Apple TV’s October 2026 schedule features new films, returning series, and crime dramas. John Cena’s Matchbox The Movie arrived on October 9, while Small Prophets began streaming in supported regions on October 7. Later this month, Where’s Wanda? returns for season two, and Nocturne makes its debut. Apple has also revealed a first look at Prodigies, scheduled for February 2027.
Matchbox The Movieย premiered globally on Apple TV on October 9, 2026. Inspired by Mattel’s toy cars, the action-adventure film stars John Cena as Sean, an undercover CIA agent whose return to his hometown draws his childhood friends into an international mission. Directed by Sam Hargrave, the movie also features Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, and Teyonah Parris.
Apple TV added the six-episode British comedy Small Prophets on October 7, with the first two episodes released together. Created by Mackenzie Crook, the series follows Michael Sleep, played by Pearce Quigley, who experiments with magical spirits to learn what happened to his missing girlfriend. New episodes arrive every Wednesday through November 4. The October release excludes the UK, where the series previously aired on the BBC and is scheduled to reach Apple TV in 2027.
The movie lineup also includes Tenzing, a drama based on the story of climbers Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary. After opening in select theaters on October 9, the film is scheduled to stream on Apple TV on October 16. It stars Genden Phuntsok and Tom Hiddleston.
Earlier in the month, Apple TV released The Last First: Winter K2 on October 2. The documentary follows a dangerous 2021 mountaineering expedition involving climbers attempting a winter ascent of K2. The same day, season two of the animated family series The Sisters Grimm premiered.
The German-language dark comedy Where’s Wanda? returns for its second season on October 21. The new story follows the Klatt family as they try to clear their daughter Wanda after she is linked to a death. Apple plans to release one episode each Wednesday through December 9.
On October 30, Apple TV will debut Nocturne, a 10-episode crime thriller starring Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz, and Stephen Graham. Schreiber plays Jonah Lynn, a former soldier turned homicide detective who becomes involved in a dangerous serial killer investigation. The first two episodes are scheduled for October 30, followed by weekly releases through December 25.
Apple TV is also looking ahead to 2027. On October 9, the company shared its first look at Prodigies, a romantic comedy starring Will Sharpe and Ayo Edebiri as former child prodigies in a long-term relationship. The seven-episode series is set to premiere on February 10, 2027, with two episodes at launch and weekly releases through March 17.
The mix of action, international comedy, crime, and documentary programming reflects Apple’s effort to broaden its streaming lineup. New releases may help attract viewers and give current subscribers more to watch, although a wider catalog does not necessarily show how well the service is performing. TechBonafide has previously reported on the financial challenges facing Apple’s streaming service.
Subscribers can check release dates and episode availability in the Apple TV app. TechBonafide has previously covered the app’s watchlist and episode-schedule features, which help users keep track of upcoming content. Availability may vary by country, as the Small Prophets release demonstrates. With several titles already streaming and others arriving later in October, audiences have a mix of new releases to watch now and upcoming premieres to follow.
