Keanu Reeves would love to play Johnny Silverhand again, but how can he given the events of Cyberpunk 2077? It turns out Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith has worked out a way to make it make sense, and has told the much-loved actor: “contact me.”

In September, speaking with IGN while promoting his movie Good Fortune, Keanu Reeves said that he wanted to be part of the sequel to CD Projekt's 2020 game.

“Absolutely. I’d love to play Johnny Silverhand again," Reeves said when asked if he’d be interested in revisiting his legendary rockstar terrorist character in Cyberpunk 2.

Reeves's love-affair with the Cyberpunk community began with his viral "you're breathtaking" moment at E3 2019. Reeves, on-stage to announce the release date of Cyberpunk 2077, was interrupted by a fan who shouted out "you're breathtaking!" Reeves' response was to double-down with his own "you're breathtaking... you're all breathtaking!" Cue wholesome memes across the internet forever more. You can see the iconic gamer moment in the video below.

The question is, could Reeves actually play Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2 even if he wanted to? In other words, could Johnny Silverhand return in the sequel, given the events of Cyberpunk 2077?

Warning! Spoilers for Cyberpunk 2077 follow:

While many players believe Cyberpunk 2077 provided a suitable ending for Johnny and V's story, depending on which ending of the game CD Projekt makes canon for Cyberpunk 2, the door may be left open for Reeves' return. Could Johnny return in cameo form perhaps, having downloaded himself into someone or something else? Canon ending dependent, could V end up becoming Johnny Silverhand in mind and body for Cyberpunk 2? Perhaps we could see Johnny as part of a flashback to events before Cyberpunk 2077, as Cyberpunk 2077 had?

It sounds like Mike Pondsmith has been thinking about this ever since Reeves’ interview with IGN. In a CD Projekt livestream to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Cyberpunk 2077, Mike Pondsmith said, matter of factly: “Not that long ago, I saw that Keanu would like to find a way to come back from the dead and play Johnny again. I have ways to do that, Keanu. Contact me.”

Pondsmith, understandably, did not reveal what those “ways” were, but as we’ve mentioned, there are plenty of theories fans have come up with to make it make sense.

Reeves isn’t the only big Hollywood name to appear in Cyberpunk 2077. Idris Elba starred in the successful expansion, Phantom Liberty, which Pondsmith was delighted by. Indeed, he revealed he worried that CD Projekt might get sued because his character, looked so much like Elba, before it was revealed it actually was Elba playing the role.

"'So let me get this straight,'" Pondsmith recalled of his reaction to the news. "'You got Keanu Reeves, and then you turn around and get Idris Elba. What's next? Scarlett Johansson?’

"Scarlett, you know, I have roles for you. You can do anything."

Scarlett Johansson in Cyberpunk 2? That remains to be seen. But Pondsmith has been chatty about the hotly anticipated sequel in the past. In May, Pondsmith teased some previously unknown details when he was asked about the scope of his involvement with Cyberpunk 2 (then known as Project Orion) at the Digital Dragons 2025 conference.

Pondsmith admitted he wasn’t as involved this time around, but said he does review scripts and had been to CD Projekt to check out the ongoing work.

“Last week I was wandering around talking to different departments, and seeing what they had, ‘Oh look, this is the new cyberware, what do you think?’ ‘Oh yeah, that’s pretty good, that works here.’"

And then, the morsel on the sequel: that it features a brand new city in addition to the Night City we know from Cyberpunk 2077. Pondsmith described this new city as “like Chicago gone wrong.”

“I spent a lot of time talking to one of the environment guys, and he was explaining how the new place in Orion, because there’s another city we visit — I’m not telling you any more than that but there’s another city we visit. And Night City is still there. But I remember looking at it and going, yeah I understand the feel you’re going for this, and this really does work. And it doesn’t feel like Blade Runner, it feels more like Chicago gone wrong. I said, ‘Yeah, I can see this working.'”

Former Rockstar boss Dan Houser has explained why the Grand Theft Auto series won’t leave the United States in terms of its setting.

Speaking on the Lex Fridman podcast, Rockstar co-founder and former lead writer Houser said that — GTA London apart — Grand Theft Auto remained firmly rooted in the United States because it leans so heavily on Americana.

“We made a little thing in London 26 years ago — GTA London — for the top-down for PS1. That was pretty cute and fun, as the first mission pack ever for PlayStation 1. I think for a full GTA game, we always decided there was so much Americana inherent in the IP, it would be really hard to make it work in London or anywhere else.

“You know, you needed guns, you needed these larger-than-life characters. It just felt like the game was so much about America, possibly from an outsider's perspective. But that was so much about what the thing was that it wouldn't really have worked in the same way elsewhere.”

It’s a trend that’s set to continue with next year’s GTA 6, which is set in the fictional U.S. state of Leonida (a reimagining of Florida). And based on the two GTA 6 trailers we've seen so far, that parody of American culture is once again front and center.

It’s an interesting time, then, to wonder if GTA might hop on a plane and venture abroad at some point in the future. But it feels unlikely, not just based on Houser’s comments, but based on the GTA brand — built up over decades at this point — and what the public expects from it. Indeed, such is GTA’s relationship with America over the course of its many video games, that a University of Tennessee history professor will teach a GTA college history class early in 2026.

Professor Tore Olsson recently told IGN: “Video games are great at conjuring fictional worlds, but they also impact players’ thinking about real-world times and places. And just as Red Dead Redemption 2 has shaped folks’ perception of the nineteenth-century American West or Ghost of Tsushima has informed their vision of feudal Japan, millions of people around the globe imagine contemporary America through the lens of the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Just think of how many GTA veterans have recognized landmarks in Los Angeles and New York thanks to their hours in Los Santos and Liberty City!”

Houser’s position on GTA is similar to that of the creators of post-apocalyptic role-playing game series Fallout, which has also remained in the United States. Last year, Bethesda development chief Todd Howard ruled out leaving the U.S. behind for a future Fallout video game, saying he’s a big fan of the “Americana naivete” that informs so much of Fallout’s tone.

Meanwhile, the wait for GTA 6 goes on, with May 26, 2026 the current release date. We’ve got plenty more on GTA 6, including all the details we’ve discovered so far, a roundup of 70 brand new screenshots, and the expert opinion on how GTA 6 will look on PS5 Pro. As for how much will Grand Theft Auto 6 cost? Amid the speculation, new research has suggested that a $100 price point would actually earn Rockstar less money than if went for the “sweet spot” of $70.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

MonsterVerze is a Roblox experience that revolves around fashion, where the afterlife gives you a second chance to serve looks. After suffering an unfortunate accident, you'll be able to travel around the MonsterVerze from the Graveyard to the Train Station and Eerie High.

Along the way, you'll dress up and customize your character, meaning you'll want Ghoulars to spend in the shop. You can pick up Ghoulars while you're running around, but we've also got MonsterVerze codes that you can use to boost your stacks of Ghoulars.

Working MonsterVerze Codes

The following codes have been tested and can be redeemed:

• MVHOMECOMING - Homecoming Balloons, Opal Plushie, 6,000 Ghoulars
• MV1MILLION - Shattered Love Crown
• BUGFIXES02 - 10,000 Ghoulars

How to Use MonsterVerze Codes

Launch MonsterVerze and then follow these steps to redeem codes:

1. Press Play and get into the MonsterVerze
2. Click on the Coffin icon on the right side of the screen
3. Then click on Settings at the bottom of the coffin
4. Copy the code from this article into the Enter Code... box and
5. Press Redeem

Expired MonsterVerze Codes

MonsterVerze has just entered its beta, so there are no expired codes at the moment! Be sure to use the codes in the working section before they disappear.

Why Isn't My MonsterVerze Code Working?

Codes for Roblox experiences are usually case-sensitive, so the best way to ensure you've got a working code is to directly copy it from this article. We check all codes before we upload them, so you can guarantee they're working. Just double-check that you haven't copied over an extra space!

When Is the Next MonsterVerze Update?

MonsterVerze updates every week, on a Sunday. For now, there are no special planned events but we'll be sure to update this article if that changes. The Sunday updates are currently designed to address any bugs and improve quality of life features.

Lauren Harper is an Associate Guides Editor. She loves a variety of games but is especially fond of puzzles, horrors, and point-and-click adventures.

Microsoft has confirmed the next batch of games set to leave Xbox Game Pass, and one in particular has caused a degree of frustration with subscribers: Stalker 2.

GSC Game World’s Stalker 2 launched as an Xbox console exclusive last year alongside backing from Microsoft. While it is not an Xbox Game Studios-published video game, Microsoft played a key role in its marketing ahead of its much-delayed release date in November 2024. It even worked with the Ukrainian studio on a 90-minute documentary that revealed the difficulty the developers faced building the game amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.

As confirmed by the Xbox app, Stalker 2 is set to leave Game Pass on November 16, 2025, alongside four other games detailed below.

The Godzilla Minus One follow-up is called Godzilla Minus Zero. The announcement was made at Godzilla Fest with the short teaser, below. The styling GODZILLA -0.0 can be seen at the end of the teaser with the official logo.

