As the crisp air bites, and the leaves slowly change, all you want to do is grab a cozy blanket and indulge in a comforting movie to wrap up the night. But, instead, you spend an hour looking for something to watch, and ultimately give up the search to instead doomscroll on your phone. Discovering the perfect fall movie should never become a burden, if anything, it should relieve any stress you might have. Luckily for some, I have spent countless years perfecting my autumn watchlist. From slow burn romances, to childhood classics, the lineup below is sure to have something that makes you feel all the feels. Below are ten movies that I personally believe embody a breezy October night. This way, picking out your next watch doesn’t interrupt your bed-rotting plans.
Mystic Pizza:
When I think of Mystic Pizza all I think about is how gravely underrated the film truly is. The film is women led, starring Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, and Lili Taylor. This coming of age movie follows these women as they explore life after high school, while also working all together at a local pizza shop. This movie prioritizes atmosphere over plot, as a lot of the themes meld together to create an uplifting and warm experience for the audience. Overall, this film focuses on discovering independence, while also tackling love, societal expectations, and friendships. It’s a classic ‘80s feel good movie, and perfectly encapsulates the fall season.
Little Women (2019):
Little Women is one of the movies that sticks with you for a lifetime. It’s a heartwarming atmosphere, the feeling of sisterhood wrapping you like a warm wool blanket. And most of all, the pit in your stomach that you feel after it ends. This movie takes you onto a rollercoaster, following the lives of a group of sisters, and witnessing their growth. It is rare for a film to feel so nostalgic, yet be so new simultaneously. Each moment is a new miracle, and feels fresh, despite the source material being renowned. If this isn’t something you’ve seen before, I highly recommend taking the time to finally watch. This movie may unravel parts of yourself you tend to keep hidden, its relatability is undeniable, it’s hard to watch without seeing yourself within at least one of the characters. A movie about all the best parts in life, and also the worst, taking your soul and throwing it right through the wringer.
Practical Magic:
As you might be able to tell, sisterhood is one of the key components to making a perfect fall movie. Practical Magic uses sisterly love, but adds a fun and spooky twist. Who doesn’t love a little bit of witchcraft? Two sisters, both descended from a long line of witches, cursed to never have love that lasts. Each detail, the clothes, the hair, the music, all of it is so eerie, but so very fierce. It’s a movie where you light a candle and let the sun go down, taking in each and every scene. If you want to see Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock dazzle the screen, then you must add this movie to your list.
Fantastic Mr Fox:
Animated films should be praised much more than they are. Fantastic Mr Fox is a quirky, witty, and spontaneous film. Using stop-motion animation truly was the cherry on top, adding to the already exuberant whimsicality of the film. While Fantastic Mr Fox has been climbing the ranks in popularity, I still believe it deserved more attention. Perfect for this cozy season, there is something about the film that screams autumn. The warm and earthy color palette brings a certain light to the movie, and each of these choices is extremely meticulous. It is a beautifully constructed masterpiece, with such a charming aura surrounding it. This movie is undoubtedly one of the best things to watch as soon as the leaves begin to fall.
Scooby Doo (2002):
Making this list, I had little interest in choosing movies that were widely accepted as ‘good’. And that is exactly why the 2002 edition of Scooby Doo made this list. This movie was a crucial part of my childhood. Although extraordinarily cliche, Scooby Doo keeps the halloween spirit alive. It is evidently an early 2000s film, and I think that is what makes it so comforting. The cast is stacked, with icons such as Sarah Michelle Gellar and Matthew Lillard. Each character is played so well, and the plot is so wacky you can’t help but laugh. It’s nonsensical in the best ways, and that is what makes it so great.
Donnie Darko:
While I was aiming on showcasing more lighthearted films, Donnie Darko was one I struggled to leave out. This may not have the aforementioned “cozy” attributes as the other movies did, this film is still immaculate. Taking on a much darker tone, Donnie Darko is a mind-bending journey, following an enigmatic protagonist, who is just as difficult to figure out as both a watcher and a character within the film. The movie is unnerving, but not particularly scary. If anything, it is surreal, and explores issues of mental health, sociopolitics, and selflessness. And to top it all off, it adds science-fiction and time travel elements into the mix. This movie will have you rethinking existence, but finding peace with it by the end. Its ominous characters and setting are what make it such an astonishing piece of cinema.
Matilda:
As a girl who has always felt a bit out of the ordinary, this movie has always had an air of familiarity to it, even during my first watch. Matilda is a ball of light in such a devastating environment. A young girl surrounded by those who doubt her, those who diminish her every accomplishment. Finally, she is able to prove them wrong, with just a touch of magic. A bit of a supernatural kick has always made me see a movie as autumnally. It is eccentric, of course, but also touching. The movie highlights the importance of intelligence, fighting for injustice, and found family. While we often look to force connections with those around us, we miss out on forming true bonds with people that truly care. Matilda is a movie about love, a movie about what it means to have empathy. All of these emotions epitomize this bountiful time.
Knives Out:
A mystery is the perfect way to start off the fall season. And Knives Out is one of those movies that drops you right in the center of a whodunit. The best part about that, is the sense of involvement you feel with the film. It almost plays out as a game, the more information you learn, the more you second-guess yourself. It keeps you on your toes, while also displaying amazing performances from each actor. Less so a film about ambiance, and more so about the adventure it takes you on. Now, if you have seen the original, Knives Out is luckily a part of a trilogy of murder-mystery films, each one unique and unpredictable in their own ways.
The Breakfast Club:
The Breakfast Club is a film representative of its time. High school in the ‘80s is something in film that never fails to grasp my attention. Each character has their own specially organized set of quirks and traits. What is so striking about this movie is the friendships that form. We often find ourselves surrounded by those who we may share little to nothing in common with. But this is the beauty of individualism, each person has the ability to form their own unique identity. When forced to spend a bit of time together, these characters realize they may not be so different. You would think things are completely different, but this movie makes me realize that we all may need this reminder. We tend to place ourselves within certain boxes, leading us to surround ourselves with specific groups. The more we challenge these stereotypes, the more we can understand and sympathize with those outside of our bubble. Movies like this are so monumental, because of the energy they create.
Casper:
This may be biased, as Casper is by far my favorite fall movie to throw on. Advertised as a children’s movie, this film never fails to make me shed a few tears. While it is a movie about ghosts and ghouls, it is also about grief. A father who is struggling with the loss of his wife, looking for some sort of solace in spiritual communication, and a daughter who is following his trail, while also grappling with stress in her own ways. Like any movie from its time it is goofy, but when it wants to be taken seriously, it does so. Not everyone takes this movie as being anything more than a light-hearted halloween comedy, but I always have. Not only does it make you laugh, but cry as well. It focuses heavily on accepting loss, and not fearing what may come after we die. Memories live on, and we can’t continue to harp on those who have left us, but instead embrace a life they would want to see us live.
Movies are something I make time for in the fall, they make the atmosphere feel whole, and it is an activity that can be enjoyed by many. Hopefully, there is a movie from this list that you have yet to watch, or possibly something you have been reminded of. No matter what, make this autumn something you allow yourself to feel. Breath in the cold air, crunch the leaves below your feet, and wrap yourself in warm blankets. Make each of your days better than the last, and complete that fall bucket list. There is no time other than now, and you are capable of all of it. Now settle down, turn on that television, and enjoy.