As autumn approaches, readers can look forward to our in-depth columns on God’s Country, a new theatrical film based on James Lee Burke’s short story “Winter Light,” premiering on Sept. 16; and Blonde, a Netflix movie version of Joyce Carol Oates’ bestselling novel about Marilyn Monroe. In the meantime, here are four other book-to-screen adaptations coming in September:

Sept. 1: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (series premiere, Prime Video)

Filmmaker Peter Jackson’s adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s three-volume fantasy series, The Lord of the Rings, were theatrical blockbusters, raking in nearly $3 billion and 17 Academy Awards—including a Best Picture Oscar for 2003’s The Return of the King and a Best Director award for Jackson. He went on to create a rather bloated three-film adaptation of Tolkien’s earlier work, The Hobbit, to mixed reviews. Now, a new streaming series is set to tackle material from the backstory and appendices of LOTR, without Jackson’s involvement; instead, it was developed by newcomers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay. It acts a prequel to the books and films, showing how the titular magical artifacts came to be. The latest trailer showcases its large cast, highlighting the Elven warrior Galadriel, played by Saint Maud’s Morfydd Clark; the same character was portrayed by Oscar-winning actor Cate Blanchett in the previous films. The show certainly promises to be quite a spectacle, although fans of the books and films may prove to be tough critics.

Sept. 11: The Serpent Queen (series premiere, Starz)

This new series, created by novelist and screenwriter Justin Haythe, adapts Leonie Frieda’s 2005 biography, Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France. It features Samantha Morton as Catherine and focuses on the Italian noblewoman’s eventful life and times, during which she became royalty and the mother of three future kings. Kirkus’ review of Freida’s book called it a “persuasive rehabilitation of Catherine, not as a nice woman, but as a shrewd leader who did what she had to,” and the show, too, appears to highlight Catherine’s ruthless nature, with Morton intoning, “If you don’t teach your enemies a lesson, then they’ll never learn.” The trailer promises lots of fun intrigue and back-stabbery at court, and Morton is certainly a brilliant actor, but it may be hard for her to outdo Megan Follows’ deliciously wicked take on the same role in the soapy CW historical drama Reign; that lively show, which aired its final episode in 2017, cast Catherine as the foe of her daughter-in-law: Mary, Queen of Scots.

Sept. 30: The Good House (theatrical film premiere)

In Ann Leary’s bestselling 2013 novel, The Good House, which received a Kirkus star, 60-year-old real-estate agent Hildy Good shares her insights and witticisms about her neighbors in the fictional town of Wendover on Massachusetts’ North Shore. She becomes involved in the life of the much-younger Rebecca McAllister, who’s having an affair with a local psychiatrist, and pursues a relationship of her own with old flame Frankie Getchell. But, as Kirkus’ review notes, she’s “not quite the jolly eccentric she appears,” as indicated by an ongoing struggle with alcohol that led to an intervention by her kids. This promising new film version, co-written and directed by Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky, is clearly a showcase for Sigourney Weaver, who breaks the fourth wall with abandon as Hildy; it also features the always-appealing Kevin Kline as Frankie and Homeland’s Morena Baccarin as Rebecca.

Sept. 30: The Greatest Beer Run Ever (film premiere, Apple TV+)

John “Chick” Donohue’s 2020 memoir, co-written with J.T. Molloy, tells the intriguing story of ex-Marine Donohue’s 1967 quest to transport some cans of beer to his friends, who, like him, hailed from the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan. The catch was that his pals were all serving as soldiers in Southeast Asia at the time. Surprisingly, Donohue successfully made it from New York to Vietnam and completed his alcohol-smuggling mission. However, he missed his boat back to the United States, which left him alone in Saigon on the eve of the Tet Offensive. His ensuing experiences would change his outlook on the war, and Kirkus called the resulting book “an irreverent yet thoughtful macho adventure reflecting the tumult of a fast-fading era.” At the very least, this film adaptation promises a different take on the genre of the Vietnam War film. It’s co-written and directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Peter Farrelly and stars Firestarter’s Zac Efron as Donohue; it also features appearances by such fine actors as Bill Murray and Russell Crowe, who are sure to make it worth a watch.

David Rapp is the senior Indie editor.