We are now fully in the fall season, and more specifically, spooky season. This year,Prime Videohas brought us several great options to add to our Halloweenmovie marathonsand some fantastic films to watch anytime of the year.
Prime’s October lineup is impressive. The streaming service has added several beloved classic films, seasonal favorites, and long-awaited originals. The full release schedule likely has something for everyone, but we have highlighted some of the best for you as you plan your movie month.
Oct. 1:Bride of Frankenstein(1935)
Prime is adding several classic Universal monster movies, butBride of Frankensteinis the best of the best. Shortly after Frankenstein’s climactic mob attack, Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive) is blackmailed by his former mentor, Dr. Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger), to continue his work to create new life. In the meantime, the Monster (Boris Karloff) is on the run, but he is also interested in forcing Frankenstein to make a new life — he wants a bride (Elsa Lanchester).
WhileFrankensteinis a groundbreaking film, I always felt thatBride of Frankensteinis one of those rare sequels that outdoes its predecessor. Without the blueprint of Mary Shelley’s original novel,Bride of Frankensteintakes the source material to interesting new places. The night that the Monster spends with a blind hermit, who treats him with kindness, and the unexpected reaction from the Bride at the conclusion are just some examples of this film’s innovation.
Oct. 1:Candyman(1992)
An urban legend comes to life in this cult classic horror film. Helen (Virginia Madsen) is an anthropology graduate student working on a thesis about urban legends. She takes a special interest in the legend of Candyman (Tony Todd), a hook-handed ghost who haunts Cabrini-Green’s public housing development. Helen learns more about Candyman’s backstory and impact on Cabrini-Green residents, but she also finds herself becoming part of the story.
Candymanis one of those essential horror films, if only for Todd’s chilling portrayal of the vengeful spirit. The story is loosely based on a short story by Clive Barker, which provides a terrifying premise, but the film adds themes around race and social class that add depth to that premise. While its execution isn’t perfect,Candymanpresents a unique horror story you’ll think about long after it’s done. Make sure you also check out Nia DaCosta’sCandyman(2022), a sequel to the 1992 film.
Oct. 1:Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed(2004)
Okay, you know what, sometimes movies are just for fun. The live-action Mystery Inc. faces a new supernatural mystery that can only be solved by the likes of Scooby-Doo (Neil Fanning), Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), Velma (Linda Cardellini), Fred (Freddie Prinze Jr.), and Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar). The villain costumes from their past investigations have come to life to terrorize Coolsville, all while a journalist (Alicia Silverstone) seeks to discredit Mystery Inc.
I wouldn’t say thatScooby-Dooor its sequel,Monsters Unleashed, are particularly great films. However, this film is fun if you are a fan ofScooby-Doo, Where Are You?or any of its other spin-off properties, or have young kids to entertain. Both live-action films are now available on Prime, but I always appreciatedMonsters Unleashedbecause it is more similar to the cartoons in terms of the mystery and references.
Oct. 1:Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Previously only available on Hulu, this groundbreaking documentary is a must-watch. The 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival occurred over six Sundays from June 29 to August 24. It was one of the most significant musical events of its time, featuring artists such as Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Mahalia Jackson, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Max Roach, and countless others.
Summer of Soulcovers the background and historical context of the festival, while also exploring why Woodstock, which took place on one of the same weekends, is more widely remembered. The documentary uses footage from the festival and interviews in the present to help make the music and the movement the festival represents incredibly timely. If that isn’t enough to convince you, the film won multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Oct. 8:Maintenance Required(2025)
We have an original rom-com from Amazon MGM studios to look forward to! Charlie (Madelaine Petsch) owns an all-female mechanic shop that is facing hard times and a potential buy-out from a slimy rival company. She enjoys a strictly online relationship with an anonymous man, unaware that her new love interest is Beau (Jacob Scipio), who works for the rival business.
Maintenance Requiredsounds like a modern-dayYou’ve Got Mail, but I’m not complaining. It seems like the film will have a few tricks up its sleeve, and I’m always rooting for Petsch to find her cinematic niche after her iconic turn as Cheryl inRiverdale. Plus, a side character played by comedian Matteo Lane means this is definitely a film I will check out once it’s available on Prime.
Oct. 10:John Candy: I Like Me(2025)
A documentary about John Candy, one of the comedic greats, is long overdue. Director, producer, and narrator Colin Hanks dives into the life and work of John Candy, who died far too young of a heart attack at the age of 43. The documentary features interviews with Bill Murray, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Dan Ackroyd, Mel Brooks, Macaulay Culkin, and many more.
There’s been quite a bit of buzz around this documentary for a while, and for good reason. Candy is a beloved comedian in film, particularly in projects likePlanes, Trains, and Automobiles,Uncle Buck, andSpaceballs. However, he also seems to have been a beloved figure amongst his peers, andJohn Candy: I Like Meis a wonderful opportunity for us to see all sides of his life and legacy.
SKIP:The Boogeyman(2023)
If you caught any ofthis year’sincredibleStephen Kingadaptations andwanted to watch more,The Boogeymanis not for you. Sadie (Sophie Thatcher) and Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair) are grieving the shocking and recent loss of their mother. Their father (Chris Messina) is too trapped in his own grief to support them, which allows a malevolent entity into their home to prey on their family.
Despite the incredible performances from Thatcher, Blair, Messina, and scene-stealer David Dastmalchian,The Boogeymandoes not live up to the incredible potential of its concept. There may be a few effective scares here and there, but most of them are underwhelming. I recommend watching Thatcher in thefun and suspensefulCompanion, which was also added to Prime Video this month.
SKIP:Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull(2008)
Prime Video has addedall of theIndiana Jonesfilms(except forDial of Destiny), and you should definitely watch any of those before you resort toKingdom of the Crystal Skull. Amid the Cold War, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is approached by Mutt (Shia LaBeouf), who asks him to help find the Crystal Skull of Akator. However, agent Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett) is also searching for the artifact to help the Soviets conquer the world.
Part of me likesKingdom of the Crystal Skull's cheesy fun, but it pushes the boundaries between fun and exasperating too far. While all of the Indiana Jones films have some questionable representations of the countries and cultures Jones visits, it is disappointing to see this film embrace the problematic conspiracy theory that aliens helped build ancient civilizations. Overall,Kingdom of the Crystal Skullis a disappointing watch for super fans and casual viewers.
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