It’s still September, but reminders of Halloween already loom around us -- especially at the multiplex, where Rob Zombie’s remake of John Carpenter’s classic Halloween is scaring up record-breaking business. Will any of the movies released next month come close to this success?

October offerings include two other eagerly-awaited horror flicks, 30 Days of Night and Saw IV. But the schedule also features romance, comedies, dramas, thrillers, action -- plus a fantasy adventure and a promising historical epic. Here’s the lineup (as of this writing): 

OCTOBER 5

The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising. Alexander Ludwig portrays young Will Stanton who finds out he’s the last of a group of immortal warriors dedicated to fighting the forces of darkness. This fantasy film is based on Susan Cooper’s acclaimed novel.

The Heartbreak Kid.  With Ben Stiller playing a man who falls for someone other than his wife while on his honeymoon, this romantic comedy should be a winner. It’s a remake of Elaine May’s popular 1972 film.     

Grace Is Gone.  In this dramatic movie starring John Cusack, a father takes his children on a road trip after learning his wife has been killed in Iraq. 

OCTOBER 12

We Own the Night.  A club manager played by Joaquin Phoenix interacts with gangsters, his cop brother and his father, who just happens to be the police chief. Mark Wahlberg and Robert Duvall are the brother and father, respectively. 

Elizabeth: The Golden Age. This is the movie I’m most looking forward to! Why? Because the marvelous Cate Blanchett stars again as Queen Elizabeth the First -- and I'm a sucker for historical epics.

Michael Clayton.  George Clooney takes on the role of a lawyer who discovers a conspiracy and struggles with his own conscience in this drama also starring Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton.

Why Did I Get Married? Tyler Perry strikes again. ‘Nuff said.

Sleuth.  This dark-comedy thriller co-starring Michael Caine and Jude Law is a remake of a 1972 movie that also starred Caine -- only this time he switches roles. After all, he’s older but wiser now.   

Lars and the Real Girl. Ryan Gosling’s character falls for a plastic doll in this VERY unusual love story. 

OCTOBER 19

30 Days of Night. Realistic vampires refuse to chill out in a horror movie with Josh Hartnett, Ben Foster and Melissa George. (I hope it doesn’t suck.)

The Comebacks.  A group of misfits -- guided by the worst football coach ever -- face the Lone Star Unbeatables in an extremely familiar sports comedy. David Koechner, Carl Weathers and Melora Hardin play key roles here.  

Reservation Road. Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Connelly, Mark Ruffalo and Mira Sorvino star in a drama about two emotionally scarred families.   

Gone Baby Gone. Two detectives search for a missing little girl in this film adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s novel.  The stellar cast includes Casey Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, John Ashton and Michelle Monaghan.

Rendition.  An unorthodox interrogation at a secret detention facility forms the trigger for this thriller starring Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep and Alan Arkin. Wow, what a great cast!

OCTOBER 26

Saw IV.  Is there no end to this horror franchise? I never thought Jigsaw would be around for another installment. Did you?  

Dan in Real Life. Steve Carell falls for his brother’s girlfriend in this romantic comedy. Dane Cook and Juliette Binoche also co-star.  

Run, Fat Boy, Run. It’s never too late for true love to triumph, right? Still, the obstacles faced by Simon Pegg’s character here might be too overwhelming. You see, he left his true love five years ago -- and now must try to win her back.    

Please remember that all release dates are subject to change.