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

October is stacked with otherworldly quests, sword-and-sorcery revivals, animated epics, and spooky supernatural tales—plus a couple of high-profile series returns that promise big lore drops. Whether you’re after family-friendly adventures, anime spectacle, or witcher-level monster slaying, there’s plenty landing in theaters and on streaming across the month.

Below, you’ll find the essentials on each title: what it’s about, who’s involved, and exactly when and where it debuts. Dates are for October 2025 releases, with theater openings and streaming homes noted so you can plan your watchlist with zero guesswork.

‘DORA: Magic Mermaid Adventures’ (2025)

Nickelodeon brings Dora back to the big screen for a limited theatrical event in which Dora and Boots transform into mermaids and plunge into an underwater quest with Marisol the Mermaid and her dolphin friend Rosa; the special event also includes a bonus birthday adventure for Dora. It’s a kid-friendly fantasy compilation running 55 minutes and opening in U.S. theaters on Friday, October 3.

The film is part of the franchise’s 25th-anniversary celebration, which Nickelodeon and Paramount outlined earlier this year, noting a fall theatrical rollout for the mermaid adventures across multiple markets. If you’ve got little explorers in tow, mark your calendar for the Oct. 3 date, with additional international play (including Germany) following later in the month.

‘The Sisters Grimm’ (2025– )

Apple TV+ adapts Michael Buckley’s bestselling novels into an animated series about orphaned sisters Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, who move to Ferryport Landing and discover that fairy-tale heroes and villains are very real—and tied to the mystery of their missing parents. The premiere is set for Friday, October 3 on Apple TV+.

The voice cast includes Ariel Winter as Sabrina, Leah Newman as Daphne, and Laraine Newman as Relda, with Abubakar Salim as Charming, Billy Harris as Puck, and Harry Trevaldwyn as Mirror; the series is developed and showrun by Amy Higgins and produced with Titmouse. Expect a blend of adventure, fantasy, and mystery when it debuts.

‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ (2025)

Bill Condon’s new screen adaptation of the stage musical (itself based on Manuel Puig’s novel) follows two cellmates—political prisoner Valentín and window dresser Molina—who forge an unlikely bond as Molina recounts the plot of a glamorous old-Hollywood musical starring diva Ingrid Luna. The film premiered at Sundance and opens in U.S. theaters on Friday, October 10 from Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions, and LD Entertainment.

The cast features Jennifer Lopez as Ingrid Luna/The Spider Woman alongside Diego Luna and Tonatiuh, with music by Kander and Ebb and cinematography by Tobias A. Schliessler; director Bill Condon has discussed why Lopez was his choice for the role ahead of the wide release.

‘Deathstalker’ (2025)

A swords-and-sorcery cult classic returns with a fresh reboot from writer-director Steven Kostanski, with Daniel Bernhardt headlining as the titular warrior and Patton Oswalt among the ensemble. The new ‘Deathstalker’ brandishes practical-effects creature work and pulpy quest vibes, and is slated to open on Friday, October 10 in a limited theatrical run.

The production, a reimagining of Roger Corman’s 1983 original, counts Guns N’ Roses’ Slash among its executive producers and features Christina Orjalo, Paul Lazenby, and Nina Bergman in key roles—details confirmed in trade coverage and the film’s production notes.

‘Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning’ (2025)

This South Korean 3D animated occult action-horror centers on a monk and an excommunicated priest who must protect a powerful boy amid a demonic uprising, launching a saga based on Lee Woo-hyeok’s cult novel series ‘Toemarok.’ Viva Pictures is releasing it in U.S. theaters on Friday, October 17 (the film premiered domestically in Korea earlier this year).

Directed by Kim Dong-chul with a screenplay by Lee Dong-ha and animation by Locus, the voice cast includes Choi Han, Nam Doh-hyeong, Jung Yoo-jung, and Kim Yeon-woo; the project has been showcased internationally via Finecut’s sales slate and festival screenings.

