It’s the first weekend of October, and movie lovers have plenty of new releases to enjoy, both in theaters and on streaming platforms. From thrilling dramas to emotional stories and dark comedies, there’s something for everyone to watch between October 3 and 5. The lineup includes Dwayne Johnson’s intense MMA biopic The Smashing Machine, Cillian Murphy’s heartfelt drama Steve, and The Lost Bus.
Meanwhile, for those who love offbeat or edgy films, titles like The Toxic Avenger and Good Boy bring a mix of chaos and charm. Whether you’re in the mood for romance, suspense, or a wild adventure, this weekend’s movie list won’t disappoint. So, here’s the list of every major movie you can watch right now, in theaters or from the comfort of your couch.
1. The Lost Bus
Paul Greengrass, the director of The Bourne Supremacy, returns with another intense story in The Lost Bus. The movie stars Matthew McConaughey as a school bus driver caught in the middle of the 2018 California Camp Fire. When flames close in, he must drive his bus full of children and their teacher to safety.
At its core, the film is a fast-paced thriller that also feels emotional and real. Co-written by Mare of Easttown creator Brad Ingelsby, the film mixes suspense with heart. Streaming on Apple TV+, The Lost Bus is all about courage, survival, and the power of doing what’s right in chaos.
2. Steve
Following his Oscar-winning work in Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy returns with Steve, a touching drama directed by Tim Mielants. Based on Max Porter’s book Shy, the film is set in the mid-1990s and focuses on a single, life-changing day. In the movie, Murphy plays the head teacher of a reform school trying to save it from shutting down.
As he faces tough choices, we also see how deeply he cares about his troubled students. The film feels quiet yet powerful, exploring compassion, failure, and hope. It’s not an action-packed story but a deeply human one that shows Murphy’s incredible acting once again. Steve is emotional, honest, and beautifully told.
3. The Official Release Party of a Showgirl
Taylor Swift has released her new album, The Life of a Showgirl. And to celebrate that very album, Swift has released a 1-hour 30-minute film in theaters. It features the music video for The Fate of Ophelia, lyric videos, and moments where Swift explains her songs and creative process.
While it’s not as huge as The Eras Tour movie, fans will still love getting a close look at her artistic world. It’s a cozy, behind-the-scenes celebration of her music, mixed with storytelling. For Swifties, it’s another must-watch moment filled with sparkle and heart.
4. Play Dirty
Shane Black, known for The Nice Guys and Iron Man 3, returns to his crime roots with Play Dirty. The film stars Mark Wahlberg as a thief who discovers the biggest heist opportunity of his life. Inspired by Donald E. Westlake’s Parker novels, this movie is full of action, twists, and sharp humor.
Wahlberg leads a crew of fellow thieves and criminals who must pull off a dangerous plan while trying to outsmart everyone around them. The movie blends old-school crime style with Black’s witty, fast-paced writing. Play Dirty promises gritty fun and clever chaos for fans who like classic heist thrillers.
5. The Smashing Machine
Starring Dwayne Johnson, The Smashing Machine tells the real-life story of the MMA legend, Mark Kerr. Directed by Benny Safdie, the movie dives deep into the world of late ’90s MMA fighting. Kerr is a champion in the ring but struggles outside it, battling opioid addiction and a troubled relationship with his girlfriend Dawn, played by Emily Blunt.
The film reunites Blunt with Johnson after their previous work in Disney’s Jungle Cruise. Overall, this biopic mixes raw emotion with intense sports drama, showing both the glory and pain of fame, where Johnson has delivered one of his most serious performances yet. The Smashing Machine is powerful, heartbreaking, and unmissable for sports drama fans.
6. Good Boy
Good Boy, the 2025 American supernatural horror film directed by Ben Leonberg, hit theaters on October 3. The movie tells a haunted-house story from the perspective of a dog named Indy, who comes to the rescue of its owner, Todd, who moves to his grandfather’s rural home, only to be haunted by supernatural forces lurking in the shadows.
What begins as a cute story of Todd and Indy quickly turns creepy and disturbing. With a chilling tone and an emotional storyline, Good Boy is rated PG-13 for terror, bloody images, and some strong language.
