Check out the best movies and TV series to stream in September 2022
Fall is here and with it a whole host of new, must-see titles. Remember when this time of year was quiet, movie- and television-wise? When you could focus on heading back to work and school and not experience any FOMO? Those were the days! Now, thanks to the streamers, content just keeps a-comin’ and we wouldn’t have it any other way–nostalgia be damned.
There’s a little something for everyone over the next 31 days. Romances like A Jazzman’s Blues and Love in the Villa to stir your blood, some thrills like Lou and End of the Road to keep you on the edge of your seat, a few quality docs to get you thinking (Gutsy, Sidney) and some highly anticipated, buzzy picks like Blonde and Pinocchio to kick off your award-season watchlists. There’s even The Serpent Queen, a new historical, costume drama, to sink your teeth (or is it fangs) into.
To make sure you don’t miss a minute, we’ve pulled together yet another monthly streaming guide to run down the best of the best. So grab a PSL, get cozy, and check out what’s coming your way this September:
1 QUEEN 5 QUEERS (Season 2)
The fave Crave Original series is back…uncensored, unfiltered, and untamed! Hosted by world-renowned drag queen (and Canada’s Drag Race judge) Brooke Lynn Hytes, the show features in-depth and often hilarious panel discussions on every aspect of the LGBTQ2S+ life and culture. Topics on the table during the eight-episode season include dating, drag, kinks and fetishes, aging, mental health and self-care, and more. They’re there to spill the tea and you don’t want to miss a moment!
Season 2 kicks off with two episodes September 1 on Crave, followed by new eps every Thursday.
Love in the Villa
Kick off the month with a little romance, courtesy of this breezy romantic comedy starring Kat Graham and Tom Hopper. After her boyfriend suddenly calls it quit, a lifelong romantic (Graham) sets off solo on a trip to Verona, Italy only to find that the villa she reserved is double-booked, and she’ll have to share her vacation with a cynical and very fit Brit (Hopper). At each other’s throats from the get-go, will these two touristy enemies bury the hatchet long enough to enjoy their vacations and maybe fall in love? We’re guessing yes, but that won’t stop us from enjoying the ride.
Love in the Villa arrives on Netflix September 1.
Life By Ella
Not everyone looks forward to heading back to school in the fall, but for 13-year-old Ella (Lily Brooks O'Briant), it means a return to normalcy after a life-changing brush with cancer. The middle-schooler is determined to live life to the full, to face her fears, and to take on a world determined to keep her down. She learns to appreciate each moment and her enthusiasm proves infectious to those around her.
Tune in to the new feel-good series starting September 2 on AppleTV+.
McEnroe
In honour of the U.S. Open, which runs August 29 to September 11, take a deep-dive into the life of 4-time champ–and former men’s singles No. 1–John McEnroe in this new, no-holds barred documentary. The film will take viewers inside the mind of one of the most colourful (and controversial) titans of tennis as he walks the streets of New York City over the course of a single night, retracing his career in previously unseen archival footage. Never short of things to say, McEnroe is sure to share some choice thoughts on his past antics and some insights into his fluctuating mindset. This one’s a must-see for sports fans.
The new doc premieres Friday, September 2 on Crave.
The Anthrax Attacks
This new documentary from Oscar-nominated director Dan Krauss (Extremis, The Kill Team) tells the somewhat forgotten true story of poison and paranoia that gripped the U.S. in the weeks following September 11, 2001. Five people were killed and 17 more became ill in what is considered to be the biggest biological attack in the country’s history. The search for the culprit behind the outbreak became one of the largest and most complex FBI investigations in the history of law enforcement. Krauss shines the spotlight on this somewhat forgotten period of recent history using a combination of scripted re-enactments and interviews with investigators, survivors and family members of the victims.
True crime buffs can dig into the case starting September 8 on Netflix.
Growing Up
From creators Brie Larson and Culture.House, this new docu-series explores the complexities of young adulthood through a series of ten compelling, 30-minute coming of age tales. Using a hybrid of narrative, experimental and doc filmmaking, each episode follows one 18- to 22-year-old as they tell the story of their childhood and teenage years. There’s a wide range of experiences, backgrounds, and families featured throughout, giving audiences insights into the overwhelming external and internal obstacles young people face growing up in the 21st century. This one’s going to be super relatable to some and hugely eye-opening to the rest of us.
