Labor Day Weekend: Netflix’s Big Movie Premieres in September 2023
In the eyes of many movie lovers, Labor Day weekend marks the official transition between the end of the summer blockbuster season and the beginning of the fall awards race. With the Telluride and Venice Film Festivals underway (and the Toronto International Film Festival kicking off next week), the world is getting its first look at the auteur-driven films that will be rolling out over the next few months.
But you don’t need to be on the Lido to catch some of the month’s biggest festival premieres. Some of Netflix’s biggest award contenders that premiered in Venice will be making their way to the streaming service later this month. The biggest title is arguably “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” Wes Anderson’s stop-motion adaptation of the Roald Dahl short story that kicks off a series of four shorts he’ll direct for Netflix. The 37-minute film dazzled critics in Venice and should be a perfect dessert course for anyone left wanting more after the visual feast that was “Asteroid City.” Netflix also has “El Conde,” Pablo Larrain’s genre-bending historical satire that reimagines Augusto Pinochet as an undead vampire hitting the streaming airwaves this month.
Beyond that, Netflix’s latest slate of additions to its film library features plenty of classic mainstream fare worth revisiting. From nostalgic ’80s throwbacks to recent masterpieces from auteurs like Martin Scorsese and Denis Villeneuve, there’s something for every movie lover to stream this month. Keep reading for our seven favorite movies coming to Netflix in September 2023.
1. “Arrival” (Now streaming)
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Amy Adams stars as a linguistics expert tasked with interpreting the communication methods of a new species of aliens that lands on earth in an attempt to document their language. Denis Villeneuve blends cerebral musings with genuine heart in this sci-fi film that makes a case for the importance of the liberal arts.
2. “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (Now streaming)
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This high school comedy, directed by Amy Heckerling, captures the enormous emotional swings of the final years before entering the real world. It explores students’ pursuits of sex, drugs, and rock and roll with journalistic seriousness.
3. “Stand by Me” (Now streaming)
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Led by a stellar ensemble including River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton, this coming-of-age drama is based on a Stephen King novella. Rob Reiner presents a moving drama as four adolescent boys band together to find the dead body of a missing classmate.
4. “Up in the Air” (Now streaming)
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George Clooney plays a traveling business consultant who spends his days firing people and enjoying first-class flights. Jason Reitman’s film explores the importance of human connections at work, especially in an era of remote work and A.I.
5. “The Wolf of Wall Street” (Streaming September 12)
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Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this R-rated adult drama captures the excessive debauchery of disgraced mogul Jordan Belfort. It is a gripping exploration of greed, corruption, and the pursuit of the American Dream.
6. “El Conde” (Streaming September 15)
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Pablo Larrain’s satirical film reimagines the late dictator Augusto Pinochet as an undead vampire who has terrorized 250 years of history. Through its gory satire, Larrain makes a bold statement about the legacy of Pinochet’s totalitarian regime.
7. “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” (Streaming September 27)
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Directed by Wes Anderson, this whimsical stop-motion adaptation of a Roald Dahl short story showcases Anderson’s visual inventiveness and theatricality. It sets the stage for a series of four short adaptations of Dahl stories that Anderson will direct for Netflix.
Get ready for a month of captivating storytelling and memorable performances as Netflix brings a diverse range of films to its streaming service. From thought-provoking sci-fi to hilarious high school comedies and boundary-pushing satires, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this September.