3 New to Hulu Movies You Need to Stream This Weekend (Oct. 2-4) — Including a Fan-Favorite Florence Pugh Flick

Introduction to Hulu's October Lineup

As a new month begins, streaming platforms roll out exciting fresh content to keep viewers entertained. Hulu is no exception, offering a fantastic slate of movies and television shows for October 2026, with a heavy emphasis on the horror genre as 'spooky season' kicks off. If you are looking for thrilling ways to spend your couch-potato sessions during the weekend of October 2-4, Hulu has you fully covered with critically acclaimed hits.

1. 'Barbarian' (2022)

Genre: Horror / Mystery

What it's about: Before writing and directing recent scary standouts, Zach Cregger helmed this 2022 spine-chiller starring Georgina Campbell as Tess Marshall. Traveling to Detroit for a job interview, Tess discovers her rental home is double-booked and already occupied by a mysterious man named Keith (Bill Skarsgård). Against her better judgment, she splits the house for the night, only to uncover terrifying secrets lurking within the Airbnb.

Why you need to watch it: Hailed by critics as one of the most captivating horror movies in years, 'Barbarian' holds an impressive 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It is smart, darkly humorous, and packed with unpredictable twists that make it an essential watch for horror enthusiasts.

2. 'The Substance' (2024)

Genre: Horror / Sci-Fi

What it's about: Demi Moore delivers a career-defining, fearless lead performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading Hollywood star who gets fired by her producer (Dennis Quaid) due to her age. Desperate, she turns to a black-market drug that spawns a younger, alternate version of herself (Margaret Qualley) with shocking and gruesome consequences.

Why you need to watch it: Coralie Fargeat's 'The Substance' serves as a stomach-churning, brilliant satire on how society and the entertainment industry devalue women as they age. It stands as a rare body-horror masterpiece that resonated heavily with major awards ceremonies, earning five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.

3. 'Midsommar' (2019)

Genre: Horror / Mystery

What it's about: For fans of Florence Pugh, this weekend offers a chance to revisit one of her most acclaimed early roles in Ari Aster's Swedish folk-horror masterpiece. Pugh stars opposite Jack Raynor as an American couple traveling to a remote, fictional commune in Sweden to attend a midsummer festival. What begins as an idyllic cultural trip quickly descends into psychological terror as they fall prey to a violent cult.

Why you need to watch it: Aster's 'Midsommar' brilliantly subverts traditional horror expectations by using broad daylight and gorgeous cinematography to frame deeply unsettling themes of personal grief and toxic romance. It is ambitious, beautifully crafted, and uniquely disturbing.