship returns October 16 on ABC for Season 9, continuing its focus on first responders in Los Angeles. Cast includes Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, Oliver Stark, Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Renewed for the new season earlier this year, the series maintains its Thursday slot with an 18-episode order.

‘The Diplomat’ (2023– )

Season 3 premieres October 16 on Netflix. Keri Russell returns as U.S. ambassador Kate Wyler, alongside Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, Ato Essandoh, and Allison Janney, with Bradley Whitford elevated this cycle.

Netflix teases escalating geopolitical crises for Kate and Hal as alliances shift; Season 3 also features guest star Aidan Turner.

‘Splinter Cell: Deathwatch’ (2025– )

Netflix’s adult animated espionage series bows October 14. Developed by Derek Kolstad (‘John Wick’), it stars Liev Schreiber as the voice of Sam Fisher and is produced by Ubisoft Film & Television with animation from Sun Creature and Fost.

The show follows Fisher’s return to action to mentor a new recruit and dismantle a global conspiracy—an adaptation of Ubisoft’s stealth-action game franchise. Netflix’s page confirms series details and maturity rating.

‘NCIS’ (2003– )

Season 23 premieres Tuesday, October 14 at 8/7c on CBS, kicking off an all-‘NCIS’ night. The long-running flagship continues with the core investigative team led by Special Agent Alden Parker.

The franchise lineup places ‘NCIS: Origins’ and ‘NCIS: Sydney’ immediately after, consolidating all three series on the same night for the fall schedule.

‘NCIS: Origins’ (2024– )

Season 2 launches October 14 at 9/8c, following a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) in 1991 at Camp Pendleton, narrated by Mark Harmon. Kyle Schmid portrays mentor Mike Franks; Mariel Molino, Tyla Abercrombie, and Diany Rodriguez co-star.

Season coverage notes additional casting for tribute episodes and confirms the time-slot immediately after ‘NCIS’ on Tuesdays.

‘NCIS: Sydney’ (2023– )

Season 3 arrives October 14 at 10/9c on CBS, continuing cases handled by the joint NCIS–AFP task force in Australia. CBS moves the series to Tuesdays to complete the all-‘NCIS’ block.

Episode 1, “Gut Instinct,” centers on two missing U.S. Navy aviators found adrift in the Coral Sea, leading to a broader terror plot.

‘FBI’ (2018– )

Season 8 premieres Monday, October 13 at 9/8c on CBS, with Missy Peregrym, Zeeko Zaki, John Boyd, Alana De La Garza, Jeremy Sisto, and others returning as the New York field office tackles high-risk investigations.

This season shifts to a new night, with franchise adjustments noted across CBS’s schedule. Rotten Tomatoes and trade coverage list the season’s network, rating, and creative leads.

‘TRON: Ares’ (2025)

Disney’s sci-fi action sequel opens October 10, directed by Joachim Rønning. Jared Leto stars as Ares—an advanced program sent from the digital world into the human world—joined by Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro, Gillian Anderson, Cameron Monaghan, and Jeff Bridges.

Walt Disney Studios confirms the release date and premium formats. Recent coverage outlines characters and creative team, including writers Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne.

‘Deathstalker’ (2025)

Steven Kostanski (‘Psycho Goreman’) writes and directs this sword-and-sorcery remake of the 1983 cult film, opening October 10. Daniel Bernhardt leads the cast with Patton Oswalt, Christina Orjalo, Paul Lazenby, and Nina Bergman; Blitz//Berlin composes.

Produced by Hangar 18 Media and Berserkergang Films, the film premiered at Locarno in August and will be released in North America by Shout! Studios.

‘Néro the Assassin’ (2025– )

Netflix’s new period action series premieres October 8. Set in 1504 France, it stars Pio Marmaï as a ruthless assassin who goes on the run with his estranged daughter amid dangerous enemies and occult forces. Creators include Jean-Patrick Benes, Martin Douaire, and Allan Mauduit.

The series brings a supernatural edge to its early-modern setting and is billed as a TV-MA action drama with a French ensemble that includes Alice Isaaz and Olivier Gourmet.

‘Chicago Fire’ (2012– )

Season 14 premieres October 1 on NBC, with Taylor Kinney, Miranda Rae Mayo, David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte, Joe Miñoso, Hanako Greensmith, Jocelyn Hudon, and Dermot Mulroney among the listed regulars.

NBC’s “One Chicago” night returns in a block with next-day streaming on Peacock; casting updates note new firefighter Sal Vasquez (Brandon Larracuente) and other changes for Firehouse 51.

‘Chicago P.D.’ (2014– )

Season 13 begins October 1 on NBC, continuing the Intelligence Unit’s major-case investigations under Sgt. Hank Voight. Returning cast includes Jason Beghe, Patrick John Flueger, Marina Squerciati, LaRoyce Hawkins, and Amy Morton.

This season introduces new team dynamics and additional regulars; NBC and trade previews highlight premiere timing and cast adjustments.

Share which October releases you’re most excited about in the comments!