The second the clock strikes midnight on Halloween, I grab my warmest blanket and begin my yearly rewatch of all my favorite autumnal movies. As much as I love a good costume, I can’t help but count down the seconds until Nov. 1 every year.
Many of the films I will list are distinctly fall—filled with cozy atmospheres, crackling leaves and earthy color palettes—classics I’m sure you’ve heard of. Others are my own additions, not specifically made for the season, but just the kind of stories I need to ease into the colder months and holiday spirit.
If you’re an autumn fan like me, I’m certain these movies will make the perfect companions for your upcoming cozy days indoors.
The Watchlist
Dead Poets Society
Set in a strict all-boys prep school in 1950s Vermont, a group of students discover the power of poetry and passion through their unorthodox English teacher, John Keating. A tragic story about youth, rebellion and seizing the day—all set within mood-lit dorms and falling leaves. As a humanities student, I love how this film shows the importance of studying art, literature and philosophy. As Mr. Keating explains: “these are what we stay alive for.”
Fantastic Mr. Fox
A Wes Anderson stop-motion classic that follows the cunning Mr. Fox as he raids the farms of his three greedy human neighbors. Along this chicken-stealing, cider-drinking journey, Mr. Fox and his family learn the importance of community. This quick-witted, visually stunning film isn’t just an amazing fall watch, but one of the best animated films of the past two decades.
Good Will Hunting
Will Hunting is a mathematical genius working as a janitor at MIT, and struggling to find his place in the world. With the help of community college professor and therapist Sean Maguire, Will confronts his self-doubt, fear of intimacy and the demons of his past. It’s emotional, tender and reminds me of the importance of family—whether it’s blood or chosen. As a Robin Williams fan, I can’t help but feel like he’s speaking directly to me, offering a bit of his wisdom every time I watch.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The third installment of this classic series takes a darker tone, as Harry faces dangerous secrets from his past. It doesn’t get more fall than a mystery movie set at a magical school. As my favorite film of the series, this one is the perfect bridge between Halloween and winter. Between the darker tone, the incredible plot twists and the bond between the characters, it’s the perfect adaptation from the books in my eyes.
Little Women
Greta Gerwig’s take on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel captures the warmth of childhood and the ache of growing up. Between the backdrop of a snowy New England outdoors and warm fall flashbacks, it’s a story of love, womanhood and independence that feels like the book come to life. It’s my favorite movie of all time. As a daughter, a sister and a woman balancing ambition and love, it always leaves me feeling seen and comforted.
The Holdovers
Set at a New England boarding school, an irritable teacher, a lonely student and the school cook are forced to stay on campus during winter break. Through their unusual holiday plans, they form an unexpected Christmas family and work through their own burdensome pasts. It’s snowy, nostalgic and sure to become a modern fall classic. As a Californian, there’s something about New England in the winter that draws me in. I love how it reminds me that even the most unlikely people have something to teach us.
Knives Out
When a renowned mystery novelist is found dead, detective Benoit Blanc unravels a family full of secrets to discover the killer. Set in a New England mansion, it’s full of autumn energy with its wool coats, stormy skies and cozy suspense. No matter the season, Knives Out is a clever and sharp mystery perfect for a movie night with friends or family. I love how witty and layered it is, and Chris Evans in that sweater doesn’t hurt either.
Nosferatu
A gothic tale of obsession between a young woman and the terrifying vampire who preys upon her. She and her loved ones are slowly pulled into his cursed world. A reimagining of the 1922 classic and the original Dracula novel, Nosferatu is eerily beautiful, romantically gothic and the perfect balance of Halloween horror and winter chill. The new version is breathtakingly shot and full of tension that makes your skin crawl in the best way. It’s uncomfortable, mesmerizing and impossible to stop watching.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
An introverted teen, Charlie, navigates his freshman year of high school with the help of two seniors. Set to a nostalgic early ’90s soundtrack, it’s a coming-of-age story that blends the pain of adolescence and the joy of finding your people. The mix of melancholy and hope feels like fall itself. It reminds me of high school in the best and hardest ways. It’s sad, bittersweet but strangely comforting to revisit every fall.
Notting Hill
When a humble British bookstore owner meets the world’s biggest movie star, an unlikely romance begins. There’s nothing quite as autumnal as love unfolding in London’s rainy streets and cozy bookstores. It’s simple, sweet and endlessly rewatchable. As the only true romcom on the list, Notting Hill is sure to meet your hopeless romantic needs.
A Beautiful Mind
Based on the life of mathematician John Nash, this film explores the groundbreaking highs and paranoid lows of the human mind. Set at ivy-covered Princeton and steeped in a dark academic atmosphere, A Beautiful Mind is intellectually thrilling and emotional. It’s the perfect melodramatic thriller for a cold fall evening.
Coraline
A young girl discovers a secret door leading to a seemingly perfect alternate version of her life. However, this world might be a little too good to be true, eventually requiring a truly sinister sacrifice to stay. The film’s beautiful stop-motion textures, odd characters and autumn palette make it a must-watch for those craving spooky childhood nostalgia.
Practical Magic
Two sisters from a family of witches juggle love, loss and a family curse. A supernatural romantic drama set in a ’90s seaside town, it provides the perfect pick for when you’re not quite ready to let go of Halloween’s magic. I don’t reach for it as often as some of my other fall favorites, but it captures that last spark of autumn before winter fully sets in.
As the nights grow longer and the air turns colder, these films remind me what I love most about fall—the quiet comfort, the nostalgia and the sense of renewal. Each movie feels like returning to something familiar, a reminder to slow down and savor the small things. By the time the credits roll, I’m always grateful for another season spent revisiting movies that feel like old friends.