MANILA/BANGKOK — Moviegoers have a packed new-release slate this week, with cinemas welcoming a mix of romance, horror, fantasy, animation and high-stakes action from Sept. 17 to 23.
The latest theatrical lineup ranges from the long-awaited Resident Evil reboot to Japanese anime, superhero fantasy and original dramas, giving audiences plenty of choices as the September movie season enters its second half.
‘Resident Evil’ Brings a New Take on the Horror Franchise
One of the week’s biggest international releases is Resident Evil, directed by Zach Cregger, whose previous film Weapons became a major talking point among horror audiences.
The new movie stars Austin Abrams as a medical courier who enters Raccoon City to make an urgent delivery and becomes trapped as the city descends into chaos.
Unlike the earlier film series starring Milla Jovovich, Cregger’s movie is being presented as a new reboot of the video-game-inspired property.
The film arrives as Cregger follows the success of Weapons and Barbarian, putting a distinctive horror filmmaker behind one of gaming’s most recognizable franchises. Rotten Tomatoes’ weekly preview identified Resident Evil as one of the major theatrical releases drawing attention during the Sept. 17–23 period.
‘It Ends’ Turns an Ordinary Road Trip Into a Nightmare
For audiences looking for something more mysterious, It Ends arrives with a supernatural premise.
The film follows a group of young friends whose late-night food run takes a bizarre turn when they become trapped on an apparently endless highway.
Confined inside their vehicle, they must try to understand what is happening around them while confronting a threat that appears to come from beyond the ordinary world.
The film opened Sept. 17 and runs approximately 89 minutes. Current Thai cinema listings classify it across drama, fantasy, horror, science fiction and thriller categories.
‘Legend of the White Dragon’ Brings a Superhero Fantasy Story
Another Sept. 17 release is Legend of the White Dragon, an action-fantasy film featuring Jason David Frank, Aaron Schoenke, Jason Faunt and Ciara Hanna.
The story follows Eric Reed, a former superhero known as the White Dragon, who returns to his former city after years in hiding.
His return puts him on a collision course with a mysterious adversary while he attempts to clear his name and reconnect with his family.
The film runs approximately 97 minutes and is listed by Thai cinema operators as an action, adventure, fantasy and science-fiction title.
‘One Piece’ Fans Get a Special Double Feature
Anime fans also have something to look forward to with ONE PIECE FAN LETTER + ONE PIECE HEROINES.
The special double feature brings together two One Piece stories for theatrical audiences.
Major Cineplex lists the special screening among films opening Sept. 17, with a running time of about 47 minutes.
The release gives fans of Eiichiro Oda’s hugely popular franchise an opportunity to experience additional One Piece material on the big screen rather than through a conventional full-length theatrical movie.
‘Henry’s First Dates’ Adds Romance and Comedy
For viewers wanting something lighter, Henry’s First Dates combines romantic comedy with a memory-loss premise.
The story centers on Henry, whose attempts at romance become complicated because he struggles to remember previous encounters.
The Thai theatrical schedule lists the film as a 115-minute romantic comedy, opening Sept. 17.
‘9 Temples to Heaven’ Brings Thai Drama to the Big Screen
Thailand’s domestic cinema lineup also gets a new drama with 9 Temples to Heaven.
The film is listed as a 140-minute drama and opened Sept. 17, joining several international releases in this week’s cinema rotation.
Its arrival highlights the continued mix of Thai productions and international franchise films competing for audiences during the same theatrical window.
More Than One Genre Is Fighting for Attention
The week’s releases show just how broad the current cinema market has become.
Horror fans have Resident Evil and It Ends.
Anime audiences have the One Piece double feature.
Fantasy and action fans can turn to Legend of the White Dragon.
Romance and comedy viewers have Henry’s First Dates.
Drama audiences have 9 Temples to Heaven.
Meanwhile, Hope, the Korean sci-fi action thriller directed by Na Hong-jin, remains in cinemas after opening earlier in September. The film stars Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Hoyeon, Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander.
With the theatrical calendar offering such a wide range of genres, the Sept. 17–23 window is shaping up as another busy week for moviegoers.
For audiences deciding what to watch, the biggest question may not be whether there is something new to see — but which cinematic world is worth entering first.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
