5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

By Andie Hagemann

Spoooooky Disney Channel Original Movies will haunt your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this weekend! From peculiar events threatening a movie premiere to dynamic duos of witches testing their powers (and limits), we present five beloved DCOMs to binge on Disney+…

From left to right, actors Tamera Mowry-Housley and Tia Mowry face each other and touch fingertips. Mowry-Housley wears a pink tube top with a white pattern and silver necklace with a sun pendant. Mowry wears a purple headscarf and light blue blouse. She wears a silver necklace with a moon pendant. They stand inside a bedroom with pastel curtains covering the window behind them.

Twitches—Available on Disney+

Twin witches Alex Fielding (Tia Mowry) and Camryn Barnes (Tamera Mowry-Housley) are separated at birth and adopted by two different families. But on their 21st birthday, Alex and Camryn are reunited and quickly discover their unusual powers double in strength when they work together. Patrick Fabian stars as Thantos, with Kristen Wilson as Miranda, Jackie Rosenbaum as Beth, Arnold Pinnock as David Barnes, and Karen Holness as Emily Barnes.

From left to right, actors Ty Hodges, Rachel Kimsey, and Erin Chambers look on with surprised facial expressions. Hodges covers his over mouth with the back of his right hand. He wears a light brown button-down shirt, brown pants with brown leather chaps, suspenders, a brown belt, and a holster. Kimsey wears a red three-piece suit adorned with a floral pattern and frilly sleeves. Chambers wears a royal blue button-down blouse with a small floral pattern. Kimsey and Chambers each hold up their right pointer finger. They all stand in a whimsically decorated bedroom with white flowy curtains, posters, and dangling paper butterflies.

Don’t Look Under the Bed—Available on Disney+

Frances Bacon McCausland (Erin Chambers) refuses to believe in the supernatural—until she’s confronted with the Boogeyman (Steve Valentine) who resides under her bed! When strange occurrences plague her neighborhood and school, all signs point to Frances as the culprit. She turns to her younger brother’s imaginary friend, Larry Houdini (Ty Hodges), for help as she tries to make sense of the paranormal incidences. Rachel Kimsey stars as Zoe, with Robin Riker as Karen McCausland, and Stephen Tabolowsky as Michael McCausland.

Left side of the frame reads, “Disney Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire.” Actor Caroline Rhea stands with her right hand on her hip. Rhea wears a black dress, black earrings, and a black necklace with a large pendant. Behind her are Matt O’Leary, Laura Vandervoort, and Myles Jeffrey. O’Leary wears a red T-shirt. Vandervoort wears a white T-shirt with a pink floral pattern. Jeffrey wears an orange, red, and green plaid shirt, yellow T-shirt, and black bicycle helmet. Spanning most of the frame is a man’s mouth agape with vampire teeth.

Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire—Available on Disney+

Adam Hansen (Matt O’Leary) has tickets to his favorite band’s concert while his older sister, Chelsea (Laura Vandervoort) is eager for a romantic date with her boyfriend. The problem? Both siblings are grounded. But Adam and Chelsea hatch a plan to get their mother Lynette (Caroline Rhea) out of the house and set her up with a mysterious man named Dimitri (Charles Shaughnessy). However, things go awry when their younger brother, Taylor (Myles Jeffrey), suspects their mom’s date is out for blood. The movie also stars Robert Carradine as Malachi Van Helsing and Patrick Gallagher as Bone.

Actors Tyler Handley, Caitlin Wachs, and Jacob Smith stand back-to-back. They are wrapped with a large black film strip. Behind them is a large movie theater marquee reading “Premiere Tonight” on each side. The opposite side reads “Disney Phantom of the Megaplex” in black writing and highlighted in neon green.

