Trick 'r Treat Returns to HBO Max on October 1, 2026, 19 Years After Theatrical Release Halloween 2025 arrives with Trick 'r Treat on HBO Max, plus new horror films Other Mommy, Whalefall, and Clayface in October. Trick 'r Treat arrives on HBO Max on October 1, 2026, bringing the cult anthology favorite back to streaming just in time for Halloween. The Michael Dougherty film has been hailed as a love letter to horror and Halloween, built around the holiday itself and anchored by its now-iconic mascot, a bag-headed little monster named Sam who enforces seasonal traditions on those who fail to embrace the spirit. The film is divided into four interconnected stories, following partygoers, troubled school bus drivers, killer principals, and more who encounter ghouls and goblins that turn out to be all too real. Its return comes 19 years after Warner Bros. released it in theaters, where it initially struggled before growing into a beloved cult classic.Dougherty later directed the 2015 Christmas horror film Krampus, and his Halloween anthology has only grown in reputation since. The cast includes Succession Emmy winner Brian Cox, Anna Paquin, Dylan Baker, and Rochelle Aytes, among others, giving the film some surprising star power beneath its seasonal scares.HBO Max's October 1 lineup also features recent horror hits such as Backrooms, Undertone, and They Will Kill You, alongside classics like the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise and the family-friendly Coraline. The mix gives viewers a chance to revisit iconic horror while discovering newer titles.New theatrical horror releases round out the season. Jessica Chastain's supernatural film Other Mommy arrives on October 9. Austin Abrams' undersea thriller Whalefall follows on October 16, delivering claustrophobic underwater tension. DC's body-horror supervillain movie Clayface lands on October 23.Fall has arrived, the air is growing colder, and the leaves are beginning to change colors, which means the spooky season is nearly upon us. Just over a month remains until Halloween, but the entire month leading up to the horrifying holiday will be awash in frights, with decorations going up, haunted houses opening, and horror movies aplenty.Streaming services like HBO Max play a key role by bringing back classics for timely rewatches. Trick 'r Treat is the centerpiece of that effort this year, returning 19 years after its theatrical release with its four interwoven tales and its unforgettable mascot Sam.This season offers a wide range of options, from enduring slasher franchises to modern hits like Backrooms, Undertone, and They Will Kill You. Whether revisiting favorites or trying new releases, audiences have plenty to explore in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Trick 'r Treat arrives on HBO Max on October 1, and more films are expected to be added to streaming throughout the year.