The Fall TV season is officially here – and that means there are many new TV shows and returning favorites to choose from – almost mind-bogglingly so. On top of that, numerous movies and shows premiere on streaming, with a few films playing exclusively in theaters. So, with hundreds of new and old titles, we narrowed down the list of what to watch on streaming, TV, and theaters this month – mainly focusing on romance and period drama with some mysteries, uplifting stories, and genre for some variety.
But there is something here for everyone, even if it’s not an all-inclusive list of everything available. We broke down what to watch for this watchlist by types: streaming, theaters, TV, and VOD. Enjoy!
RELATED: 50 Entertaining Period Pieces on Netflix to Watch – Movie Edition (2021)
NOTE: Release dates are subject to change. New movies and shows (or new season premieres) will have a star next to the title. Also, if a movie or show is R-rated or TV-MA, we’ll let you know.
WHAT TO WATCH ON STREAMING, TV, AND THEATERS: HIGHLIGHTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2021
New Releases in Theaters
Our Top Picks: If you’re looking to head out to the theater, you can’t go wrong with Shang-Chi! But if romance is more your mood, we’re super excited about I’m Your Man, a German romance film starring Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) as a robot.
*23 Walks – Romance, Drama, Comedy (Now Available in Limited Release) (NR)
*Cry Macho – Drama, Thriller, Western (Now Available in Limited Release)
*Dating & New York – Romance, Comedy (Now Available in Limited Release)
*Dear Evan Hanson – Drama, Musical (Available 9/24 in Nationwide Release)
*I’m Your Man – Romance, Drama, Comedy, Sci-fi, Foreign (Available 9/24 in Limited Release) (Rated R)
*Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Adventure, Fantasy (Now Available in Nationwide Release)
*Time is Up – Drama, Romance (Now Available in Limited Release) (NR)
New on VOD
Our Top Picks: If you’ve yet to see Cruella, it’s a fabulous and stylish retelling of the famous story. Saving Paradise also looks like a cute, inspirational film.
Cruella – Period Drama, Comedy, Drama, Adventure (Available to rent 9/21)
*Dating & New York – Romance, Comedy (Now Available)
*Saving Paradise – Drama, Romance (Now Available)
*What She Said – Drama (Now Available) (NR)
New to Streaming
Acorn TV
Our Top Picks: You can’t go wrong with any of these shows! Midsomer Murders is a go-to comfort British mystery, Finding Alice is a new dark comedy series (so only watch if you enjoy dark comedy!) starring Keeley Hawes (The Durrells in Corfu, Our Mutual Friend). And the Republic of Doyle is a fun, comedy PI series about a father and son. There’s lots of romance and great guest stars too!
*Finding Alice – Season 1 (2021) – Comedy, Drama (Now Available) (NR)
*Midsomer Murders – Season 22, Part 2 – British Mystery (Available 9/27)
Republic of Doyle – Season 2 – Mystery, Crime, Drama, Comedy, Romance (Now Available)
Amazon Prime Video
Our Top Picks: The new Cinderella is an enjoyable movie for the whole family, while Sleepless in Seattle is the perfect comfort rom-com to watch!
*Cinderella (2021) –Romantic Musical (Now Available)
Land Girls: Season 1 (2009) – Period Drama (Now Available on PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel)
*The Mad Women’s Ball/Le Bal des folles – Period Drama, Thriller, Foreign (Now Available) (18+)
Republic of Doyle: Season 1 (2010) – Comedy, Mystery, Drama, Romance (Now Available on Acorn TV Amazon Channel)
Sleepless in Seattle (1993) – Romantic Comedy, Classic (Now Available)
Apple TV+
Our Top Picks: See the Broadway musical Come From Away filmed on stage in NYC! It’s an uplifting musical that takes place on 9/11/01 in Newfoundland when thousands of passengers are stranded.
On the other hand, Foundation looks like an epic and entertaining sci-fi series starring Jared Harris and Lee Pace. We can’t wait.
*Come From Away – Comedy, Drama, Musical (Now Available)
*Foundation, Series premiere – Sci-fi, Drama (Available 9/24)
*The Morning Show, Season 2 premiere (Now Available) (TV-MA)
Britbox
Our Top Pick: Vera is an excellent choice if you love British mysteries/crime shows! Brenda Blethyn gives a brilliant performance as the witty detective and deserves more awards.
*The Museum (2021) – Drama (Now Available)
*Vera – Season 11, Part 1 – British Mystery/Crime (Now Available)
* The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, North American Premiere (Available Live Daily 9/21-9/25)
Disney+
Our Top Picks: Check out the remake of Doogie Howser, this time about a young woman working as a doctor in Hawaii! It’s perfect for the entire family.
