3 cool new Netflix shows to binge-watch this weekend (October 9

The sweaters and jackets are out of storage, the furnace is rumbling, and Netflix‘s October slate of TV shows is heating up, with returning hits likeThe Diplomat on the way, as well as some anticipated new documentaries.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything good for U.S. Netflix viewers to watch right now, and I’ve wrangled up three newly added shows to prove it, including the final season of a long-running high school football drama, two seasons of a small-town mystery series, and my top pick, season 2 of a spooky (and funny as hell) animated series to get you in the mood for Halloween.

All American (Season 8)

The CW’s football drama plays its last down

This long-running teen football drama is inspired by the real life of ex-NFL linebacker and Super Bowl winner Spencer Paysinger, but more specifically, his high school years and his struggles to realize his dreams of pro football. Once a struggling show on the CW, All Americanbecame a powerhouse when, in 2019, it exploded in popularity when its first season was streamed on Netflix as part of a deal with the CW. Season 8, which landed on October 6, closes out the series.

The show follows Spencer James (Daniel Ezra), a gifted South Los Angeles football player who is recruited to Beverly Hills High by coach Billy Baker (Taye Diggs), forcing Spencer to live between two very different worlds. Over eight seasons, Spencer, Billy’s son Jordan (Michael Evans Behling), their wealthy classmate Layla (Greta Onieogou), and Spencer’s best friend Coop (Bre-Z) evolve into adults, and a new generation takes over.

Season 8 happens over a single week (no spoilers here if you haven’t watched previous seasons), and it brings back old favorites, including Spencer himself, Jordan’s sister Oli, and, briefly, Billy

Murder in a Small Town (Seasons 1-2)

A picturesque small town with a really busy police chief

Based on Canadian novelist L.R. Wright’s Karl Alberg mysteries, this joint production between Fox and Canada’s Global Television Network has become a streaming hit over its two seasons that began in 2024. Murder in a Small Town is a surprisingly twisty mystery drama that takes place in the ridiculously picturesque coastal town of Gibsons, British Columbia, where the views may be stunning, but people just keep winding up dead.

Karl Alberg (Rossif Sutherland) is a burned-out city cop who retreats to Gibsons for a quieter life as a small-town police chief. But what he gets is a town full of secrets and a new murder mystery every episode. Along for the ride is Karl’s girlfriend, Cassandra Lee (Kristin Kreuk), a clever librarian and longtime resident, who knows everyone (and their business)—the perfect Watson to Karl’s Sherlock.

With munchable one-hour episodes, you’ll make short work of season 1 in just a weekend (or less), before moving on to season 2, which taps Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden as Gibsons’ wily mayor.

Haunted Hotel

Ghosts, demons, and a hilariously demented little boy-demon

As a big fan of adult animation series, and an even bigger fan ofSNL legend Will Forte, I was excited to see the second season of this gorgeously animated and critically acclaimed Netflix series make its way to the streamer this month. From Rick and Morty writer Matt Roller, Haunted Hotel is a dark and quirky horror-comedy that follows Katherine (voiced by Happy Endings’ Eliza Coupe), who inherits a haunted hotel from her late brother Nathan (Forte), whose ghost sticks around to help with the day-to-day.

Her kids, Ben (Skyler Gisondo) and Esther (Natalie Palamides), pitch in, which involves, you know, the usual hotel stuff—cleaning, laundry, guest management—but also fending off the ceaseless barrage of witches, demons, a giant snake, and a shark named Beluga that show up. My favorite part of Haunted Hotel, though, has to be Abaddon (Jimmi Simpson), an ageless demon living in a 1700s boy’s body whose deadpan line delivery and death wish are chef’s kiss.

At just 25 minutes an episode, you can get through both seasons in a weekend, but I suggest stretching it out and savoring it a little for when you need a mood bump. Or, you can check out this list of comedy shows for some quick laughs in under 30 minutes, too.

Three shows that are like a cozy sweater

They might not be comfort shows yet, but give the above Netflix picks a chance to warm you like an electric blanket on high. But if you need to take matters into your own hands and want to search yourself, you should use Netflix’s “secret” search codes—there’s literally one for every weird little genre you can think of.