7. Bone Lake
Released in theaters on October 3, Bone Lake is a chilling mystery set in a secluded lakeside estate. The movie follows a couple, Diego and Sage, who arrive at a lakeside house for a romantic vacation, but get upended when they’re forced to share a mansion with a mysterious and attractive couple.
So then, what starts as a romantic trip soon spirals into a nightmarish maze of s*x, lies, and manipulation. That’s when terrifying secrets come to light, triggering a fight for survival. The movie is a must-watch for fans of thrillers that combine emotional tension with edge-of-your-seat mystery.
8. Coyotes
Coyotes arrived in select theaters on October 3, 2025, offering a gritty story about survival from director Colin Minihan. The movie follows a family trapped in their Hollywood Hills home, forced to survive both a wildfire and attacks by savage coyotes. Justin Long and Kate Bosworth star as the parents, alongside their onscreen daughter, Mila.
Directed with a raw, realistic style, Coyotes captures the fear and desperation of the family under the terrifying situation. It’s a powerful, emotional thriller with a tense atmosphere, which is praised for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.
9. Caught Stealing
Now available for digital purchase on Prime Video, Caught Stealing is a crime thriller full of chaos and dark humor. Starring Austin Butler as an ex-baseball player Hank Thompson, who accidentally gets pulled into a dangerous world of gangsters, stolen money, and nonstop violence, Caught Stealing is directed as a black comedy crime thriller.
Fast-paced, funny, and full of unexpected turns, Caught Stealing feels like a wild ride from start to finish. Fans of action-packed thrillers will enjoy its mix of crime, comedy, and pure mayhem.
10. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
If you’re a fan of Downton Abbey, then here’s some good news. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale brings the beloved Crawley family back for one last elegant chapter. Released in theaters in September, the movie is now available to stream on demand. Set in 1930, it shows the Crawleys adjusting to big changes in their lives and society.
The film shows that as times modernize, the Crawleys must face questions about their place in the world and what the future holds for their family and estate. With emotional goodbyes, beautiful costumes, and heartfelt moments, The Grand Finale is a touching send-off for fans who have followed Downton Abbey from the very beginning.
11. The Toxic Avenger
Famously known for his Game of Thrones role, Peter Dinklage is back in The Toxic Avenger, a wild and weird superhero reboot that’s finally available on digital platforms. The movie tells the story of Dinklage’s character, a lonely janitor who turns into a mutant hero after a freak accident.
But, instead of hiding, he uses his new powers to fight crime and protect the weak. Directed by Macon Blair, this version keeps the fun, crazy spirit of the original while giving it a modern, fresh look. Expect action, dark humor, and a big heart beneath the chaos of this usual superhero movie.
12. Killing Faith
Killing Faith is a 2025 supernatural western/thriller written and directed by Ned Crowley, starring Guy Pearce, DeWanda Wise, and Bill Pullman. Set in 1849, the movie follows a widowed physician who accompanies a freed slave and her daughter across the harsh American West seeking a distant “faith healer.”
The mother believes her daughter is cursed, while the doctor suspects a disease. A key twist: everything the girl touches mysteriously dies. Killing Faith has been released in theaters on October 3, 2025.
13. The Threesome
Directed by Chad Hartigan and written by Ethan Ogilby, The Threesome is a 2025 American romantic comedy-drama film. It stars Zoey Deutch, Jonah Hauer-King, and Ruby Cruz, and narrates the tale of a man’s ultimate fantasy come true, when his perennial crush leads him into an unexpected threesome.
But soon, their dreamy act leads to unintended consequences when both women become pregnant, forcing the three individuals into a journey of accountability and adulthood. Set to release in theaters on September 5, 2025, the movie is described as a “bittersweet rom-com” that sometimes struggles with tone but offers charm and strong lead performances.
14. Anemone
Anemone marks Daniel Day-Lewis’s big return to acting, and this time, he’s directed by his own son, Ronan Day-Lewis. The psychological drama follows a man dealing with deep emotional pain and struggling to reconnect with himself and others. Alongside the Oscar winner, the film also stars Sean Bean.
Released in theaters on October 3, the film is quiet, mysterious, and beautifully shot, with Daniel Day-Lewis giving another unforgettable performance. Seeing him back on screen feels like a gift to movie fans.
Watch them all and let us know which is your favorite film from the list.