Just announced at Godzilla Fest: GODZILLA -0.0 (Godzilla Minus Zero) pic.twitter.com/KaBSId47kd

— GODZILLA.OFFICIAL (@Godzilla_Toho) November 3, 2025

Minus One director and writer Takashi Yamazaki, who also handled VFX, returns for Minus Zero, which is once again produced by TOHO Studios. Godzilla Minus One was a breakout hit in 2023, winning critical and commercial acclaim internationally alongside a $113 million box office haul. It won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects at the Oscars, with Japanese filmmaker Yamazaki held up as a shining star of the form. IGN’s Godzilla Minus One review returned an 8/10. We said: “A grand, sweeping blockbuster, Godzilla Minus One is light on terror and heavy on spectacle.”

The follow-up comes as no surprise given the success of Godzilla Minus One, which is the third-highest-grossing foreign-language film in U.S. box office history with $56.4 million domestically, and the highest-grossing Japanese film ever at the U.S. box office. This is all the more impressive when you consider Godzilla Minus One’s lean production budget of around $15 million.

"Our situation was unique, given how I was situated in the larger scheme of the overall production," Yamazaki told IGN in a previous interview. "And the fact that I had a clear goal, more perhaps than other directors, because of my VFX background. There are good inefficiencies and bad inefficiencies. We focused on the approval process in different ways to streamline certain aspects of the VFX pipeline."

There is of course plenty of speculation about what the title, Godzilla Minus Zero, means for the movie itself. There’s no official word, but it’s worth noting that Godzilla Minus One was so-called because it took place before 1954’s Godzilla. Perhaps the movie after Minus Zero will be Godzilla... Plus One? And there are plenty of fans having fun with '-0.0' as a number that doesn't really exist.

Warning! Spoilers for Godzilla Minus One’s ending below:

At the end of Godzilla: Minus One, it’s revealed that Noriko miraculously survived the rampaging kaiju’s atomic blast, which leveled Tokyo. What’s more, Noriko mysteriously survived with minimal damage, save for an obfuscated black mark on her neck. During last year’s Godzilla Fest in Osaka, Yamazaki confirmed that the black marks on Noriko’s neck were Godzilla cells or G-cells. Yamazaki’s remarks about Godzilla Minus One's cliffhanger not only led to a roar of applause from thousands of excited Godzilla fans in attendance but also reignited months-old fan theories about what direction a potential sequel film could take.

Godzilla Minus Zero does not have a release date.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

This ain’t the 90s, folks. Many - if not most - games today don’t just live on a disc or a one-time download anymore. They live online as live services, delivered through patches, DLC drops, seasonal updates, ranked matches and live-service events.

Did you know your internet speed plan and home setup might be the final boss standing between you waiting to download the latest patch and actually playing it?

Now that nbn has introduced accelerated wholesale speeds on select Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) plans across Australia, eligible gamers have a chance to unlock a smoother connection that is built for the demands of today and designed to be ready for what is coming next. Here is why speed can make a difference, now more than ever.

Faster Downloads Could Mean First Dibs on Content

Gamers are wired for speed - we want everything immediately. We want in on new features, bug fixes and DLC the moment they are live (and sometimes that’s still not quick/soon/fast enough). That said, today’s game updates can be massive. We’re not talking a few hundred megabytes anymore.

We’re talking a night-killing gigabytes of data - 50, 100 or even up to 200 and often simultaneously with other downloads. On a 50Mbps download speed, a 200 GB file can take hours or could take almost as long as a Lord of the Rings marathon, to install. Meanwhile your mates are already power leveling and you’re stuck doomscrolling on your phone while the progress bar drag across the screen.

On an nbn® wholesale HFC or full fibre high speed plan, those same downloads can finish in a fraction of the time. Eligible Aussie homes can now enjoy up to 5x faster nbn wholesale speeds on select HFC and full fibre plans. Instead of watching your console crawl through a glacial install process, you are in the lobby, headset on, party chat buzzing. While you’re playing, faster speeds helps your online sessions stay smooth, even if the rest of the household is smashing the connection.*

Since nbn is a wholesaler, we recommend that you speak with your preferred internet provider to find a speed plan that suits your household.

As one of the most prolific and profitable subgenres in cinema, audiences are always in the mood for some spooky scaries. Fortunately, thanks to the accessibility of streaming services, places like Netflix are home to a plethora of chilling choices. Between original offerings and licensed titles, there’s a horror movie for anyone and everyone. To get you started, we’ve tracked down some of the must-see horror titles currently available to stream on Netflix.

Those original offerings are becoming more important. Netflix's horror section has eliminated many titles released before 2000, except maybe around Halloween. The platform is all-in on exclusives and international titles, which often get added with little fanfare. Netflix is letting other streamers keep their Conjurverse entries and familiar classics. We're here to try everything and let you know what's worthwhile.

Oh, and when you're done here, be sure to also check out our list of the Best Horror Movies of All Time.

Please note: This list pertains to U.S. Netflix subscribers. Some titles may not currently be available on international platforms. This article is frequently amended to remove films no longer on Netflix and to include more horror movies that are now available on the service.

Host (2020)

It's the scary movie that took lockdown by storm. Rob Savage's haunted Zoom flick Host hit AMC’s horror platform Shudder when we were all trapped inside by COVID-19, forced into virtual socialization. It was the nightmare we were already living with a genre twist, which became both relatable and creatively eye-catching. In terms of Screenlife horror titles—where cinematography is confined to technology screens—Host does a great deal right. Even better, it's just shy of sixty minutes. There's no wasted time, it's effectively spooky, and it's no longer contained to Shudder.

Sinister (2012)

It's the movie that brought together screenwriter C. Robert Cargill and filmmaker Scott Derrickson. Sinister wasn't beloved when it came out in 2012, but has since become regarded as one of the scariest movies of the 2010s and beyond. The film's usage of Super 8 murder footage and Bughuul's scare tactics is top-of-the-line horror imagery, wrapped around a true crime author's investigation of pure evil. Cargill and Derrickson understand the horror genre on such a granular level, which is why the film has endured over the years as horror fans sang rightful praises. There was even a scientific study done in 2020 that dubbed Sinister the scariest film ever made, so watch if you dare. Maybe keep the light on for this one.

The Blackening (2022)

“We can’t all die first.” Tim Story’s humorous send-up of Black horror tropes is both amusing and thrilling. The Blackening roasts racist horror tropes thanks to a hilarious ensemble, with credit to writers Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins. It’s more horror than comedy as a horror-comedy, but the way Story levels satire as a means of advancing the way we think about and see horror stereotypes is worth a watch. The third act struggles to stick the landing, but everything that comes before it will have you laughing at the genre’s past as Story ushers us into a more inclusive future.

The Strangers (2008)

We all know that quote from The Strangers. “Because you were home.” Bryan Bertino’s evil depiction of random violence has become a 2000s horror staple thanks to the inescapable dread of unknown motives. For that reason, I beg that you never watch Renny Harlin’s ongoing trilogy of films that so confusingly tries to give The Strangers a backstory. The original is on Netflix and deserves your attention, as does Johannes Roberts’ worthy sequel, The Strangers: Prey at Night.

Escape Room (2019)

The idea of an escape room as the location of a horror film is so juicy, and I’m not sure there’s a better exploitation of the concept than Adam Robitel’s Escape Room. It’s the right formula—a group enters, and each room poses a new, heightened threat. The gameplay elements are devious yet fun-filled (for us viewers), while this grander universe of gamemasters organizing these sick, twisted events becomes an intriguing draw. Escape Room goes all-in on production value and nails the execution, building intricate rooms with unique obstacles that trigger horrid consequences. Plain and simple, it’s good ol’ “horrortainment” for the masses.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Netflix houses a limited collection of older horror films, so when something like Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chain Saw Massacre finds its way onto the platform, you have to take advantage. What's left to be said about this sordid 1970s slasher baked under the blistering sun? It's got Leatherface, revving chainsaws, and a sadistic mindset that turns cannibalistic. Hooper's massively influential release spawned countless imitators produced by creators who saw horror as a genre where you could spend a little and strike huge returns, but few are as good as the original. If you know, you know—but if you haven't seen The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, now's your chance.

Train to Busan (2016)

If Sang-ho Yeon’s Train To Busan is streaming on a platform, it will be in my recommendations. No exceptions. South Korea’s breakneck zombie thriller jams all the hyper-intensity of World War Z into a speeding commuter vessel and it’s non-stop excitement. Everyone from baseball players to businesspeople must band together when the undead sprint into stations where the train stops. Once the wheels start turning, Yeon’s film never ceases momentum — that’s why it’s one of the best zombie films to release in the last decade (minimum).

Dead Talent's Society (2024)

I've said it before and I'll say it again: John Hsu's Dead Talents Society is a cutesy and buoyant Taiwanese horror-comedy guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Expect shades of Monsters Inc. and Beetlejuice, as the dead compete in afterlife competitions as scare celebrities. It's partially a sports comedy as Gingle Wang's rookie specter strives to become a legendary scare master, but there are also creepy paranormal thrills and hilarious gore moments. Dead Talents Society is a bit of everything as a horror-comedy, and always for the better. Be sure to give this import a shot.