Phantom of the Megaplex—Available on Disney+

After 17-year-old Pete Riley (Taylor Handley) lands a part-time job at the local movie theater, he’s delighted to find out that the theater will play host to the premiere of a major motion picture complete with Hollywood stars. However, when the big night arrives, Pete must contend with disappearing staff, malfunctioning equipment, and a broken popcorn machine. Can Pete halt the eerie occurrences so the premiere can go off without a hitch? Mickey Rooney stars as Movie Mason, with Caitlin Wachs as Karen Riley, Corinne Bohrer as Julie Riley, and Jacob Smith as Brian Riley.

A skeleton sits in the driver’s seat of a vintage yellow cab. It wears a yellow hat and dark blue Member’s Only jacket. Seated in the backseat are actors Joey Zimmerman and Sara Paxton. Zimmerman wears a white-striped cardinal polo shirt over a white T-shirt. Paxton wears a blue denim jean jacket with an orange scarf wrapped around her neck. Zimmerman and Paxton both look to the left with the window rolled down.

 Return to Halloweentown—Available on Disney+

The witch is back! The last entry in the Halloweentown franchise follows Marnie (Sara Paxton) and Dylan Piper (Joey Zimmerman) as they chase their dreams at Halloweentown University—aka Witch University. Marnie is reunited with her best friend, Aneesa (Summer Bishil), who is also a student at Witch U, and the bewitching duo soon find themselves in plenty of mischief and mayhem as they navigate college life. The movie also stars Debbie Reynolds as Agatha Cromwell, Lucas Grabeel as Ethan Dalloway, Millicent Martin as Professor Persimmon Periwinkle, and Judith Hoag as Gwen Cromwell Piper.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Stars Receive a Royal Welcome at the Film’s World Premiere

By Zach Johnson

Talk about a royal reception!

Marvel Studios rolled out the purple carpet in Hollywood Wednesday night to celebrate the world premiere of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Stars Letitia Wright (Shuri), Lupita Nyong’o (War Dog Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Winston Duke (M’Baku), Angela Bassett (Queen Ramonda), Tenoch Huerta Mejía (Namor), Dominique Thorne (Riri Williams), Michaela Coel (Aneka), Alex Livinalli (Attuma), and Mabel Cadena (Namora) attended the event alongside writer and director Ryan Coogler; producers Kevin Feige and Nate Moore; executive producers Victoria Alonso and Louis D’Esposito; composer Ludwig Göransson; and global music superstar Rihanna, who performs “Lift Me Up,” the lead single from the film’s official soundtrack.

“This is a special moment to be coming back to this film [franchise] and to be doing so without [Disney Legend] Chadwick Boseman,” Nyong’o told reporters on the purple carpet. “We very much made this film in his honor and with him in mind, and we carry him with us. It feels special to be back, and I’m very ready to share this with the world. Hopefully, it is received with the same amount of love and generosity we made it with.”

Echoing Nyong’o’s sentiment, Wright said, “It feels like a true honor. It feels like an opportunity for us as a family to just come together and make something that’s really, really beautiful. I’m just incredibly proud of the whole team—the whole cast and crew.”

Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) stars including Xochitl Gomez, Jameela Jamil, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Simu Liu, Kumail Nanjiani, Kathryn Newton, Regé-Jean Page, and Tessa Thompson also attended the world premiere, making them among the first to see the sequel before it opens in theaters on Friday, November 11.

Until then, enjoy more photos from the world premiere:

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!

As a member of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, you know your magic! This week we’re putting your skel-tacular knowledge to the test to see if you are the ultimate Disney fan.

The Silly Symphony cartoon The Skeleton Dance features how many dancing skeletons?

Correct! Wrong!

The Skeleton Dance features four dancing skeletons!

Are You a Disney Expert? Try This Week’s Trivia Challenge!
You are the ultimate Disney fan!
Looks like you are a Disney expert! Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge. We’ll see you next week for your chance to uphold your title as the ultimate Disney fan!
Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!
Thank you for participating in this week’s Trivia Challenge! These questions are tricky, so don’t stop swimming yet. We’ll see you next week for your chance to earn the title of the ultimate Disney fan!

