October usually offers viewers a horror movie or two, and this year is no exception. But the 2008 releases also include comedy, romance, action, drama, music and fantasy. Check out the schedule below.

OCTOBER 3:

Beverly Hills Chihuahua.  Drew Barrymore provides the voice of Chloe, a ritzy Chihuahua who gets lost during a vacation in Mexico. No Lassie Come Home, of course, but I’m a sucker for films about dogs, so bring it on! 

Blindness. When an epidemic of blindness takes over a city, a doctor's wife seems immune and may be the only one who can help. Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo co-star.  

How To Lose Friends and Alienate People. Simon Pegg portrays a British writer who’s a bit schizophrenic about the world of celebrity, glitz and glamour. When he tries to fit in at a snooty New York magazine, the fun begins.   

Flash of Genius. Ever wonder who invented the intermittent windshield wiper? This drama starring Greg Kinnear tells the story of Richard Kearns and his struggle against the automakers who stole his invention.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Characters played by Michael Cera and Kat Dennings share a Manhattan night to remember in this new teen comedy.    

An American Carol. Kevin Farley portrays an anti-American filmmaker attempting to abolish the 4th of July holiday, but he just might change his mind after three ghosts visit him. Think Charles Dickens meets Michael Moore.   

OCTOBER 10:

City of Ember. In this fantasy adventure, people living in a city of glittering lights must find out the mystery of those lights when they start to flicker -- or find a way to escape  before all the lights go out. Tim Robbins, Bill Murray, Saoirse Ronan and Martin Landau are among the film’s intriguing cast.      

Quarantine. An unknown infection causes the quarantine of residents in an apartment building, but the only evidence of the bloody happening is a news crew’s videotape. Yikes! Has the Blair Witch returned to create more mayhem? 

The Express. Rob Brown plays Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman trophy. Based on a true story, this sports drama also stars Dennis Quaid.

RockNRolla. Every shady character wants to get in on a big London real estate scam in this Guy Ritchie action offering. Gerard Butler plays a starring role, and that’s all I need to put a movie on my must-see list.  

Body of Lies. Hooray -- a Ridley Scott thriller co-starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio!  With its story about CIA covert operations, terrorists, and culture clashes, this movie should be a suspenseful and exciting one.     

OCTOBER 17:

Max Payne. Mark Wahlberg is the title character, a DEA agent trying to solve a series of murders in New York City. Other members of this action film’s cast include Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Ludracris, Chris O’Donnell and Donal Logue.

W. Oliver Stone’s version of George W. Bush’s life. Josh Brolin stars.    

Rachel Getting Married. Anne Hathaway takes on the role of an estranged daughter  returning home for her sister’s wedding, which shakes things up for the entire family. Cast also includes Debra Winger, Rosemarie DeWitt and Bill Irwin.   

The Secret Life of Bees.  This adventure drama tells the story of Lily Owens, played by Dakota Fanning, a 14-year-old haunted by her late mother’s memory. Joining Fanning in the fine cast are Jennifer Hudson, Paul Bettany, Alicia Keys and the great Queen Latifah.  

Sex Drive. Do we really need another road-trip comedy? This one stars Josh Zuckerman, James Marsden, Amanda Crew, Clark Duke and Seth Green.  

What Just Happened? Robert De Niro plays a fading Hollywood producer who has trouble getting his new movie made. Is it a comedy or a drama? Both.

OCTOBER 24:

High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Putting on a spirited spring musical is the way a group of enthusiastic seniors celebrate their high school graduation. Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Teasdale, Corbin Bleu, and Lucas Grabeel return for the big show.     

Changeling. Clint Eastwood directs Angelina Jolie in this dark mystery revolving around the return of a kidnapped son. Oscars, anyone?

Passengers. Survivors of a plane crash begin to disappear, much to the dismay of a grief counselor working with them. Busy Anne Hathaway stars here, along with Andre Braugher, Patrick Wilson, Dianne Wiest and David Morse.   

Pride and Glory. Police corruption takes center stage in this crime drama featuring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell, who portray brothers-in-law on different sides of the law.   

Saw V. Who will carry on the Jigsaw legacy? If you know, don’t tell -- or you’ll be horribly sorry.   

Synecdoche, New York. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Hope Davis, Catherine Keener, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Emily Watson – all in one movie together! Who cares what it’s about? Well, okay, it concerns a theater director and the women in his life.

OCTOBER 31:

The Haunting of Molly Hartley. A teenage girl (Haley Bennett) is haunted by visions and voices from her past. Which ones are fiction and which are fact?  And will the Devil come for her soul when she turns 18? 

Happy Halloween, moviegoers!

(Quarantine Poster. © 2008 Screen Gems. All Rights Reserved.)

Remember All Release Dates Are Subject To Change.