If romance is more your speed, watch Confessions of a Shopaholic or The Fault in Our Stars. The first is hilarious, while the second is a tragic YA romance.
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009) – Romantic Comedy (Now Available)
*Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. (2021) – Comedy, Drama, Family (First two episodes available – new episodes premiere weekly)
The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – Romance, Drama (Available 9/24)
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) – Adventure, Period Drama, Fantasy, Romance (Now Available)
*Star Wars: Visions – Season 1 Premiere (2021) – Anime, Adventure, Fantasy (Available 9/22)
HBO Max
Our Top Picks: If you’re looking for something new to watch, check out Clint Eastwood’s latest, Cry Macho, or the CW’s Superman & Lois if you haven’t watched the first season yet. It’s surprisingly good in an Everwood meets early Smallville kind of way.
Now, if you’re in the mood for something nostalgic and magical, all eight Harry Potter films are available. But if you want to go even further back, you can’t go wrong with the phenomenal Judy Garland romantic musical, Meet Me in St. Louis.
*Cry Macho (2021) – Drama, Thriller, Western (Now Available)
The Goonies (1985) – Comedy, Adventure, Classic (Now Available)
Harry Potter movies (all eight!) – Fantasy, Drama, Adventure (Now Available)
In the Heart of the Sea (2015) – Period Drama, Adventure (Now Available)
King Kong, Extended Edition (2005) – Period Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Adventure (Now Available)
Lady in the Water (2006) – Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller (Now Available)
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) – Classic, Period Drama, Musical, Romance (Now Available)
Nanny McPhee (2006) – Family, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance (Now Available)
*News of the World (2020) – Period Drama, Adventure, Western (Now Available)
On the Town (1949) – Classic, Musical, Romance (Now Available)
*Promising Young Woman (2020) – Drama (Available 9/25) (Rated R)
*Superman & Lois, Season 1 – Drama, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy (Now Available)
View from the Top (2003) – Romantic Comedy (Now Available)
What Women Want (2000) – Romantic Comedy (Now Available)
*Scenes From a Marriage (2021) – Miniseries, Drama (Now Available) (TV-MA)
Hulu
Our Top Picks: Hulu is the best streaming service to catch up on Fall TV premieres if you don’t have regular cable. We’re most excited about New Amsterdam and the Helen and Max romance and Law & Order: SVU. It’s possible after all these years that something might happen between Stabler and Benson.
As for new shows, La Brea looks promising as the latest drama series with a sci-fi/disaster twist a la Lost style. There is also a remake of The Wonder Years. It’s set in the 1960s and looks heartwarming and nostalgic.
*9-1-1, Season 5 Premiere – Drama, Romance, Action (Available 9/21)
An American Haunting (2006) – Horror, Drama, Romance (Available 9/24)
*The Big Leap: Series Premiere – Drama, Comedy (Available 9/21)
*Chicago Fire, Season 10 Premiere – Drama, Action (Available 9/23)
*Chicago Med, Season 7 Premiere – Medical Drama, Romance (Available 9/23)
*Chicago P.D, Season 9 Premiere – Drama, Action (Available 9/23)
Colette (2018) – Period Drama, Romance, Biography (Now Available) (Rated R)
*The Conners, Season 4 Premiere – Comedy (Available 9/23)
*Dancing with the Stars, Season 20 Premiere – Reality TV (Available 9/21)
Edward Scissorhands (1990) – Fantasy, Drama, Romance, Classic (Now Available)
Gattaca (1997) – Sci-fi, Drama, Romance, Classic, Thriller (Now Available)
*The Good Doctor, Season 4 Premiere – Medical Drama, Romance (Available 9/28)
* La Brea, Series Premiere – Fantasy, Adventure, Sci-fi, Thriller, Mystery, Drama (Available 9/29)
*Law & Order: Organized Crime, Season 2 Premiere – Crime, Drama (Available 9/24)
*Law & Order: SVU, Season 23 Premiere – Crime, Drama, the promise of romance… (Available 9/24)
*A Million Little Things, Season 4 Premiere – Comedy, Drama, Romance (Available 9/23)
Much Ado About Nothing (2012) – Romance (Now Available)
*New Amsterdam, Season 4 Premiere – Medical Drama, Romance (Available 9/22)
On Chesil Beach (2018) – Drama, Romance (Now Available) (Rated R)
*Ordinary Joe, Series Premiere – Drama (Available 9/21)
*Our Kind of People, Series Premiere – Drama, Thriller (Available 9/22)
*The Resident, Season 5 Premiere – Medical Drama (Available 9/22)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) – Drama, Romance (Now Available) (Rated R)
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005) – Animation, Fantasy, Musical, Romance (Now Available)
Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys (2008) – Drama (Now Available)
*The Voice: Season 21 Premiere – Reality TV (Available 9/21)
*The Wonder Years, Series Premiere – Comedy, Period Drama, Family (Available 9/23)
The X-Files (1998) – Sci-fi, Drama, Thriller, Romance (Now Available)
*Y: The Last Man, Series Premiere – Drama, Sci-fi (Now Available)
Netflix
Our Top Picks: The final season of Lucifer, the romantic urban fantasy series, is now available! Find out how the show ends. Will Lucifer and Chloe get their happy ending? We hope so! (We’ve made it to episode eight so far, and it’s the perfect final season sendoff.)