Tune in when the innovative new series drops on Disney+ starting September 8.
Pinocchio
The beloved tale of the wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy gets the live-action treatment courtesy of director Robert Zemekis. All the familiar characters from the original Disney animated classic are back, including Geppetto (played by Tom Hanks), Pinocchio’s loving creator, Jiminy Cricket (voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), the puppet’s friend and conscience, and the Blue Fairy (played by Cynthia Erivo), who grants Pinocchio life and promises he can gain his fondest wish if he’s “brave, truthful, and unselfish”. And for animal lovers, Figaro the cat, Cleo the Goldfish, and Monstro the Whale all make appearances too, as does the most famous of all the Mouse-House’s tunes (all apologies to “Let It Go”), “When You Wish Upon A Star”.
Go all-in on the nostalgia and watch Pinocchio when it lands on Disney+ September 8.
Wedding Season
Katie and Stefan begin an affair after meeting on the dance floor of a mutual friend’s nuptuals, despite Katie’s upcoming marriage. Two months later and Katie’s fiance (and his entire family) are poisoned at her wedding reception and Stefon becomes the prime suspect. A whodunnit that pushes at the boundaries of its genre, Wedding Season tells the story of two strangers whose chance meeting at one wedding will lead them in an action-packed, cat-and-mouse race across the U.K. and the U.S. as they set out to prove their innocence and uncover the truth. It all sounds pretty serious, but if the trailer is to be believed, this one has plenty of romance and comedy in store for audiences too.
Check it out when it begins on Disney+ September 8.
American Gigolo
There’s a good chance that many readers won’t even be familiar with the original, iconic Gigolo–perhaps best-known as the film that established Richard Gere as a leading man…and for being one of the first Hollywood flicks to include full-frontal male nudity. But this updated version of the neo-noir thriller, starring actor Jon Bernthal, is sure to intrigue both fans of the 1980 film and complete newbies. The limited series follows a wrongfully-convicted but recently-released Julian Kaye (Bernthal) as he attempts to navigate his new life and relationships after 15 years inside. Meanwhile, Detective Sunday (Rosie O'Donnell) is looking to unearth the truth about the murder that sent Julian to prison and finds evidence of a much larger conspiracy along the way.
The new series hits Crave starting September 9, with new episodes dropping on Fridays.
End of the Road
You had us at Queen Latifah and Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges. The pair star in this cross-country road trip gone-wrong thriller that sees a recently-widowed mom (Latifah), her two kids and her brother (Bridges) witness a murder on their journey to their new home. Now, the quartet are trapped in the New Mexico desert, cut off from help, and fighting for their lives against a killer who’s determined to take out his new targets. Talk about wrong place, wrong time…
The high-octane thriller hits Netflix September 9.
Gutsy
This new docu-series from AppleTV+ delves into what it really mean to be brave. Hosts and Executive Producers Hillary and Chelsea Clinton take audiences on an unforgettable journey as they meet up with some of the world’s boldest and gutsiest women. The duo have candid, unmissable convos with trailblazers and change-makers like Jane Goodall, Gloria Steinem, Mariska Hargity, Negin Farsad, Amber Ruffin, Wanda Sykes, Megan Thee Stallion, Kim Kardashian and so many more. From household names to a host of unsung heroes, each and every guest will inspire us all to live our lives with a little more gusto.
The 8-episode series begins on AppleTV+ September 9.
The Last Tourist
After spending much of the pandemic in lock down, a great many of us are eager to get out and see the world again–both to make up for lost time and to get our travel on. But before we do, it’s important to learn about how the modern reality of overtourism is impacting the environment, wildlife, and vulnerable communities all around us. From Caribbean beaches to remote villages in Kenya, this new doc spotlights the real conditions and consequences of one of the world’s largest industries through the voices of leading tourism and conservation specialists, and the forgotten voices of those working in the industry’s shadow.
