35 best new Netflix movies and shows to watch in October 2020

25. ParaNorman

Release Year: 2012

Directed By: Sam Fell and Chris Butler

Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin, Elaine Stritch, Brenard Hill, Jodelle Ferland, Tempestt Bledsoe, Alex Borstein, John Goodman

Release Date: Sunday, Oct. 18

Maybe you’re looking to watch something a little spooky, but you’re not into the chills and thrills of a straightforward horror movie. Maybe you’re looking to have a family movie night on Halloween in place of traditional trick-or-treating. Maybe both! In that case, ParaNorman might be just what you need. The stop-motion animated film follows Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee), a young boy with the special power of being able to speak with the dead.

ParaNorman was a box office hit, making over $107 million against a $60 million budget, and also enjoyed critical success. On top of its 88% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film scored an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. Over the years, ParaNorman has grown into a cult favorite and will only increase in popularity as a spooky seasonal essential. Make sure not to miss the movie when it returns to Netflix for streaming on Oct. 18.

24. Unfriended

Release Year: 2014

Directed By: Leo Gabriadze

Starring: Shelley Hennig, Moses Storm, Renee Olstead, Will Peltz, Jacob Wysocki, Courtney Halverson, Heather Sossaman, Mickey River, Cal Barnes, Matthew Mohrer, Christa Hartsock, Konstantin Khabensky

Release Date: Friday, Oct. 16

Thinking about it now, Unfriended might be more triggering for us all in 2020 after engaging in an endless amount of Zoom meetings and hangouts since March. The horror film takes place over the course of one night on a computer screencast between a group of five friends. During their group video chat, an unknown user joins their chat and Blaire (Shelley Hennig) suddenly receives messages from deceased classmate Laura. While attempting to reveal the identity of their mystery friend, the group must confront their deepest, darkest secrets. Log out of your latest Zoom call and log into the chilling twists and turns of Unfriended on Oct. 16.