Death Note (2017)

Adam Wingard’s Death Note adaptation failed to start a franchise for Netflix, but I think the overall reception was a bit harsh. I don’t mind Death Note, Willem Dafoe’s Ryuk, or Wingard’s translation of manga pages to screen. Lakeith Stanfield ends up stealing the show as prodigy detective “L,” but that’s not to dismiss a cast that includes Margaret Qualley and Shea Whigham. Sure, it’s uneven when considering how gory some scenes are followed by something oddly neutered, but the overall experience is worth a watch if you’ve been avoiding Death Note since its less-than-glowing debut.

Grave Torture (2024)

Joko Anwar’s been busily putting modern Indonesian horror on the map with titles like Satan’s Slaves and Impetigore (streamable on Shudder). Now he’s taking over Netflix with his latest feature film, Grave Torture. Anwar’s style blends cultural touchstones with universal horror vibes, in this case depicting Siksa Kubur (aka grave torture), a punishment inflicted on sinners after death. It’s a religiously coded nightmare complete with frightening visuals and harrowing death sequences, confronting beliefs and traditions with grim tones. It’s what Anwar does best, and while I’d rate Grave Torture on the lower end of the filmmaker’s catalog, that’s only to emphasize the quality of his other works.

Till Death (2021)

"A woman finds herself shackled to a corpse as part of a revenge plot." Megan Fox plays the previously mentioned woman handcuffed to her stone-cold dead ex in one of her recent indie horror ventures. It's not that Till Death is revolutionary; more how Fox carries a gimmick film through engaging thrills as she drags her co-star's lifeless body around a house and away from killers. Till Death knows it's only ever trying to be a chilly Friday night stream at barely ninety minutes, and that's the proper mindset. Fox's "comeback tour" raises eyebrows with Till Death, a movie worth a gamble based on the premise's better-than-expected execution.

It’s What’s Inside (2024)

I’m a sucker for “party horror” movies like Talk to Me or Bodies Bodies Bodies, where gameplay becomes a nightmare for characters. Greg Jardin’s It’s What’s Inside is the latest example, blending sci-fi ambitions with parlor entertainment for pre-wedding festivities. It’s a story that relies on twists and turns, which won’t spoiled here, so trust my praise when I say it’s one of the year’s most thrilling and addictive mysteries. Expect an existential, out-of-body whodunit, playing blame games versus pursuing bloodcurdling frights. Put this one on with a group and have a blast — those are the vibes.

Under Paris (2024)

Xavier Gens’ Under Paris reverses the curse on a recent drought of good shark horror movies. It’s a ridiculous hybrid that somehow stays afloat between Jaws themes and a Geostorm-bonkers disaster scope. A mako shark gets loose in the ​​Seine River just before a massive triathlon that Paris’ leadership refuses to reschedule. It’s not an all-out action flick until about two-thirds through, but that doesn’t sink the experience. For those who love Dick Maas movies like Uncaged or Amsterdamned, Under Paris flows with the same vibes. Early patience is rewarded with a high-intensity third act filled with bloody waters, frantic swimmers, and enough governmental incompetence to make Mayor Larry Vaughn blush.

The Conference (2023)

Work sucks, but luckily The Conference doesn’t. It’s a furious “Worksploitation” slasher that puts a knife to the throat of scummy corporate culture. Kills all have a taste of the great outdoors since the film takes place at a woodland work retreat, from machetes through hammocks to a splashy jacuzzi death. The Swedish commentary on greedy business folk comes with a nasty savageness and cheeky workplace satires, comparable to other winning work retreat horror tales like Severance.

Eli (2019)

Eli can feel like a horror movie Mad Libs as the story keeps evolving, but that becomes the film’s ultimate charm. It’s about a boy suffering from an auto-immune disease trapped in a quarantine environment who begins to ponder his imprisonment. The “Bubble Boy” beginning turns into a haunted house thriller that becomes an even crazier third act that I won’t spoil for you now. I’m not saying every big swing is successful, but I’ll go to bat for Eli as a horror film that loves to prove expectations wrong. Give me weird and wild over conventional any day — especially when you have the freedom of streaming releases over theatrical constraints.

Nobody Sleeps In The Woods Tonight (2020)

In the mood for a 2020s Polish slasher created by lovers of 80s American horror trends? Bartosz M. Kowalski uses the campground massacre template to execute a contemporary slasher that feels as throwback as rereleases of Crystal Pepsi. It's a familiar brand of campers meeting gruesome fates one by one with a massive emphasis on practical effects, the goriest and most obscene of which become an overall saving grace. Kowalski aims to prove that Polish slashers can hack 'em up with the best of them, even if there's not much else to praise with the same enthusiasm. If you want blood, you've got it by the truckload.

Girls With Balls (2018)

It’s killer rednecks versus a championship volleyball squad in Girls With Balls. Expect a horror comedy with exploding heads and a musical cowboy acting as a narrator who sings about the gratuitous violence on screen. Don’t expect a brilliant subversion of gender tropes in slasher movies — Girls With Balls is an effects-heavy slaughter spree that doesn’t try to be anything else. International approaches to comedy make some jokes harder to laugh at stateside, so as long as you can focus on the balls-out aggression on screen, you should find entertainment in another bloody backwoods fight for survival.

The Block Island Sound (2020)

Kevin McManus and Matthew McManus summon a creepy coastal caper from the depths of Rhode Island waters. It’s more eerie than aggressive as multiple subgenres swirl together in this unsettling waterlogged mystery. You can expect psychological horror, eco-horror, aquatic horror, even possession horror as Block Island community members try to understand the unexplainable events washing upon their shores. The Block Island Sound weaponizes the idea of "siren songs," toys with out-of-body nightmares, and mixes a spoonful of grief into the batter as storytelling churns like a storm that won’t pass.

Before I Wake (2016)

It’s the Mike Flanagan movie that gets talked about the least — in my experience — yet deserves the world. Flanagan does what he does best: tell a powerfully emotional story using fear, family, and creatures. Jacob Tremblay plays an adopted child who’s terrified of falling asleep because of a ghoulish figure known as “The Canker Man.” Butterflies and fantasy worlds don’t detail the scariest horror experience, as Flanagan leans on childhood imaginations that turn traumatic memories into inescapable boogeymen. Maybe it’s that softness of scare volumes — coupled with unfortunate studio bankruptcies that forced an unceremonious Netflix dump premiere — that caused such comparatively little fanfare over the years (considering Flanagan’s hype elsewhere). Hopefully my recommendation can help Before I Wake find new streaming life.

Under The Shadow (2016)

Babak Anvari’s Under the Shadow is a phenomenal cross section of national trauma invaded by nightmare demons. A family in war-torn Iran is plagued by visits from djinns as if exploding bombs outside and military threats weren’t enough. Anvari manipulates shadows and creates haunted architectures under Iraq-Iran conflict conditions, highlighting the terrors of both. There are some extremely effective scares and fresh deliveries of otherwise common fright-flick molds because, when in doubt, turn to international flavors for something original.

Incantation (2022)

Kevin Ko’s Taiwanese found footage flick Incantation speaks in clichés, but that doesn’t make them any less frightening. You’ll get a few good jolts as a mother must protect her daughter from evils she called upon by breaking religious taboos. Translation: foolish viral video ghost hunters defy the unknown and pay consequences both then and later. The script is murky on the camera’s rules regarding who is filming from a found footage sense and taboo happenings around the entity’s curse. Nevertheless, there’s an interesting concept around interactive found footage horror that smacks of the Ring franchise in its social media focuses, and you’ll yip a few scared noises — you could do way worse on Netflix.

Read our review of Incantation.

There’s Someone Inside Your House (2021)

Patrick Brice’s slasher adaptation accomplishes two massive feats for modern horror flicks: keeps us guessing and slaughters without restraint. It’s another film about teenagers getting sliced and diced by a masked killer, but it’s stylish and fierce enough to carve its own path. Situational misdirects keep audiences guessing who could be guilty of mass murder as characters point fingers while blood runneth everywhere from church confessional booths to aflame corn mazes. Don’t expect the next Scream or anything, just a solid contemporary slasher that succeeds when it matters most.

Cargo (2017)

One of Netflix's first original horror films is still one of my favorites. Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke's Cargo stars Martin Freeman as a father traversing the Australian outback with his daughter — also, there are zombies. Think The Walking Dead as an undead film that's more about its human characters facing survival drama than zombie action, except this one packs sturdy emotional stakes. Freeman's traveler encounters psychos, ferocious walkers, and weather elements that add thrills to Cargo, but what's unexpected is how a baby doesn't weigh the narrative down. Child subplots in horror are a tricky formula to crack that Cargo gets right, as the fears of protective parents translate into a hearty zombie experience.

Read our review of Cargo.

