Each approaching month means a new selection of movies, documentaries, and TV shows arriving on our favorite streaming services.
September features an impressive array of content, including several season premieres of popular series as networks return to their traditional broadcast schedule. Disney+ continues to gain popularity with its family-friendly fare, while Hulu, also owned by Disney, boasts a catalog that’s vast and varied with something for all ages and interests.
We’ve rounded up the top September highlights on both services, starting with an unprecedented entry.
After being pushed back into the summer a couple of times from a March theatrical debut, then taken off the release calendar indefinitely, the live-action remake of “Mulan” will finally be available to viewers around the world — for a price. Disney+ subscribers will have to pay $29.99 on top of their monthly subscription to gain premiere access to “Mulan,” at which point users can rewatch the film as many times as they want provided they maintain a Disney+ subscription.
This big-budget film, which blends action and fantasy, could be a trailblazer. The success or failure of this novel endeavor — releasing a blockbuster film on demand at a cost on top of the service subscription — will undoubtedly inform Disney and other studios in the coming months as to what to do with their theatrical slate. Perhaps “Black Widow” will follow suit.
The first weekend of September also brings a worthy action film to the service, with a relatively small-scale and somewhat underrated X-Men spinoff. “The Wolverine” finds Hugh Jackman once again assuming the titular role he’s done time and again as the seemingly indestructible and often bitter mutant. It’s not the gritty take of “Logan,” but “The Wolverine” does offer some exciting set pieces, new and interesting characters, and beautiful locales across Japan.
A fantastical family tale tells of grown-up Christopher Robin venturing to the Hundred Acre Wood, revisiting Winne the Pooh and friends after years away. Blending comedy and drama, this live-action film stars Ewan McGregor in the title role alongside some beautifully rendered CGI characters. It's a familiar tale of losing and regaining one’s imagination, but it’s told with humor and charm, making it welcome viewing for kids and parents alike.
This inspiring documentary series details the upbringing and rise of famed athletes and entertainers, tracing their humble beginnings to witness how they became who they are today. In each episode, audiences will be taken to the hometown of a celebrity to discover the ways in which they lived and learned. “Becoming” (not to be confused with the Netflix series of the same name inspired by Michelle Obama’s bestselling memoir) will showcase influential people in the lives of these stars, including parents, teachers, and mentors. Among those profiled are Anthony Davis, Rob Gronkowski, Candice Parker, Julianne Hough, and Adam Devine.
Disney continues to mine its own content for fascinating new perspectives and retellings. Each month it seems they offer a new behind-the-scenes or making-of special where we learn about how Disney operates and creates, giving the viewer an intimate connection with the studio. This month, subscribers can watch “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” which will take viewers on a tour of Disney’s famed animal exhibits. The eight episodes will explore Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT, with narration from the ubiquitous Josh Gad. An array of animals awaits, with unique stories and intimate, up-close footage.
This Disney+ original film follows teenaged Sam (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), a rebellious royal who discovers she has superpowers. This revelation brings her under the guidance of fellow young, specially-talented royals who are eventually tasked with, you guessed it, saving the world. Some familiar faces join newcomers to this film that boasts action, fantasy, and humor. In what is increasingly rare it seems, this story is not spun from a book or other film series: It’s an original story, though it surely hopes to become a franchise.
A massively successful film franchise, the entire five-film “Twilight” saga lands on Hulu for your binge-watching pleasure. A fantasy romance featuring vampires and werewolves, “Twilight” was a wildly popular book series that turned into an equally popular set of movies, led by young stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. The first entry was among a surge of young adult stories that made it to the screen, combining attractive actors with magical elements and deathly consequences; it’s definitely worth revisiting for any fans.
With famed director Denis Villeneuve, and an impressive cast including Jake Gyllenhall, Hugh Jackman, Paul Dano, and Melissa Leo, “Prisoners” is an intense, disturbing look at justice and revenge. The story is familiar: A child is kidnapped and police, townspeople, and desperate parents act to find her safe and alive — though they don’t all act at the same pace, or even together. It’s the execution of that story, though, with stunning cinematography and powerful performances, that make the film unforgettable and unrelenting.
It’s been a long time coming, but after much back and forth and mystery, Sterling Archer is awaking from his coma. Season 11 of “Archer,” which hits Hulu in September after being delayed for months, returns to the main timeline of events after three seasons of fantastical, dreamlike tangents. This adult animated series is unruly, boisterous, and wonderfully clever, regularly reinventing itself and subverting genre and cinematic tropes. Season 11, which may or may not be its last, is poised to impress once again. The big question is: are we still doing “phrasing?”
This animated retelling of the classic family story “The Addams Family” features a star-studded cast, and it achieved worldwide success at the box office. With voices by Charlize Theron, Oscar Isaac, Alison Janney, and Snoop Dogg, this 2019 film skews more light-hearted than the dark source material, but it’s easily accessible by kids and gorgeously animated to capture their attention. Watch it for the first time or revisit the story, as a sequel is slated for next year.
Another series that was delayed from the spring makes its welcome return, as Season 4 of the anthology series Fargo hits the small screen at last. Starring Chris Rock and set in 1950s Kansas City, Fargo will once again blend the absurd with the violent, telling a tale of warring crime syndicates. Dark humor, inventive storytelling, and of course charming accents have been cornerstones of the previous three successful seasons, and there’s no reason to think this latest offering won’t be as entertaining and compelling.