Disney Collect! by Topps – Villains Week

By Sarah Sterling

Disney Villains have invaded Disney Collect! by Topps for five fiendish days of collectable fun, celebrating some of these wonderfully wicked characters in preparation of Halloween! Villains Week began Monday, October 24, and continues through Friday, October 28—with special releases, new avatars, and more!

Three Hocus Pocus themed cards sitting in a row. The one on the far left is a deep green color with animated versions of the new teenager trio from Hocus Pocus 2. Behind them is text that reads “Be Your Own Kind of Magic.” In the middle is a card featuring animated Winnie, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson against a lime green background, with a looming full moon above them. Below the sisters is a purple banner that reads “The Sanderson Sisters.” On the right is a beige-colored card featuring the Sandersons holding their hands up to the sky; below them is a black banner that reads “Amuck! Amuck! Amuck!”

  • 10/23 – Hocus Pocus 2 Collection
    • The Sanderson Sisters have returned to Disney Collect!

A set of five character cards featuring different Disney Villains. In order from left to right are Gaston, Lady Tremaine, Mother Gothel, Maleficent, and Jafar.

  • 10/24 – Disney Villains Collection 2022
    • This comprehensive collection highlights Disney Villains from decades of classic animated films and includes special Motion Cards!

Grungy, editorial posters featuring three Disney Villains. On the left is a black and white poster featuring Scar that reads “Long Live the King.” In the middle is a hot pink version of the Evil Queen from Snow White that reads “You know the penalty if you fail.” On the right is Cruella de Vil colored in red and black against a yellow background with text that says, “Absolutely beastly.” 

  • 10/25 – Vogue Villains
    • To become an iconic Disney Villain, it’s not good enough to just be bad. One must also be bold and ambitious with an unforgettable sense of flair: qualities emphasized in the stylish “Vogue Villains” Collection in Disney Collect! by Topps®. 

Four graffiti type posters featuring Hades, the Evil Queen’s poison apple, a trio of Cruella, Maleficent, and Ursula, and Jafar’s snake staff.

  • 10/26 – Sinister Street Art Collection
    • The Disney Villains put a new twist on the phrase “mean streets” in this collection of vibrant, modern artwork!

Four cards in a row. Far left is green and reads “Wreaking Havoc.” Next is a purple and yellow image of Scar jumping towards the viewer and it reads “Unleashed Fury.” Next is a purple, red, and blue card with a white outline of Cruella De Vil. And on the far right is a very retro pink and green image of the Evil Queen that reads “Queen of the Dark Arts.”

  • 10/27 – Throwback Thursday – Faces of Evil
    • Throwback Thursday brings the chance to collect previously released cards, sometimes with new twists! Be sure to check back to see which Sets are featured this week!

Stylized cards featuring King Candy, the Old Hag, Captain Hook, and Scar.

  • 10/28 – Villainous Visions Collection
    • Collect an array of cards featuring captivating portrayals of your favorite Disney Villains in this exciting Collection!

Start building your evil collection now by downloading Disney Collect! by Topps free in the App Store or Google Play.

Rihanna to Perform Original Song “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Soundtrack

Global icon Rihanna makes her highly anticipated return to the airwaves on Friday, October 28, with “Lift Me Up,” the lead single from the upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever original soundtrack.

“Lift Me Up” was written by Rihanna, Tems, Ludwig Göransson, and Ryan Coogler as a tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of late Disney Legend Chadwick Boseman. The song was recorded in five countries and produced by Göransson. The song will be released via Rihanna’s own Westbury Road label in partnership with Roc Nation, Def Jam Recordings, and Hollywood Records.

“After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life,” said Tems. “I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them. Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor.”

In Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena, and Alex Livinalli.

Coogler returns as director, with Kevin Feige and Nate Moore serving as producers.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premieres in U.S. theaters on Friday, November 11, 2022.

The soundtrack, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By, will be available on Friday, November 4. Coogler, Göransson, Archie Davis, and Dave Jordan serve as the producers. The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Original Score, composed and produced by Göransson, will be available on Friday, November 11, from Hollywood Records.