The Babysitter (2017)

Does The Babysitter indulge McG’s tendencies as a director who loves popular needle drops and quotes pop culture like a middle schooler who discovered HBO? Yes. Is it also written by Brian Duffield of Spontaneous fame — a magnificent young adult dark comedy – and does it star modern scream queen in the making, Samara Weaving? Thankfully, these saving graces play into McG’s bounce-about take on horrific humor as a child realizes his babysitter is performing a cult ritual while mom and dad are out for the night. A supporting cast including Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne, Hana Mae Lee, and Andrew Bachelor all have their moments subverting specific “hunted home alone” tropes — still, The Babysitter is Samara Weaving’s showcase. Tune in, share some laughs, soak in a devilish Weaving performance, and check out Netflix’s funniest spooky original so far.

Read our review of The Babysitter.

The Ritual (2017)

Netflix's original horror game rose to another level with The Ritual, David Bruckner's directorial debut outside segments in The Signal, V/H/S, and Southbound. Four friends take a northern Swedish hiking trip in memory of their deceased fifth, only to become victims of a woodland nightmare. Visions begin by layering psychological horror as the characters confront fears or guilt, then cultism adds communal dread, and lastly, Bruckner delivers on creature-feature goods. One source of terror feeds into the next and provokes future traumas, all interconnected as Bruckner weaves in and out of multiple horror subgenres with ease. There's so much to enjoy as Swedish forestation becomes an isolated outdoor prison, and then all hell breaks loose. Bruckner flaunts his filmmaking chops in a significant way.

Blood Red Sky (2021)

Peter Thorwarth’s Blood Red Sky boils down to vampires on a plane — but not like the SYFY channel throwaway such a title suggests. Nadja (Peri Baumeister) is a bloodsucking mother whose only motivation is to keep her son alive from hijackers who want to crash a commercial flight. It’s far tenser and emotionally comprehensive than expected, staying far away from being another Snakes on a Plane knockoff. Performances are substantial, whether gruff terrorists or ferocious mothers, while intensity drives home an action-horror experience like airliner blockbuster Non-Stop but with more sucked blood. It's a solid vampire movie worth your time.

Apostle (2018)

Director Gareth Evans did not come to play with the gorgeous and gory Apostle. While the Netflix original is several years old at this point, it still feels like this one never got the attention it quite deserved. Before the era where Netflix original films were super prevalent, Apostle follows Thomas Richardson (played by none other than Dan Stephens) as he seeks out to rescue his sister from a strange, secluded cult.

#Alive (2020)

No one does a zombie movie quite like South Korea, and #Alive is one of the absolute best. A video game streamer decides to lock himself in his apartment while a zombie outbreak destroys the surrounding city of Seoul, but just as he’s losing all hope, he discovers that his neighbor in the apartment across from him is also still alive. The two create a zipline to share food, and share walkie-talkies to communicate with one another, while zombies terrorize the world outside of their walls. It’s a film as much about the human need for interaction as it is about survival, and the constant threat of zombies keeps keeps every moment filled with exhilarating tension.

Creep (2014)

Fans of POV/found footage horror films, rejoice, because Creep is one of the best in this style. In Patrick Brice’s directorial debut, Creep follows a filmmaker named Aaron who answers a strange man named Josef’s online ad to film him for the day, the final request of a man claiming to be dying of cancer hoping to make a video for his unborn child. Upon arrival, Aaron realizes that there’s something super weird about Josef and with the camera constantly rolling, we witness the absurdity and danger in store for Aaron. Come for the wild as hell Mark Duplass performance, stay for the Peachfuzz mask. If you love it, Netflix also has the sequel — Creep 2.

The Fear Street Trilogy

Leigh Janiak was the talk of the summer when Netflix dropped the cinematic trilogy based on the popular book series by “Goosebumps” author R.L. Stine, Fear Street. The Fear Street trilogy brought three separate movies to tell one cohesive story about the cursed town of Shadyside and the inhabitants impacted by generational horror. Each film is predominantly set in a different time period, delivering a little treat for fans of slashers, hauntings, teen horror, queer horror, and folk horror. The three films work best when watched all together, but each film can successfully stand on its own, making it a must-see trilogy.

Gerald’s Game (2017)

Stephen King’s Gerald’s Game was considered to be his “unfilmable” work, but if anyone is capable of proving King wrong, it’s Mike Flanagan. The man behind The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, Hush, Doctor Sleep, and others successfully tackled Gerald’s Game and provided one of Netflix’s best original horror releases. Gerald’s Game is a terrifying descent into madness and home to a dynamite leading performance by Carla Gugino.

His House (2020)

Remi Weekes truly made something special with His House, arguably one of the scariest films on the Netflix roster. A haunted house story on the surface, His House centers on a refugee couple escaping war-torn Sudan only to find that the English town they’ve fled to may be just as harrowing as the land they left. The source of the film’s horror lies not just with the supernatural elements, but also with themes of grief, guilt, abandonment, xenophobia, and assimilation. It’s a powerful haunt that will linger with you long after the credits roll.

May The Devil Take You (2018)

If there’s one area where Netflix thrives with their horror offerings, it’s with their international selection of scares. Genre fans have been praising the work of Timo Tjahjanto for years with his standout shorts in The ABCs of Death and V/H/S/2, but his feature film work in Indonesia is arguably his best, and Netflix’ acquisition has brought his work to mainstream Western audiences. In May The Devil Take You, a young woman visits her father’s former home trying to find the answer regarding his mysterious illness, only to discover the horrifying truth about his past.

The Perfection (2018)

Go into The Perfection as clueless as possible (but be aware of some triggering rape stuff), because half the fun of this psychological horror film is trying (and failing) to guess just what happens next. Allison Wiliams plays a former cello prodigy who returns to her prestigious music school to find that she’s been replaced by the new star student, Lizzie played by Logan Browning. The Perfection plays with exploitation film conventions and completely subverts them on their head in absolutely unpredictable ways. It’s a wild thrill ride and truly, perfection.

Vampires Vs. The Bronx (2020)

Vampires have been used as metaphors for a variety of othering, but Vampires Vs. The Bronx highlights humanity’s true villain –gentrification. After a trio of young best friends discover a brood of vampires are preparing to destroy The Bronx, they take matters into their own hands and get the community together to fight back against the monsters invading their home. Calling it The Lost Boys for a new generation feels too easy, but the Frog Brothers would be proud do see how Miguel, Bobby, Luis, Gloria, Lil Mayor, and the rest of the gang tackle the aptly named Murnau real estate film. Leave the stake, take the adobo.

See our list of the best vampire movies for more like this.

What are you favorite horror movies on Netflix? Let's discuss in the comments!

We've rounded up the best deals for Sunday, November 2, below, so don't miss out on these limited-time offers.

Bleach Rebirth of Souls for $34.99

We've rounded up the best deals for Saturday, November 1, below, so don't miss out on these limited-time offers.

Save $5 Off Kirby Air Riders

After another round of price hikes, it's worth paying closer attention to what Disney+ is offering its subscribers. Over the course of November, the streamer will get a selection of holiday-themed picks, particularly from the likes of Food Network, as well as a decent spread of rom-coms. From the MCU, we'll get the streaming release for Fantastic Four: First Steps, while a documentary about James Cameron's Avatar movies should give us a glimpse at Fire and Ash. And, of course, there's plenty of Disney Jr. series too.

Here's the full breakdown of what's hitting Disney+ in November.

Everything Coming to Disney+ in November

Ongoing Series

Several series will release new episodes on Disney+ throughout November. Dancing With the Stars continues in its 34th season, with new episodes streaming on Tuesdays until the winner is crowned on November 25. Disney Twisted-Wonderland, the villain-themed anime, will get new episodes every Wednesday. Subscribers will also sporadically see new episodes from Marvel’s “Amazing Friends” Disney Jr. series.

November 1

• CoComelon JJ’s Animal Time S1-3
• Joy to the World

Starting off the month, the youngins will get several seasons of the animal-themed CoComelon series. Joy to the World, a collaboration with Hulu, kicks off the rom-com holiday season with a classic “pretend to be my boyfriend, oops now we're in love for real” scheme.

November 5

• Fantastic Four: First Steps
• Disney Twisted Wonderland: The Animation (New Episode)

The big MCU streaming release of the month. First Steps introduced us to the MCU’s take on the Fantastic Four in a retro-futuristic version of the '60s. Clint Gage highlights the cast themselves in his review for IGN, describing a certain "charisma to each of them individually and chemistry between them all.” Definitely worth a watch, especially for anyone trying to do their homework before next year’s Avengers: Doomsday.

November 7

• Fire and Water: Making the Avatar Films
• Life-Size
• Love+War
• The Worst Trip Around the World
• Seventeen: Our Chapter

It’s documentary time. As you can glean from the title, Fire and Water will take a deep dive into the making of Avatar: The Way of Water while also, I imagine, giving us some fresh information about the upcoming sequel, Avatar: Fire and Ash. Love+War, another documentary from National Geographic, celebrates the work of photojournalist Lynsey Addario.

The theme continues with SEVENTEEN: Our Chapter, which follows the 13-member K-pop boy group preparing for a string of temporary absences. After premiering on November 7, new episodes will be released weekly on Fridays.

