Shock first: Lilo & Stitch has already grossed $1 billion and lands on Disney+ Sept. 3 — so this streaming month starts with a bang. These Top 10 picks (platforms and dates verified by Variety and other outlets) mix tentpole blockbusters, A24 indies and Netflix originals that will shape watchlists and weekend watercooler talk. My quick take: if you only stream one, pick the big, crowd-pleasing surprise or the smallest A24 title — both reward different kinds of viewers. Which vibe are you in this month: blockbuster comfort or weird-cult obsession?
What To Know First About September’s Top 10 Streaming Premieres Today
- Lilo & Stitch Debuts on Disney+ Sept. 3, after $1B worldwide box office.
- Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest lands on Apple TV+ Sept. 5 after its limited run.
- A24’s Friendship (Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd) arrives on HBO Max Sept. 5, after $16M domestic.
- Alex Garland’s Warfare (A24) hits HBO Max Sept. 12 — a real-time combat thriller.
- Shudder, Netflix, Hulu and Prime each drop high-profile originals across September (dates below).
Top 10 Streaming Picks This September — Which One Matches Your Mood?
#1 – Why Lilo & Stitch’s $1B Run Means Huge Disney+ Buzz (Sept. 3)
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Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch arrives on Disney+ Sept. 3 after becoming 2025’s only $1B global hit so far (Variety). If you loved the cartoon, expect big-family viewing and viral rewatching — and yes, the remake is built to dominate streaming charts. If you want the communal, nostalgia-safe pick, this is it.
#2 – #2 Highest 2 Lowest: Spike Lee + Denzel — A Prestige Drop (Sept. 5)
Spike Lee’s New York riff on Kurosawa arrives on Apple TV+ Sept. 5 after a theatrical bow; Denzel Washington’s morally tangled lead turns awards-caliber drama into must-scroll TV conversation. If you follow auteur takes, this one will fuel think pieces and reaction clips — put it on when you want to talk about performance.
#3 – #3 Friendship’s Odd, Funny Cult Energy (Sept. 5 On HBO Max)
A24’s black comedy starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd (streaming Sept. 5 on HBO Max) built a spring cult buzz with $16M domestic box office (Variety). Expect cringe laughs and a slow-build fanbase; if you liked awkward-comedy veins (think “I’m Sorry”), this scratches that itch hard.
#4 – #4 Warfare: Alex Garland’s Tense, Real-Time Thriller (Sept. 12 On HBO Max)
Alex Garland’s A24-backed Warfare lands Sept. 12 on HBO Max after cinemas. It’s a taut, real-time combat piece with an ensemble cast (Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn). For viewers who want tension and formal audacity, this is the “watch-to-discuss” pick.
#5 – #5 Dangerous Animals: Cannes Horror That Actually Bites (Sept. 5 On Shudder)
Sean Byrne’s shark-serial-killer thriller Dangerous Animals debuts on Shudder Sept. 5, bringing festival heat and a savage premise. If you crave nasty, sharpened horror, this one supplies both shocks and festival pedigree.
#6 – #6 The Wedding Banquet: A Modern Dramedy Reimagined (Sept. 8 On Paramount+)
Andrew Ahn’s take on Ang Lee’s classic reworks family and IVF stakes; Paramount+ Sept. 8. It’s the empathetic dramedy for viewers who want character warmth plus cultural conversations. If you liked intimate indie dramedies, save an evening.
#7 – #7 All Of You: Brett Goldstein’s Romantic Twist (Sept. 26 On Apple TV+)
Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso) co-wrote and stars in this rom-com arriving Sept. 26 on Apple TV+. It’s cozy, clever, and built for streaming dates — if you need a feel-good reset, slot this into a Sunday-night watch.
#8 – #8 Your Name (GKIDS) And Anime Favorites Return To HBO Max (Sept. 1)
GKIDS’ anime slate — including Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name — streams on HBO Max Sept. 1. For animation lovers, this week is a rare theatrical-quality anime drop into your living room. If Studio Ghibli-style frames call to you, this is the month.
#9 – #9 aka Charlie Sheen: A Two-Part Netflix Reckoning (Sept. 10 On Netflix)
Netflix’s two-part documentary aka Charlie Sheen goes deep on the star’s career and scandals (Sept. 10). Expect raw interviews and headline-making revelations; it’s the voyeuristic, must-click doc for pop-culture junkies.
#10 – #10 The Man In My Basement: Willem Dafoe’s Creepy Hook (Sept. 26 On Hulu)
Adapted from Walter Mosley, The Man In My Basement (Hulu Sept. 26) pairs Corey Hawkins and Willem Dafoe in a suspenseful moral bargain. If you like literary-adapted twists with a lead performance to chew on, this is essential.
The 3 Streaming Numbers That Will Change Your Watchlist This Month
| Indicator | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Biggest Box Office | $1.0B (Lilo & Stitch) | Only US billion-dollar grosser of 2025 |
| Indie Breakout Box Office | $16M (Friendship) | A24 indie found spring theatrical traction |
| Curated September Titles | 24 Titles | Variety’s roundup of streaming premieres this month |
Lilo & Stitch’s box office dominance and A24’s festival-to-stream pipeline define September’s streaming conversation.
What This Top 10 Means For Your September Watchlist — Which Will You Start First?
Between a blockbuster that already earned $1B and several A24/indie drops, September flips the script: streaming is both comfort TV and prestige bait. Pick the crowd-pleaser to unwind or the A24/indie to join the early reaction wave — and then tag a friend to start the debate. Which one will you queue first?
Sources
- https://variety.com/lists/best-movies-streaming-september-2025/
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/netflix-september-2025-new-releases-movies-tv-1236356581/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/06/arts/television/netflix-new-september.html
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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.