We also recommend checking out Hotel Del Luna, a romantic Korean drama series perfect for Halloween. It’s from the same writers as Master’s Sun, so you know it’s good.
Agatha Christie’s Crooked House (2017) – Period Drama, Mystery, Romance (Now Available)
Cold Mountain (2003) – Period Drama, Romance, War (Now Available) (Rated R)
*Confessions of an Invisible Girl (2021) – Comedy, Foreign Drama, Romance, Teen (Available 9/22)
Dear John (2010) – Romance (Now Available)
*Firedrake the Silver Dragon (2021) – Animation, Family, Fantasy (Now Available)
*Jaguar – Period Drama, Action, Spanish Drama (Available 9/22) (TV-MA)
Hotel Del Luna (2019) – Korean Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery (Now Available)
*JJ+E (2021) – Romance, Foreign Drama (Now Available)
Labyrinth (1986) – Fantasy, Classic (Now Available)
Letters to Juliet (2010) – Romantic Comedy (Now Available)
*Lucifer – Season 6 – Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Mystery/Crime (Now Available)
*Luna Park – Season 1 (2021) – Period Drama, Foreign Drama (Available 9/30)
Marshall (2017) – Historical Drama (Now Available)
*Nightbooks (2021) – Family, Fantasy, Mystery, Horror (Now Available)
Official Secrets (2019) – Biography, Drama, Thriller starring Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode (Available 9/29)
*On the Verge, Season one – Comedy (Now Available) (TV-MA)
*Sounds Like Love (2021) – Romantic Comedy, Foreign, Music (Available 9/29)
*The Starling (2021) – Comedy, Drama (Available 9/24)
*Worth (2021) – Historical Drama (Now Available)
Paramount+
Our Top Pick: The Tony Awards always have outstanding Broadway performances, so we recommend watching for the entertainment factor.
But if you’re in the mood for romance, then watch Cold Mountain – it’s an epic love story with fantastic chemistry between Nicole Kidman and Jude Law. We also recommend Slumdog Millionaire – because it’s brilliant.
*74th Annual Tony Awards – Live Event (7p ET on 9/26)
An American Haunting (2006) – Horror, Drama, Romance (Available 9/24)
Cold Mountain (2003) – Period Drama, Romance, War (Now Available) (Rated R)
Mean Girls (2004) – Comedy, Romance, Teen (Now Available)
Murder on the Orient Express (1974) – Classic, Mystery, Period Drama (Now Available)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) – Drama, Romance (Now Available) (Rated R)
The Wedding Plan – Romantic Comedy (Now Available)
PBS PASSPORT
Our Top Pick: Lucy Worsley makes history fun and entertaining. Her new documentary is no different.
Lucy Worsley’s Royal Myths & Secrets: “Kings George III and IV & the Napoleonic War” – History, Documentary (Now Available)
*Guilt on Masterpiece Mystery – Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Comedy (Now Available)
Peacock
Our Top Picks: Peacock is great for watching the FALL TV NBC lineup, including New Amsterdam, Law & Order: SVU, and La Brea.
If you don’t mind the strong language, My Son also sounds promising. It’s a thriller mystery film with some romance starring James McAvoy and Claire Foy.
There’s also the new conspiracy adventure series that could be fun: Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol.
For old romantic favorites, watch Notting Hill and Out of Africa!
