September’s streaming calendar lands shockers and comfort picks alike: Lilo & Stitch — the year’s only $1 billion grosser — hits Disney+ Sept. 3, while A24’s festival favorites and a Netflix two-part documentary drop all month. This Top 12 list pulls the biggest, buzziest debuts you’ll actually care about (dates and platforms included). Want to know which films will dominate group chats, which deserve a late-night watch, and which could spark memes next week? Read on — and pick the three you’ll queue first.
What 12 September Stream Drops Mean For Your Watchlist Right Now
- Lilo & Stitch (Sept. 3, Disney+) — Big family blockbuster lands on streaming.
- Highest 2 Lowest (Sept. 5, Apple TV+) — Spike Lee/Denzel Washington’s festival pickup streams.
- Friendship (Sept. 5, HBO Max) — A24 black comedy arrives after indie box-office success.
- Warfare (Sept. 12, HBO Max) — Alex Garland’s combat thriller moves to streaming.
- aka Charlie Sheen (Sept. 10, Netflix) — Two-part Netflix doc revisits Sheen’s scandal and recovery.
Top 12 Stream Picks This September — Which Ones Will You Queue First?
#1 – Lilo & Stitch (Sept. 3 On Disney+) — Why A $1B Blockbuster Changes Family Night Plans
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Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch becomes a streaming event the week it hits Disney+; it’s the year’s lone $1 billion grosser. If you loved the animated original as a kid, expect big nostalgia plus spectacle — and yes, your whole family will argue over who gets the remote.
#2 – Highest 2 Lowest (Sept. 5 On Apple TV+) — Spike Lee’s Bold Take Lands On Streaming After Cannes Buzz
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington’s New York spin on Kurosawa arrived at festivals and now streams; the film’s sensational third act is already sparking heated takes. If you follow awards-season chatter, this is one to watch and debate with friends.
#3 – Friendship (Sept. 5 On HBO Max) — A24’s Dark Comedy Arrives To Upend Your Laughs
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A24’s Tim Robinson–Paul Rudd comedy grossed well theatrically and now lands on HBO Max; reviews call it weird, funny and quietly creepy. If you like uncomfortable laughs that stick with you, add this to your late-night queue.
#4 – Warfare (Sept. 12 On HBO Max) — Alex Garland’s Combat Thriller Goes From Festival To Streaming
Garland’s real-time thriller, built from a co-director’s Iraq-war experiences, moves to HBO Max with an ensemble cast. Expect tense, immersive pacing — perfect if you want a film that refuses to let you look away.
#5 – Dangerous Animals (Sept. 5 On Shudder) — A Cannes-Approved Horror That Feels Brutal And Slick
This shark-centered thriller, praised out of Cannes, debuts on Shudder with an unnerving premise and steady reviews. Horror fans: ready your headphones and a friend to cover your eyes?
#6 – The Wedding Banquet (Sept. 8 On Paramount+) — A Modern Rom-Com With IVF, Identity And Chaos
Andrew Ahn’s reimagining of Ang Lee’s classic lands on Paramount+; it mixes family drama and identity politics with a wedding plot that explodes. If you want smart rom‑com beats plus emotional stakes, this could surprise you.
#7 – All Of You (Sept. 26 On Apple TV+) — Brett Goldstein’s Romantic Comedy Hits Streaming With A Twist
Brett Goldstein co-wrote and stars in this matchmaking‑service romance; Apple TV+ slots it late‑month. Expect witty banter and a “will-they/won’t-they” hook — great for a cozy date-night watch.
#8 – Your Name And More GKIDS Anime (Sept. 1 On HBO Max) — Anime Classics Expand HBO Max’s Library
HBO Max adds GKIDS titles including Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name; that means multiple acclaimed anime hits become streamable. Anime fans: which rewatch will you pull first?
#9 – Winter Spring Summer Or Fall (Sept. 1 On Paramount+) — Jenna Ortega’s Long-Delayed Romance Finally Streams
Starring Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White, this coming‑of‑age romance lands on Paramount+ and may reshape teen-watchlists this fall. If you loved Wednesday’s moodier beats, this delivers a softer, seasonal counterpoint.
#10 – aka Charlie Sheen (Sept. 10 On Netflix) — Netflix’s Two-Part Doc Promises Raw Confessions (Plus A Trailer)
Netflix’s two-part documentary includes candid interviews and returns to Sheen’s 2011 fallout; the official trailer previews frank testimony and flashpoints. Want the behind-the-scenes version of a scandal you remember? This one’s for you.
#11 – The Man In My Basement (Sept. 26 On Hulu) — Walter Mosley Adaptation Lands With Big Names
Adapted from Walter Mosley’s novel and starring Willem Dafoe, this Hulu debut mixes mystery and moral puzzles. If character-driven twists are your thing, pencil this into your festival‑to‑sofa viewing.
#12 – The Wrong Paris (Sept. 12 On Netflix) — A Romantic Comedy That’s Actually A Roast Of Reality TV Dating
Miranda Cosgrove headlines a Netflix rom‑com set on a fake “Paris” dating show; it’s light, silly and primed for group reaction posts. If you love rom‑com comfort with a meta twist, this fills that niche.
The Numbers That Make These September Drops Hard To Ignore
| Indicator | Value (Unit) | Impact/Change |
|---|---|---|
| Lilo & Stitch Box Office | $1.0B (global) | Only 2025 title to cross $1B |
| Friendship Box Office | $16M (domestic) | Strong indie performance pre-stream |
| Release Count This Month | 12 Titles | High September content density |
Why These 12 Picks Could Dominate Your Fall Watchlist — Which Will Spark Memes?
These 12 debuts mix one unavoidable family blockbuster, A24 mid‑bites and streaming‑first documentaries — meaning your group chats, watch parties and meme feeds will be busy all month. Which title will start the reaction wave: the billion‑dollar spectacle, an A24 dark comedy, or a revealing celebrity doc? Pick one to queue and tag a friend — this is just the beginning of the conversation.
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.