Fall is here and that means cozy sweaters, warm chai lattes, Halloween, colder weather, and nostalgic autumn films! When thinking of fall, I love to imagine myself in my comfy living room with a pumpkin spice scented candle and warm lighting as I watch my favourite annual fall movies. And to bring back the childhood nostalgia of Halloween and autumn nights, here are some cozy movie recommendations to get you in the spirit!
#1: Harry potter
First up—and personally one of my all-time favorite movie franchises—Harry Potter. Pretty much any Harry Potter movie has some type of fall nostalgia, but if we’re choosing one specifically for the Halloween season, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the perfect pick. I won’t spoil the plot for you, but if you know Harry Potter and have seen the movies, I think most would agree that the third movie is definitely the most fitting for the fall season. Most of the story occurs during autumn and Hogwarts is shown decorated with Halloween decorations and knickknacks. The Harry Potter movies bring me back to my childhood and give me the perfect nostalgic feeling to match the autumn atmosphere.
#2: The Nightmare before Christmas
Now, this movie may have some controversy over whether it should be counted as a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie. But, that just leaves more time to watch it! So, even if you’re reading this after Halloween has passed, I’d say this movie is still a perfect match for the fall or winter season. The stop-motion style also feels very nostalgic and the music brings such a festive feeling. Following the main character, Jack Skellington, who is struggling to keep enjoyment for his holiday (Halloween), and debating trying to take over a new holiday (Christmas), the audience can feel the double-holiday energy. And, if you really like it, you can always watch it twice this year—once for the Halloween vibes and another for the Christmas vibes!
#3: Fantastic Mr. Fox
While this film doesn’t follow a specific holiday, the colours and the story reflect such a sentimental warmth for the fall season. It’s a stop-motion animated film in the comedy genre following a family of foxes, of one which tries to undermine their human neighbours. The movie also has intertwined emotional family themes, and it seems to be set in the autumn. The director, Wes Anderson, has such a whimsical style to his films, and he uses yellows and oranges throughout this movie to give it an autumnal setting.
#4: Dead poets society
While I’m not totally sure why some count this as a fall film, I think the setting and dark-academia vibe gives off that feeling of cold weather and warm sweaters. This movie is an emotional one and I’d recommend looking at the trigger warnings before watching. But, the movie is a very heartfelt and well-made story, with a found family trope in the coming-of-age genre that follows a boy starting at a boarding school and what he learns from the people he meets and the friends he makes—including a very passionate English teacher. It shows a love for new friends and makes you want to watch it while the leaves are falling outside your window.
#5: Twilight
This movie is very nostalgic to me, and I’m sure it is for many others too. I’m specifically talking about the first of the series as a recommendation, as it has that cold, blue hue throughout the movie, which gives a changing of seasons vibe that I think is perfect for the rainy fall season. A movie about a girl falling for a vampire is really all you need this holiday season.
#6: The Addams Family
If you had a childhood anything like mine, you’d understand how important this movie is to watch during the autumn season. A strange family that all share a deep love for each other, with such a specific aesthetic you can only really understand from watching, combined with the dark humour used throughout the films makes this movie ideal for fall.
#7: Hocus Pocus
Another iconic movie with quintessential costume ideas, this film is perfect for your cozy fall night in. Witches, Halloween, costume parties, a couple teenagers trying to save the world before midnight; this film is a must-watch for the fall season.
You can now fulfill your comfy, warm fall nights, before and after Halloween with these seven fall film recommendations. Go make that mug of hot cocoa, dim the lights, and turn on that movie you’ve been wanting to watch all season as the leaves begin to fall!