Fall is here, and that means a lot of things: cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice, and school coming into full swing. It can be hard to feel excited about piling assignments, exams, and papers, so here are five fall academia-coded movies to help romanticize school just a little.
Mona Lisa Smile
This movie is a drama film set in 1953 that follows Katherine Watson (played by Julia Roberts), a progressive art history professor who takes a teaching job at the conservative Wellesley College for women. Determined to inspire her students to think beyond the traditional roles of wife and mother, Katherine challenges the status quo and encourages the young women to pursue their own ambitions and independence.
With a stacked supporting cast that includes Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Kirsten Dunst, this movie is packed with powerhouse performances that explore diverse views of feminism and how women find empowerment within one another. Also, the vintage fall fashion is to die for.
Good Will Hunting
It’s hard to believe this movie was a breakout film for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. It’s a drama film about Will Hunting, a janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who is secretly a self-taught mathematical genius. When he solves a complex equation, his talent is discovered by a professor who helps him avoid jail time by placing him under the guidance of a therapist, Sean Maguire. As Will confronts his troubled past and emotional barriers, he begins a journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth.
The film explores themes of identity, trauma, and the power of human connection, with standout performances by Matt Damon, Robin Williams, and Ben Affleck. This movie displays how beautiful Boston is during the fall, with cozy interiors and thick sweaters.
The Craft
The Craft is a totally bewitching movie that follows four high school girls who form a coven and start practicing witchcraft. As their powers grow stronger, they use magic to take control of their lives and fight back against those who’ve wronged them. However, their bond is tested when the dark consequences of their actions spiral out of control.
Blending elements of horror, drama, and coming-of-age themes, The Craft explores power, friendship, and the dangers of revenge. This movie is a time capsule for ’90s fall fashion, featuring grungy Catholic school uniforms, leather jackets, and chunky silver jewelry. The girls’ outfits are sure to be on fall inspiration boards.
Even the Wind is Afraid
A great movie to finish out Hispanic Heritage Month and kick off spooky season. Even the Wind is Afraid takes place in an all-girls boarding school, where a group of students uncover a dark secret hidden by the strict headmistress. As supernatural events unfold, they begin to experience eerie visions and ghostly encounters, especially with the spirit of a former student who died under mysterious circumstances.
With its haunting atmosphere, psychological tension, and themes of repression and revenge, the film remains a landmark in Mexican horror cinema. Like Mona Lisa Smile, this movie explores the connections between women and how we can be each other’s most significant support or worst enemies.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
A classic childhood movie that needs little description. This movie follows Harry Potter in his first year at Hogwarts, where he makes friends, learns magic, and uncovers secrets about the wizarding world. He investigates a hidden magical object and faces off with Lord Voldemort for the first time.
This movie is perfect for the fall season, giving you back-to-school vibes, cozy settings, and of course, pumpkin pasties and cauldron cakes, which sound like the perfect fall snacks. Like many movies on this list, the touch of supernatural vibes and nostalgia make it the perfect rewatch.
I hope that these movies help make the fall semester feel a little more cozy and atmospheric. Happy watching!
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