New Episodes of Doctor Who Hit Disney+ in 2023

By Sarah Sterling

Allons-y! This morning on ABC’s Live with Kelly and Ryan, actor Ncuti Gatwa (the next regeneration of The Doctor) announced that new seasons of the hit BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who will soon be available to stream on Disney+, making it the exclusive home for the show outside of the UK and Ireland! Showrunner Russell T. Davies is set to return to Doctor Who and new episodes will premiere on the BBC and Disney+ in late 2023—marking a new and exciting collaboration between the BBC and Disney Branded Television. “I love this show, and this is the best of both worlds—with the vision and joy of the BBC and Disney+ together we can launch the TARDIS all around the planet,” says Davies,” reaching a new generation of fans while keeping our traditional home firmly on the BBC in the UK.”

Doctor Who first debuted in 1963 and follows the time-traveling escapades of The Doctor, an alien who wanders the universe in a spaceship (the TARDIS, which resembles a blue British police box) and who regenerates periodically—adopting a completely new appearance... and ushering in a new actor to play The Doctor each time that happens. Alisa Bowen, President of Disney+ explains, “We're excited by the opportunity to bring new seasons of this beloved franchise exclusively to Disney+ and introduce the show to the next generation of audiences in more than 150 markets around the world. The series is a perfect addition to our ever-growing catalog of global content that continues to make Disney+ the home for exceptional storytelling.”

Doctor Who will celebrate 60 years of adventure in November 2023 with three specials featuring fan favorite David Tennant returning as The Doctor, before Gatwa takes over the role as the fifteenth Doctor. The BBC will continue to be Doctor Who’s exclusive home in the UK, with new episodes debuting on Disney+ in late 2023 for viewers outside of the UK and Ireland. Keep an eye on D23.com for future developments on Doctor Who—and all your favorite Disney shows and movies!

The Purr-fect Disney Group Costumes to Include Your Pets

By Jocelyn Buhlman

Do you feel a chill in the air? A ghostly presence wandering through your halls? The sudden urge to dress up as a pirate, princess, or Super Hero? That can only mean one thing: Halloween is almost here! During the Halloween season, many of us love dressing up as our favorite Disney characters—and there’s nothing like putting together an awesome group costume with all your pals. Often, however, you must leave out your four-legged friends… until now! We’ve brewed up a list of Disney group costumes where your pet can join in the fun. From dogs to frogs, check out these Disney costumes that include your pets:

Dogs

Pluto, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy wear their classic outfits and run towards the camera. Most of the group wear excited expressions, except for Donald, who appears concerned, and Goofy, who is mid-fall.

 

Mickey and Friends
When it comes to Disney group costumes, there’s nothing better than the classics! Mickey and his friends are cute and easy costumes to put together for a group—and all you need to include your darling dog is a green collar! Plan around your pup portraying Pluto and let the rest of your pals pick from Mickey’s two-legged friends and you’ll be an iconic group, whether you’re going to a pet-friendly Halloween party or hanging at home to watch Hocus Pocus.

In a still from The Princess and the Frog, Stella, a brown basset hound dressed in a Roman solider costume, sits on her hind legs beside a table full of beignets. Tina stands at the table holding a beignet with some tongs, prepared to throw the treat for Stella to fetch.

The Princess and the Frog
Take your Disney group costume to the next level by dressing up as The Princess and the Frog characters, all dolled up for Charlotte’s costume party! From Tiana’s dazzling blue dress to Charlotte’s big ballgown, you and your friends will be a glamourous bunch! And the best part? Your dog can join in the fun by dressing up as Stella, the La Bouffs’ sweet basset hound. At the party, Stella gets her own costume as a Roman solider, which means your fuzzy friend won’t be left out of the costume celebrations!

Three pirates from the Disneyland attraction Pirates of the Caribbean stand behind jail cell bars, all motioning or whistling towards a dog. The dog stands outside of the cell with the jail keys in its mouth.

