Must See October Movies

by Helen Earnshaw | 1 October 2014

The autumn movie season is in full swing and we really do have some terrific movies on the horizon over the next few weeks.

And there really is something for everyone, from book adaptations, to horror, drama, documentary, and war film. So, what are you going to be watching this October?

We take a look at some of the movies that we are most excited about here at FemaleFirst, and one that you really cannot miss!!

- Gone Girl - released 2nd October

If there is one movie that everyone is talking about this month, then it is the adaptation of Gone Girl.

Gone Girl is based on the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn, and Flynn herself has adapted the book into a screenplay.

David Fincher is in the director's chair, while Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike lead an all-star cast - already there is Oscar talk surrounding this one. Will it be in the running? I guess we are just going to have to wait and see.

Nick Dunne finds the media spotlight turned on him when his wife disappears on their wedding anniversary. But the long Amy is gone; the more people are asking 'did Nick Dunne kill his wife?'

Gone Girl is one of the most anticipated films of the autumn, and it is set to be an edge of your seat ride.

I am a big fan of Fincher as a filmmaker as he has the knack of creating a real atmosphere in his movies - I can't wait to see him back in action.

- Dracula Untold - released 3rd October

Luke Evans is an actor who has been making a name for himself in recent years, but Dracula Untold marks the biggest lead role of his career so far.

Dracula Untold sees Evans team up with director Gary Shore for the first time, as he makes his feature film directorial debut with this project.

Shore has brought together a terrific cast for the film, as Evans is joined by Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon, and Charles Dance.

We all know the story of Dracula, but this is Dracula as we have never seen him before. Dracula Untold is an origins story that follows Vlad Tepes and the sacrifice he makes to keep his family and people safe.

We have seen Dracula brought to the big screen so many times over the years, but it is exciting when someone does something different with a story that we all know so well.

I am a big fan of Evans and I am exciting to see him in such a major lead role.

- Annabelle - released 10th October

If horror is what you are looking for this autumn, then look no further than Annabelle.

We were first introduced to the doll Annabelle in the fantastic The Conjuring, and now the creepy as hell doll has been given a movie of her very own.

John R. Leonetti is in the director's chair for the film, while James Wan will serve as producer on the project.

The movie is set to follow a couple who begin to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists.

Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton will play Mia and John Gordon, and they are joined on the cast list by Alfre Woodard, Eric Ladin, and Brian Howe.

The Conjuring was one of the best horror movies of 2013, and Annabelle does look like it is going to be a rather creepy watch.

- The Maze Runner - released 10th October

The Maze Runner is a movie that I have been looking forward to for some time, as I am a huge fan of the book.

The Maze Runner is an adaptation of the James Dashner novel of the same name, and is the first in a series of books by the author.

I can't wait to see how the Glade and the Grievers translate on to the big screen - and now there is just over a week until we find out.

Wes Ball is making his directorial debut with The Maze Runner, and he has brought together an exciting and talented young cast.

Dylan O'Brien will take on the central role of Thomas, while Will Poulter, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee, and Kaya Scodelario are also on board.

The Maze Runner is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where Thomas is deposited in a community of young men after his memory is erased.

After learning they’re all trapped in a maze, Thomas joins forces with fellow 'runners' to not only escape the maze, but solve its riddle and reveal the chilling secret of who brought them there, and why.

The Maze Runner has already topped the U.S box office and the second movie is in the pipeline.

- '71 - released 10th October

Jack O'Connell has already had a very successful year with Starred Up, but that looks set to get even between with '71 and Unbroken.

'71 is the film that we are focusing on for October, as the actor teams up with director Yann Demange.

Demange is best known for his TV work on the likes of Top Boy and Criminal Justice, but '71 will mark his feature film directorial debut.

O’Connell plays Gary Hook, a young British soldier accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot on the streets of Belfast.

Unable to tell friend from foe, and increasingly wary of his own comrades, the raw recruit must survive the night alone and find his way to safety through a disorientating, alien and deadly landscape.

'71 is a movie that will screen at the BFI Film Festival later this month, and it promises to be one of the highlights of the festival. Really looking forward to this one.

- The Judge - released - released 17th October

We haven't seen Robert Downey Jr take on a dramatic role for some time, but he is back this October with The Judge.

I am a huge fan of Downey Jr and it is always exciting to see him back on the big screen. He is leaving the superhero world behind - temporarily - to team up with director David Dobkin for the first time.

We are use to seeing Dobkin tackle comedy projects, but it is great to see him move away from that to deliver a family and courtroom drama.

In The Judge, Downey stars as big city lawyer Hank Palmer, who returns to his childhood home where his estranged father, the town’s judge (Duvall), is suspected of murder.

He sets out to discover the truth and along the way reconnects with the family he walked away from years before.

Downey and Robert Duvall will play a son and father a loggerheads, while Vera Farmiga, Leighton Meester, Billy Bob Thornton, and Vincent D'Onofrio are also on board.

- Fury - released 22nd October

Another movie that we have been talking about a lot here at FemaleFirst is Fury, as Brad Pitt returns to the big screen.

We may have seen Pitt in The Counsellor and 12 Years A Slave, but this is his first leading role since the success of World War Z.

He teams up with director/writer David Ayer for the World War II drama, as he plays the commander of a Sherman tank.

The movie follows wardaddy and this rest of his crew as they are sent on a deadly mission behind enemy lines.

Pitt is joined on the cast list by Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal, Jason Isaacs, and Scott Eastwood.

Ayer is a very visceral and real filmmaker - I was a big fan of End of Watch - and it will be interesting to see if he bring this style of Fury. The movie is set to close the BFI London Film Festival later this month.