From horrifying prequels and inspiring documentaries to tender Irish tales and adrenalin-pumping survival thrillers, September’s new cinema releases offer something for all movie-goers. Here are Popcorn Podcast’s most anticipated big-screen picks for the month… 

Three Thousand Years of Longing (Sep 1)

After a seven-year filmmaking hiatus, George Miller returns with Three Thousand Years of Longing. The fantasy fairytale, adapted from short story The Djinn and the Nightingale's Eye, follows a scholar (Tilda Swinton) on a trip to Istanbul where she encounters a Djinn (Idris Elba) who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom.

The film had its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival where it earned a six-minute standing ovation. Not a bad comeback for the Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa director.

Listen to Popcorn Podcast’s review of Three Thousand Years of Longing

Embrace Kids (Sep 1)

Taryn Brumfitt, founder of The Body Image Movement, believes the first step in changing the world is changing your own mind. Following her break-out documentary Embrace in 2016, Embrace Kids redirects the discussion of body image to school-aged kids.

Read Popcorn Podcast’s Q&A with the author, activist and director for some hilarious behind-the-scenes moments. Plus, learn what’s next on the cards for the passionate filmmaker.

Orphan: First Kill (Sep 1)

Isabelle Fuhrman haunts the screen once again as Esther in the prequel to 2009’s Orphan. In this psychological horror, Esther escapes from an Estonian psychiatric facility and travels to America by impersonating the missing daughter of a wealthy family.

Could Orphan: First Kill kick-start another horror franchise, as successful as the likes of Halloween and The Conjuring?

After Ever Happy (Sep 8)

The fourth and penultimate chapter of the After franchise sees young the union of lovers Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) and Tessa (Josephine Langford) enter shaky terrain when a realisation of the past shocks Hardin and a personal tragedy rattles Tessa. One question remains: Does Tessa continue trying to save Hardin and their relationship, or is it time to save herself? 

The Quiet Girl (Sep 8)

Adapted from Claire Keegan’s 2010 short story Foster, The Quiet Girl follows 9-year-old Cáit (Catherine Clinch) as she is sent away from her overcrowded family to live with distant relatives during the summer. Here, she discovers a new way of living and one sad truth.

Colm Bairéad’s narrative feature film debut won seven Irish Film and Television Awards, including Best Film – a first for an Irish language film. The moving coming-of-age story is Ireland’s entry for the 2023 Academy Awards. 

Discover Bairéad’s cinematic inspirations and how he translated the emotional story of love and family from the page to the screen in Popcorn Podcast’s interview with the Irish filmmaker.

Bodies Bodies Bodies (Sep 15)

A24’s black comedy horror takes party games to another level. A group of 20-somethings (and one older boyfriend) stuck at a remote mansion during a hurricane decides to play one of their favourite games: Bodies Bodies Bodies. One player is designated the murderer, the lights go out, a victim gets tapped on the shoulder, and everyone guesses who the killer is. But the game takes a dark turn when people start dying for real.

The slasher from Halina Reijn stars Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give), Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm), Rachel Sennott (Shiva Baby), actor and comedian Pete Davidson, Chase Sui Wonders (Sophia Coppola’s On the Rocks) and Lee Pace (Marvel’s Ronan the Accuser).

Check out Popcorn Podcast’s interview with the Bodies Bodies Bodies cast

Ticket to Paradise (Sep 15)

It’s a 1990s revival! Julia Roberts and George Clooney play a divorced couple who team up and travel to Bali (really Australia’s Far North Queensland) to stop their daughter (Kaitlyn Dever) from making the same mistake they believe they made 25 years ago.

Director Ol Parker, who helmed Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and wrote The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel films, co-wrote this romantic comedy with writer-producer Daniel Pipski (producer of the Kate Mara-starring TV miniseries A Teacher).

Listen to Popcorn Podcast’s review of Ticket To Paradise now

DC League of Super-Pets (Sep 15)

In this animated superhero comedy, Krypto the Super-Dog (Dwayne Johnson) and Superman (John Krasinski) are inseparable best friends who fight crime side-by-side in Metropolis. However, when Superman is kidnapped, Krypto must master his own powers and work with a new group of super friends for a rescue mission.

Other voice stars in DC League of Super-Pets include Kate McKinnon, Kevin Hart, Vanessa Bayer, Diego Luna, Marc Maron, Keanu Reeves and more! Don’t forget to stay for the two cheeky end credit scenes.

Moonage Daydream (Sep 15)

David Bowie fans, this one’s for you. Nominated for the Golden Eye and Queer Palm awards at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Academy Award-nominee Brett Morgen’s documentary is a cinematic odyssey exploring the musician and actor’s creative journey.

The kaleidoscopic documentary features archival footage of never-before-seen performances, recordings, artwork, images and journals, promising a deep-dive into the rockstar’s colourful life.

Fall (Sep 22)

Scott Mann, director of 2015 action-crime flick Heist (starring Robert De Niro), takes us to new heights in Fall. Best friends Becky (Grace Caroline Currey) and Hunter (Virginia Gardner) climb 2,000 feet (609 metres) to the top of a remote radio tower, only to find themselves stranded with no way down. 

Whether you do or don’t have acrophobia (that’s a fear of heights, not spiders) this survival thriller is sure to have you hanging on the edge of your seat.