Once again, it’s the best time of year for horror movie fans: spooky season. According to the science publication Storage Room No. 2, horror movies cause us to release the hormones dopamine and adrenaline, which create that exciting rush when we see Freddy Krueger invading nightmares and ponder if he will show up in our dreams tonight. If you’re ready for that fright this Halloween, you’re in luck because this October is filled with upcoming horror movies and sequels to some gory classics.

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“There’s Someone Inside Your House” (Oct. 6)

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Directed by Patrick Kack-Brice (best known for “Creep” (2014)), available on Netflix.

Netflix describes the film as a serial killer flick that follows a high school girl named Makani played by Sydney Park. This suspenseful, gory film is set in a secretive, old-fashioned Nebraska town where teens are stalked by a killer who wears a mask of his victims’ faces.

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“Halloween Kills” (Oct. 15)

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Directed by David Gordon Green(best known for “Pineapple Express” (2008)), available on Peacock Premium and in theaters.

The “Halloween” franchise is confusing because different films are connected to different timelines in the Michael Myers universe, but altogether this will mark the 12th “Halloween” film — and there’s more to come. Jamie Lee Curtis makes another appearance as the original protagonist, Laurie Strode. Michael Myers’ mysterious obsession with her continues in the 2021 version, which is one of the most highly anticipated horror movies coming out this year. There’s something about the mute serial killer that horror movie fans just can’t get enough of.

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“Last Night in Soho” (Oct. 29)

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Directed by Edgar Wright (best known for “Baby Driver” (2017)), in theaters.

Anya Taylor-Joy, who is best known as Beth Harmon in “The Queen’s Gambit,” stars as the mysterious, glamorous alter ego of the protagonist Eloise played by Thomasin McKenzie. According to a review of the film on rogerebert.com, Eloise is an eager fashion designer obsessed with the ‘60s. This psychological horror drama blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, making the film a psychological nightmare that’ll have your attention by the throat.

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“ANTLERS” (Oct. 15)

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Directed by Scott Cooper (best known for “Crazy Heart” (2009)), in theaters.

This is a monster horror flick set in a lonely town in Oregon. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the creatures mow down their many victims with supernatural antlers. This urban legend film is full of secrets and twists you won’t see coming.

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“V/H/S/94” (Oct. 6)

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Directed by a handful of directors including Simon Barrett (best known for “Blair Witch” (2016)), available on Shudder.

This will be the fourth film in the “V/H/S” series, and it’s engrossed in just as much gore and disturbing “found footage” as the others. According to IMDb, a police S.W.A.T. team investigates a mysterious VHS tape and discovers a sinister cult that has pre-recorded gory material. The psychological horror film unravels into nightmarish conspiracies and uncovers some footage that should never be seen. If you’re a fan of the “Saw” series, this film is right up your alley.

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Missouri State Students Look Forward to the Upcoming Films

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Matthew Petty, a senior cybersecurity major and finance minor at Missouri State, has been a long-time horror movie fan and said he is anticipating “Halloween Kills.” “I’m looking forward to the most recent 'Halloween' movie coming out because Michael Myers was my 'boogieman' growing up. I think it’s cool how Jamie Lee Curtis is returning, and I’m really curious to see how this one will be any different because there’s been so many.”

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Similarly, Ashley Mallonee, sophomore art education major, said, “I just saw the trailer for 'Last Night in Soho' and I think it looks interesting. It doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a basic Halloween horror movie centered around a killer. It looks like it’s going to be much more of a psychological thriller, and those are my favorite.”

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There are many more new Halloween horrors that will be available this October season on all streaming services. After the pandemic postponed so many filming plans, we are thankfully swarmed with nail-biting terrors this year. So make that popcorn, light that pumpkin spice candle and cuddle up to a jump scare marathon!