Pirates of the Caribbean
If your crew of rascals and scoundrels and really bad eggs includes your four-legged friends, raise anchor and set sail to your costume party as the iconic Disney Parks’ Pirates of the Caribbean pirates! Once you’re done rounding up bandanas and eye patches and a striped shirt or two, head to the pet store for a key ring chew toy and your dog can be the star of the show! The dog with the keys is a fan-favorite character from the attraction, and an easy way for your pet to join in your Halloween high-seas adventures.

In a still from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Zero, a dog styled like a white “sheet ghost,” floats above his gravestone, which is stylized as a doghouse labelled with his name and a dog skull on the front door.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
The king of Halloween Town and his creepy cute friends make a great group costume—but once you find the Sally to your Jack, make sure you include Jack’s great ghost dog! Whether you have a white dog already or a pup who can pose in a sheet, your dog will fit right in with your group by dressing up as Zero, Jack Skellington’s beloved pup phantom.

Cats

Alice in Wonderland
The characters of Alice in Wonderland are another classic costume crew, with plentiful opportunities for both your human and pet pals to dress up! While we recommend taking a “paws” to include the cats in your life as Dinah or the Cheshire Cat, rabbit owners can join in the fun by literally following the white rabbit or including the March Hare in their Halloween unbirthday celebration.

Lightyear
Take your group costume to infinity and beyond by donning the Space Ranger uniforms perfect for saving the galaxy. If you’ve got an orange cat, they can join in your intergalactic mission with their own uniform: a blue collar! While your galactic gato might not be able to talk like Sox can, they’ll still fit in purr-fectly with your group costume.

Dani from the film Hocus Pocus holds Binx, a black cat, in her arms. They are both facing the camera and looking at the viewer.

Hocus Pocus
With the debut of Hocus Pocus 2, you now have TWO movies’ worth of characters to build out the perfect group costume. Transform into a witch or a zombie—or even that cool skeleton singer—and when your pet black cat crosses your path, you’ll be in luck! Your friendly feline won’t need anything extra for this costume; just their dark fur and spunky attitude! Your group will be putting a spell on everyone in no time. 

Mochi, the Hamada family cat from Big Hero 6, grumpily poses in a Stitch Halloween costume.

Big Hero 6
On a mission for a super group costume? If you’ve got up to six people prepared to coordinate, you can save San Fransokyo as the Big Hero 6 crew—and your cat can come along, too! Ideally, this role is fit for a calico cat, but if you have a Stitch pet costume handy, any cat can dress up as the beloved photo of Mochi that hangs in the Hamada household.

Other pets 

In a still from the series Moon Knight, Steven Grant stares into his fish tank at a goldfish. The camera is positioned in front of the fish tank, so that viewers see Steven looking through from the glass on the other side.

Moon Knight
Besides being full of fun potential outfits (if you’ve got a white suit, you’re two-thirds of the way to a Mr. Knight costume already!), doing a Moon Knight group costume provides a rare opportunity to let your fishy friends join in the fun—after all, no Steven Grant costume is complete without his beloved pet fish, Gus! And thankfully, no costume is needed for your fish; just grab your crew and gather around the fish tank for the perfect Halloween photo.

Meet the Robinsons
For those of us with more amphibious allies, look no further than the fan-favorite animated film Meet the Robinsons. There’s a treasure trove of fun costumes for humans—and if one of your group dresses as Franny, you’ll have the perfect pairing for her: Frankie the Frog! Yes, it probably isn’t the best idea to try to fit your frog into a tuxedo like Frankie wears in the film, but they’ll probably hold still long enough to wear a bowler hat for a photo!

In a still from Cinderella, Gus, a mouse in a green hat and yellow shirt, and Jaq, a mouse in a red hat and orange shirt, peer out of a white and gold teacup.

Cinderella
This group costume won’t turn into a pumpkin at midnight, and as a bonus, your rodent pets can join in the fun. Cinderella famously befriended a variety of mice, from Jaq and Gus to Pearla and Suzie—so pick the mousey modes that fit your pets the best and prepare for the most adorable Halloween photo fit for a princess!

