Streaming highlights this September: the movies and series you just can’t miss

Luca Fontana

1.9.2023

Translation: Elicia Payne

New month, new streaming recommendations. Here’s what series and movies you can stream on Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ and Prime Video this September.

The other day, my neighbour was beating his carpet in the garden – and I was like, «What’s the matter, Aladdin, won’t it start?» In case you’re stuck in the same predicament and forced to stay home then I have the right thing for you – here are the best movies and series for September. Did I forget something? Let me know in the comments!

The Wheel of Time (series, Season 2)

Before The Rings of Power premiered on Prime Video, The Wheel of Time was Amazon’s big fantasy flagship. No surprise there. The series is based on one of the most extensive novel cycles in literary history. And the novel’s plots can get pretty complex at times. In the universe of The Wheel of Time, the cycles of the world repeat themselves. Therefore, predictions, legends and past events play an important role.

The first season was based on the first novel. The second season is dedicated to the second one in the series. Here’s a reminder: the sorceress Moiraine (Rosamunde Pike) finds herself travelling across the country with a group of teenagers. For one of them is Dragon Reborn who can save the world from evil – or destroy it. I’ll admit, the first series didn’t blow me away. But this trailer looks pretty bleak. I’ll definitely try it out.

Starts: 1 September
Where: Prime Video

The Little Mermaid (movie)

What a debate there was about The Little Mermaid in the run-up to its theatrical release. Especially about the leading actress Halle Bailey. Unlike in the cartoon – which in turn is based on a fairy tale by Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen – she’s a black woman and she doesn’t have red hair. Some saw this as evidence of a seemingly false woke culture at Disney.

So it’s nice that the public seem to have taken a liking to Halle Bailey since the theatrical release. What’s more, according to them, she’s even the big highlight of the film. The same goes for Melissa McCarthy, who plays the evil sea witch Ursula in the live-action adaptation. In general, The Little Mermaid is one of the better film adaptations of Disney animated classics. I, personally, haven’t seen the film yet. So I’m excited for the streaming release.

Starts: 6 September
Where: Disney+

The Changeling (miniseries)

According to Apple’s marketing, The Changeling is supposed to be a fairy tale for adults. In fact, something rang a bell when I first saw the trailer. But what? Finally, I remembered: a good friend once recommended the book to me which the series is based on. It was written by Victor LaValle. And my friend was so enthusiastic about it. He thinks the book is an incredible mix of different genres. A horror tale with intelligent social criticism. He’d never read anything similar.

Indeed, the plot centres around Apollo Kagwa (LaKeith Stanfield), a young father and bookseller in New York City. Up till now Apollo lived a relatively normal life. Until his wife Emma starts acting strangely – and then disappears without a trace. When Apollo sets out to find her, he discovers a world full of secrets and mysteries. A world that challenges his previous understanding of reality and mythology. But above all, a world in which a mysterious figure – the changeling – plays a key role.

Starts: 8 September
Where: Apple TV+

All or Nothing: The National Team in Qatar (documentary)

This All or Nothing documentary series on Prime Video has got a great name for itself. To summarise, each episode follows a sports team throughout their entire season. Through thick and thin. The highs and the lows. Victories and defeats. In this case, it’s the German national team. But it’s not filmed during a season. It follows their time at the World Cup in Qatar in the winter of 2022.

Those who remember know that the tournament ended disappointingly for the Germans. Not just because of the early group exit but also because of the political questions about the host country before and during the tournament. The players’ behaviour sparked a hot debate when they put their hands over their mouths during the traditional pre-match group photo – an act of protest against FIFA. Shortly before, the world football association banned all national teams from wearing political and religious symbols on their jerseys. The «One Love» captain’s armband was also banned. This shows support for LGBTQIA+ rights.

As viewers of the documentary, we get an insight into aspects of club life we’ve never seen before. Like in the changing room, when the trainer freaks out during half time because they’re behind. Or in the physio room, when players talk about fellow players, coaches or opponents behind their back. Or on the training grounds, where coaches and players discuss whether or not politics has any place in sports. Very exciting. And not just for football fans.