About a Boy (2002) – Drama, Comedy, Romance (Now Available)
Beetlejuice – Comedy, Fantasy, Classic (Now Available)
*Chicago Fire, Season 10 Premiere – Drama, Action (Available 9/23)
*Chicago Med, Season 7 Premiere – Medical Drama, Romance (Available 9/23)
*Chicago P.D, Season 9 Premiere – Drama, Action (Available 9/23)
*Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol, Series Premiere – Adventure, Mystery (Now Available)
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – Family, Sci-fi, Classic (Now Available)
The Help (2011) Period Drama (Now Available)
Hotel Rwanda (2004) – Historical Drama, War, Biography (Now Available)
* La Brea, Series Premiere – Fantasy, Adventure, Sci-fi, Thriller, Mystery, Drama (Available 9/29)
*Law & Order: Organized Crime, Season 2 Premiere – Crime, Drama (Available 9/24)
*Law & Order: SVU, Season 23 Premiere – Crime, Drama, the promise of romance… (Available 9/24)
The Mask of Zorro/The Legend of Zorro (1998/2005) – Adventure, Period Drama, Romance (Now Available)
*My Son – Mystery, Thriller (Now Available)
*New Amsterdam, Season 4 Premiere – Medical Drama, Romance (Available 9/22)
Notting Hill (1999) – Romance, Comedy, Classic (Now Available)
Out of Africa (1985) – Classic, Romance, Period Drama (Now Available)
*The Voice: Season 21 – Reality TV (Available 9/21)
World Trade Center (2006) Drama, History (Now Available)
New to TV
Our Top Picks: Besides all the new and returning shows (Grey’s Anatomy previews have us excited), we’re most enthusiastic for the new Hallmark movie, Taking the Reins. It has a good writer, a strong cast (including Nikki Deloach and Scott Porter), and it looks cute!
Currently Airing/Already Aired
*Journey of My Heart – Romance on Hallmark Channel (Re-airs on 10/7)
*Impeachment: American Crime Story – Crime, Biography, Drama (Premiered 9/7 on FX -Airing New Episodes Weekly)
*Queen Sugar, Season 6 – (Premiered 9/7 on OWN – Airing New Episodes Weekly)
*Roadhouse Romance – Romance, Drama on Hallmark Channel (Repeats Air 9/19, 9/25, 10/25)
*Redemption in Cherry Springs – Drama, Mystery on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (Repeats Air 9/18, 9/22, 10/9)
September 18
*Raise a Glass to Love – Drama, Romance (Premieres on Hallmark)
September 19
*73rd Primetime Emmy Awards (Live event on CBS)
*Finding Love in Mountain View – Romance, Drama (Premieres on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
September 20
*9-1-1, Season 5 Premiere – Drama, Romance, Action (FOX)
*The Big Leap – Drama, Comedy (FOX)
*Bob Hearts Abishola, season 3 Premiere – Romantic Comedy (CBS)
*Dancing With the Stars, Season Premiere – Reality TV (ABC)
*NCIS, Season 19 Premiere – Drama, Action, Mystery, Crime, Thriller (CBS)
*NCIS – Hawaii, Series Premiere – Drama, Action, Mystery, Crime, Thriller (CBS)
*Ordinary Joe, Series Premiere – Drama (NBC)
*The Voice, Season Premiere – Reality TV (NBC)
September 21
*FBI, Season Premiere – Drama (CBS)
*FBI: International, Series Premiere – Drama (CBS)
*FBI: Most Wanted, Season Premiere – Drama (CBS)
*New Amsterdam, Season 4 Premiere – Medical Drama, Romance (NBC)
*Our Kind of People, Series Premiere – Drama (FOX)
*The Resident, Season 5 Premiere – Medical Drama (FOX)
September 22
*Chicago Fire, Season 10 Premiere – Drama, Action (NBC)
*Chicago Med, Season 7 Premiere – Medical Drama, Romance (NBC)
*Chicago P.D, Season 9 Premiere – Drama, Action (NBC)
*The Conners, Season 4 Premiere – Comedy, Romance (ABC)
*A Million Little Things, Season 4 Premiere – Comedy, Drama, Romance (ABC)
*The Wonder Years, Series Premiere – Comedy, Period Drama, Family (ABC)
September 23
*Law & Order: Organized Crime, Season 2 Premiere – Crime, Drama (NBC)
*Law & Order: SVU, Season 23 Premiere – Crime, Drama, the promise of romance… (NBC)
September 25
*Taking the Reins – Drama, Romance (Hallmark Channel)
September 26
*Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone – Drama, Romance (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
September 27
*The Good Doctor, Season 4 Premiere – Medical Drama, Romance (ABC)
September 28
* La Brea, Series Premiere – Fantasy, Adventure, Sci-fi, Thriller, Mystery, Drama (NBC)
September 30
*Grey’s Anatomy, Season 18 Premiere – Medical Drama, Romance (ABC)
*Station 19 – Medical Drama, Romance (ABC)
What do you plan to watch on streaming, on TV, and in theaters this month? Let us know in the comments below!
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