The Last Tourist premieres September 9 on Crave.
The Serpent Queen
STARZ continues their spectacular run of period dramas centred around kick-ass women with the September premiere of The Serpent Queen. The original series revolves around the life of one of the most influential women to ever wear a crown: Catherine de Medici. Despite her troubled and tragic beginnings, de Medici (Samatha Morton) finds herself married into the French royal court as an orphaned teenager. She is expected to bring a large dowry and to provide the monarchy with immediate heirs but instead finds her dowry unpaid, her husband in love with an older mistress, and herself seemingly unable to conceive. She has to learn how to play the part or lose her place in the world. Not only does she master the game, but her grit and determination allow her to keep the royal dynasty alive but allows her influence on the court to supercede all others for almost 50 years. “Slay, queen” had a whole other meaning when it came to Catherine.
Get your historical drama on when the series premieres September 11 on Crave, with new episodes hitting every Sunday.
Do Revenge
There’s been a noticeable lack of new teen dramas over the past few months but that drought is over with Do Revenge. In a similar vein to Heathers, and inspired by Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train, this dark comedy sees two high schoolers team up to go after each other’s bullies and tormentors. Shunned by their classmates for rumours and secrets revealed, Drea (played by Camila Mendes) and Eleanor (played by Maya Hawke) form a friendship and begin serving up their carefully planned revenge, reminding us all that there are few things scarier than teenage girls.
The new movie hits Netflix on September 16.
Children Ruin Everything (Season 2)
Couple Astrid (Meagan Rath) and James (Aaron Abrams) say sayonara to any new-found sense of balance in their hectic lives when a new baby enters the mix. Now they find themselves even more strapped for space and time and, with their aging house crumbling around them, they may have to face the fact that their family has outgrown city life. But are they ready to say goodbye to family and friends for the sake of a bigger house? And can they both agree its the right move? You’ll just have to see.
After a successful first season, the CTV Original comedy returns for its sophomore go ‘round on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT starting September 19. Tune in to CTV, CTV.ca or the CTV app to watch!
Andor
A new chapter of the Star Wars saga is (finally) set to kick off toward the end of the month. This new tale expands on the story of Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), a character introduced in Rogue One, and his mission to make a difference in the galaxy. As we meet up with him again, we find Cassian amid the danger, deception and intrigue of a brewing rebellion against the Empire. Here audiences will get a chance to follow the journey destined to make him a rebel hero.
Originally set to premiere at the end of August, it will now premiere with three of its twelve episodes on Wednesday, September 21 on Disney+.
Lou
Give a gold star to the casting agent who realised Hollywood was sleeping on Allison Janney as a crusty action star. The Oscar-winner stars here as a tough woman with a mysterious past who teams up with her neighbour (Jurnee Smollett) to pursue the man who kidnapped the neighbour’s young daughter. Add in a storm, a remote location, and a bunch of secrets and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an edge-of-your-seat thriller. We’ll be watching this one with the lights on.
The movie premieres on Netflix September 23.
Sidney
The epithets “icon” and “legend” are often bestowed, but few recipients deserve them more than the recently departed actor and activist Sidney Poitier. Director Reginald Hudlin’s new doc is an in-depth portrait of a man who forever changed Hollywood and whose timely influence proves just how much one person can make a difference. Sidney is an irresistible pick not just for film fans but for anyone interested in history and in what it means to be Black in America.
The doc premieres on AppleTV+ on September 23.
A Jazzman’s Blues
Tyler Perry’s passion project has been a long time in coming. The multi-hyphenate talent wrote the screenplay, his first, way back in 1995 but, after several false starts, production finally kicked off and wrapped over the first half of 2021. A sweeping tale of love, tragedy and murder that stretches from the 1940s to the 1980s, the film stars Joshua Boone and Solea Pfeiffer as star-crossed lovers Bayou and Leanne. Featuring juke joint blues songs courtesy of Terence Blanchard and Aaron Zigman, and choreography by the legendary Debbie Allen, A Jazzman’s Blues is set to be a memorable ode to Black American music and storytelling. The film will premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
You can see it when it arrives on Netflix September 23.
