Somehow, we've arrived at the waning days of summer, and the first chill of autumn is creeping into the air...and you know what that means: it's time for fall TV! If you're a diehard fantasy or science fiction fan like we are, you may still be reeling from that long, hot House of the Dragon summer. Feeling a bit bereft without seeing Rhaenyra and Aegon Targaryen every week? Don't worry, we'll help get your next watch sorted!
September may be a slightly quieter month on the genre television and movie front, but don't let that fool you. There are still a few new titles coming out this month, and what September may lack in quantity, it seems poised to make up for with quality. From historical fantasy romance to multiversal sci-fi, zombie horror and more, there's plenty to choose from for your September watch list. So grab a pumpkin spice latte and let's block out your calendar for the month of fantasy and sci-fi fare ahead!
1. Dark Matter season 2 (Apple TV) — Currently Airing
Apple TV's science fiction series Dark Matter premiered right at the end of August, which means it's just about to get into the meat of its run in September. This show is a multiverse sci-fi thriller about a man named Jason Dessen who discovers a box that lets a person hop between parallel realities — which is all good and fine, unless you cross paths with other yous or find yourself in a dystopian hellscape.
The first season of Dark Matter adapted the entirety of Black Crouch's acclaimed 2016 novel, which leaves season 2 in uncharted territory. Crouch is the showrunner of the television series as well, which means he now has the chance to do a true sequel to his novel in a way that few storytellers ever get the chance. That alone makes it worth checking this series out, but fortunately, it's also exceptionally well-crafted television to boot.
2. Lanterns (HBO Max) — Currently Airing
Lanterns is the latest entry in James Gunn and Peter Safran's new DC film universe. It also happens to be a hardboiled detective drama crafted for HBO's adult audience, which means that this ain't your usual light superhero fare.
The show follows a pair of superhero investigators as they attempt to unravel a grisly murder. Hal Jordan is a seasoned intergalactic supercop, a Green Lantern, with a ring that grants him extraordinary powers. John Stewart is a prospective recruit for the job, who gets the chance to learn by tagging along with Hal as he does what he does best. If you want some sci-fi and superhero hijinks mixed with mystery and a fun buddy cop dynamic, this series is worth giving a shot.
3. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 season 2 (Netflix) — September 17
It feels like Stranger Things just ended not that long ago, and yet here we are, with the second season of its animated spinoff on the horizon. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 released mere months after the finale of Netflix's hit paranormal sci-fi series, bringing viewers back to Hawkins during the time period between seasons 2 and 3, when the gang was in their prime before Vecna and his dark schemes started messing up their lives for good.
The result was a bit mixed, but for those who could not get enough of Stranger Things, it offered a welcome way to stay connected to that world. Does this side adventure make sense in the overall canon of the series? Not especially. But is it a good time? Usually! From lovable characters new and old to some very fun new monsters, Tales from '85 season 1 had some interesting things to offer. Netflix clearly approved a two season order out of the gate, because we'll be able to watch the follow-up just half a year later when it premieres this September 17.
4. Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 2 (Starz) — September 18
Outlander ended its eight season run earlier this year, marking the end of an era for one of Starz's most successful series of all time. But just like with Stranger Things, the network didn't want to leave fans hanging for a second. The first season of the spinoff Outlander: Blood of My Blood premiered last year, which set viewers up for a nice cadence if they wanted to bounce between the new prequel and the last outing of the original show.
Blood of My Blood is back this month, continuing the dual romance storylines of Jaime and Claire Fraser's parents, who had their own tempestuous turns in their younger years as well. You never know where the standing stones of Craigh na Dun will spit you out in the timeline, but for fans who want a chance to spend more time in the world of Outlander, we can safely say that they'll drop you right into Blood of My Blood season 2 this month if you wish it.
5. Resident Evil — in theaters September 18
The last item on our list is a movie, which means you'll have to go to theaters for it. But hey, if you're going to go out to the movie theater, you may as well go see something that is going to leave an impression, right? That certainly looks to be the case for Resident Evil, the latest film from Barbarians and Weapons director Zach Cregger.
Resident Evil is a zombie horror franchise with a strong sci-fi tone, thanks to the never-ending bioweapons experiments of the pharmaceutical company at the heart of the saga, Umbrella. The video games are utterly iconic, but adaptations for the series have a much spottier record, from the campy 2000s action-horror films starring Milla Jovovich, to the tonally off-beat Netflix show, to the chaotic mess of Welcome to Raccoon City. What sort of Resident Evil will Cregger's movie be?
A scary one, that's what. This Resident Evil tells a completely original story that takes place roughly parallel to the second and third games, when Raccoon City is in the full grip of its zombie outbreak. The big thing that it has going for it is Cregger's horror movie bona fides. If he can turn out a standalone story that honors the feel and tone of the games that's actually terrifying, it'll already be a better Resident Evil than most of the adaptations that have come before it. Just make sure to watch in the middle of the night, so you can be terrified your entire trip home from the theater!
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