‘Tis the Season for Festive Holiday Programming on ABC

By Andie Hagemann

ABC announced its holiday programming today in anticipation of the most wonderful time of the year, offering a lineup filled with merriment, beloved classics, and uplifting new specials.

Two dazzling specials featuring some of the biggest names in music will bring melodies in December: A Very Backstreet Christmas celebrates the holidays with The Backstreet Boys, and Finding Harmony is an uplifting story featuring EGOT winner John Legend and David Brown, founder of the Columbus-based Harmony Project in Ohio. Disney will also kick off its 100th anniversary celebration during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2023.

Additional highlights include Disney’s new stop-motion holiday special, Mickey Saves Christmas; the return of CMA Country Christmas from Nashville; holiday-themed episodes of ABC’s favorite comedies and game shows; and Wonderful World of Disney movies that families can enjoy, including a special airing of Home Alone on Christmas Eve. ABC News is also set to air Love Actually: 20 Years Later – A Diane Sawyer/ABC News Special and The Year: 2022. A magical new season of The Great Christmas Light Fight also returns, along with news of a Season 11 pickup for 2023.

Additional movies, musicals, and specials round out the holiday season on ABC. Airdates are as follows (all times listed are Eastern/Pacific unless otherwise noted).

Wednesday, November 16
8-8:30 p.m. — The Conners (New Thanksgiving-Themed Episode)
8:30-9 p.m. — The Goldbergs (New Thanksgiving-Themed Episode)
9:31-10 p.m. — Home Economics (New Thanksgiving-Themed Episode)

Tuesday, November 22
10-11 p.m. — The Rookie: Feds (New Thanksgiving-Themed Episode)

Key art for Mickey Saves Christmas. Donald, Daisy, Minnie, Mickey, and Goofy sit in a large red sleigh. Pluto pulls the sleigh as it flies high above a snowy village.

Sunday, November 27
7-7:30 p.m. — Mickey Saves Christmas (New)
7:30-8 p.m. — Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
8-10 p.m. — The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration (New)

Monday, November 28
8-10 p.m. — The Great Christmas Light Fight (Season Premiere)

Tuesday, November 29
8-9 p.m. — Love Actually: 20 Years Later – A Diane Sawyer/ABC News Special (New)

Thursday, December 1
8-9 p.m. — Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
9 p.m. — CMA Country Christmas (New)

Monday, December 5
8-10 p.m. — The Great Christmas Light Fight (New)

Tuesday, December 6
8-9 p.m. — Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (New Holiday-Themed Episode)
9-10 p.m. — Press Your Luck (New Holiday-Themed Episode)
10-11 p.m. — The $100,000 Pyramid (New Holiday-Themed Episode)

Wednesday, December 7
8-8:30 p.m. — The Conners (New Holiday-Themed Episode)
8:30-9p.m. — The Goldbergs (New Holiday-Themed Episode)
9-9:31 p.m. — Abbott Elementary (New Holiday-Themed Episode)
9:31-10 p.m. — Home Economics (New Holiday-Themed Episode)

Thursday, December 8
8-10:01 p.m. — The Wonderful World of Disney: Frozen 2 (Broadcast Premiere)

Host Carter Oosterhouse wears a navy blue sweater with black pants. Behind him is a yard covered in lighted Christmas decorations

Monday, December 12
8-10 p.m. — The Great Christmas Light Fight (Season Finale)

Tuesday, December 13
8-8:30 p.m. — Mickey Saves Christmas
8:30-9 p.m. — Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
9-9:30 p.m. — Disney Prep & Landing
9:30-10 p.m. — Disney Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice

Wednesday, December 14
8-9 p.m. — A Very Backstreet Holiday (New)
10-11 p.m. — Finding Harmony (New)

Tuesday, December 20
8-9 p.m. — Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
9-9:30 p.m. — Toy Story That Time Forgot
9:30-10 p.m. — Shrek the Halls

Saturday, December 24
8 p.m. — The Wonderful World of Disney: Home Alone

Sunday, December 25
10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET/7-9 a.m. PT — Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade (New)

