As the nights grow longer, JustWatch unveils the most anticipated horror and thriller series coming to U.S. streaming platforms this fall.
Drawing on user activity across watchlists, trailer views, and engagement data, this exclusive ranking reveals what American audiences are most excited to watch between October and November 2025.
Key Takeaways
● Stephen King Returns to the Small Screen
IT: Welcome to Derry (premiering October 26 on HBO Max) claims the top spot as the most anticipated horror series of the season, fueled by excitement for a chilling new chapter in King’s iconic universe.
● Fan-Favorite Franchises Make a Comeback
After years of anticipation, audiences are finally getting the final season of Stranger Things (Season 5) and the long-awaited return of The Witcher (Season 4), both generating major buzz among returning fans.
● Thrilling Debuts
Breakout newcomers like Down Cemetery Road and Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order are earning early attention.
● True Crime Makes a Scene
On the darker side of reality, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy and Murdaugh: Death in the Family lead the pack as the most anticipated true crime releases this season.
Top 10 Most Anticipated Horror & Thriller Series & Documentaries on JustWatch
| Rank | Title | Release Date | Platform | Streaming Popularity Score* |
| #1 | IT: Welcome to Derry | Oct 26 | HBO Max | 95 |
| #2 | Stranger Things (S5) | Nov 26 | Netflix | 87 |
| #3 | The Witcher (S4) | Oct 30 | Netflix | 55 |
| #4= | Down Cemetery Road | Oct 29 | AppleTV+ | 36 |
| #4= | The Beast in Me | Nov 13 | Netflix | 36 |
| #6 |
The Creep Tapes (S2) |
Nov 14 | Shudder, AMC+ | 29 |
| #7 | All Her Fault | Nov 6 | Peacock | 27 |
| #8 | The Talamasca: The Secret Order | Oct 26 | AMC+ | 26 |
| #9 | Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy | Oct 16 | Peacock | 25 |
| #10 | Murdaugh: Death in the Family | Oct 15 | Hulu, Disney+ | 24 |
*US Release dates are current as of October 3rd but subject to change.
**Popularity Score is based on a Normalized Weighted Score of trailer views, watchlist adds, and engagement metrics.
Honorable Mentions — Already Streaming
- Wayward (Netflix)
Currently holding the #1 spot on the U.S. Weekly Streaming Charts, Wayward continues to dominate viewership with its gripping psychological suspense.
- Marvel’s Daredevil (Disney+ / Hulu)
Back in the spotlight and sitting at #3, the return of Daredevil has reignited fan excitement across both Disney+ and Hulu.
● Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Netflix)
A chilling true-crime addition that’s climbing fast, Monster: The Ed Gein Story has already reached #8 and continues to rise in the rankings.
Methodology
This ranking is based on JustWatch user behavior in the US between August 1 – September 17, 2025, using trailer views, watchlist additions, likelist engagement, and page interactions. These were combined into a Normalized Weighted Score.
Step 1 – Shortlist
We selected the 10 most popular Thriller and Horror titles during the period.
Step 2 – Weighting
- 40% Watchlist Additions
- 30% Trailer Views
- 10% Likelist Additions
- 10% Page Views
- 10% Total Interactions
Step 3 – Scoring
- Weighted Score: (Metric Rank × Weight) ÷ Total Weights
- Normalization: (Score – Min) ÷ (Max – Min)
Step 4 – Range
Scores were normalized between 20 (min) and 100 (max) for consistency.
Categories: Movie And TV Talk / Trailers Stuff
