11 Films Must-Watch Films In September: 'The Woman King,' 'Blonde,' 'Don't Worry Darling' & More

After an uneven summer of new releases, we’re back in the fall season with two festivals either happening currently or right around the corner, with the Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival debuting some of the buzziest upcoming releases. Along with some of the festival carryover – both from current fests as well as fests such as Cannes and Sundance from earlier in the year – there’s plenty more to seek out arriving on the big screens. 

The first of two “Pinocchio” adaptations premieres this month, along with two of the scariest movies you’re likely to see this year, alongside a documentary about the legendary singer David Bowie. The release schedule is all over the place which is exciting for any movie fan welcoming shaking off the summer’s at-times-predictable lineup. These are just a few of the many films viewers will be championing over the next month or so and, for those who perhaps thought the well had dried up on new releases, there will soon be too many to keep up with. 

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul
Sterling K. Brown and Regina Hall star in the feature film debut from Adamma Ebo. Written, directed, and produced by Ebo, the film is adapted from her 2018 short film of the same name. Brown and Hall play husband and wife as pastor and the first lady of a prominent Southern Baptist Megachurch who, following a scandal, must rebuild their congregation. Our critic, who saw the film earlier this year at Sundance, called it a “…sly, subversive, satirical comedy.” 
Release Date: September 2 in theaters via Focus Features.

Pinocchio” 
The first of two adaptations of this story to arrive this year, “Pinocchio,” directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Chris Weitz, captures similar energy to other recent live-action Disney adaptations. The character design closely captures the animated film’s creation of the wooden puppet hoping to become a real boy. Tom Hanks stars as Geppetto, with Luke EvansJoseph Gordon-LevittCynthia Erivo, and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Pinocchio rounding out the cast. 
Release Date: September 8 to stream on Disney+.

The Woman King” 
Following her 2020 Netflix hit “The Old Guard,” director Gina Prince-Bythewood returns with an all-star cast in “The Woman King,” led by Viola Davis. The historical epic drama follows the Agojie, the all-female warrior unit that protected the African kingdom of Dahomey in the 19th century. With a story from Maria Bello and Dana Stevens, the film will have its premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film FestivalThuso MbeduLashana Lynch, and John Boyega also star. 
Release Date: September 16 in theaters via Sony Pictures.

Goodnight Mommy
A remake of the deeply unsettling 2014 Austrian film, “Goodnight Mommy” stars Naomi Watts as a mother about to be terrorized by her twin boys. The film follows the twin brothers, played by Nicholas and Cameron Crovetti, as they arrive at their mother’s house and begin to suspect that something isn’t right and that their mother isn’t who she seems to be. The film is directed by Matt Sobel (“Brand New Cherry Flavor”) and written by Kyle Warren (“Lethal Weapon” TV series.) Our critic called the original it’s based on “Impeccably crafted…”
Release Date: September 16 to stream via Amazon Prime Video.

Pearl
Following the success of this year’s “X,” director Ti West returns with “Pearl,” a prequel to the former slasher horror. Mia Goth returns to reprise her role as Pearl while sharing a writing credit with West. The film explores how Pearl became the ruthless character the audience meets her as in “X.” David CorenswetTandi Wright, and Matthew Sunderland also star. The film will make its premiere at the 2022 Venice Film Festival
Release Date: September 16 in theaters via A24.

The Silent Twins
The Lure” director Agnieszka Smoczynska returns with “The Silent Twins” starring Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrance. The film is based on the true story of twins who, while growing up in Wales, became known as the “silent twins” due to their refusal to communicate with anyone other than each other, something that would lead to eventual hospitalization. “Laggies” writer Andrea Seigel penned the script, based on the story of the same name from investigative journalist Marjorie Wallace
Release Date: September 16 in theaters via Focus Features.

Moonage Daydream” 
With enough intrigue surrounding his persona to fill multiple documentaries, the late musician David Bowie is given the documentary treatment with “Moonage Daydream.” Written and directed by Brett Morgen (“Cobain: Montage of Heck,” “Jane”,) the film will include previously unreleased footage from the singer’s own archives including live concert footage. Our critic described the film as a “…thrilling way to present a man who defied the shackles of time, be it for the genderfuck, his forward-thinking lyricism, or his expressed bisexuality.” 
Release Date: September 16 in theaters via NEON.

God’s Creatures” 
Normal People” actor Paul Mescal is poised for a big year with his upcoming drama “Aftersun,” and, before that hits later in the fall, there’s “God’s Creatures” which sees him in a much different light. Emily Watson and Mescal star as mother and son as the former battles with her want to protect her son with her own morality. The tense character study is co-directed by Saela Davis and “The Fits” director Anna Rose Holmer. Our critic who saw the film at Cannes praised the performances, writing that “… it’s the rich performances from Watson and Mescal who elevate the material.” 
Release Date: September 30 in theaters via A24.

Blonde
There’s been no shortage of films that try to tackle Marilyn Monroe’s legacy, but few have started a divisive commentary as quickly as “Blonde” by director Andrew Dominik (“This Much I Know to Be True,” “Killing Them Softly.” Ana de Armas (“Knives Out”) takes on the Norma Jean / Monroe persona, with a cast that includes Adrien BrodyBobby CannavaleJulianne NicholsonSara Paxton, and more. With an NC-17 rating the film, based on the controversial book by Joyce Carol Oates, is a fictionalized spin on her rise to fame and the contrast between her on-camera persona and the demons from her past and present that haunted her in her private life. 
Release Date: September 16 in theaters and then September 23 via Netflix.

Don’t Worry Darling” 
One of the buzzier releases of the upcoming months, “Don’t Worry Darling” marks the sophomore feature film from actress and director Olivia Wilde following the critical success of her debut, “Booksmart.” A seemingly new spin on “The Stepford Wives,” the film stars Florence PughHarry StylesChris PineGemma Chan, and more. With a screenplay from Kate Silberman, based on a story by Carey Van DykeShane Van Dyke, and Silberman, we’ll have to wait for its upcoming premiere at the Venice Film Festival to see if it lives up to the promise of Wilde’s first. 
Release Date: September 23 in theaters via Warner Bros. Pictures.

“Bros
Co-written by Billy Eichner and Nicholas Stoller (“Friends From College,” “Bros” is a romantic comedy about two men with commitment issues who are attempting a relationship. Produced by Judd Apatow, Stoller directs with Eichner starring alongside Luke Macfarlane as the two leads. Bowen YangTs MadisonMonica Raymund, and Jim Rash also star. The film will have its premiere at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival
Release Date: September 30 in theaters via Universal Pictures.

More: If the above doesn’t present enough of a list to pick through, there’s plenty more coming up this month. Netflix’s teen-drama “Do Revenge,” stars Maya Hawke and “Riverdale” star Camila Mendes as two high schoolers trying to get revenge on their bullies from “Sweet/Vicious” director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. “Goodbye, Don Glees!” is a moving animated project about three teenage boys who spend a summer making memories that they’ll share for the rest of their life as school threatens to shake their bonds. “Meet Cute,” combines the unlikely pairing of Pete Davidson and Kaley Cuoco in the upcoming romantic-comedy for Peacock, while “Lou” will see Allison Janney team up with Jurnee Smollett in the thriller from Anna FoersterBryan Fuller makes his return with the remake of “The Munsters” and, after scarring festival goers earlier this year, “Speak No Evil” will roll out into its theatrical release. The buzz surrounding “Barbarian” starring Bill Skarsgård promises a surprising fall hit and “God’s Country” a promising showcase for the endlessly talented Thandiwe Newton.