November 8

• 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - 8pm ET/11pm PT

You’ll be able to watch this year’s induction ceremony through Disney+ starting at 8pm ET. Honorees include Outkast, the White Stripes, Soundgarden, and Cyndi Lauper.

November 12

• Marvel’s Iron Man and his Amazing Friends (New Episodes)
• Freakier Friday

The lega-sequel to 1999’s iconic body switch flick, Freakier Friday is coming to Disney+ a relatively standard three months after its initial release in theaters. In her review of the movie for IGN, Petrana Radulovic’s candid take was that "some of it slogs along, but thanks to Lohan and Curtis’s stellar performances and the underlying emotional strength of the story, the movie is a worthy sequel.”

November 14

• Madame Web
• Botched Bariatrics
• LEGO Marvel Avengers: Strange Tails
• A Very Jonas Christmas Movie

Oh, Madame Web. Released as part of the Sony Spider-verse, which has reportedly been put to rest, Madame Web achieved near "It’s Morbin’ Time" levels of online notoriety. Francesca Rivera’s review for IGN doesn’t hold back in calling the film a “waste of talent,” but as someone who did pay money to see this in theaters, I think watching it at home with friends and no expectations could be a good time.

We’re also getting a new LEGO Marvel Avengers special. We don’t have too much information about it, other than a promotional image that shows a pretty massive spread of Marvel characters in plastic brick form. And yes, there is a Jo-Bros Christmas movie.

November 18

• Me and Mickey: In the Clubhouse S4 (New Episodes)
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ (New Episodes)

Disney has taken a few different approaches to modernizing its classic Mickey Mouse Clubhouse series. The Me and Mickey series, entering its fourth season, is a more interactive “vlogging” style with shorter-form videos. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ was just revived on Disney Jr. this past July, with a similar structure to the original series but with the addition of some new characters and hangout areas.

November 21

• Biography: Dolly Parton
• Gypsy Rose: Life After Lockup
• Seventeen: Our Chapter (New Episode)
• Wrath: A Seven Deadly Sins Story
• A Day Late and a Dollar Short
• A House on Fire
• Tempting Fate

This one’s an interesting spread. We get documentaries about country icon Dolly Parton, as well as another update on Gypsy Rose. Otherwise, Disney+ is getting a spread of TV movies, including Lifetime’s Wrath installment in their Seven Deadly Sins series and the network's adaptation of A Day Late and a Dollar Short.

November 22

• Christmas Cookie Challenge

My personal favorite “holiday” series are all the baking and cooking specials, so thank you Food Network for offering up your Christmas Cookie Challenge.

November 24

• Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember

Chris Hemsworth and his father Craig take a road trip across Australia, exploring how memories and their bond can help Craig’s battle with Alzheimer’s.

November 25

• Dancing With the Stars S34 - Finale

November 26

• The Beatles Anthology
• Chibi Tiny Tales S5
• Kiff S2 (New Episodes)
• Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends (New Episodes)

Disney+ will be releasing the restored and remastered episodes from the hallmark Beatles Anthology docu-series over the course of three days. The streamer will also be getting new episodes from Kiff, Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, and the most recent spread of Chibi Tiny Tales shorts.

November 27

• The Beatles Anthology (New Episodes)

November 28

• The Beatles Anthology (New Episodes)
• Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol

The fifth addition to Disney’s Prep & Landing animated TV special series will arrive on streaming the day after airing on the Disney Channel. An elf, Wayne, revisits his career working for Santa after a mission in the North Pole goes off the rails.

November 29

• Holiday Baking Championship

The Food Network series returns for its 12th season, bringing 10 bakers from across America to compete in a series of holiday-themed challenges. This year, bakers will be split into “Naughty” and “Nice” teams.

New Disney+ Streams

Disney+ streams are exclusive to Premium subscribers, offering a 24/7 run of themed episodes or specific series (a full circle to cable, in some ways). On November 4, Disney+ will launch “Seasons Streaming,” featuring a run of both Thanksgiving and holiday-themed episodes and movies. “Throwback” will launch on November 5, featuring a constant feed of Disney’s “greatest hits” from 2010 and earlier.

Reminder: Disney+ Subscriptions Are More Expensive Now

On October 21, all Disney+ plans increased by around $2-3/month, meaning you will see a higher charge on your account in November and going forward. You can check out our full breakdown of Disney+ pricing (including bundles), or see offers through Disney+ below. If the price hike is making you second guess the subscription, I won’t judge you for taking a look at how to cancel.

Playground Basketball is a competitive Roblox experience, where you'll be able to shoot hoops in the city, on the court, or at the park. Whether you're going 1v1 or 2v2, you'll need to create and customize a character. They can specialize in athleticism, dunking, ball handling, and more, all in the hopes of becoming the best player. So while you concentrate on scoring, we'll help you get the codes you need for additional coins.

Working Playground Basketball Codes

The following codes have been tested and are active:

• UPDATE1 - 4,500 Coins
• THANKSFOR2500LIKES - 1,500 Coins

How to Use Playground Basketball Codes

Before you're able to redeem Playground Basketball codes, you'll need to like the game and join the group for Playground Basketball | Community. Then, launch the experience and follow these steps:

1. Look for the icons in the top right corner of the screen. One of these is a blue gift box.
2. Click on the gift box to bring up the codes menu
3. Copy the code from this article and then paste it into the bar
4. Press redeem and receive your rewards!

Expired Playground Basketball Codes

The following codes can no longer be redeemed. Be sure to use the codes above before they expire!

• SORRYFORBUGS

Why Isn't My Playground Basketball Code Working?

Codes for Roblox experiences are usually case-sensitive, so the best way to ensure you've got a working code is to directly copy it from this article. We check all codes before we upload them, so you can guarantee they're working. Just double-check that you haven't copied over an extra space!

When Is the Next Playground Basketball Update?

Playground Basketball is already planning their second update, and like lots of Roblox experiences, it's getting into the spooky season. Update 2 for Playground Basketball will launch a Halloween event, along with new Halloween currency and haunting rewards.

Lauren Harper is an Associate Guides Editor. She loves a variety of games but is especially fond of puzzles, horrors, and point-and-click adventures.

Without fail, LEGO puts out new sets each month, but November is about as light a month as I’ve seen when it comes to new releases. That’s cool, though, because the two sets coming out in November (and their accompanying free Gifts With Purchase) are great. Plus, if you want lots of sets, check out October's LEGO releases, which were numerous. Anyway, let’s dive in to November's fresh new LEGO sets.

LEGO Ideas: The Goonies

The 1985 movie The Goonies is one of those enduring classics that both adults and kids can appreciate equally. On the back side of this set, you get a recreation of the Inferno pirate ship. On the front side, you’ll find the Fratellis’ hideaway, caves, and One-Eyed Willy’s treasure room. As you might expect, these rooms are packed with booby traps and Easter eggs from the movie.

The Goonies GWP - The Walshes’ Attic

And as an added bonus, if you buy this set between between November 1 - 7, while supplies last, you’ll receive The Goonies: The Walshes’ Attic as a free Gift With Purchase (GWP).

LEGO Tropical Aquarium

This set reminds me of the LEGO Botanicals line, because it’s a decorative set aimed at adults, and that it takes a lot less maintenance and upkeep than its real-life counterpart. This sizable build gets you a colorful, three-dimensional aquarium, complete with swimming fish and plenty of underwater flora that move in realistic ways when you operate hidden levers. The best part is, you don’t have to feed the fish or clean the aquarium.

Tropical Aquarium GWP - Fish Tank Filter & Fish Food Set

And once again as an added bonus, if you buy LEGO Tropical Aquarium between November 13 and November 19, and you’ll get a free Fish Tank Filter & Fish Food set as a GWP.

Gift With Purchase - LEGO Disney Classic Animation Scenes

Spend $130 or more on the LEGO Store between now and November 11, and you’ll get LEGO Classic Animation Scenes for free. The set is valued at $19.99 and is an old-school CRT television, complete with knobs and bunny ears. It comes with three inserts you can use for what’s being displayed on the TV. One is the Disney castle logo, which plays before every Disney movie. The other two are miniature scenes from Toy Story and The Lion King. Not a bad freebie at all, but it’s only available during the brief window, and while supplies last.

Double Insider Points on LEGO Ideas: Italian Riviera

Black Friday LEGO Set 2025

Traditionally, LEGO releases a massive set right around Black Friday each year. Last year, it was LEGO The Endurance, which we found to be a fascinating historical set when we built it. In 2023, LEGO released the Avengers Tower set, and in 2022 it was the Eiffel Tower set, which remains among the biggest LEGO sets available. In 2021, it was the massive (and now-retired) Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series AT-AT, while 2020 brought us the Colosseum.

This year’s Black Friday set hasn’t been announced yet, but rumor has it that it will be the Star Trek set LEGO has teased. If you don’t mind possible spoilers, some leaks suggest it will be the USS Enterprise-D, the ship from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

LEGO Sets Available for Preorder

Since November’s pickings are fairly slim, it’s worth looking ahead to sets scheduled to release in the coming months.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Sets

LEGO Has announced four new LEGO Batman sets for Legacy of the Dark Knight, a video game launching next year.