Monday, December 26
9-11 p.m. — The Year: 2022 (New)

Saturday, December 31
8-10 p.m. — Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2023 (New)
10-10:30 p.m. — Local Programming
10:30 p.m.-2:13 a.m. — Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2023 (New)

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

By Andie Hagemann

From spooky Halloween specials to the return of a mysterious series, you won’t want to miss all the spectacular content coming to your TV (and assorted streaming devices) this week! Beginning Tuesday, Searchlight Pictures’ The French Dispatch will be available to stream on Hulu, and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children airs that same day on Freeform as part of the network’s “31 Nights of Halloween”celebration. The second season of The Mysterious Benedict Society kicks off with a two-episode premiere on Disney+ Wednesday, and ABC’s Home Economics airs a new episode that night. Plus, trouble is afoot at a Halloween celebration in a new episode of Station 19, airing Thursday on ABC.

Two men look at each other and face a large bulletin board. The man standing of the left wears a yellow button-down shirt with a brown vest and brown pants. The man standing on the right wears a white button-down shirt with a black vest and black pants. He wears a white apron around his waist and holds a yellow tray in his right arm. The bulletin reads “ISSUE-IN-PROGRESS” at the top with colorful notecards and pieces of paper on the board.

The French Dispatch—Tuesday, October 25, on Hulu

This film—directed by Wes Anderson and intended only for mature audiences—brings to life a collection of stories from the final issue of an American magazine published in a fictional 20th-century French city. Starring Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Owen Wilson, and more, the aesthetically pleasing film debuts on the streaming service for the first time.

Actor Eva Green portrays Miss Peregrine. She wears a black leather coat and holds a wooden bow and arrow. Behind her is a bright blue sky and lush foliage with yellow flowers.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children—Tuesday, October 25, at 12 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform

Based on the novel of the same name by Ransom Riggs, the live-action film centers around children with unusual talents. Jake (Asa Butterfield) follows clues left by his beloved grandfather that lead to a mystery spanning different worlds and times. He finds Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Childre,n where he learns more about the residents and their special powers. Ultimately, Jake discovers that his own talent can save his new friends. The film’s star-studded cast includes Eva Green, Samuel L. Jackson, Judi Dench, Allison Janney, and more!

Actors Mystic Inscho, Emmy DeOliveira, Marta Kessler, and Seth B. Carr sit on a mustard couch and each hold open books. Behind them are tables and furniture with stacks of books and knickknacks. A red bucket sits at the edge of the couch in front of DeOliveira.

The Mysterious Benedict Society—Wednesday, October 26, on Disney+

Season two debuts with not just one but two episodes! In the season premiere, the children— Reynie (Mystic Inscho), Kate (Emmy DeOliveira), Constance (Marta Kessler), and “Sticky” (Seth B. Carr)—are invited by Mr. Benedict (Tony Hale) to reunite on a scavenger hunt across Europe. When they arrive, however, they’re met with unsettling news: Mr. Benedict and Number Two (Kristen Schaal) have gone missing. Despite being told it’s too dangerous, the kids want to help find their lost comrades and decide to sneak away and start the search on their own. And in Episode 2, the kids must try to blend in and find the next clue as stowaways aboard a majestic ship. Hot on their tail, Rhonda (MaameYaa Boafo), Milligan (Ryan Hurst), and Ms. Perumal (Gia Sandhu) board a dirigible to catch up to them. Mr. Benedict and Number Two cannot hide their distrust from the eerily calm Curtain (Hale) after observing the unnervingly joyful behavior of his devotees and discovering that he is using neurological techniques to create artificial happiness. Back at sea, the water polo team sneaks suspiciously towards the kids’ stateroom…

Actors Jimmy Tatro and Karla Souza stand side by side and look at a person wearing a black cloak and white mask. Tatro wears a gray jacket, a black T-shirt, and dark blue jeans. Souza wears a light pink sweater and a floral-print shirt with a brown skirt and a maroon purse. Tall bookshelves are seen behind them along with black folding chairs. Other people are seen in the distance near the bookshelf.

