Just as has been the case for the majority of 2020, Halloween is probably going to be a little different than we’re used to this year.
With 2020’s scariest visitor undoubtedly being the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this means that the usual frightful festivities of Halloween parties, trick or treating and more will be out of the question, which is leaving people to turn to other forms of fun to mark the occasion.
Netflix has undoubtedly been one of the real MVP’s for many over the past few months of lockdown by constantly churning out new content to consume, and October and Halloween is certainly no different.
A bunch of new and fan-favourite horror films and shows have already landed or are coming to the streaming platform here in the UK all through this month.
Here’s our picks for some of the best.
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The Conjuring
1st October
The Conjuring / Flickr
The Conjuring really isn’t one for the faint-hearted.
The film stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren – paranormal investigators and authors associated with prominent cases of haunting – who come to the assistance of the Perron family after they begin to experience increasingly disturbing events in their farmhouse in Rhode Island in 1971.
The first instalment to the franchise has already arrived to watch on Netflix now.
If you fancy immersing yourself in the full Conjuring Universe though, then get yourself down to the Scare City drive-in cinema at Event City for an experience like no other.
Corpse Bride
1st October
The Corpse Bride
Tim Burton’s cult-classic Corpse Bride is one for the whole family this Halloween.
The stop-motion animated gothic romance has spawned a thousand Halloween costumes since its release in 2005, and if you love The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, and Beetlejuice, but haven’t seen this gem yet, then you need to get it on your list.
It’s already available to stream on Netflix now.
Friday 13th
1st October
Friday 13th
The Friday 13th franchise is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the horror film world.
The American slasher movie follows a group of teenagers on their holiday at Crystal Lake as they encounter the infamous character of Jason Voorhees and the franchise was given new life in 2009 with a reboot of the original.
Jason was redesigned to be leaner and quicker for the new film, and with his own backstory.
Another one that’s ready to stream on Netflix now.
Paranormal Activity 4
1st October
Paranormal Activity 4
Paranormal Activity is a record-breaking franchise.
The first film broke records on its nationwide release in 2009 thanks to its incredible cheap production costs and unexpected popularity, and it’s now a six-part film series – including a seventh in the works – with the fourth instalment ready to stream on Netflix now.
Paranormal Activity 4 focuses on Alex Nelson and her family as they experience hauntings, capturing the paranormal happenings on webcams and mobile phones.
Vampires vs The Bronx
2nd October
Vampires vs The Bronx / Netflix
The first of Netflix’s original offerings is the comedy-horror Vampires vs The Bronx.
The film follows a group of teenagers who are forced to protect their neighbourhood in the Bronx when a gathering of vampires invades and is a perfect Halloween watch for people who love the spooky season, but like to keep their wits about them.
Ready to stream on Netflix now, it’s also scored already scored an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatos.
The Binding
2nd October
The Binding / Netflix
The Binding is another Netflix-orginal, but this one’s an Italian paranormal film.
It’s set in the stunning backdrop of rural Southern Italy, but all is not as it seems as the main character tries to fight a mysterious curse that’s trying to claim her daughter.
You can catch this on on the streaming platform now.
The Haunting of Bly Manor
9th October
The Haunting of Bly Manor / Netflix
The Haunting of Bly Manor is the much-talked-about Netflix original series which has just landed on the streaming platform on Friday.
The second entry to Netflix’s The Haunting anthology, this chilling nine-part series comes from the same creator as the hit The Haunting of Hill House series Mike Flanagan, and will once again star Victoria Pedretti, but this time as tutor Dani Clayton.
Perhaps not one for those who aren’t keen on basements filled with creepy dolls.
Overlord
11th October
Overlord / Paramount Pictures
Overlord is the 2018 offering by acclaimed director by J.J. Abrams (Lost, Star Wars, Cloverfield).
It follows a team of American paratroopers as they drop into a Nazi-occupied village, but it doesn’t take long before they realise that there’s a more sinister experiment taking place here than they could possibly have predicted.
Landing on Netflix today, this is one that horror fans should definitely add to their must-watch lists.
Disappearance at Clifton Hill
20th October
Disappearance at Clifton Hill
Disappearance at Clifton Hill is a critically-acclaimed 2019 Canadian thriller starting Tuppence Middleton.
It’s set in Niagara Falls – where a troubled young woman has inherited a motel in her hometown – and the memory of a childhood kidnapping quickly ensnares her.
You can catch this one landing on Netflix this month.
The Possession of Hannah Grace
25th October
The Possession of Hannah Grace
It’s safe to say The Possession of Hannah Grace is a classic jump-scare film.
Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell is at the helm of this film playing an ex-cop working the night shift at a morgue, where the body of a young girl who died as the result of an exorcism gone wrong is under her care.
But as the trailer says, death is only the beginning.
Get ready to stream this one on Netflix from 25th October.
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Pep Guardiola hints at when Manchester City fans can expect to see their latest arrival
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given supporters a rough timeline as to when they can expect to see their new signing, or at least their latest arrival, make his first appearance.
The Blues wrapped up the January transfer window with four major signings: their new attacking number seven, Omar Marmoush (who has already bagged a hattrick on his home debut) promising defensive duo, Abdukodir Khusanov and Brazilian Vitor Reis, as well as their ‘mini-Rodri’, Nico Gonzalez.
However, the club has had another late arrival who was technically signed back at the start of last year but who has spent for the last 12 months or so loaned back to his previous parent club, River Plate in Argentina, waiting to make the move over to the Etihad Stadium – and now he’s here in Manchester.
Speaking on his touchdown in 0161, Pep said Claudio Echeverri won’t be thrown into first-team action straight away but did give a rough estimate as to when City fans could expect him to get involved. You can see him discussing the integration plan in his post-match press conference following the Spurs win.
The mention was only brief but there’s still plenty of reason for Man City fans to be excited by the late January signing.
“Yeah, he [Claudio Echeverri] is going to start to train and mainly will be for the end of the season, maybe the [Club] World Cup and as soon as possible [that] he arrives he can adapt quick for the future.”
As mentioned, the 19-year-old Argentinian attacking midfielder from Resistencia officially put pen to paper with CFG back in January 2024 and was quickly dubbed ‘the next Messi’.
Now, although the football world is often quick to jump the gun with these things and he isn’t the first and certainly won’t be last to be slapped with this premature title, he’s done more to back up these claims since then than he has rubbish them.
Starring at the 2025 Under-20 South American Championships, netting six goals in nine games to finish the tournament as the second highest scorer thanks to notable braces against Brazil and Uruguay as the young Argentine’s finished as runners up.
He also notched 48 senior appearances for River Plate thus far, netting four goals and grabbing eight assists in that time, not to mention having already captained his national team at the 2023 Under 17s World Cup, where he scored another five.
Safe to say there’s plenty of talent to be tapped in this lad.
Once again, Echeverri won’t go straight into the senior set-up for a little while yet, barring a major injury crisis, but he’ll be a more than exciting addition to the City Football Academy and for future first-team lineups for years to come.
Who knows, maybe he’ll be included in an FA Cup matchday squad? Nevertheless, you can expect him to not just come of the bench but hopefully show what he can do at the Club World Cup this summer.
City‘s first fixture as reigning champions of the competition will be against Moroccan side Wydad AC on 18 June 2025.
You can watch Echeverri’s first full interview as a Man City player down below:
The new Man City signing is excited to be finally be part of the club 13 months on from agreeing his contract.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.
Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.
More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.
Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.
Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.
The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.
This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.
You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.
Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council
“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.
“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.
Emily Sergeant -
9th October 2020 
