Major Movie Debuts Hit Streaming This Weekend: ‘Fantastic Four,’ ‘28 Years Later,’ and ‘Ballerina’ Lead October Lineup

The first weekend of October is delivering a massive wave of high-profile cinematic debuts to streaming platforms, marking a significant moment for movie enthusiasts and home entertainment audiences. Headlining the releases are major franchise entries, including the newest Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film, a long-awaited horror sequel, and a thrilling action-spin-off, providing a potent blend of high-value content for streaming subscribers.

From superhero epics to post-apocalyptic dread and stylized action, this weekend’s streaming slate is packed with options that target diverse demographics, ensuring maximum engagement across all major Streaming Service platforms. This strategic release pattern capitalizes on the traditional post-theatrical window, offering high-conversion viewing opportunities for premium digital rentals and subscription services.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Lands on Digital Rental

The highly anticipated reboot, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which debuted in theaters earlier this year (July 25, 2025), is now available for digital purchase and rental, marking its official Premium Video-on-Demand (PVOD) release. While its permanent streaming home on Disney+ is expected in November, this initial digital availability is a key event for fans eager to rewatch the MCU’s newest heroes.

• Where to Watch: The film became available for digital rental and purchase starting on September 23, 2025, on platforms like Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video. Fans can secure their copies now before the Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD release on October 14.
• The Buzz: Starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and Joseph Quinn, the film was praised for its tone and casting, reigniting interest in Marvel’s First Family. The digital release includes exclusive bonus features, such as deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes featurettes, a crucial selling point for the collector’s market.

28 Years Later: The Rage Returns to Netflix

The third installment in Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s critically acclaimed zombie/infected franchise, 28 Years Later, is making its anticipated subscription streaming debut this weekend. Following its theatrical run, the horror sequel is now available for all Netflix subscribers, perfectly timed for the October “spooky season.”

• The Streaming Home: The film began streaming on Netflix on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in the U.S. and is expected to roll out across other Netflix territories shortly.
• Why It Matters: This film is a continuation of one of the most influential horror movie franchises of the 21st century. Its move to a major streamer like Netflix is expected to drive significant viewership, positioning it as a top performer for the month and further cementing the platform’s focus on high-quality cinematic horror content. The film serves as a direct bridge to the forthcoming sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026).

Ballerina: The John Wick Spin-off Finds its Starz Home

The stylish, action-packed spin-off from the John Wick universe, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, starring Ana de Armas, has officially begun its subscription streaming window. After a premium rental period, the film is now accessible to the expansive Starz subscriber base.

• Where to Stream: Ballerina is available to watch on Starz, starting October 1, 2025, in the US. This follows a short window where the movie was available for VOD rental/purchase on other platforms.
• Action Franchise Value: The film connects directly to the highly lucrative John Wick franchise, with appearances by Keanu Reeves and other fan-favorite characters. Its streaming debut is a major win for Starz, which secures a new anchor title to attract and retain subscribers in the highly competitive streaming wars landscape.

Other Key New Movies and Shows Streaming This Weekend

Beyond the major theatrical releases, the weekend is packed with other compelling content, reinforcing October as a high-traffic month for streaming.

• Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Netflix): The third installment in Ryan Murphy’s true-crime anthology series, offering a chilling dramatization of the notorious killer Ed Gein. It premieres on Netflix on October 3.
• The Lost Bus (Apple TV+): A survival drama starring Matthew McConaughey, based on the true story of the 2018 Camp Fire. This highly-reviewed film begins streaming on Apple TV+ on October 3, offering a prestige drama for subscribers.
• Play Dirty (Prime Video): Mark Wahlberg and Shane Black team up for this bombastic heist film, which leads the charge of new releases on Amazon Prime Video, available from October 1.

The shift of major cinematic events to the home screen immediately after their theatrical runs confirms the evolving nature of movie distribution. This weekend provides a valuable opportunity for subscribers to catch up on some of the year’s biggest releases from the comfort of their homes, driving a critical spike in digital consumption and platform loyalty.