LEGO Speed Champions Lightning McQueen

In an age where digital platforms can pull culturally beloved content from their sites and kick films and TV series between each other seemingly at random, there’s never been a better time to commit to physical media. Not only does owning your content ensure you’ll have access no matter what the business papers say that day, but it also means you can tune out and enjoy a viewing without worrying about buffering, system outages, or connectivity issues. So, with a Blu-ray comeback on the menu, and every retailer vying for your previous dollars, we’ve rounded up a list of the best places to buy Blu-rays online.

The Criterion Collection

Ahead of Black Friday, Amazon dropped prices on official Xbox wireless controllers in Robot White and Carbon Black to just $39.99, which is impressive considering the fact that Microsoft raised the retail price of all of its controllers earlier in May. I recommend getting the Carbon Black model because it also includes a bonus USB Type-C charging cable. Not only are these the best controllers for the Xbox at this price, they're also one of the best PC gaming controllers.

Xbox Wireless Controllers for $39.99

Audible's holiday promotion for 2025 is now live. Through December 16, new and returning Audible subscribers can sign up for three months of Audible Premium Plus for just $0.99 per month. You will need to be logged into your Amazon Prime membershp to see this promotion. After the three months is up, your subscription will convert to the standard $14.95/mo, so make sure to cancel beforehand if you don't want to continue with the service. You also get a free audiobook of your choice for each of those three months that you get to keep indefinitely even after your subscription expires.

3 Free Months of Audible Premium Plus

I thought I was only going to play five or six hours of ARC Raiders on launch day before sitting down to write this initial review in progress, but after just a handful of matches, I suddenly couldn’t pull myself away – and before I realized it, I’d been playing for 10 hours. This is without question the most hooked I’ve found myself on an extraction shooter (and I’ve played a lot of them), with clean and tense gunplay, a progression system that’s been incredibly satisfying so far, and a loot game that has me sweating over what to put in my backpack and what to leave behind. I’ve still got loads more to do and see before I can draw any final conclusions, but what I have played has made an incredibly good first impression.

ARC Raiders follows the usual extraction shooter formula of dropping you into a zone to take down NPC enemies and scramble for loot, all while looking over your shoulder for rival crews who would love nothing more than to crack you open like a meat pinata and take everything you’ve collected. From what I’ve seen so far, ARC Raiders hasn’t done much to iterate on those fundamentals, but it does absolutely nail them, and that’s harder to do than it might sound – for example, a big budget attempt like Battlefield 2042’s Hazard Zone mostly fell flat, and the alpha for Bungie's Marathon landed with such a thud it was delayed indefinitely.

One of the main ways it succeeds is in its stressful gunplay, where weapons only have a few rounds in each magazine, take a good deal of time to reload, and the robotic NPCs are either much faster than you or can rain down missiles to take you out in a single blast. This means I’m usually feeling like a rodent sneaking around to scavenge food and supplies from the world before slinking back to base – but when combat does break out, it’s charged with delightful anxiety thanks to the high-risk, high-reward situation of knowing you’re either about to lose everything you’ve fought for or grab some awesome gear off the corpses of those you’ve bested. This includes both AI-controlled and human players, as both can be found and fought out in the world, though it’s best to avoid either of them unless you know you’ve brought the gear and skills required for a fight. That’s because firing a shot has a good chance of drawing all robot enemies and loot-hungry players to your position, taking advantage of your vulnerability to do as much damage as possible.

All four of the maps I’ve seen so far have very cool and distinct vibes to them, from the ruined husk of a waterlogged dam to a city buried in red sand. It’s a good thing that they’re so great to look at, too, because you’ll spend a whole lot of time trekking back and forth across them in search of loot. I still feel like I haven’t seen most of the nooks and crannies of these areas, despite having played on them for dozens of matches already, but they are starting to feel a little familiar to me. Here’s hoping they’ve still got secrets to uncover that expand the amount of time I’m willing to spend on each.

As I work toward exploring every last zone, one thing I’m still looking for is an enemy combatant I haven’t faced yet (aside from the massive tanks, which I’m just steering clear of at this early stage). Most of my NPC combat encounters have been against the small roly poly bots and flying drones that are fairly easy to destroy, with my fellow players being the only proper challenge so far. I’m looking forward to the point where I’m powerful enough to actually engage with some of the chonkier enemies more seriously, but it still would have been nice to have a wider variety of low level AI combatants to shake up the early game a bit.

Thankfully, even as maps and enemies have begun to feel familiar, that hasn’t dampened my desire to play just because of how good the loot and progressions systems are. Every run, win or lose, has me excited to return to the cozy sanctuary of Speranza, where I can chat with vendors, turn in and accept new quests, upgrade my facilities that allow me to craft items and gain access to new upgrades, customize my character’s appearance, and spend skill points that make me slightly better at things like keeping quiet while rifling through loot during matches. There’s so much to do and unlock that I truly feel I’ve only scratched the surface in this regard, and that’s kept me glued to my controller and eager to dive into new matches.

Anyway, there’s still lots to do and robots to slay, so I’ll be headed back out to the wastes for more just as soon as I’m finished typing. You can expect a full, scored review early next week!

Many of the best Black Friday sales won't begin until later in November, but if you're looking to do some furniture shopping right now, Wayfair's early sale has already arrived. These discounts arrive at the same time as Best Buy's early Black Friday sale, signalling the official start of holiday deals shopping for major online retailers.

It's still very early in the shopping season, so I'd expect more official sales to start as early as next week. In the meantime, the Wayfair early Black Friday sale has up to 70% off home office furniture, TV stands, and discounts on Christmas trees. If you're looking for savings on anything for your home, these discounts are worth a look this weekend.

Best Buy is offering a great deal on a high-end gaming PC during its 3-day Halloween DoorBOOsters Sale going on right now. Right now you can pick up a CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme Gaming PC equipped with a Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU for just $1,549.99 shipped after a $350 instant discount. This beats the previous lowest price I've seen for this prebuilt by $150. The Radeon RX 9070 XT is an outstanding GPU that can run the latest and most demanding games smoothly in 4K.

CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme RX 9070 XT PC for $1549.99

Not only does November bring cooler weather, but it also offers an entirely new batch of PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC games to entertain us. We're on the tail end of the big games of the fall, but the year isn't done with us yet. This month we get big releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Kirby Air Riders, and perhaps most importantly, Terminator 2D: No Fate. Read on to see release dates for all the biggest games and expansions coming out this month and beyond. Let's have a look.

If you're the preordering type, you can click the links for the platform of your choice to see the game at Amazon (if available).

November 2025 - Video Game Release Dates

• Tavern Keeper - November 3 - (PC)
• Age of Empires IV - November 4 - (PS5)
• Europa Universalis V - November 4 - (PC)
• Football Manager 26 - November 4 - (PS5, Xbox, PC, Mobile)
• Satisfactory - November 4 - (PS5, Xbox)
• Biped 2 - November 5 - (PS5, Switch, Xbox, PC)
• Dinkum - November 5 - (Switch)
• Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - November 6 - (Switch 2)
• The Last Caretaker - November 6 - (PC)
• Of Ash & Steel - November 6 - (PC)
• Siberia Remastered - November 6 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Unbeatable - November 6 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Whiskerwood - November 6 - (PC)
• A Pizza Delivery - November 7 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Thrasher - November 7 - (PC)
• Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition - November 10 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road - November 10 - (PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox, PC)
• Lumines Arise - November 11 - (PS5, PSVR 2, PC)
• NASCAR 25 - November 11 - (PC)
• Unpetrified: Echoes of Nature - November 11 - (PC)
• Tombwater - November 12 - (PC)
• Winter Burrow - November 12 - (Switch, Xbox, PC)
• Anno 117: Pax Romana - November 13 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Yakuza Kiwami - November 13 - (Switch 2)
• Yakuza Kiwami 2 - November 13 - (Switch 2)
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 - November 14 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)

• Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero - November 14 - (Switch, Switch 2)
• Monster Hunter Stories Collection - November 14 - (Xbox)
• Where Winds Meet - November 14 - (PS5, PC, Mobile)
• Escape from Tarkov 1.0 - November 15 - (PC)
• Unmourned - November 17 - (PC)
• Deadpool VR - November 18 - (Meta Quest)
• Morsels - November 18 - (PS5, Switch, Xbox, PC)
• News Tower (1.0 launch) - November 18 - (PC)
• SpongeBob Squarepants: Titans of the Tide - November 18 - (PS5, Switch 2, Xbox, PC)
• Demonschool - November 19 - (PS5, Switch, Xbox, PC)
• Kirby Air Riders - November 20 - (Switch 2)
• Outlaws + Handful of Missions: Remaster - November 20 - (PS5, Switch, Xbox, PC)
• STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl - November 20 - (PS5)
• Constance - November 24 - (PC)
• Project Motor Racing - November 25 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Terminator 2D: No Fate - November 26 - (PS5, PS4, Xbox, Switch, PC)
• Bubble Bobble: Sugar Dungeons - November 27 - (PS5, Switch, PC)

