What’s New in Pop Culture: October 14-20, 2024
Releases this week in TV, Music, Movies & Games
TELEVISION
Monday 10/14: “NCIS: Origins” (CBS; Crime, Procedural)
This prequel series to the astonishingly long-running procedural drama (22 seasons and four spin-offs!) stars Austin Stowell as a young agent Gibbs, just starting his investigator career in 1991.
Tuesday 10/15: “Beyond Black Beauty” (Prime Video; Drama)
Inspired by the classic horse novel Black Beauty, this drama recenters the story on a young black equestrian who relocates from Britain to Baltimore, and the wild new horse she must tame.
Tuesday 10/15: “I Am Not a Monster: The Lois Reiss Murders” (HBO; True Crime, Documentary)
A two-part documentary on a small-town woman whose husband ended up dead, and who was implicated in another death after starting over in Florida.
Tuesday 10/15: “American Horror Stories” (Hulu; Horror, Anthology)
No new “American Horror Story” this Halloween, but Hulu is dropping all five episodes of the third installment of this spinoff featuring stand-alone, one-episode scares.
Wednesday 10/16: “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?” (Prime Video; Game Show)
Travis Kelce hosts this “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” spinoff in which contestants are paired with celebs like Ron Funches, Garcelle Beauvais, and Chad Ochocinco to answer various questions.
Thursday 10/17: “Hysteria!” (Peacock; Drama, Suspense)
Julie Bowen, Anna Camp, and Bruce Campbell lead this series set in the 1980s “Satanic Panic” as a small-town metal band defends itself from murder accusations, and the supernatural.
Friday 10/18: “Happy’s Place” (NBC; Comedy)
Reba McEntire returns to TV with this sitcom about a woman who inherits her father’s restaurant, as well as her previously unknown half-sister.
Saturday 10/19: Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (Disney+; Concert, Special Event)
You are now old enough to watch Dave Matthews Band get inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, along with Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Cher, Mary J. Blige, Dionne Warwick, and others.
MUSIC
Friday 10/18: Andrew Bird & Madison Cunningham Cunningham Bird (Folk/Rock)
Singer-songwriters cover the 1973 Buckingham Nicks “lost” album by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, released just before they joined Fleetwood Mac, giving it their own spin.
Friday 10/18: Bon Iver Sable (EP; Indie Folk)
This three-song EP reportedly takes a stripped-down approach, returning to the “primary elements on which Bon Iver was originally founded,” per the band’s website.
Friday 10/18: Eisa Davis & Lin-Manuel Miranda Warriors (Broadway)
Playwright Davis and the creator of In the Heights and Hamilton unite on a musical album retelling the 1979 gang film Warriors, featuring the voices of Marc Anthony, Luis Figueroa, and others.
Friday 10/18: Japandroids Fate & Alcohol (Alt-Rock)
This Canadian duo was once named Band of the Year by Spin magazine; this album has been announced as the act’s final record.
Friday 10/18: Kylie Minogue Tension II (Electro-Pop, Dance)
The Aussie pop goddess continues the momentum from last year’s smash album with this sequel featuring guest spots from Orville Peck, Diplo, Tove Lo, and others.
MOVIES
Thursday 10/17: Brothers (Prime Video; Comedy, Crime)
Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage play twin brothers, one of whom is trying to leave a life of crime, and the other pulling him back in with the promise of one last big score.
Friday 10/18: Anora (Limited; Drama, Comedy)
This film by Sean Baker won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Mikey Madison stars as a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, leading to various goons trying to pry the couple apart.
Friday 10/18: Goodrich (Wide; Drama, Comedy)
Michael Keaton stars as a man overwhelmed by caring for his young twins, who turns to the neglected daughter from his first marriage (Mila Kunis) for help. It’s like 21st Century Mr. Mom.
Friday 10/18: Smile 2 (Wide; Horror, Suspense)
The sequel to 2022’s Smile follows an international pop star (Naomi Scott) who is being plagued by bizarre incidents, all involving people with menacing grins.
Friday 10/18: Woman of the Hour (Netflix; Suspense, Drama)
Ann Kendrick stars in and directs this film — inspired by a true story — about a young woman on 70s dating game show who is unknowingly matched with a serial killer.
Friday 10/18: Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan & Sara (Hulu; Documentary, True Crime)
This project investigates who stole the identity of queer pop star Tegan Quin, including tracking down an exposing the catfish, and interviewing the fans who were manipulated by the scammer.
GAMES
Tuesday 10/15: Neva (PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox S|X; Adventure)
This astonishing-looking game follows a young girl and her wolf companion as they try to survive a rapidly dying world.
Wednesday 10/16: Drova: Forsaken Kin (PC, PS4/5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox S|X; Action RPG)
This 2D RPG explores the dark elements of Celtic mythology as your character navigates how to use the dead spirits of a forgotten empire.
Wednesday 10/16: Just Dance: 2025 Edition (PS5, Switch, Xbox S|X; Dance, Party)
The long-running franchise returns with its newest installment, featuring 40 new pop songs by the likes of Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, SIA, and…SpongeBob SquarePants.
Thursday 10/17: A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead (PC, PS5, Xbox S|X; Survival, Horror)
The survival film series gets a logical video-game spinoff, as you play a young survivor trying to stay alive in the post-Death Angel apocalypse by not making a sound.
Thursday 10/17: Super Mario Party Jamboree (Switch; Party Game)
Nintendo’s wildly entertaining party game is back, with more than 100 minigames, 22 characters to choose from, 2 new game boards (plus 5 classic ones), online and offline play, and more.
Friday 10/18: Unknown 9: Awakening (PC, PS 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox S|X; Adventure, Sci-Fi)
This video game is part of a connected line of projects, including comic books and podcasts. This one follows a young woman exploring a parallel dimension called The Fold.
Friday 10/18: RetroRealms: Halloween (PC, PS4/5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox S|X; Arcade, Slasher)
Play as horror icon Michael Myers himself as you murder your way through 16-bit environments. You can even crossover with the also-releasing Ash vs. Evil Dead game for more bloody fun.
Friday 10/18: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed (PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox S|X; Action, Brawler)
Set in the universe of the recent Mutant Mayhem relaunch, play as the adolescent amphibians either solo or in local co-op as they take on a slew of new mutant creatures creating chaos in the city.