September brings a busy slate of new films, from a Brad Pitt survival adventure with a canine co-star to the witchy sequel Practical Magic 2, starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock.
The month traditionally marks a shift in the release calendar, as studios move away from summer blockbusters and begin positioning titles for the autumn festival circuit and awards season.
This year's line-up reflects that change, mixing crowd-pleasing returns with smaller dramas, documentaries and international titles that are expected to build an audience through word of mouth.
“September is when the calendar opens up. You get the big returns, but also the films that people will still be talking about in February.”
Heart of the Beast leads the list as an old-fashioned survival story, in which a man and his dog must rely on each other in a hostile landscape. Early trailers have leaned heavily on its remote locations and sparse dialogue.
Practical Magic 2 revisits the Owens sisters more than two decades after the original film became a cult favourite. Its leads have both spoken in general terms about their enthusiasm for returning to the characters.
Elsewhere on the list are a slow-burning thriller, a coming-of-age comedy, a nature documentary and an animated family feature aimed at the school-return crowd.
Critics say the spread is a sign of a healthier market, with cinemas keen to offer audiences more than one or two dominant titles each weekend.
Independent venues are also expected to benefit, with several of the smaller films opening on limited release before expanding nationwide later in the month.
Cinema chains have reported steady attendance over the summer, and operators hope a varied autumn programme will keep audiences coming back as the evenings draw in.
Release dates can vary by region, and some titles will arrive on streaming platforms within weeks of their cinema debut.
