We wait in anticipation all year for the trees to explode in hues of orange and red, to leave the house in a light jacket (without fear of heat exhaustion), to order our lattes piping hot with extra pumpkin spice, and to finally watch our cozy, fall films. From spooky to sentimental, here’s a list of movies for every mood you could possibly encounter this autumn.
A cozy night in with the roommates:
Goodwill hunting: This movie follows the story of Will Hunting, a working-class janitor in Boston discovered to be a mathematical genius, as he confronts the trauma that holds him back. With famous, quotable lines, Autumn scenery, and tear-jerking scenes, this is a strong favorite.
Coco: A bittersweet, Pixar film that honors the traditions of Día de los Muertos, while balancing beautiful animations and catchy songs.
Knives Out: A satisfying murder mystery with all of the cozy feels. A wealthy mystery novelist dies surrounded by a web of mystery. Amidst a dysfunctional family full of distinct and challenging characters, Detective Benoit Blanc discovers that any of them could be a suspect.
When you’re craving the quintessential halloween night:
Corpse Bride: Each frame of this gothic Tim Burton film is a piece of striking art. Accompanied by the instrumentals of Danny Elfman, a nervous groom accidentally proposes to a deceased bride and is pulled into the world of the dead.
Paranorman: Norman Babcock has the ability to speak to the dead and must save his town from a centuries old ghost. An underrated film that deserves more recognition for its incredible stop-motion, hilarious dialogue, sweet characters and powerful message about feeling out of place in the world.
A little Romance to spice up your life:
When Harry Met Sally: A cozy, captivating rom-com starring the rom-com king and queen: Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Grab your warmest sweaters and sweetest hot chocolate and buckle in for the famous tumultuous friends-to-lovers relationship of Sally Albright and Harry Burns.
You’ve Got Mail: This film makes New York feel warm and inviting, welcoming a world of romance, colorful scarf weather and a tension-rising enemies-to-lovers trope. Another Meg Ryan classic, the story follows two bookstore rivals as they unknowingly fall for each other through anonymous online messages.
For when you need a good sob:
Dead Poets Society: A moving celebration of art and soul, told through the story of an inspired group of boarding school students. Bonus points because Robin Williams is a national treasure!
Little Women (2019): My favorite movie of all time! Greta Gerwig embodies the truth of storytelling through her retelling of the classic novel. It’s guaranteed to leave you sobbing, while simultaneously motivating you to write your own novel and change the world.
When you miss your sisters and the days of backyard potion-making:
Hocus Pocus: A classic, campy and nostalgic Halloween film that requires a rewatch every spooky season. Three chaotic witch sisters are accidentally resurrected in Salem on Halloween night and must be stopped before they steal the town’s children.
Practical Magic: A perfect movie that balances the deep bond of sisterhood, small-town witchcraft, and midnight margaritas. With a soundtrack that immediately transports me to fall, this story follows two witch sisters as they uncover and confront their family’s dangerous curse.