Home Economics—Wednesday, October 26, at 9:31 p.m. ET/PT on ABC

It’s Halloween and everyone is on edge! Tom (Topher Grace) fears nobody will attend his in-person book reading—except for his No. 1 fan. While the family presumes her to be a stalker, the mysterious woman turns out to be something even more shocking.

Actor Danielle Savre stands adjacent to a large red firetruck. She wears a red firefighter hat that reads “Lieutenant 19 Seattle” with navy blue uniform shirt and black slacks with black suspenders. Additional firefighters are seen in the background.

Station 19—Thursday, October 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC

Maya (Danielle Savre) and Theo (Carlos Miranda) answer a call at a Halloween carnival, but when fire hits the corn maze, the dangers escalate. Maya, eager to prove her worth to her captain, risks her own life after things go awry. Meanwhile, as Station 19 hosts the neighborhood kids for trick-or-treating, a prank war breaks out in the house. And Jack (Grey Damon) is haunted by a ghost from his past.

Spooky Season Reads for Halloween and Beyond

October is spooky season and Disney Publishing Worldwide is never in short supply of spine-chilling reads! Take a look at these great titles to satisfy your craving for the otherworldly.

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen – Shea Ernshaw

Have you ever wondered what happened after Jack and Sally tied the knot? In Shea Ernshaw’s instant  No. 1 New York Times bestseller, newly minted Pumpkin Queen, Sally Skellington, accidentally uncovers a long-hidden doorway to an ancient realm called Dream Town. By doing so, she unknowingly sets into motion a chain of sinister events that put her future as Pumpkin Queen, and the future of Halloween Town itself, in jeopardy. Can Sally discover what it means to be true to herself and save the town she’s learned to call home, or will her future turn into her worst…well, nightmare?

Ravenous Things – Derrick Chow

For middle grade readers looking to escape into a creepy story, Ravenous Things reenvisions the tale of the Pied Piper. Twelve-year-old Reggie Wong is still grieving the passing of his father when a strange man promises to reunite the two if Reggie only follows him deep into an underground subway system where horrors worse than Reggie ever imagined lurk around every corner. Climb aboard the midnight train! Things wondrous and terrible await you…

Hocus Pocus: The Illustrated Novelization – A.W. Jantha

Hocus Pocus is a Halloween favorite for many since it debuted in the summer of 1993 and the New York Times bestseller, Hocus Pocus: The Illustrated Novelization does not disappoint! Containing beautiful illustrations that showcase beloved moments from the film in a gothic and whimsical art style, this deluxe retelling of the cult classic movie is the perfect gift for Hocus Pocus fans and collectors.

Big Bad – Lily Anderson

Speaking of things we loved in the 90’s, Buffy is back! Lily Anderson effortlessly throws us back into the world of our favorite Vampire Slayer in her new book, Big Bad. In this dark, rompy adult novel the most beloved Buffy villains, including Anya, Angelus, Spike, Drusilla, and even Ripper the malevolent magic shop owner must team up to stop the Slayer from ending their evil universe!

Malice House – Megan Shepherd

Finally, don’t sleep on Malice House from New York Times best-selling YA author, Megan Shepherd. In her first adult novel, Shepherd weaves a complex tale of dark magic and family secrets. Of all the things aspiring artist Haven Marbury expected to find while clearing out her late father’s remote seaside house, Bedtime Stories for Monsters was not on the list. This secret handwritten manuscript is disturbingly different from his Pulitzer-winning works: its interweaving short stories crawl with horrific monsters and enigmatic humans that exist somewhere between this world and the next. The stories unsettle but also entice Haven, practically compelling her to illustrate them while she stays in the house that her father warned her was haunted. She assumed his dementia was causing him to believe the house was haunted, but when a monstrous creature appears under Haven’s bed right as grisly deaths are reported in the nearby woods, she must race to uncover dark, otherworldly family secrets—completely rewriting everything she ever knew about herself in the process.