What makes you feel better during the colder months? If the answer includes cats, spooky TV, 90s video games or more cats, we've got good news.
The Louvre-Lens in France has become an explosion of pastel pink cuteness for its latest exhibition, which celebrates all things wide-eyed, fluffy and glittery. It's ideal for families and the perfect antidote to any October gloom.
Meanwhile, Irish rockers Fontaines D.C. have created a sonic mood board for their fifth studio album 'Dopamine Chamber', which swirls with synths, psychedelia and the sudden urge to disappear on a dance floor.
For those looking to embrace Halloween's approach, look no further than the new Friday the 13th TV adaptation, Crystal Lake. But if campy kung fu and martial arts are more your thing? Street Fighter, based on the legendary arcade game franchise, is about to "hadoken" onto the big screen.
Keep scrolling to find out more about what's coming up this week.
Exhibitions and events
So Cute! The Art of Happiness
When: Until 18 January 2027
Where: Louvre-Lens (Lens, France)
In a world that can often feel overwhelmingly scary, we've never needed the calming reprieve of cuteness more. From sculptures of chubby babies to pastel plushes and Internet cats, the Louvre-Lens explores the many manifestations of mignon throughout history in this joyful new exhibition. There are nearly 300 works in total, including Egyptian animal figures, renaissance portraits, trendy toys and bedazzled reinterpretations of masterpieces — all displayed within an adorable-maxxed space of pastel pink walls and cat-eared archways. It not only asks visitors to reflect on the happiness such aesthetics give us, but also their use for rebellion — and manipulation. Anyone that owns cute cats can certainly attest to the latter!
Ruth Asawa: Retrospective
When: 18 October 2026 - 10 January 2027
Where: Fondation Beyeler (Riehen, Switzerland)
Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa remains a pioneer within the world of abstract art, best-known for her intricate wire sculptures that captured the geometry of organic matter. However, her career was so much more than just these — incorporating everything from figurative drawings to life casts and even outdoor fountains. This diversity is captured at the Fondation Beyeler's retrospective; a comprehensive exploration of Asawa's ability to transform materials into reality-bending marvels that still inspire profound contemplations. Find out more here.
Bonus highlight: One not to be missed for photography enthusiasts and historians: ‘Light and Magic: The Birth of Art Photography’ opens at Tate Modern in London from 14 October 2026 until 21 February 2027.
Movies
Street Fighter
Where: Cinemas
When: 16 October
It's Showtime! After two rival martial artists are recruited for a World Warrior Tournament, so begins a collision course with violent criminals, inner-demons — and each other. Based on the legendary 90s video game series of the same name, it's the latest in a long line of previous adaptations that have spanned everything from live-action features to anime web series. For fans and wannabe warriors this is an ideal outing that packs all the (rising dragon) punches while not taking itself too seriously.
Bonus highlight: Russian-language thriller Minotaur (which is also France's choice for the 2027 Oscars) is out at French cinemas from 14 October, with a staggered release across the rest of Europe to follow in November.
TV series
Crystal Lake
Where: SKY/NOW
When: 19 October
Dim the lights, burrow under a blanket and prepare to enter Camp Crystal Lake. Set in the summer of 1972, shortly after a young Jason Voorhees drowned, this new prequel show unravels the events that took place eight years before the first Friday the 13th film. Linda Cardellini (Freaks and Geeks, Scooby-Doo, DTF St. Louis) stars as Jason's mother, Pamela, whose grief unleashes dark secrets from her past — and fuels a slow descent into madness. Much like Mike Flanagan's recent Carrie adaptation, the episodic format allows for a deeper origin story that explores the psychology behind one of horror's most legendary villains.
Bonus highlight: Sylvester Stallone returns for season four of crime series Tulsa King, out on 16 October on Paramount+.
Music
Fontaines D.C. - Dopamine Chamber
When: 16 October
More than two years since the release of 2024's Romance (one of our favourite albums that year), Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C. have returned with Dopamine Chamber — a mood board of synth-driven sounds that explore societal issues. There are eleven tracks in total, with lead single 'Marianne' setting the tone for something cinematic and psychedelic through its mesmerisingly trippy dirge.
Bonus highlights: Two other notable albums this week include 'Cookie Happened' by Eels and 'No Bad Memories' by The Avalanches — both out on the 16 October. Find out more about them in our fall album previews list.