A trio of long-running, animated fare geared towards young adults and older will all make their season debuts on the same day. “Bob’s Burgers” will bow for the 11th time, with “Family Guy” airing its 19th premiere, and “The Simpsons” returning for a staggering 32nd season. Granted, these shows find humor in different ways, but all three are about families — strange, outrageous, loving families. And while they may not be suitable for all family members, they’re certainly enjoyable comfort fare, and that’s worth a lot on TV.
Ancient China from Above: Season 1
D2: The Mighty Ducks
D3: The Mighty Ducks
Earth to Ned: Season 1
Never Been Kissed
Strange Magic
Trick or Treat
One Day At Disney Episode 140
Muppets Now Episode 106
Pixar In Real Life Episode 111
Weird But True Episode 304
One Day At Disney Episode 104
Weird But True Episode 305
Bend It Like Beckham
Coop & Cami Ask the World: Season 2
Europe from Above: Season 1
Ever After: A Cinderella Story
Kingdom of the Mummies: Season 1
Marvel Super Hero Adventures: Season 4
Notre Dame: Race Against the Inferno
Once Upon a Time: Seasons 1-7
Soy Luna: Seasons 2-3
Violetta: Season 3
Wicked Tuna: Season 9
One Day At Disney Episode 142
Weird But True! Episode 306
Fancy Nancy: Fancy it Yourself: Season 3
The Giant Robber Crab
Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted: Season 2
Muppet Babies: Season 2
Oceans
Port Protection: Alaska: Season 3
Sydney to the Max: Season 2
Wild Central America: Season 1
X-Ray Earth: Season 1
One Day At Disney Episode 143
Weird But True! Episode 307
Mike Tyson Mysteries: Complete Season 4 (Adult Swim)
Jeopardy!: Episode Refresh (ABC)
50 First Dates (2004)
Absolute Power (1997)
Aeon Flux (2005)
American Dragons (1998)
An American Haunting (2006)
Any Given Sunday (1999)
Anywhere but Here (1999)
Back to School (1986)
Bad Girls from Mars (1991)
The Bank Job (2008)
Because I Said So (2007)
The Birdcage (1997)
Broken Lizard's Club Dread (2004)
Call Me (1988)
Carrington (1995)
The Cold Light Of Day (2012)
Cool Blue (1990)
Criminal Law (1989)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
De-Lovely (2004)
Demolition Man (1993)
Desperate Hours (1990)
Deuces Wild (2002)
Employee of the Month (2006)
The End of Violence (1997)
Evil Dead II (1987)
Extreme Justice (1993)
The Festival (2019)
Hanoi Hilton (1987)
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)
Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2004)
Hoosiers (1986)
The House on Carroll Street (1988)
I Feel Pretty (2018)
The Impossible (2012)
Invasion U.S.A. (1985)
Jessabelle (2014)
Julia (1977)
The Last Boy Scout (1991)
The Last House on the Left (1972)
The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976)
Love Is All There Is (1996)
Mad Money (2008)
Man of La Mancha (1972)
The Mechanic (1972)
Mississippi Burning (1988)
Mr. North (1988)
Music Within (2007)
Not Another Teen Movie (2001)
Notorious (2009)
The Omen (2006)
Outbreak (1995)
Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
Pieces of April (2003)
Practical Magic (1998)
Rambo (2008)
Reasonable Doubt (2014)
Religulous (2008)
Slow Burn (2007)
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
Stargate (1994)
The Terminator (1984)
Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her (2001)
This World, Then the Fireworks (1997)
Top Gun (1986)
Trolls World Tour (2020)
Turkey Bowl (2019)
Twilight (2008)
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011)
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2012)
Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls (2007)
The Weight of Water (2002)
Wanted (2008)
The Woods (2006)
Hell on the Border (2019)
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life (2016)
Awoken (2019)
Madagascar: A Little Wild: Complete Season 1A (Hulu Original)
American Ninja Warrior: Season 12 Premiere (NBC)
Brother vs. Brother: Season 7 Premiere (HGTV)
Woke: Complete Season 1 (Hulu Original)
Prisoners
My Hero Academia: Episodes 64-76 (DUBBED) (Funimation)
Archer: Season 11 Premiere (FXX)
The Good Shepherd (2006)
Pen15: Complete Season 2
Sherman's Showcase: Black History Month Special
Babyteeth
The Fight
StarDog and TurboCat
The Haunted
The 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards: Special (ABC)
Filthy Rich: Series Premiere
The Addams Family (2019)
Cosmos: Possible: Special (Fox)
If Loving You Is Wrong: Complete Season 5 (OWN)
Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans (2019)
Judy (2019)
The Wilderness of Error: Series Premiere (FX)
Bless the Harts: Season 2 Premiere (Fox)
Bob's Burgers: Season 11 Premiere (Fox)
Family Guy: Season 19 Premiere (Fox)
Fargo: Season 4 Premiere (FX)
The Simpsons: Season 32 Premiere
Inherit the Viper
Trauma Center
Southbound
Anthony Marcusa is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money. BestReviews never accepts free products from manufacturers and purchases every product it reviews with its own funds.
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