Ranking the September 2025 Movie Releases You Shouldn't Miss

With September at an end, it is time to share my ranking on the September new releases that I saw. September was a very light month for me. I was gone on vacation for a week, and on top of that, there were very few movies coming out, so I only managed to see two this month. On the positive side, both of the movies were very good, so it made for a very positive month.

2. One Battle After Another

One Battle After Another is the newest movie from Paul Thomas Anderson. This was a very well made movie and shows how talented a director Paul Thomas Anderson is. The movie does a great job of handling the tension of the story. After the plot kicks in, the movie is nonstop tension and intrigue until the credits roll. There are several aspects of how the movie was shot, such as the rolling hills of the car chase, that just add to the overall excitement and keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The movie also features great performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. DiCaprio is great as this bum drug addict who is also trying to be a caring father. The chaos that he exudes helps bring a bit of humor to the story. Sean Penn is great as this sinister general who is willing to do anything to achieve his goals. He brings an intensity that is often seen from great villains. I like how the movie manages to sprinkle quite a bit of humor into the mix. It isn't a full comedy, but it does have some comedic elements that lighten things at the right time. The only thing keeping this from number one is the length. It comes in at 2 hours and 40 minutes, but it probably could have shaved off about 20 minutes in the middle. Overall, this is a great movie that balances action, tension, and humor.

Score: 8.5/10 Grade: A-

1. The Long Walk

The Long Walk is the newest Stephen King adaptation and the best movie I saw this month. The movie takes the mundane concept of watching men walk down a road and turns it into a pulse-pounding thriller. What makes this movie so effective is the high stakes involved. Something as simple as a leg cramp or having to use the bathroom becomes a life-or-death situation. The Long Walk also adds more excitement by making you invested in the characters. Because the entire movie is about these characters walking, it gives plenty of time for the audience to get to know the characters and learn what their motivations for doing the walk are. As the movie goes on and more people begin to die, it becomes more and more heartbreaking as you really care about these characters. The movie is very emotional at the end when it gets down to the final group of characters, as each loss is a gut punch for the emotions. I also thought it was interesting how, even though there can only be one winner, these men are willing to pull each other along to get further in the race. While the movie is a Stephen King thriller, it is also a great story about friendship and brotherhood. In the end, this is a great movie that packs emotional moments and thrills while also being a deep film about friendship.

Score: 8.5/10 Grade: A-