5 new Netflix shows to watch in October

Published Oct 3, 2026, 12:45 PM EDT After graduating from Marist University with a degree in communications and journalism, Dan Girolamo has over 10 years of experience writing about entertainment and sports. Dan's work can be seen in various publications, including Digital Trends, SportsCasting, and Tom's Guide. Throughout his career, Dan has interviewed several high-profile filmmakers and creatives, including Brendan Fraser, Jamie Lee Curtis, Caitriona Balfe, Frank Grillo, Miranda Cosgrove, Jai Courtney, Chris Columbus and James Cameron. Dan joins How-To Geek as a Senior Editor. When he's not writing about entertainment, Dan is either watching a movie or praying for the New York Knicks to win a championship. The start of the month on Netflix means the streaming service has unveiled its list of news movies and shows. Ben Affleck's Animals and Chris Evans' Sacrifice are two of the new movies to watch this month. For TV, Florence Pugh headlines a famous literary adaptation, which is now streaming on Netflix. Plus, Josh Hartnett battles a mysterious underwater monster. Two shows are returning for more seasons. This includes an Emmy-winning political drama, a charming romantic comedy, and a mystery thriller. As for the last show, it's a documentary about the meteoric rise and tragic fall of a sitcom star. The shows on this list are presented in release order in the U.S. East of Eden A familiar story with a fresh interpretation How do you adapt East of Eden, John Steinbeck's seminal novel, when it already has a 1955 feature film adaptation named one of the 400 greatest movies of all time by the American Film Institute? For starters, get a fearless writer to put a fresh spin on the epic saga like Zoe Kazan, whose grandfather Elia Kazan directed the 1955 movie. East of Eden is a family drama set in the early 1900s centered around Cathy Ames (Florence Pugh) and brothers Adam (Christopher Abbott) and Charles Trask (Mike Faist). Cathy drives a wedge between Adam and Charles, especially when they decide to move West. The story spans multiple generations, as Cathy's sons Cal (Joseph Zada) and Aron (Joe Anders) must deal with the sins of their parents. East of Eden has already garnered positive reviews, and I expect it to be an Emmy contender for Netflix next year. East of Eden is now streaming. East of Eden Release Date 2026 - 2026-00-00 Network Netflix Directors Garth Davis Below There is something beneath the water I am all for the Josh Hartnett renaissance. Once a Hollywood heartthrob, Hartnett elected to make more independent movies and TV projects in his 30s and early 40s. Since appearing in 2023's Oppenheimer, the 48-year-old Hartnett has been back in the spotlight, reminding the world what made him a talented leading man. Below, a Netflix thriller miniseries, is his latest endeavor. In a remote Newfoundland town, Calvin Penney (Hartnett) is a fisherman who has been haunted by the death of his father. Now, Calvin's hometown is being terrorized by a mysterious sea creature, which might have ties to his father's death. What exactly is this creature? That's what Penney is determined to find out in this intense thriller that feels like a shark movie. However, I expect the creature to be so much worse. Below streams on Oct. 8. Below Release Date October 8, 2026 Network Netflix Showrunner Jesse McKeown The Diplomat season 4 Kate Wyler tackles a new crisis The Diplomat certainly shares some qualities with The West Wing. They are both dramas with actors playing high-ranking government officials who tackle political crises and deliver fast-paced dialogue. However, The Diplomat expands the action outside the Oval Office and plays more like a thriller than a stage play. Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) faces battles on two fronts. She must prevent a potential crisis between the U.S. and U.K. Plus, she fights to save her marriage after her husband, Hal (Rufus Sewell), becomes the new vice president of the United States. As for President Grace Penn (Allison Janney), she must keep the U.S. out of a war with Russia while also balancing her rocky marriage with Todd (Bradley Whitford). The Diplomat became an Emmy Award-winning show when Janney picked up the win for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. The Diplomat season 4 streams on Oct. 15. Nobody Wants This The next phase for Joanne and Noah In the first season, Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody) met and fell in love. In the second season, they recommitted to being with one another. In the third season, the couple will take the next step in their relationship: moving in together. In Nobody Wants This, Joanne, a sex-positive podcaster, and Noah, a hot rabbi, are determined to make their unlikely pairing work. Joanne wants to prove to the doubters that she is the right woman for Noah, but naturally, that will cause some tension. The other major storyline involves the separation of Sasha (Timothy Simons) and his wife, Esther (Jackie Tohn). The former couple reenters the dating pool. However, Sasha might have already found someone in Morgan (Justine Lupe), but she might not be ready to act on the obvious connection. Nobody Wants This is a warm and charming show that succeeds because of the chemistry between the four central characters. The stakes might be low, but the humor and sincerity are quite high, which is why many fans can't wait to return to this world. Nobody Wants This season 3 streams on Oct. 22. The One About Matthew Perry So no one told you life was gonna be this way This is the one that might be too difficult for some to watch. The One About Matthew Perry is a three-part documentary series about the life of Matthew Perry, the talented actor who became an American icon for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends. That role catapulted Perry into superstardom. While Perry was making audiences laugh on television, he was struggling with severe alcohol and substance abuse. Ultimately, Perry lost his battle with addiction, dying in 2023 at age 54. The One About Matthew Perry features interviews with Perry's friends, as they paint the picture of a man who lit up the room with his comedy while also shedding light on his personal battles. The One About Matthew Perry streams on Oct. 27. The One About Matthew Perry Release Date 2026 - 2026-00-00 Network Netflix Directors Mary Robertson More movies and shows to watch on other streaming services Netflix might have the most subscribers in streaming, but there is still great content on other services. Paramount+ has several addictive miniseries, including Girl Taken and George & Tammy. Apple TV is becoming the new HBO with all of its Emmy-nominated shows, like Widow's Bay and Slow Horses. Subscription with ads Yes, $8/month Simultaneous streams Two or four