‘Thamma’ (2025)

Part of Maddock Films’ expanding Hindi horror-comedy universe (which includes ‘Stree,’ ‘Bhediya,’ ‘Munjya,’ and ‘Stree 2’), ‘Thamma’ teams Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna in a vampire-tinged caper that blends supernatural scares with comedy. The trailer dropped September 26, confirming a Tuesday, October 21 theatrical release in India.

The series entry teases connections to characters from earlier installments and cameos across the shared universe, with the Mumbai launch event highlighting the crossover appeal that has defined the banner’s spooky-fun slate. Keep an eye out for how this chapter stitches into the larger continuity.

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

Studio MAPPA’s feature adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s “Bomb Girl/Reze” arc follows Denji, the devil-hearted Devil Hunter, whose chance meeting with café worker Reze spirals into explosive conflict. After its September Japan opening, the film hits U.S. theaters on Friday, October 24 via Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Releasing.

The Japanese voice cast includes Kikunosuke Toya (Denji) and Reina Ueda (Reze), with Kenshi Yonezu providing the theme “Iris Out”; the film’s Japanese debut posted a strong opening as it rolled out toward global dates.

‘Stitch Head’ (2025)

A whimsical, all-ages spin on the Frankenstein myth, ‘Stitch Head’ follows a small stitched creature awakened by a Mad Professor who must protect his fellow creations from fearful townspeople in Grubbers Nubbin. The feature opens in U.S. theaters on Wednesday, October 29.

Directed by Steve Hudson (with Toby Genkel as co-director), the film is distributed by Briarcliff Entertainment; official materials highlight its comedy-adventure tone and monster-friendly heart.

‘Star Wars: Visions’ (2021– )

The award-winning anthology returns with Volume 3 on Disney+ Wednesday, October 29, showcasing nine new animated shorts from renowned Japanese studios including WIT Studio, TRIGGER, david production, Production I.G, Polygon Pictures, Kinema citrus, and more. The series continues to explore the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy through distinct cultural lenses.

Early previews tease bold stylistic swings—one trailer moment even spotlights a wildly unconventional multi-blade lightsaber in “The Duel: Payback,” a sequel to Kamikaze Douga’s Volume 1 short—setting the stage for another round of inventive, self-contained tales.

‘The Witcher’ (2019– )

Netflix’s fantasy staple returns Thursday, October 30 with Season 4, the first with Liam Hemsworth donning Geralt’s medallion; returning cast includes Anya Chalotra (Yennefer), Freya Allan (Ciri), and Joey Batey (Jaskier), with Laurence Fishburne joining as Regis. Netflix has confirmed the date as the show continues production on its fifth and final season.

Behind the scenes, casting updates include Peter Mullan stepping in as Vesemir, while the eight-episode season continues the adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s saga; Netflix’s teaser offers a first look at Hemsworth’s take on the White Wolf.

‘Vincent Must Die’ (2023)

Stéphan Castang’s genre-bending French film—about an office worker who suddenly finds strangers compelled to try to kill him—gets a U.S. theatrical bow on Friday, October 31 via XYZ Films. The feature blends fantasy and horror with pitch-black comedy and runs 1h55m.

The release arrives as part of Halloween programming in select venues; Castang directs Karim Leklou and Vimala Pons in a story that’s equal parts surreal and unnerving as it explores a mysterious, violent “contagion” of aggression.

‘The Seductress from Hell’ (2025)

Writer-director Andrew de Burgh’s indie horror-fantasy follows Zara, a struggling actress whose life implodes after a disastrous dinner party—triggering a supernatural transformation into the vengeful “Seductress from Hell.” The film opens in limited U.S. theaters on Friday, October 31.

The cast includes Rocio Scotto, Jason Faunt, James Hyde, and Andrew Lauer; production was mounted through Garaj Pictures and Sacred Ember Films, with details on credits and synopsis confirmed across festival listings and databases.

Have a favorite pick (or three) for spooky-season viewing? Drop your October must-watch list in the comments!