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Gilmore Girls walking through Fall Festival
Gilmore Girls walking through Fall Festival
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JMU | Culture > Entertainment

Your Ultimate Cozy Fall TV Watchlist!

Elizabeth Hodl Student Contributor, James Madison University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at JMU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Fall brings the ultimate vibes for settling in, making a warm drink, and binging some cozy TV. As a self-proclaimed TV connoisseur, I take my recommendations very seriously, so here are 10 incredibly cozy episodes to add to your fall watchlist!

1. Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 7: “Kiss and Tell”

Everyone can agree that Gilmore Girls has major fall vibes. Between the iconic sweater game and constant coffee runs, this show feels like peak autumn aesthetic. This episode kicks off Rory and Dean’s relationship during the Autumn Festival, with drama galore and questionable Pilgrim costumes. I rewatch this show almost every year, especially during the peak of fall!

2. Brooklyn-99 Season 1, Episode 6: “Halloween”

Brooklyn-99 certainly earns its reputation as a standout sitcom, and the recurring Halloween episodes only add to it. When this episode came out, it quickly became a fan favorite, and it still holds up today. Jake makes a bet with Holt, Amy goes undercover at a Halloween party with Charles, and some of Rosa’s backstory comes to light. This episode was such an excellent addition that they made the Halloween heist a tradition in subsequent seasons!

3. New Girl Season 2, Episode 8: “Parents”

New Girl consistently delivers with its holiday episodes, but my personal favorite is “Parents.” Taking place during Thanksgiving, Jess tries to parent-trap her very divorced parents, and it’s also the first appearance of Schmidt’s cousin, Schmidt. And if that isn’t enough to convince you, Nick starts to get the hots for Jess’ mom, played by the legendary Jamie Lee Curtis.

4. Friends Season 3, Episode 9: “The One with the Football”

While I admit I’m not the biggest Friends fan, its fall episodes still hit. Football is an undeniable aspect of fall, and one of the best parts of Friends is Ross and Monica’s sibling rivalry. This episode has plenty of both! When the gang decided to play football before their Thanksgiving feast, sides got picked, and things got serious. Definitely a rewatch year after year!

5. How I Met Your Mother Season 8, Episode 5: “The Autumn of Break-Ups”

The evidence is in the title for this episode! Ted struggles with his relationship with Victoria, Barney gets a new wingman in the form of a dog, and Robin strains her relationship with Nick when she worries about Barney. While this episode definitely focuses more on relationship drama and breakups than fall coziness, it definitely still hits the mark with its autumnal theme! Plus, you can never go wrong with a little romance to warm the chilly autumn evenings!

6. Over the Garden Wall Episode 2: “Hard Times at the Huskin’ Bee”

The entirety of Over the Garden Wall is so autumnal that I had a hard time picking just one episode. Greg and Wirt, two brothers, and their new friend, Beatrice, stumble upon the town of Pottsfield, where they find villagers celebrating the harvest. Things get a little spooky, though, as they’re sent to dig their own graves! I absolutely recommend checking this episode, and honestly, the entire show out!

7. Schitt’s Creek Season 1, Episode 7: “Turkey Shoot”

Schitt’s Creek is one of my all-time favorites, and “Turkey Shoot” is one of its funniest episodes. I think small towns with eccentric characters are just so uniquely fall for a reason I can’t explain, and of course, Schitt’s Creek delivers. David tries to join the annual turkey hunt, and Moira clashes with Jocelyn at the salon. Plus, Ronnie has some great lines this episode, which make it worth watching on its own!

8. Nobody Wants This Season 1, Episode 5: “My Friend Joanne”

I didn’t expect to love this series so much when it came out, but I was pleasantly surprised! This episode follows a retreat to Camp Haverim during fall, so obviously it features some cozy outfits and some painfully awkward sequences between Noah and Joanne. Noah claims Joanne is just his friend (ouch!), and she struggles immensely with what this means for their relationship (valid!). This episode has the perfect fall atmosphere if you’re looking for more of a romantic watch!

9. Bob’s Burgers Season 6, Episode 3: “The Hauntening”

If there’s one thing the Belcher family can do, it is get extremely intense about a family activity! After Louise declares that nothing scares her, the family takes her to a haunted house, and it quickly turns into a very creepy adventure. Though this show has a few Halloween-themed episodes, this is definitely my favorite. This episode is the perfect mix of spooky and silly, making it a must add to the watchlist!

10. Parks and Recreation Season 3, Episode 7: “Harvest Festival”

What says fall more than a harvest festival in a small town? This episode has the Parks Department trying to revive the Pawnee Harvest Festival to, hopefully, save the department from financial disaster. Between the small town charm, festival festivities, and inevitable chaos, the feel-good episode screams fall!

Honorable Movie Mention: You’ve Got Mail

I know I’ve been raving about TV episodes, but I had to include my favorite fall movie! You’ve Got Mail is the ultimate cozy fall movie! Bookstores, falling leaves, and a beautiful slow-burn romance make this movie an impeccable choice if you’re looking for something warm and comforting.

And there you have it! My personal recommendations for a fall watchlist! Now make yourself a warm drink, grab the softest blanket, and pick something off the list.

Elizabeth is a junior at James Madison University as a Psychology major, with Pre-OT and Chronic Illness minors. She writes about anything that catches her eye, from social commentary to different interests.

If not in classes or studying, she can be found finding a new TV show to fixate on or fueling her ongoing Redbull addiction.