Transplant (Season 3)
CTV's acclaimed medical drama, starring Hamza Haq as Bashir “Bash” Hamed, returns for a third series this month. Following last season’s dramatic finale, Bash and his colleagues are left with a new understanding of how they fit within the daily chaos of York Memorial Hospital and are tasked with finding a new way forward. Meanwhile, Bash starts to pursue Canadian citizenship for himself and his sis, Amira, which pulls into stark focus who he thinks he is becoming in his adopted country. Joining the cast this time ‘round is Rekha Sharma (Yellowjackets) as Dr. Neeta Devi, the new Chief of Emergency Medicine.
Tune in to the third season premiere on September 23, with subsequent episodes every Friday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app.
Reasonable Doubt
A high-powered criminal defense attorney named Jax Stewart (played by the always excellent Emayatzy Corinealdi) is the compelling character at the centre of Hulu’s new fast-paced legal drama. The series follows Stewart as she navigates a particularly difficult murder case, while attempting to juggle her past traumas, her failing marriage, and her role as a mother. Or as many women, including Jax, would probably call it: ‘Just another Tuesday’.
Tune into the new series when it drops September 27 on Disney+.
Blonde
One of the most highly anticipated flicks of the year, director Andrew Dominik’s Blonde finally lands online at the end of the month. Based on the bestseller by Joyce Carol Oates, the combo black-and-white and colour film takes a fictionalised look at the life of Marilyn Monroe (an uncanny Ana de Armas) and boldly delves into the great divide between her public and private personas. The film explores how the pop culture icon’s traumatic childhood shaped a split life, with her off-screen life plagued by abuse, exploitation, and addiction–a stark contrast to her colourful, world-famous, on-screen roles. With a heavyweight supporting cast, this one is sure to create some buzz so catch it before the Awards Season kicks off!
The movie hits Netflix on September 28.
The Greatest Beer Run Ever
Based on an incredible true story, Zac Efron stars as Chickie Conohue–a man who decided to show his support for his friends serving in Vietnam by travelling to the frontlines to bring them a beer from home. No, really. It turns out sneaking into a war zone is a heck of a lot easier than getting back out. As Chickie’s “beer run” becomes more and more complicated, he’s forced to confront the realities of the controversial war and the complexities of adulthood. Co-starring Bill Murray and Russell Crowe, the Peter Farrelly-directed action-comedy premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival in early September.
Catch it starting September 30 on AppleTV+.
Hocus Pocus 2
Forget Pumpkin Spice season, it’s time for Spooky Season! This long-awaited movie sequel wraps up September and kicks off the month of all things macabre when it lands September 30.
When we last saw the Sanderson Sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy), they’d been done and literally dusted but thanks to three young women messing with the mystic arts, they’re brought back to modern day Salem. Our three young leads must then figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on an unsuspecting world. And we cannot wait.
The witches are back September 30 on Disney+.
HIDDEN GEM: The Facts of Life
"You take the good, you take the bad ... ." As students head back to school, it seems like the perfect time to turn back the clock and check in on the goings-on at the prestigious Eastland School for Young Women in Peekskill, New York. Following a group of girls under the watchful eye of housemother Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae), the series explored what it meant to grow up in the early ‘80s. Over time, the series honed in on four girls in particular: wealthy and spoiler Blair (Lisa Whelchel), young gossip gal Tootie (Kim Fields), eager beaver Natalie (Mindy Cohn), and tough egg Jo (Nancy McKeon). As they aged, so too did the storylines but it never lost sight of what was at the centre of it all: friendship and a whole heap of life lessons. From drugs to sex, eating disorders, and peer pressure, the series never shied away from the tougher issues either. Though the world has changed a heck of a lot since the NBC show first aired, there’s always time for us to learn a bit more from the The Facts of Life. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for future stars like George Clooney and Molly Ringwald to pop up in guest starring roles!
Fun fact: The long-running series started life as a spin off of fellow sitcom fave Diff’rent Strokes.
Catch all 9 seasons on CTV Throwback now: https://www.ctv.ca/shows/the-facts-of-life
