What’s Coming to Netflix and Disney+ in September 2023

As the kids head back to school, fall is in the air. The sun is setting a little earlier, giving plenty of time to curl up as a family and watch a show together at the end of a long day. This month you’ll find everything from science fiction and fantasy to animation and nature documentaries on this list.

So after the kids finish their homework and the dishes are done, pop some popcorn and settle in for some fun and relaxing family entertainment.

Netflix

Sept. 1: “Arrival” – This sci-fi movie follows the story of a linguist who works with the military to communicate with an alien lifeform after twelve mysterious spaceships appear around Earth. There are some timeline jumps that may be a little confusing to younger viewers. This movie is rated PG-13 and best for the tween/teen crowd.

Sept. 1: One Piece Movie/Special Collection – In August 2023 Netflix released the first live action “One Piece,” a Japanese manga series that follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates. This manga series has won many awards and is hailed as one of the best manga of all time. As of August 2022, it had over 516.6 million copies in circulation! This month, more "One Piece" anime series, movies and specials are being added to Netflix, including:

• “One Piece: 3D2Y – Overcome Ace’s Death! Luffy’s Vow to His Friends” (2014)
• “One Piece Adventure of Nebulandia” (2015)
• “One Piece Film: Gold” (2016)
• “One Piece: Heart of Gold” (2016)
• “One Piece Episode of East Blue: Luffy and His Four Friends’ Great Adventure” (2017)
• “One Piece Episode of Skypiea” (2018)

Sept. 1: “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” (2005) – This stop-motion film stars the beloved British inventor Wallace and his loyal dog Gromit. Together they investigate a mystery and use all kinds of crazy inventions, created by Wallace. Will they save the day? You’ll have to watch and find out. This fun family movie is rated G.

Sept. 1: “Kung Fu Panda 2” (2011) – Po is back for more Kung Fu adventure in this silly family movie. He must use his new-found martial arts skills to stop a peacock villain from conquering China. This movie has laughs for the whole family and some impressive star power behind the voice acting, including Jack Black, Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan. Rated PG.

Sept. 1: “Land of the Lost” (2009) – Travel through time and space with scientist Rick Marshall (played by Will Ferrell) in this fun sci-fi adventure. Along with his assistant, Holly, and Will (a water guide they happen to encounter), they travel to other dimensions and times where they encounter strange creatures while they try to find their way home and (of course) save the universe. This movie is rated PG-13 and is best for the tween and older crowd.

Sept. 1: “Matilda” (1996) – The classic Roald Dahl book comes to life in this fun movie. Watch clever Matilda use her brains (and psychic powers) to deal with her cruel family and mean school principal. This movie is rated PG and has lots of laughs for the whole family.

Sept. 1: “Mr. Bean's Holiday” (2007) – Mr. Bean (played by Rowan Atkinson) wins a trip to Cannes where he finds himself tasked with reuniting a boy with his father. Watch him make silly faces, dance and get into one shenanigan after another all the way across France. Rated PG.

Sept. 1: “Open Season: Scared Silly” (2015) – Elliot, Boog and all their woodland creature friends are back in this computer-animated sequel. This fast-paced movie follows the animals on their new adventure as they face their fears and work together to get the hunting season closed permanently. Rated PG.

Sept. 1: “Woody Woodpecker” (2017) – This movie is, strange. An animated Woody Woodpecker tries to stop a live-action family from building a house in his forest, while befriending their child and helping him take on small town bullies. Rated PG.

Sept. 6: “Predators” (Limited Series) – If you like to watch animals chasing other animals, look no further! This nature documentary follows five predators across changing landscapes.

Sept. 7: “GAMERA –Rebirth” (Season 1) – And if you thought animals chasing animals was exciting, how about monsters fighting monsters! In this anime series the turtle kaiju Gamera returns and bravely fights the giant human-eating monsters.

Sept. 7: “Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight” (Season 3) – If you need more Po, Netflix has you covered. This month also marks the release of season 3 of this DreamWorks animated series. Po and his friends use their Kung Fu skills again to save the world from villains and destruction. Rated TV-Y7.

Sept. 7: “The Swan Princess: A Fairytale Is Born” (2023) – Magic and adventure abound in this animated fairy tale of kings, queens and, of course, a princess. Princess Odette is about to become queen, but another evil queen is scheming to ruin the coronation. This family movie is rated PG.

Sept. 8: “Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master” – Join Ash and his friends in this latest installment in the Pokémon universe. Try to catch them all!

Sept. 18: “My Little Pony: Make Your Mark: Chapter 5” – Welcome back to Equestria in this new animated series, where the Alicorn Opaline is causing more problems. She has captured Sparky's Dragonfire and she won't stop until she has all the power of Equestria. Can the ponies right this wrong and save their home?

