Eeek! 6 New Horror Shows for Friday October 13, 2023

I was a little bummed, not to mention surprised, there weren’t more horror movies releasing for 2023’s second Friday the 13th. Instead, it seemed like Friday, October 6, was the biggest release day, with offerings like The Exorcist: Believer (in theaters), Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (Paramount+), and Totally Killer (Prime Video).

Or so I thought.

The only movies I knew premiering on Friday, October 13, 2023, were Dear David (in theaters) and Dark Harvest (MGM+). That is until I found a Bloody Disgusting post that pointed out a few more, including The Elderly (in theaters), The Puppetman (Shudder), and The Conference (Netflix).

It was something I learned after streamer surfing during lunch today. My Sony home screen reminded me The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix) was out now. (It wasn’t a Friday the 13 release, per se. It premiered on October 11, but it’s in time for a Friday the 13th-weekend binge.)

That’s when I checked my other streamers to see what was new. And when I did, I was seized with a case of FOMO. So much new new stuff! What else was I missing?

A quick Google led me to the BD post, which revealed only one other show I didn’t yet know about: John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams (Peacock), an unscripted series where “each episode focuses on one true tale of terror, told by the real people who lived through it.” Carpenter himself even directed one of the episodes. That sounds like something right up my alley. Added to my watch list.

Let’s take a look at the other shows out this weekend.

Friday, October 13, 2023 Horror Shows

Monster Inside: America’s Most Extreme Haunted House (Hulu)

Technically, this one doesn’t qualify as a show in the way I mean it (series) since it’s a feature-length documentary (run time 1 hour 27 minutes). Also, it premiered on October 12.

However, I’m including it because I always wondered what happened to McKamey Manor. One second, “the world’s scariest haunted house” —so intense and immersive it required an extensive waiver, safe word, and very few could even finish it— was all I heard about. Then, crickets.

To be fair,  when Covid happened, it disrupted everything, as we know. But even when haunted houses resumed operations, where was McKamey Manor? Maybe I just missed it? Possibly.

But the documentary about it was front and center on Hulu this afternoon. I always felt that guy was a borderline sadist, and I’m not sure if that’s the direction the doc will take, but I’m definitely watching it this weekend to find out.

Goosebumps (Disney+ and Hulu)

This one looks fun in a slightly scary Goosebumps-y and Disney way.

Series Description:

Inspired by R.L. Stine’s worldwide bestselling book series, “Goosebumps” follows a group of five high schoolers as they embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle – while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past.

Creepshow (Shudder, AMC+, and AMC Linear)

There are a lot of options for watching the fourth season of the hit horror anthology since it shows on three venues, including at 10 pm ET/ 9 CT on AMC linear. Even better, it premieres with a six-episode binge on Friday, October 13, 2023. The remaining episodes will air weekly after that.

Shining Vale (Starz)

The second season of this horror comedy starring Scream fave Courtney Cox premiered at midnight on Friday, October 13, everywhere viewers could access Starz except for the linear portion. The series will premiere there at 9 pm ET/PT.

HeBGB TV (Screambox)

I have no idea how to even begin to describe this show, which looks totally trippy. Screambox describes it as a “hyperactive anthology about a multidimensional cable box” and compares it to Pee Wee’s Playhouse, Goosebumps, Ricky & Morty, and I Think You Should Leave. And I think they mean all of those shows rolled into one. If that’s the case, buckle up before watching.

John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams (Peacock)

Since we sort of covered this one above, I’ll just share the synopsis and trailer here.

John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams is a genre-busting unscripted horror anthology series from the mind of legendary director, writer, and producer, John Carpenter. The series explores the dark secrets and unspeakable evil that sometimes lurks beneath the surface of the sun-drenched streets, manicured lawns and friendly neighbors of suburbia. Each episode focuses on one true tale of terror, told by the real people who lived through it. Their firsthand accounts are brought to life through premium cinematic scene-work, news clips, home photos, and archival footage, combining the visual language of horror films with the tools and techniques of documentaries, creating a uniquely frightening experience for viewers.

Check-In

What will you watch for Friday, October 13, 2023? (Or did you watch, if you read this post after the fact.) Any of the shows or movies mentioned above?  Or something else?