You know that feeling? The one where you scroll past the same old algorithm slop, only to land on something that hits like a fresh bruise—raw, unexpected, maybe even a little too real. September 2025 was that month for streaming. With summer’s blockbuster dust barely settled, folks hunkered down for a mix of shiny new tentpoles and one stone-cold classic that proved some wars never fade from the feed. JustWatch’s charts, pulled straight from U.S. viewer data between September 1 and 30, don’t lie: we craved escape, but the kind laced with grit and guffaws. Superman soared to the top spot on Max, but it was the underdogs—like a zombie sequel that somehow outran its own hype—that made the list feel alive.
According to the JustWatch “Streaming Charts — Top 10 Movies in September, United States,” the following films ranked as the most-streamed titles for the month:
- Superman
- 28 Years Later
- The Naked Gun
- Friendship
- The Thursday Murder Club
- Thunderbolts*
- Sinners
- Saving Private Ryan
- Warfare
- Ballerina
Let’s break it down, poster by poster, score by score. These aren’t random hits; they’re a snapshot of a industry still chasing that post-strike high, where DC reboots duke it out with Marvel misfits and A24 oddballs sneak in like they own the place. James Gunn’s Superman, fresh off its July 11 theatrical drop, clocked an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes from 147 critics—solid, if not soaring like the Man of Steel himself. Audiences bumped it to 95%, which tells you everything: we want hope, damn it, even if it’s wrapped in that glossy Gunn sheen. One reviewer nailed it: “Critics agree on what works—the heart amid the spectacle.” But hey, at 7.4 on IMDb, it’s no Guardians sequel. Still, it dominated Max streams, proving capes sell when they’re not brooding.
Sliding in at number two, 28 Years Later—Danny Boyle’s June 20 return to rage-virus hell—nabbed a near-perfect 95% RT fresh rating off 93 reviews. That’s no small feat for a franchise that could’ve phoned it in. “It taps into contemporary anxieties with the precision of a infected bite,” one critic wrote, and yeah, in a world still jittery from whatever fresh plague du jour, that lands. IMDb’s a touch softer at around 7.2—fans griped it lacked the original’s feral punch—but Netflix viewers ate it up, probably replaying those sprint scenes on loop.
Then there’s The Naked Gun, Liam Neeson’s August 1 reboot that somehow turned slapstick into a 90% Certified Fresh miracle. MGM+ and Peacock split the streams, and for good reason: “Incredibly funny, paying homage without pandering,” per IMDb users. I chuckled at the poster—Neeson mid-fumble, that trademark deadpan etched deeper than ever. It’s the comedy we needed after a year of grimdark overload, even if RT audiences hovered at 85%. Critics called it “glowing,” and in this economy? I’ll take the laughs where they land.
Friendship, Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd’s bromance bromance from A24 (limited May 9 rollout, wide by summer’s end), surprised at four with its 92% RT glow. HBO Max streams spiked because, let’s face it, who doesn’t need a palate cleanser of awkward-dude chaos? “Thrillingly human in its absurdity,” one review quipped, and at 7.1 IMDb, it’s the kind of mid-tier gem that sticks because it doesn’t try too hard. No capes, no zombies—just two idiots fumbling through modern malaise.
The cozy kill streak continues with The Thursday Murder Club at five, Helen Mirren and crew’s Netflix whodunit (theatrical September 5 bow, streaming hot on its heels). RT’s warming to 78% as reviews roll in—”comfortable British mystery worth the tea break,” says one—while IMDb sits at a steady 6.5. It’s not reinventing the genre, but in September’s chill, who needs reinvention? Just pensioners cracking cases like it’s Knives Out lite.
Marvel’s Thunderbolts*—that asterisk a cheeky nod to its May 2 Disney+ drop—edged in at six with 91% RT praise for “leaning into its weirdest characters.” IMDb fans rave about the mental health arcs: “Deeper than your average anti-hero romp.” Florence Pugh carries it, naturally, but the post-credits buzz kept streams humming on Disney+.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners (March 7 theatrical, HBO/Max by fall) is the sleeper at seven—a 100% RT stunner off 37 early reviews. “Every aspect praised,” from the blues-infused horror to Michael B. Jordan’s double turn. IMDb’s at 8.1, audience 97%—no wonder it clawed up the charts. That poster? Jordan split in shadow and flame. Chills, plural.
Ah, Saving Private Ryan. Spielberg’s 1998 gut-wrencher (94% RT eternal, 8.6 IMDb) resurfaced in a 25th-anniversary 4K stream push around late August, landing eighth on Prime and AMC+. “A streaming hit that reminds us why,” per recent takes. In September? We needed the Normandy landing more than ever—timeless as a fresh scar.
Warfare, Alex Garland’s April 21 A24 gut-punch (93% RT, 7.7 IMDb), hit nine on HBO/Max with its “visceral anti-bellicose realism.” No glamour, just mud and morale cracks. Critics love the immersion; I get it—war films that don’t lie are rare birds.
Rounding out at ten, Ballerina‘s June 6 John Wick spin-off (76% RT, solid 7.0 IMDb) danced onto Starz and Philo. “Entertaining stylish action,” but it dips below Wick highs. Ana de Armas shines, though—poster has her mid-leap, all lethal grace.
What ties this top 10? It’s 2025’s split personality: half shiny franchises rebooting for the algorithm, half raw nerves from indies and relics. Streaming’s the great leveler—Superman rubs elbows with Spielberg because we’re all just hitting play in the dark. But here’s the rub: in a year where theaters clawed back 15% market share (per recent Box Office Mojo tallies), these charts scream comfort over conquest. We streamed what healed, what horrified, what had us howling. Cynical? Maybe. But damn if it doesn’t beat another quiet night.
September’s Couch Commanders: 10 Hits That Defined the Month
Capes and Hope: Superman‘s July launch proved DC’s reboot has heart, blending spectacle with sincerity to top charts and scores alike.
Zombie Renaissance: Boyle’s 28 Years Later revived rage with timely dread, earning near-universal acclaim for its anxious edge over empty shocks.
Slapstick Revival: Neeson’s Naked Gun turned nostalgia into fresh farce, a rare comedy win in a sea of sequels.
Bromance Balm: Friendship delivered awkward laughs that lingered, a low-key reminder of cinema’s human quirks.
Cozy Crimes: Thursday Murder Club offered puzzle-solving solace, perfect for fall’s fading light.
Anti-Hero Therapy: Thunderbolts* traded punches for pathos, making mental health a Marvel milestone.
Horror Harmony: Coogler’s Sinners fused blues and blood for flawless frights, a genre peak.
Timeless Trenches: Saving Private Ryan‘s anniversary glow highlighted why classics crush modern noise.
War’s Raw Truth: Garland’s Warfare stripped battle bare, favoring grit over glory.
Wick’s Whirlwind: Ballerina spun stylish kills, proving spin-offs can pirouette past expectations.
So, which of these snagged your remote? Spill in the comments—did Sinners keep you up, or was it Ryan’s return that wrecked you? Follow for more breakdowns, and check back next month when October’s horrors hit. Your couch awaits.
