October has arrived with falling leaves, earlier sunsets and the perfect excuse to cancel our plans in favor of a good story. Luckily, this month’s book-to-screen lineup delivers everything we need for a cozy—and occasionally terrifying—night at home. Readers can look forward to sinister bestselling authors, telekinetic teenagers, mysterious creatures, artificial friends and one surprisingly desirable husband made entirely of wicker. Here are the bookish movies and television shows we’ll be watching in October 2026.

Movies

Verity 

Colleen Hoover’s bestselling thriller comes to the big screen with Anne Hathaway as Verity Crawford, a celebrated author left unable to complete her popular book series. Dakota Johnson plays Lowen Ashleigh, the struggling writer hired by Verity’s husband, played by Josh Hartnett, to finish her work—only to discover a disturbing manuscript filled with secrets that could change everything.

Other Mommy

Based on Josh Malerman’s terrifying novel Incidents Around the House, Other Mommy follows eight-year-old Bela, whose family is haunted by a mysterious entity that repeatedly asks to be let into her heart. Jessica Chastain takes on the chilling roles of both Bela’s mother and the sinister figure imitating her, while Jay Duplass, Dichen Lachman and Karen Allen also star.

Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen’s beloved story of love, heartbreak and sisterhood receives another lavish screen adaptation with Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles starring as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. After their father’s death leaves the family in financial uncertainty, the sisters must navigate restrictive social expectations—and complicated romances—in very different ways.

Whalefall

Daniel Kraus’s survival thriller heads underwater with Euphoria and Weapons actor Austin Abrams starring as Jay Gardiner. While diving in search of his late father’s remains, Jay is swallowed by a sperm whale and must attempt a seemingly impossible escape before his oxygen runs out. Josh Brolin plays Jay’s father, with Elisabeth Shue, Jane Levy and Emily Rudd also appearing.

Klara and the Sun

Jenna Ortega stars as Klara, an Artificial Friend chosen to become the companion of a lonely and seriously ill teenage girl. Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s moving novel, the story examines love, sacrifice and what it means to be human through Klara’s observations of the family around her.

Wildwood

The first book in Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis’s fantasy series becomes a stop-motion adventure from LAIKA. When Prue McKeel’s baby brother is carried into a mysterious forbidden forest, she sets out to rescue him and discovers a hidden world filled with talking animals, warring factions and dangerous magic. The impressive voice cast includes Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Amandla Stenberg and Jacob Tremblay.

Wicker

Inspired by Ursula Wills-Jones’s short story “The Wicker Husband,” this darkly whimsical romance stars Olivia Colman as an ostracized fisherwoman who asks a basketmaker, played by Peter Dinklage, to create her a husband out of wicker. When the creation—played by Alexander Skarsgård—comes to life and proves unexpectedly devoted, the village’s ridicule turns into jealousy. Wicker opens in select theaters October 23 before expanding nationwide October 30.

TV Shows

East of Eden 

John Steinbeck’s classic novel returns in a sweeping limited series centered on Cathy Ames, a fiercely independent woman whose arrival drives a devastating wedge between brothers Adam and Charles Trask. Starring Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist, the adaptation follows the Trask family across two generations as desire, betrayal and the struggle between good and evil shape their legacy.

Tracker (Season 4)

Justin Hartley returns as Colter Shaw, a lone-wolf survivalist who travels the country using his tracking abilities to locate missing people and solve mysterious cases. The CBS series is based on Jeffery Deaver’s Colter Shaw novels, beginning with The Never Game.

Heartland (Season 20)

Inspired by Lauren Brooke’s long-running book series, Heartland continues the story of Amy Fleming and the family members who share her Alberta horse ranch. The new season promises more emotional challenges, changing relationships and healing moments between people and horses. Season 20 premieres October 4 on CBC and CBC Gem in Canada; a U.S. release date has not yet been announced.

Carrie

Stephen King’s iconic debut novel is being reimagined as an eight-episode series from Mike Flanagan. The story follows Carrie White, a bullied teenage girl raised by a controlling, deeply religious mother. When Carrie discovers that she possesses telekinetic powers, years of cruelty build toward one unforgettable—and devastating—night.

The Terminal List (Season 2)

Chris Pratt returns as Navy SEAL James Reece in the second season of The Terminal List, based on Jack Carr’s novel True Believer. After the events of the first season, Reece is pulled into a dangerous new mission involving a shadowy international conspiracy and threats that stretch far beyond the battlefield.

Lupin (Part 4)

Assane Diop returns for another clever adventure inspired by Maurice Leblanc’s classic Arsène Lupin stories. The charming gentleman thief has built his life around elaborate disguises, impossible schemes and a determination to protect his family, but the consequences of his past are never far behind.