10 movies you have to watch on Netflix this September
Netflix always answers prayers, said or unsaid. And this September, the streamer did just that while opening the floodgates to all things cinematic. The departure arc routinely stings like a bee. But the arrival arc? That’s designed to fit Hollywood’s Hall of Fame.
While Best of Netflix is not short of recommendations, this time around, we aim to spoil you with choice. That means, no top five or top three suggestions. Instead, we bring the 10 must-watch movies on Netflix to ensure your monthly movie marathon isn’t cut short.
This September list isn’t categorised or organised in accordance with genres or subgenres. But they each hold a formidable reputation in Tinseltown, either as a cultural touchstone, cult classic, or contemporary blockbuster.
So, in case you took Green Day’s suggestion to hibernate this September, we hope you reconsider.
10 movies you have to watch on Netflix this September
La La Land (Damien Chazelle, 2016)
If you’re confused about where to start your September binge, we suggest you begin at the heart of Hollywood in the City of Angels, where road rage incidents write incomplete love stories. Netflix planted many blockbusters to kick-start the month on a high note, the Oscar-nominated La La Land being one. The award-winning musical rom-com actually needs no introduction.
But for the uninitiated, it follows the meet-cute journey of an aspiring actor, Mia Dolan, and a striving jazz pianist, Sebastian “Seb” Wilder, whose rollercoaster romance ends with a page of what-could-be. The title is not just suggestive; it’s reflective of the magic the movie weaves. A masterpiece without an ounce of doubt, La La Land stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, the latter winning an Oscar for ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role.’
Anyone who thinks that music doesn’t belong in films should take a shot at Damien Chazelle’s work of art. Here, the music doesn’t just play. It essentially speaks. La La Land is currently streaming on Netflix US.
Liar Liar (Tom Shadyac, 1997)
Cinema cannot sustain without evolution. Like Hollywood, the spectators get it too. Then, what is it about the late 1990s that still keeps us hooked to the screen? Well, there could be many factors. But in the case of Jim Carrey’s movies, it’s probably the guarantee of unapologetic fun. Hence, if you want to lighten the mood, it’s best to get comfy in the time capsule with the 1997 fantasy comedy, Liar Liar.
The film follows Fletcher Reede, an ironic pathological liar who has built his entire legal career on lies. But guess what’s the only nightmare that can upend his professional and personal life? A day of truth. Carrey’s physical and verbal comedy have always been contagious. But this one is a go-getter in every aspect. It’s loud yet subtle. It’s a no-brainer yet thought-provoking. Even when you’re in for a rewatch, Liar Liar doesn’t feel less. If anything, it pulls you back for more laughs on repeat viewing.
Inside Man (Spike Lee, 2006)
Netflix is never low on star appeal, whether introducing new ones or representing existing ones. So, most recently, when it added Spike Lee’s star-studded Inside Man to its US library, there was no way that it could have gone amiss from the September catalogue. The taut thriller stars Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, and Jodie Foster, taking viewers into a high-stakes heist situation that turns for the worse.
Lee didn’t just deliver a robbery film. He raised the bar of the sub-genre single-handedly with acute pacing, an unforgettable score, elaborate storytelling, and incredible world-building. It explores the themes of power and deception from a unique lens of fictional but palpable realism. If you’ve watched it already, it’s time for a rewatch. If you haven’t, you’re in for an unpredictable journey, the one that implores you to think on your toes.
Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino, 2009)
War films usually maintain a serious tone. But leave it to Quentin Tarantino and you have a black comedy war movie, Inglourious Basterds. The 2009 movie revolves around two alternate history narratives that entwine to culminate with Nazi Germany’s elimination at a Paris theatre. Deemed a cult classic by many, the film was Quentin Tarantino’s highest-grossing project, although outshone later by Django Unchained.
Set against the backdrop of World War II, Inglourious Basterds not only excels with its premise but also in star power. The film undeniably offers a fresh take on the worn-out war films formula, drawing in viewers with its grandeur and glory. It was not an eight-time Oscar nominee for no reason. As for the rest, we trust your judgment.
