The Best September Movies for Your Homeschool
Make this homeschool year different with more connection, more stories, and less stress. Turn on some of the best September movies. Let the story do the heavy lifting while you pop the popcorn and grab the snacks.
We know the best homeschool days don’t have anything to do with textbooks and worksheets. Gameschooling, read alouds, and project-based learning can make boring book work a thing of the past. But what about the days when you need something that doesn’t involve board games or glue sticks?
That’s when a really good film can save the day. Documentaries are excellent, but there are plenty of box-office hits that can teach us all some very important lessons, too. This September, grab the remote and press play to let on-screen stories teach history, science, and more. Check out our list of early fall favorites to get ideas for your next lesson.
Cinema Can Be a Stealthy Teacher
The best films can teach valuable social and emotional lessons, improve retention, introduce media literacy, and build connection. They don’t just help kids connect what they see on screen with what they read in books.
Movies can also foster a deeper connection between you and your child as the whole family learns together. Sometimes we convince ourselves that popping in a movie is taking the easy way out. We imagine that we are somehow avoiding teaching or giving the kids a “free day” if we press play instead of reading aloud or assigning an essay.
But cinema is a stealthy teacher. Movies meet kids where they are and cater to their individual learning styles. They teach lessons you didn’t even think about while helping create quality time together. Ultimately, that’s a homeschooling win we can all get behind.
Fall into Film with Our Favorite September Watchlist
Whether you’re looking for something fun to watch together for family movie night or the perfect low-prep homeschool lesson plan, you’ll find the best September movies for your watchlist below. Then, take the printable with you to shop for movies or hang it on the fridge to entice the whole family.
A Little Game
September 1st is American Chess Day. Celebrate the ultimate game of logic together this month by watching some of the best chess movies together. We recommend A Little Game. Then, grab a chess set and challenge the kids to try some of the moves from the movie.
The movie is all about Maxine, a 10-year-old girl who finds an unlikely friend in a feisty chess master. He uses the game to teach her about life. It’s filled with lessons in empathy and logic for homeschoolers of all ages.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a magical combination of animation and live-action featuring Angela Lansbury. It’s a great way to begin learning about World War II with young children.
Since September 2 is VJ Day, it’s the perfect time to start learning about WWII history in your homeschool. The comical cast of characters featured in this film will bring the past to life for kids of all ages.
Corduroy
National Teddy Bear Day is celebrated every year on September 9, and it’s the perfect time to introduce Corduroy to your homeschool. Read the picture book and then get ready to laugh out loud as this lovable bear takes a wild ride on an escalator.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Another movie filled with hilarious hijinks you’ll want to add to your September watchlist is Fantastic Mr. Fox. Based on Roald Dahl’s classic book by the same name, this film features hilarious villains and mischievous schemes that will have everyone on the edge of their seats.
September is the beginning of harvest season, the perfect time for apple picking and a visit to the farm. So, it’s also the best time to watch Mr. Fox outsmart the three farmers, snagging all their chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and apples in the process.
Fly Away Home
Speaking of geese, the next film on our September movie list is all about Canadian Geese and their annual fall migration. A girl named Amy finds a nest of goose eggs that have been abandoned.
Amy hatches the eggs and becomes the “Mama Goose.” When it is time for the geese to migrate, she and her friends find a way to lead them south with a pair of airplanes and a lot of determination. This September movie is filled with STEM learning and lessons in conservation.
Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front
Another good September movie for introducing students to VJ Day and WWII history is Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front. World War II has brought many changes to Molly’s life. You won’t want to miss this movie filled with history from the perspective of a child who lived it.
Peter Pan
One of my favorite September holidays to celebrate is Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19. What better way to celebrate than with an animated classic like Peter Pan? Kinesthetic learners will love acting out their favorite Captain Hook scenes, and auditory learners will have the songs memorized in no time!
Hook
My favorite Peter Pan version is Hook. If you’re homeschooling older elementary or middle schoolers, you definitely don’t want to miss this one. Robin Williams stars in a magical live-action sequel.
It’s filled with imagination and catch phrases you’ll remember forever! You can even extend the learning with your own imaginary Toodles-style buffet after the movie.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Another pirate movie favorite for older children is Pirates of the Caribbean. There’s a surprising amount of history hidden in this film series. Plus, you can turn it into a movie marathon by watching all 5 films in the series together for a whole week of homeschool learning fun!
Queen of Katwe
Queen of Katwe is based on the true story of a girl from the slums of Uganda who becomes a champion chess player. This inspiring movie is best for kids ages 10 and up since it includes some difficult scenes younger children might not understand. If you’re looking for a September film that teaches empathy, humility, integrity, perseverance, and teamwork, you don’t want to miss this one.
Treasure Island
If you’re looking for a book and movie combination to add to your homeschool lesson plans this September, grab Treasure Island. This live-action film is based on the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson.
The Treasure Island movie is filled with geography and historical maritime culture. Plus, it’s sure to spark ethical conversations about maturity, trust, and whether people can be absolutely good or all bad.
What Happened on September 11
If you’ve been searching for a way to teach your students about September 11 that is both accurate and age-appropriate, the documentary What Happened on September 11 is a good place to begin. The film introduces the event to children ages 8 to 13 with the help of the 9/11 Tribute Museum.
Let the Movies Make Homeschool Easy This September
You don’t need an elaborate lesson plan or a project for every movie you watch together this September. Most of the time, enjoying the film together is all you need. Ultimately, great movies are great stories. They naturally spark conversation and creativity, no essays or crafts needed.
Share your favorite movie moments, invite questions, and let them make their own connections. Instead of leading them to “the moral of the story” or trying to dig out a theme, listen as they share what they thought. You might be surprised by the connections they made and the moments they remember.
Ready to get started? Choose one of the best September movies for your homeschool from the list, grab your favorite movie candy and popcorn, and dive in! I give you full permission to count watching movies together as homeschool, because the best homeschool days don’t include worksheets, textbooks, or quizzes.
Sometimes homeschool learning is about everyone on the couch, completely immersed in a great story, asking questions you didn’t even think about. That’s the magic of the movies!
Discover More of Our Favorite September Learning Resources
Are you ready for more September homeschool learning that’s almost effortless and tons of fun for the whole family? Discover more of our favorite learning resources for this month below.
- The Best Games for Learning in September
- 30+ Best Kids Books to Read this September
- Free September Homeschool Printables
What are your favorite movies to watch in September? Do you have a lesson planned around a great film this month? Share your best ideas in the comments. We can’t wait to read them!