December 2025 - Video Game Release Dates

• Simogo Legacy Collection - December 2 - (Switch, Switch 2, PC)
• Let It Die: Inferno - December 3 - (PS5, PC)
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - December 4 - (Switch, Switch 2)
• Octopath Traveler 0 - December 4 - (PS5, PS4, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox, PC)
• Routine - December 4 - (Xbox, PC)
• Thief VR: Legacy of Shadows - December 4 - (PSVR 2, Quest 2/3, Steam VR)
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 - December 8 - (PS5)
• Yakuza Kiwami 1+2 - December 8 - (PS5, Xbox)
• Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader - December 11 - (Switch 2)

January 2026 - Video Game Release Dates

• Dragon Warriors Origins - January 22 - (Switch, Switch 2)
• Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade - January 22 - (Switch 2, Xbox)
• The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin - January 28 - (PS5, PC)
• Code Vein II - January 30 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)

February 2026 - Video Game Release Dates

• Nioh 3 - February 6 - (PS5, PC)
• Dragon Quest VII Reimagined - February 5 - (PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox, PC)
• Mario Tennis Fever - February 12 - (Switch 2)
• Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties - February 12 - (PS5, PS4, Switch 2, Xbox, PC)
• High on Life 2 - February 13 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Virtual Boy: Nintendo Classics (NSO) - Feburary 17 - (Switch, Switch 2)
• Tides of Tomorrow - February 24 - (PS5)
• Resident Evil Requiem - February 27 - (PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, PC)
• Resident Evil 7 - February 27 - (Switch 2)
• Resident Evil Village - February 27 - (Switch 2)

March 2026 - Video Game Release Dates

• Monster Hunter Stories 3 - March 13 - (Switch 2)
• Crimson Desert - March 19 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Dynasty Warriors 3 Complete Edition Remastered - March 19 - (PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox, PC)
• Mouse: P.I. for Hire - March 19 - (PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox, PC)
• 007 First Light - March 27 - (PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, PC)

May 2026 - Video Game Release Dates

• Grand Theft Auto 6 - May 26, 2026 - (PS5, Xbox)

September 2026 - Video Game Release Dates

• Halloween: The Game - September 8, 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)

Upcoming Video Games - Release Date TBA

• The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales - 2026 - (Switch 2)
• Animo - 2026 - (Xbox, PC)
• Aphelion - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• ArcheAge Chronicles - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Ark 2 - TBA - (PC)
• At Fate’s End - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Atomic Heart 2 - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Ballad of Antara - 2025 - (PS5)
• Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes - Early 2026 - (PC)
• Beast of Reincarnation - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Black Myth: Jhong Kui - TBA
• Blackfrost: The Long Dark II - TBA
• Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• The Blood of Dawnwalker - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement - 2026 - (PS5)
• Borderlands 4 - TBA - (Switch 2)
• Bubsy 4D - TBA - (PS5, Switch, Xbox, PC)
• Cairn - 2026 - (PS5)
• Chronicles: Medieval - 2026 - (PC)
• Chronoscript: The Endless End - 2026 - (PS5, PC)
• Clockwork Revolution - TBA - (Xbox, PC)
• Coffee Talk Tokyo - 2025 - (Switch, PC)
• Contraband - TBA - (Xbox, PC)
• Danganronpa 2x2 - 2026 - (Switch, Switch 2)
• Directive 8020: A Dark Pictures Game - H1 2026 - (PS5)
• Dreams of Another - 2025 - (PS5)
• The Duskbloods - 2026 - (Switch 2)

• Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition - 2026 - (Switch 2)
• The Eternal Life of Goldman - Holiday 2025 - (PS5, Switch, Xbox, PC)
• Everwild - TBA - (Xbox, PC)
• Fable - 2026 - (Xbox, PC)
• Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition - 2026 - (Switch 2)
• Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake - Early 2026 - (Switch 2)
• Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave - 2026 - (Switch 2)
• Forza Horizon 6 - 2026 - (Xbox, PC, PS5 later)
• Frostpunk 1886 - 2027 - (PC)
• Game of Thrones: War for Westeros - 2026 - (PC)
• Gears of War: E-Day - TBA - (Xbox, PC)
• Hail Macbeth - Q1 2026 - (PC)
• Hela - 2026 - (Switch 2)
• He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction - TBA - (PS5, Switch, Xbox, PC)
• ILL - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - 2026 - (Switch 2)
• Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet - TBA - (PS5)
• Invincible Vs - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• John Carpenter's Toxic Commando - Early 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Judas - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Jurassic Park: Survival - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)

• LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight - 2026 - (PS5, Switch 2, Xbox, PC)
• Little Devil Inside - TBA - (PS5, Switch, Xbox)
• Lord of the Fallen II - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Marathon - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra - 2026
• Marvel Cosmic Invasion - 2025 - (PS5, Switch, Xbox, PC)
• Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls - 2026 - (PS5, PC)
• Marvel's Blade - TBA - (Xbox, PC)
• Mio: Memories in Orbit - 2025 - (Switch)
• Mixtape - 2025 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection - 2026 - (Switch 2)
• Mortal Shell 2 - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Mudang: Two Hearts - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• OD - TBA - (Xbox)
• Okami 2 - TBA
• Onimusha: Way of the Sword - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Persona 4 Revival - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Phantom Blade 0 - 2026 - (PS5)
• Phantom Hellcat - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Pokemon Champions - TBA - (Switch, mobile)
• Pokemon Pokopia - 2026 - (Switch 2)
• Popucom - Holiday 2025 - (Switch)
• Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC)
• Pragmata - 2026
• Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Professor Layton and the New World of Steam - 2026 - (Switch, Switch 2)
• PVKK - Summer 2026 - (PC)
• Replaced - 2026 - (Xbox, PC)
• Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Rhythm Heaven Groove - 2026 - (Switch)
• Road Kings - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Romeo Is a Dead Man - 2026 (PS5)
• Saros - 2026 - (PS5)
• Scott Pilgrim EX - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC)
• Screamer - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Sea of Remnants - 2026 - (PS5)
• The Sinking City 2 - 2026 - (Xbox, PC)
• Slay the Spire 2 - early access in 2025 - (PC)
• Sleight of Hand - 2025 - (Xbox, PC)
• Solo Leveling Arise Overdrive - 2026 - (Xbox, PC)

• Splatoon Raiders - TBA - (Switch 2)
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake - TBA - (PS5)
• State of Decay 3 - TBA (Xbox, PC)
• Super Mario Bros Wonder: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park - Spring 2026 - (Switch 2)
• Super Meat Boy 3D - Early 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Styx: Blades of Greed - Fall 2025 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Terminator: Survivors - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• There Are No Ghosts at the Grand - 2026 - (Xbox, PC)
• Tides of Annihilation - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream - Spring 2026 - (Switch)
• Turok Origins - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Valor Mortis - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 - 2026 - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy - TBA (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 - 2026 (PC)
• Witchbrook - 2026 - (Switch, Xbox, PC)
• The Witcher 4 - TBA
• The Wolf Among Us 2 - TBA - (PS5, Xbox, PC)
• Wolverine - Fall 2026 - (PS5)
• World of Warcraft: Midnight (expansion) - 2026 - (PC)
• Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver - TBA - (PC)
• Yoshi and the Mysterious Book - Spring 2026 - (Switch 2)
• Zero Parades - 2026 - (PS5, PC)

For more release date fun, check out our ongoing list of 4K UHD and Blu-ray release dates.

Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.

Ahead of Black Friday, Best Buy is offering an exclusive Halloween "DoorBOOsters" deal on a massive 77" LG B5 4K OLED Smart TV. Right now you can pick one up for just $1,499.99 with free delivery after a hefty 50% off instant discount. The B5 is a current generation 2025 TV that can play PS5 games to their fullest potential. It's typically less expensive than the LG C5 or G5, but it still usually sells for $2000 or more. This is easily the best price I've seen since release.

77" LG B5 4K OLED Smart TV for $1,499.99

Ahead of Black Friday, Amazon has slashed prices on the officially licensed Seagate Storage Expansion Cards for the Xbox Series X and S consoles. The 1TB model is down to $109.99 and the 2TB model is $189.99. Both sizes are sold by Amazon direct (not a marketplace reseller) with free delivery. The Seagate Storage Expansion Card is the best SSD for the Xbox, which isn't surprising since your options are pretty limited. The other recommended model - the WD Black C50 - is considerably more expensive at the moment.

Seagate Storage Expansion Cards for Xbox Series X

Warning: This article contains spoilers for IT: Welcome to Derry Episodes 1 and 2!

Fans of Stephen King’s novels will know that these tales of small-town terror and tortured souls aren’t simply standalone stories. They’re all part of a larger storytelling multiverse, and crossovers can and do frequently happen. That’s certainly true for IT: Welcome to Derry – not only is this series a prequel to the It movies, it also includes nods to other King characters and storylines.