Starts: 8 September
Where: Prime Video

The Morning Show (series, Season 3)

It was one of the first series ever available in late 2019 at the launch of Apple TV+: The Morning Show. And for me, it’s still one of the best series on Apple’s streaming service because The Morning Show is pure drama. Political drama. Human drama. #MeToo drama. But not in a cheap soap opera way. In terms of its style, it reminds me more of House of Cards – just not in the White House, but on breakfast television. Incidentally, an institution in the United States. That’s exactly how it comes across. Because even when it doesn’t concern the entire country, I still always think that there is an enormous amount at stake.

At its heart is the most successful breakfast television programme in the entire country: The Morning Show. It’s hosted by the equally popular hosting duo Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell) and Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston). But then Kessler gets caught up in a tangible #MeToo scandal – a shocker. The search for a replacement begins! Bradley Jackson, played by Reese Witherspoon, steps into the role. A full-blooded journalist who wears her heart on her sleeve and always seeks the truth. Levy’s not impressed though. Especially when she senses that the station is slowly but surely cutting the ageing lead host. After all, she allegedly played a major role in Kessler’s sex scandals, and this new girl, Bradley Jackson, just won’t leave it alone...

Starts: 13 September
Where: Apple TV+

Sex Education (series, Season 4)

Initially, when the first season came out in 2019, no one really wanted to take it seriously: how could this series about teen sex, which just screams of corny, banal teen comedies, become so clever, warm-hearted and surprisingly wise? In fact, critics agree that the series can even teach adults a thing or two about sex. And if not, they can still enjoy the disarming humour. Because the sexual misadventures are embarrassing, but somehow also funny. Just as many of us probably remember it.

What’s it all about? Otis Milburn, an outsider at Moordale High School. Otis is the son of a successful sex therapist and therefore knows a lot about sex and sexuality. After helping a fellow student with a sex problem, he starts a sex therapy service for fellow students at Moordale Secondary. After all, it can be particularly difficult for teens to navigate a world that is filled with expectations and prejudice.

Starts: 21 September
Where: Netflix

Castlevania: Nocturne (anime series)

Let’s move on to the anime pick of the month Castlevania: Nocturne A spin-off of Castlevania. If you’ve never heard of it, now is the time. Produced by Netflix and American Powerhouse Animation Studios, the series was inspired by Konami’s video game series from the late 1980s. And it’s not for the faint of heart. The series plot begins in 1455, when Count Dracula, Lord of the Vampires, starts a war against the humans – classic dark medieval fantasy.

Four seasons comprised the plot of the original series, which is considered by critics as a masterpiece. Now comes the spin-off set a few centuries later – in 1792, shortly after the French Revolution. After the first trailer the fans already agree that the spin off looks epic.

Starts: 28 September
Where: Netflix

Gen V (miniseries)

Exploding penises. Flying insides. Fascist super heroes. Perverted dolphins. Mommy issues. Daddy issues. Cults. Milk. Keywords that sum up the content of The Boys. Why I still watch it at all, I sometimes don’t know myself. But as crazy as it sounds, the series manages to walk the tightrope between action bordering on the glorification of violence, black humour and good character sketches. For as obtuse as The Boys may seem at times, the thoroughly satirical commentary on our society is nuanced.

A fourth season is coming. 2025. At the earliest. Because the big strike in Hollywood is paralysing the entire tinseltown. Well, the makers have a spin-off up their sleeve and it’s called Gen V. It’s about budding heroines and heroes competing for the coveted top spot at Godolkin University, a school for super-powered teenagers. The trailer? Ghoulish and bloody as always. If you like The Boys, you might love Gen V.

Starts: 29 September
Where: Prime Video

Luca Fontana

Senior Editor

Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.ch

I'm an outdoorsy guy and enjoy sports that push me to the limit – now that’s what I call comfort zone! But I'm also about curling up in an armchair with books about ugly intrigue and sinister kingkillers. Being an avid cinema-goer, I’ve been known to rave about film scores for hours on end. I’ve always wanted to say: «I am Groot.» more

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