8 Mile (Curtis Hanson, 2002)
If you love musical films with a biographical twist, 8 Mile is the road you should take. Based on autobiographical details of Eminem’s life, the film follows Jimmy Smith Jr, AKA B-Rabbit, on his journey to carve his own niche in hip-hop, a genre then dominated by African Americans. 8 Mile provides a glimpse of his real-life struggles from living in a rundown trailer to the physical and verbal hostilities he faced while launching his career.
The film breathes life into a lived reality, far from the world of stardom and accolades with which Eminem is contemporarily associated. It’s an eye-opener that captures his Phoenix-like rise from the ashes. For fans of hip-hop, 8 Mile is more than a cultural cornerstone. It has a separate fan base, and for good reason. 8 Mile nails the visual and verbal storytelling. It is by far one of the most unhinged showcases of a life of a star before the spotlight.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Francis Ford Coppola, 1992)
There’s nothing more terrifying than vengeance driven by love. And Bram Stoker’s Dracula reminds you just that. Set in 19th-century England, the Gothic horror film also takes place in Romania. It revolves around Count Dracula, a vampire who falls in love with Mina Murray, his solicitor’s fiancée, whom he believes to be the reincarnation of Elisabeta, his wife who died by suicide in 1462.
Although it’s a romantic adaptation of Bram Stoker’s horror novel, Francis Ford Coppola adds his own cinematic touch to make it contemporary and meta. Considered the pioneering Dracula film of all time, it meticulously distinguishes the character’s representation and reception while commenting on the myth of the bloodthirsty creature.
It’s devoid of CGI effects, which explains the attention to detail required to ensure an intrinsic world-building. Plus, Bram Stoker’s Dracula taps into a different brand of terror that’s hauntingly fulfilling.
We’re the Millers (Rawson Marshall Thurber, 2013)
Fans love complex storytelling. But We’re the Millers convinces you that a simple comedy goes a long way. Despite some critical panning, the road black comedy film was a huge commercial success. We’re the Millers comically challenges the institution of family with a found family brought together to smuggle drugs into the US from Mexico.
Even then, the film shatters the expectation of a found family by hiring neighbours to play a role in this illegal ruse. The film doesn’t require brainstorming or heavy commitment. It’s a ride from the first that has fake everything but conjures very real laughs. We’re the Millers is more of a comfort watch. It doesn’t get old. While not every comedy is meant for rewatches, this doesn’t hold true for the Jennifer Aniston-starrer.
Hot Shots! (Jim Abrahams, 1991)
Before you look for answers about Charlie Sheen in his upcoming Netflix documentary, you must make the most of his Hollywood era with Hot Shots!. The film is currently available on Netflix US. Although conceived primarily as a Top Gun parody, it also offers spoofs of The Fabulous Baker Boys, Superman, Gone with the Wind, and Dances with Wolves, among others.
From jokes that live on our lips now to a comedy spin that lives ahead of its time, Hot Shots! is a complete package. It appeals to viewers of every age and proves why Sheen’s decline still has no shortcomings in the benchmark of comedy he is known for.
The Land Before Time (Don Bluth, 1988)
The first film of Steven Spielberg’s co-produced The Land Before Time franchise is officially available for streaming in the US. For those searching for an animated treat, nothing beats this one in September. The adventure film revolves around a young Apatosaurus, Littlefoot, who is orphaned after a mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex kills her.
Determined to find the Great Valley, he goes on a journey to avoid devastation with four companions. The Land Before Time portrays the divisions between non-human species to portray their struggles in a world fast succumbing to villainous upheaval. The film has out-of-this-world animation, far exclusive than its time. It’s an emotional rollercoaster meant to touch the most rigid hearts. It’s a beautiful, poignant story with a lot of heart that professionally navigates nostalgia and brilliance.
Four Daughters (Kaouther Ben Hania, 2023)
If you feel too exhausted from the laughter pills, take an emotional respite with Four Daughters. The Arabic language film tells the story of a Tunisian mother whose two of her four daughters disappear to join Daesh fighters in Libya. It’s a touching true story that carries unimaginable pain on its coattails. Filmed in a documentary format, Four Daughters explores the personal consequences of radicalism through the lens of hybrid elements.
It revolves around a complex family history that teeters on the edge of light and darkness. The Oscar-nominated docu-drama offers a stark social commentary on the institution of family, with a particular focus on motherhood and sisterhood. Unfortunately, Four Daughters is running short on time. So, make sure you catch up on it before September 5th.