Whether you’re looking for a new film to see on the big screen or for another series to binge-watch, there’s a lot of movies and shows coming out this September 2026. Here are 8 picks the 8List.ph staff are eagerly waiting for.

Forgotten Island

Release date: 23 September 2026
Run Time: 1 hour and 49 minutes
Where to watch: Cinemas nationwide
Why it’s on our watchlist:

Forgotten Island has all the makings of a must-watch film—an ensemble cast, breathtaking visuals, and a compelling story that shows how powerful friendships can be. It follows best friends Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano). After discovering a mysterious portal, they are transported to the magical island of Nakali, where they meet mythological creatures they only grew up hearing about from their families.

Joined by well-meaning-but-hapless weredog Raww (Dave Franco) and a small-but-mighty pack of pals, Jo and Raissa must face the Dreaded Manananggal (Tony-winning icon Lea Salonga), the most feared creature in Nakali. After learning that the memories of their friendship are the price to return home, Jo and Raissa must find a way to leave Nakali before they forget each other entirely. If that’s not a must-watch film for you, I don’t know what is. — Ed Toledo

Avengers Endgame: Encore

Release date: 23 September 2026
Run time: 3 hrs 3 mins
Where to watch: Cinemas nationwide
Why it’s on our watchlist:

It’s time to assemble once more. Ahead of the upcoming Doomsday film, fans (including us!) have been refreshing our MCU knowledge, and Avengers Endgame: Encore came just at the right time. Most of us already know how the story goes after Endgame was released in 2019, but this time around, Encore adds nearly four minutes of extra footage, giving fans a new treat. — Meryl Medel 

Made in Korea S2

Release date: 9 September 2023
Episodes: 6
Where to watch: Disney+
Why it’s on our watchlist:

The stakes are higher this time around as KCIA mastermind Baek Ki-tae (played by Hyun Bin) expands his covert criminal empire while also facing a vengeful, framed prosecutor Jang Geon-young (played Jung Woo-sung) and a brewing conflict with his own brother (played Woo Do-hwan). Honestly, Hyun Bin in Made in Korea reminds me of his character in the 2018 film The Negotiation. He is electric as the bad guy (some might say anti-hero), and paired with a powerful ensemble cast, and we’ve got quite the political crime thriller in our hands. Can’t wait to see what move Baek Ki-tae takes next in the turbulent political landscape of 1970s Korea. — Meryl Medel

Primetime

Release date: 25 September 2026 (US)
Run time: 1 hr 50 mins
Where to watch: TBA
Why it’s on our watchlist:

Robert Pattinson is still keen on keeping his ball rolling. After the success of his films The Drama and The Odyssey and two more films for this year, we’re quite sure the fans won’t get tired of him anytime soon.

Set in the 2000s, Primetime showcases host Chris Hansen (Robert Pattinson) as he works on a historic TV show, To Catch a Predator. The show features different cases where Hansen interviews and investigates child predators. While its initial episodes were a success, a botched sting causes the show to get out of hand. How will they recover from this?

While the premise of the film and the protagonist are enough to get you hooked, singer Phoebe Bridgers is also making an appearance here! So, if you’re curious to see her act, we’ll see you in the cinemas, too. — Ina Manto

The Lovers

Release date: 30 August 2026
Run time: 15 min
Where to watch: YouTube
Why it’s on our watchlist:

After three years in production, the indie animated short film The Lovers is finally available to watch for free on YouTube, and it’s on our watchlist for bringing Filipino storytelling, LGBTQ+ representation, and independent animation together in a genuinely fresh way.

The Lovers first caught attention in 2023 as a Kickstarter project, raising over $400,000 from more than 7,000 backers in just 45 days. But what made people anticipate its release was its premise: a dark reimagining of Binondo where humans and sirenas coexist, except sirenas are considered a special delicacy, a centerpiece on a dining table. The Lovers’ story follows a reluctant seafood chef who becomes entangled in a dangerous affair with one of these mythical creatures.

What makes the film especially compelling is how distinctly Filipino it feels. It’s a dark fantasy LGBTQ+ story animated by a diverse group of young artists, led by Filipinos and voiced by Filipino talent. Rather than simply using a Filipino setting, The Lovers builds an entire world around Filipino mythology, culture, and identity.

And as AI generates more animated content, The Lovers is a welcome reminder of the value of the craft and the people behind it. — Cheese Serrano

The Love Hypothesis

Release date: 23 September 2026
Run time: 1 hr 50 min
Where to watch: Prime Video
Why it’s on our watchlist:

Book lovers, this one’s for you! After falling in love with Ali Hazelwood’s bestselling romance, fans finally get to see Olive and Adam come to life on the big screen, with Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman taking on the lead roles. From the fake-dating trope and academic rivalry to awkward chemistry and a slow-burn romance, The Love Hypothesis has all the ingredients of a rom-com we can’t wait to see translated from page to screen. And with a few film twists in store, there might be some surprises even for those who’ve read the book. — Kathleen Vallo

Practical Magic 2

Release date: 9 September 2026
Where to watch: Cinemas nationwide
Why it’s on our watchlist:

Nostalgic? Check. Cozy escapism? Check. Magical? Triple check! Twenty-five whole years after the Owens sisters first graced our screens, they’re back for another supernatural adventure. When Kylie (Joey King) begins to unravel her witchy family’s hidden secrets and discovers her own magical abilities, Sally and Gillian Owens (Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman) must return to help her navigate her newfound powers and break the curse that has haunted the Owens lineage for decades. If you loved the original Practical Magic, this long-awaited sequel is an easy addition to your September watchlist. — Kyzia Maramara

Verity

Release date: 30 September 2026
Run time: 1 hr 54 min
Where to watch: Cinemas nationwide
Why it’s on our watchlist:

Verity has all the ingredients for a seriously gripping thriller: a bestselling psychological mystery, plenty of dark secrets, and a cast led by Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett. The story follows a struggling writer who takes on the job of finishing another author’s books—only to discover a disturbing manuscript that could change everything. With twists, secrets, and a whole lot of questions waiting to be answered, we’re already curious to see how this one unfolds! — Aila Cruz

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