With the first two episodes having premiered on HBO Max, we figured now is a great time to break down the key Stephen King easter eggs in Welcome to Derry and explore how the series is taking advantage of the King multiverse. Keep checking back, as we’ll update this piece as more episodes air.

What Is Bill Skarsgård’s Villain Pennywise?

With Welcome to Derry taking place 27 years before the events of 2017’s It, it should come as no surprise that there aren’t many returning actors for this prequel. In fact, the only confirmed veteran of the series is Bill Skarsgård, who is once again playing the demonic, shapeshifting villain, It (whose favorite form is Pennywise the Dancing Clown). We don’t actually see Skarsgård in Episode 1, but the character’s nefarious influence is certainly felt. If there’s any takeaway from the pilot, it’s that Derry was a cursed place long before the Losers Club clashed with Pennywise for the first time.

With Pennywise being such an important part of the series, it’s worth taking a step back to explore what exactly this character is and how he fits into King’s monster multiverse. The It novel establishes that It is an alien entity created in the void outside the universe. It eventually crashed on Earth via an asteroid millions of years ago, at which point it took up residence in the area that would become Derry, Maine.

Ever since people began to settle in Derry, It has shown a pattern of emerging for a year or two to seek victims and feast on their fear; it is essentially a psychic vampire. After gorging itself, It then goes into hibernation for 27 years before reawakening and starting the cycle all over again. It tends to target children because their fears are more primal and easier to exploit.

It/Pennywise is easily one of the most terrifying creatures in King’s massive library, but it’s not necessarily unique. King’s Dark Tower novels establish that the multiverse was once bathed in a mystical energy source called the Prim. When the Prim receded like an ocean tide, it left behind a great many supernatural creatures embedded in the worlds of creation; Pennywise is just one of many of those monsters. One of the Dark Tower books even introduces a cousin of sorts – a similar psychic vampire who feeds on laughter rather than fear.

The Hanlon Family

Welcome to Derry may not feature many returning characters, but it does feature one family that should be very familiar to fans of the films. The first episode introduces Jovan Adepo’s Leroy Hanlon; Leroy is the grandfather of Mike Hanlon, who was played in the films as a child by Chosen Jacobs and as an adult by Isaiah Mustafa.

Welcome to Derry shows us how the Hanlon family first came to settle in Derry in 1962. Leroy is a decorated and well-respected Air Force major who is recruited by General Shaw (James Remar) to work on a top-secret program. Even at this early stage, Leroy is becoming exposed to the darkness lurking beneath the idyllic facade of Derry and the racism still rampant in the ranks of the military. In Episode 2, Leroy learns that Shaw is working to harness a weapon that can instill absolute fear in America's enemies. Apparently, Shaw wants to weaponize It.

Episode 2 introduces Taylour Paige as Leroy’s wife, Charlotte, and Blake Cameron James as his son, Will, neither of whom seem particularly enamored with their new home. But however bad things get this season, it’s not going to drive this family out of Derry.

The Shining’s Dick Hallorann

Welcome to Derry is going to draw on more than just the It movies and novel; that much has been apparent ever since an earlier trailer included a shot of a Shawshank Prison bus. But in what is easily the most significant King easter egg so far, the series’ cast includes a major character from The Shining: Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk).

Fans of The Shining and its sequel, Doctor Sleep, will remember that Dick is the head chef at the Overlook Hotel in Colorado. Because he has the psychic aptitude known as “the shine,” Dick is more sensitive than most to the many ghosts haunting the Overlook’s halls. Dick becomes rightfully concerned when he senses that young Danny Torrance, the son of winter caretaker Jack Torrance, shines especially brightly, and is therefore a ripe target for those ghosts. Eventually, Dick is forced to brave the harsh Colorado winter in order to rescue Danny and his mother from the hotel’s wrath.

Welcome to Derry takes place nearly two decades before The Shining; at this stage, Dick is serving on the same Derry air force base as Leroy Hanlon. We only catch a brief glimpse of Dick in Episode 1, but he seems intently interested in Leroy, as if he can sense something is supernaturally amiss with the major.

Episode 2 provides more context for Dick's presence in Derry and his interest in Leroy. Dick is using his psychic abilities to help the Air Force dig up and harness the slumbering It. Dick seems to sense that Leroy is special in his own way. A bullet to his brain has robbed Leroy of the ability to feel fear, which may make him the only person capable of standing up to It.

We fully expect Dick to play a central role in battling It in this series. Just as at the Overlook, Dick’s powers will make him more aware than most adults of the danger lurking underneath the town. It may even target Dick specifically, hoping to draw extra sustenance from his psychic abilities, much like the vampires in Doctor Sleep.

The Shining's Calumet Baking Powder

Episode 2 incldues another fun The Shining Easter egg, as we see a stack of Calumet Baking Powder cans in the grocery store, all displaying that iconic logo of an Indian chief. These cans were also seen in Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation of The Shining, part of the Overlook Hotel's extensive larder.

The exact significance of the cans and the Indian logo has been the source of much debate over the years, with some arguing (like in the documentary Room 237) that Kubrick was trying to include subtle commentary about American imperialism and the genocide of Native Americans. The Indian chief image may also speak to the ancient history of the supernatural terrors in this world. Again, It has been in Derry for a very long time.

Juniper Hill Asylum

Episode 2 also introduces another iconic King landmark in Juniper Hill Asylum. We learn that Susie (Matilda Legault) was previously committed there after the death of her father, and she's forced to return at the end of the episode after suffering through another of It's terrifying hallucinations. That means we'll surely see inside its dark halls as the season unfolds.

Juniper Hill appears in the original IT novel as well as numerous other King works, from Insomnia to Needful Things to The Dark Half. It's a place every bit as twisted as you'd expect from a mental institution in Stephen King's multiverse.

The Importance of the Turtle

Welcome to Derry’s first episode includes another important, albeit more subtle, easter egg in the form of a charm on Susie’s bracelet – a turtle, a creature with deep significance in King lore.

Getting back to It’s cosmic origins, this demon was created at the same time as a benevolent turtle entity; the Turtle is It’s polar opposite and a sign of strength to the members of the Losers Club. The Turtle is also one of the 12 animals featured in the Dark Tower books who guard “The Beams,” invisible energy forces that lead directly to the titular tower at the center of existence.

We’d expect to see multiple turtle references in this series, all meant to serve as reminders that there are other forces at work in Derry beyond It/Pennywise…and not all of them are so sinister.

The Second Hand Rose

Episode 2 establishes a key throwback to 2019's IT: Chapter Two with the scene at the Second Hand Rose thrift shop. In the movie, that shop is run by Stephen King's character (that same character cameos as a younger man here), and it's where Bill Denbrough buys his beloved Schwinn bicycle. Back in 1962, it's where Leroy purchases a telescope for his son Will.

Like the turtle, the rose is an image with special significance in King's work, and it also ties back to the Dark Tower books and their central protagonist, Roland Deschain. The rose is a symbol of goodness and purity, though we definitely get a slightly creepy vibe from the shop in this series. If anything, we can't help but be reminded of Needful Things and its infamous shop of horrors.

For more on IT: Welcome to Derry, check out our review of the series premiere and see director Andy Muschietti break down the shocking ending to Episode 1.

Note: This article was originally published on 10/27/2025 and updated on 10/31/2025 with the latest information about IT: Welcome to Derry.

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.

Best Buy’s holiday sale event has officially begun. As detailed in an earlier announcement regarding Best Buy’s Black Friday schedule, the first event is the DoorBOOsters sale, which runs this weekend (October 31 - November 2). Best Buy is highlighting eight doorbusters in particular, within a variety of tech categories. We have a couple of TVs on sale, a Windows laptop for just $299.99, a pair of earbuds, and more.

Best Buy’s DoorBOOsters Deals Are Live

The LG B5 OLED 4K TV is a solid pickup at $529.99. It’s a bit on the smaller side at 48 inches, but that fits some rooms just fine. And while LG’s C5 series offers higher quality in terms of brightness and certain gaming features, the B5 series is no slouch. It’s a new 2025 TV, and this really is a terrific price, seeing as the MSRP is $1299.

Aside from that, you can grab a cheaper 40-inch QLED TV from TCL for just $99.99, or a Dyson V9 cordless vacuum to clean up before your holiday guests arrive. Ring doorbeels are on sale, as is an ultra-widescreen 49-inch Samsung Odyssey gaming monitor.

Best Buy Black Friday Schedule

Even if none of these deals appeals to you, you won’t have to wait long for more money-saving opportunities, as this is just the tip of the Black Friday season iceberg. Best Buy will be offering more doorbusters each Friday through Black Friday, with other items on sale throughout the month of November. The official Best Buy Black Friday sale runs November 20 - 29, followed by the “Cyber Sunday & Monday” sale November 30 and December 1.

And if you don’t get all your shopping done then, Best Buy is kicking off a “Last-Minute Savings” promotion that runs December 15 - 24. But do yourself a favor and try to get most of your gifts purchased before then. That’s around the time when brick-and-mortar stores are uncomfortably crowded and shipped items arriving before Christmas starts to become a dicy proposition.

For more, check out when to expect Black Friday sales at all the big retailers.

Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky.