Labor Day weekend has come and gone, meaning that the summer blockbuster season has ended. Whether it was a good or bad summer for movies doesn’t matter. (I don’t think it was.) That’s in the past. We’ve still got four months of films to look forward to. So, what are the September movies you should be looking at? Here is our list:
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – September 6th
Yes, horror movies come out all year long, but Tim Burton’s return to the Beetlejuice character feels like the first signs of Halloween approaching. You probably have your thoughts about recent Burton movies. I don’t blame you either way. The rumblings through the grapevine have been genuinely surprising for the sequel film. If you are a fan of the original movie, you’ll probably like this movie.
Personally, this is a film I don’t know if I ever needed, but if it brings back a bit of classic Burton to theaters, I’m in. I’m a fan of his early films and I would love to see that spark of gothic magic again. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a September movie I am cautiously optimistic about. I will be there opening night hoping for the best results. Early press has been good. The trailer looks good. I’m hoping my fellow critics are right.
The Front Room – September 6th
Brandy. Horror. Kathryn Hunter being a creepy old mother. Chef’s kiss. We don’t get Brandy acting in horror much these days so it’s a real treat. It also seems like A24 horror films never miss. Plus, we didn’t know we could get more Eggers with the brothers of Robert Eggers (Max and Sam) writing and directing. This film has so much going for it. Don’t let it fly under your radar.
The Killer’s Game – September 13th
Movies about hitmen always make for fun action thrills. Dave Bautista’s star continues to rise in his post-pro wrestling career with a film that sees him, a hitman, hire a bunch of other hitmen when he becomes terminally ill to take him out, but they target his ex-girlfriend, and he then becomes the hitman once again. Was that convoluted? Maybe a little. Will I be seated and stoked to watch a bunch of sharpshooting and chaos? Absolutely I will be. Honestly, The Killer’s Game seems like a sleeper film that will end up doing well in streaming, but I think it’s worth the big screen viewing. Action always is!
My Old Ass – September 13th
A coming-of-age comedy featuring Aubrey Plaza playing a 39-year-old version of Maisy Stella giving advice to her younger self. Plaza has shed her deadpan, cold-hearted stereotype that she’s carried since the Parks and Recreation days and has found herself playing both funny and emotionally charming characters, which only adds to the sentimental value this comedy could have. Will it be the best comedy of the year? That’s hard to say considering that comedies don’t seem to have a major grip on cinemas in recent years. I’d love to see where this film goes though! Like The Killer’s Game, this could be a September movie sleeper worth seeing.
Speak No Evil – September 13th
James McAvoy plays the perfect villain. He’s so likable, but absolutely frightening as a performer. This is a remake of a 2022 Danish film that sees two families who meet on vacation visit each other without really knowing either family that well. Unfortunately for one, the other has kept some ill-intended secrets. I see this actually being the film most people see on the weekend of September 13th. If I’m honest, I think it’s the weakest of a great lineup of movies coming up. The advertising for Speak No Evil has been great for it though. It doesn’t hurt that we are going into Halloween time with many looking for their first big scary movie of the season.
Transformers One – September 20th
I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t been interested in Transformers for years. The Michael Bay film series never excited me. The best thing to come from Transformers is the ride at Universal Studios Hollywood in my opinion. However, as soon as I heard that Transformers One was animated and Josh Cooley, the man behind Toy Story 4, was involved, my ears perked up. Say what you will about Toy Story 3 being the perfect ending (I agree!) but Josh Cooley did a great job with the task he was given for Toy Story 4. Chris Hemsworth voices Optimus Prime. Brian Tyree Henry voices Megatron. It’s essentially the origin story of their rivalry done in the format Transformers was meant for. Whether you watched the original Transformers, or even Beast Wars, you know that animation is where Transformers has been best. I hope Transformers One is the start of a new direction for the franchise.
A Different Man – September 20th
Two A24 films in one month? Like with horror, the independent film darling has proven themselves with psychological thrillers. Sebastian Stan looks phenomenal as a man who’s life is about to take shape on stage. Adam Pearson portrays an actor about to play Stan, with the latter not seeming too thrilled about it. It’s an interesting premise that brings a bit of comedy, but also some context around physical disease and insecurities around body dysmorphia.
A24 has had a stellar year of releases and I think this will be an added film to their resume. For Stan, this is the type of film I crave to see him in. He’s always seemed at his best when playing a character on the brink. His turn as the Mad Hatter on ABC’s Once Upon a Time was a highlight of his early career, and this seems like a return to that style of acting for him. A Different Man might be the film I’m most looking forward to this September.
Wolfs – September 20th
Do you remember when Brad Pitt and George Clooney were both major movie stars that could draw big box office returns just by being in a movie? For some reason, Apple+ thought it was a good idea to drop Wolfs directly onto their streaming service before giving it a theatrical run. I feel like money is being left on the table, but I’ll still watch it at home. A movie about two fixers (mob talk for the problem solvers of mafia hits) who reluctantly have to work together. It’s the perfect Ocean’s 11 style action comedy that we are used to from these two teaming up. They have great chemistry. The dialogue and action pieces look perfect.
Again, I’m unsure why it isn’t in theaters, but if you have Apple+ you get to watch it without spending extra money. I guess that’s a bonus for those who’d rather save a little cash and not go to theaters. Unfortunately, it also means that this movie won’t be remembered by the end of the month. Put it on your calendar, watch it, and recommend it. Don’t let this one go unnoticed.
Never Let Go – September 20th
Halle Berry returns to theaters in a horror film that feels more like A Quiet Place than anything else this Halloween season. As the matriarch of her family, she protects her 2 children from what lingers outside of their home by keeping everyone tethered to a rope in case anything comes to get them. Of course, the film features a plethora of things coming to get them. Some zombie-like humans, some alien-like creatures, but all of them are frightening. I don’t see many people talking about this movie, but I also haven’t seen a ton of advertising for it. I hope that there is more hype for it as we get closer to its release. Going into October, it may have some stiff competition in the horror category. This will be a testament to see if Halle Berry can still bring people to the theater. I think she can!
The Wild Robot – September 27th
Visually, The Wild Robot might be the best looking movie of the year in either live action or animation. Adapted and Directed by Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch) the new Dreamworks animated film looks to bring a robot into the wilderness as the giant takes care of a small gosling. Think of this film as Wall-E meets The Iron Giant. It has a great voice cast featuring Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, and Kit Connor. Matt Berry plays a freaking moose. If you haven’t watched it, the trailer will absolutely blow you away. You’ll be sold instantly. This is a great year for animation. Inside Out 2 already gave us one major hit. The Wild Robot could very well be another big success in theaters.
Megalopolis – September 27th
Is it a complete mess? Is it Francis Ford Coppola’s master opus? Will anyone care? There are so many questions going into Megalopolis. The behind-the-scenes stories have been strange, upsetting, and interesting. If you are unaware, Coppola spent $120 million of his own money to write and direct a film that studios didn’t want to release because it was too weird with demands of needing live actors in theaters to go along with the movie. Coppola also harassed women on set. He was yelling and had conflicts with people on set. However, it did get high praise coming from the Cannes Film Festival, at least from some people. Others were mixed on the movie. Now that it’s coming to theaters, there are so many questions about a movie featuring an all star cast.
Adam Driver plays Caesar of New Rome. Nathalie Emmanuel plays his love interest Cicero. A Shakespearean story set in a sci-fi future. This film could be terrible. I won’t lie to you. It could also be excellent. Regardless of what the outcome is, it will be a spectacle. If nothing else, this is worth seeing for the drama it has created in Hollywood.
There is so much to look forward to this September. A surprising amount of different genres are all hitting theaters. I’d love to hear what September movies you are seeing over on X or Instagram.
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