The Best Movies You Can Only See in Miami in October

October is the perfect time for scary movies, but Miami’s cinema scene isn’t just offering thrills and chills this month. Miami Film Festival Gems is back to prime you for awards season with great films from around the world alongside soon-to-be hits from Hollywood. Meanwhile, a powerful documentary about the Everglades debuts at Coral Gables Art Cinema, and AV Club is diving into German Expressionism. Here are our picks for the best movies to see this month in Miami.

Mean Girls at Coral Gables Art Cinema

Dear millennials, we regret to inform you that it is once again October 3. Yes, Mean Girls is a year older — old enough to drink, in fact — and that means you are too. Do your bones ache at the very notion? Can you feel the cold hand of death on your shoulder? Are you still trying to make ‘fetch’ happen at the ripe old age of thirtysomething? For some of us, there’s nothing scarier than aging, so for the ultimate spooky season movie, you can confront the vicious and inexorable march of time and see the utterly quotable high school comedy classic at Coral Gables Art Cinema for its 21st anniversary. Because you’re not like a regular mom, you’re a cool mom. 10 p.m. Friday, October 3, at Coral Gables Art Cinema, 260 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables; 786-472-2249. Tickets cost $11.75 via gablescinema.com.

Hispanic Heritage Film Festival at the Koubek Center

Oolite Arts will host a film festival in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month at the Koubek Center in Little Havana. Opening with Rodrigo Alvarez Flores’ film Solo lo que nunca fui on Friday night, the program includes work from a wide array of filmmakers of Hispanic-American heritage, including Hansel Porras and Patricia Castañeda. With features and narrative short blocks that delve into Cuban exile stories, the LGBTQ+ experience, and even animation, there’s something for everyone. This is the second edition of the event, which debuted in 2024. Friday, October 3, through Sunday, October 5, at the Koubek Center, 2705 SW Third St., Miami; hispanicheritagefilmfestival.com. Tickets cost $12 to $60 via hhff2025.eventive.org. 

A Weekend With Udo Kier at Coral Gables Art Cinema

When Udo Kier comes on the screen, you know a movie is about to get more interesting. Appearing in more than 200 films for the likes of R.W. Fassbinder, Dario Argento, and Lars Von Trier, the German character actor is one of the most prolific screen presences in all of cinema. At 80 years old, he’s not going anywhere — he’s even set to appear in the hotly anticipated Brazilian thriller, The Secret Agent, later this year. He’ll also turn up in person at Coral Gables Art Cinema for an entire weekend of screenings. The lineup is as diverse as Kier’s storied career, including an art film from Von Trier (Medea), a double feature of cult horror (Blood of Dracula and Flesh for Frankenstein 3D), and a ‘90s Hollywood anti-classic (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective). Friday, October 10, through Sunday, October 12, at Coral Gables Art Cinema, 260 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables; 786-472-2249. Tickets cost $14 to $30 via gablescinema.com.

River of Grass Premiere at Coral Gables Art Cinema

Reinterpreting Marjorie Stoneman Douglas’ legendary book of the same name, local director Sasha Wortzel’s award-winning documentary River of Grass will have its premiere at Coral Gables Art Cinema with a weeklong engagement starting Friday, October 17. The film has become accidentally timely thanks to the hastily constructed Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center, the existence of which is in limbo, partly due to legal complaints from the Miccosukee Tribe. Betty Osceola, a tribal elder and a prominent figure in the protests against the camp, is featured in the film. Wortzel and Osceola will attend the Friday and Saturday screenings for post-film Q&As. Friday, October 17, through Wednesday, October 22, at Coral Gables Art Cinema, 260 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables; 786-472-2249. Tickets cost $17.75 via gablescinema.com.

AV Club: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari at Main Library

AV Club begins a series this month on the weird, wonderful, and deeply influential German Expressionism movement, starting with a screening of the 1920 classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, directed by Robert Wiene. 
Our Take: If you’ve ever wondered why Tim Burton’s movies look all crooked and gothic, you’ve got Dr. Cagliari to thank for it. Robert Wiene and his art directors drew upon the then-nascent Expressionist art movement — which aimed to depict a subjective and emotional view of the world as a reaction to traditional realism — to craft the film’s distorted and disturbing look. The result is a piece of art that feels like a descent into madness. 2 p.m. Saturday, October 25, at Main Library, 101 W. Flagler St., Miami; 305-375-2665; mdpls.org. Admission is free. 

Miami Film Festival’s Gems

While the official lineup has not yet been released, the Miami Film Festival crew has once again scoured the globe to find the most interesting and noteworthy movies of the fall season. They’re also bringing in some major star power, with Ethan Hawke swinging by to receive Variety‘s Virtuoso Award and Dylan O’Brien earning the Vanguard Award. This is the biggest cinematic event happening this season in Miami. Wednesday, October 29, through Wednesday, November 5, various locations; miamifilmfestival.com.