Sept. 22: “Spy Kids: Armageddon” (2023) – In this updated version of the 2001 movie, kids must once again become spies to save their parents (who are also spies). Using tons of cool gadgets, a brother and sister take on the bad guys and work together to save the day. And their parents. And the world! Rated PG.

Sept. 29: “Power Rangers: Cosmic Fury” (Season 3) – In this latest season of the Power Rangers franchise, Billy Cranston, the original Blue Ranger, returns. Billy will help the new crew of rangers fight against the greatest threat to their universe: the legendary Lord Zedd who has been giving the rangers trouble since 1994.

Bonus: Celebrate Grandparents Day on Sept. 10 with Netflix Grandparents Day Collection. Whether you’re a baking enthusiast, amateur super sleuth, adventure seeker or love the outdoors, the Grandparents Day Collection (netflix.com/grandparentsday) offers something for every age to connect, share and watch together.

Disney+

Sept. 6: “The Little Mermaid” (2023) – This classic Disney movie comes to life in the new live-action version starring Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King and Melissa McCarthy. Get ready to sing along with your childhood favorites and enjoy a few new musical numbers as well.

Sept. 6: “I Am Groot” (Season 2) – Your favorite Flora colossus is back for more adventure in this new collection of five shorts featuring Groot. This season Groot finds himself exploring the universe with his Guardian of the Galaxy friends.

Sept. 6: “Doc McStuffins: The Doc & Bella Are In!” – Doc gets an intern in this new series based on the Peabody Award-winning show, “Doc McStuffins.” Bella Bunnynose, a cute stuffed bunny, dreams of becoming a toy doctor and joins Doc in the clinic. This show is aimed at preschool viewers and has lots of positive messages and laughs.

Sept. 13: “Marvel Studios’ Assembled: The Making of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” – Say goodbye to your favorite Guardians in this behind the scenes special about the making of the final Guardians of the Galaxy movie.

Sept. 13: “Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir” (Season 5) – Marinette and Adrien, typical high school students in Paris, both become super heroes to protect their beloved city. Though they work together as heroes, they don’t know each other’s true identities.

Sept. 13: “Raven’s Home” (Season 6) – Raven is a single mom raising her kids with her friend, Chelsea. Life gets exciting when her son starts showing psychic abilities (much like his mom)!

Sept. 13: “Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” (Season 2) – Three Spider heroes (Peter Parker, Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy) work together with their other super friends to keep their city safe. This show will be a hit with the littlest viewers.

Sept. 20: “The Ghost and Molly McGee” (Season 2) – Cheerful tween Molly McGee finds herself connected to a grumpy ghost named Scratch, who is cursed to be in her bubbly presence for eternity. Watch these two unlikely friends navigate life’s adventures and learn along the way.

Sept. 20: “PJ Masks: Power Heroes” (Season 1) – This series reboot about kids who fight crime at night brings new friends, new super powers and a new headquarters in space! All the heroes will come together to solve problems and save the day. Even with all this newness, my central question remains unanswered: when do these kids sleep?

Sept. 27: “Pupstruction: Season 1” (Season 1) – Puppies and construction equipment, a preschoolers dream come true! Watch the pups work together to build and create all sorts of cool things in this Disney Junior show.

Sept. 29: Disney’s Launchpad (Season 2) – Disney’s Launchpad program focuses on building a more inclusive entertainment industry. Selected writers and directors work with Disney creatives, and selected shorts that are made are shown on Disney+. This year’s collection showcases the following:

• “Beautiful, FL” – Determined to win an ice cream competition with a flavor inspired by her late Tia Abuela’s Puerto Rican treats, a teen girl turns to her trailer park neighbors to help figure out the winning recipe.
• “The Ghost” – Twelve-year-old Clarice Cheung feels like she’s invisible, especially next to her older sister Naomi. But when a fight breaks out at the dinner table, it awakens a ghost that begins taking the family, one by one. Now Clarice and Naomi must work together to stop this powerful spirit, before their family is torn apart forever.
• “Black Belts” – Determined to prove himself a Compton legend like his ex-fighter dad, an offbeat teen steals the family’s secret martial arts technique to use at a well-renowned underground dojo. Seeking respect amongst peers, he learns quickly that there’s more to being a man than throwing hands.
• “Maxine” – Nervous about introducing her first girlfriend to her family, Allie gets help from the spirit of a long-lost relative during the Hungry Ghost Festival.
• “Project CC” – A brilliant child scientist must join forces with her sister when a cloning experiment goes awry.
• “The Roof” – After being sent to stay with their grandfather, a Northern Cheyenne teen discovers a connection to their family and community in a way they never thought possible.

Ongoing

“Start Wars: Ashoka” – After the fall of the Empire, this new series follows the former Jedi Knight Ashoka as she uses the force to battle the Dark Side and protect the galaxy. 

• Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26