From scary to cozy to sad, the five best movies to embrace the autumn aesthetic
When the leaves start to change color, the air becomes crisp and campus looks like it was taken straight off the home page of UW-Madison’s website, fall has officially arrived. It is the season of pumpkin spice lattes, knitted sweaters, trips to the bookstore and – most importantly – cozy movie nights. My favorite autumn evenings consist of fuzzy blankets, hot apple cider, cuddling up on the couch with friends and putting on a fall film. Here are my five favorite movies to match every mood, encapsulating the spirit of the season.
1. Scream (1996)
An autumn classic, Scream is a perfect slasher film to get you in the Halloween spirit. Set in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California, the movie features a masked killer – Ghostface – who goes on a killing spree with the end goal of murdering the main character, Sidney Prescott. The film takes place during September of 1996, creating a 90s fall aesthetic and setting the perfect tone for sweater weather. While the movie is considered a horror film, it balances humor with mystery, and it is a great movie for those who want to get scared without having nightmares for the rest of their lives. I try to watch this movie every year with either my friends or family and I think that it is a must-watch for the season. Especially for Halloween-lovers.
2. Little women (2019)
Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women tells the coming-of-age story of sisters Jo, Amy, Meg and Beth. The story takes place in New England during and after the Civil War. The period-typical clothing – shawls, knitted layers and bonnets – creates a vintage feel and dark academia theme. The warm color palette used during flashback scenes evokes a cozy atmosphere, and iconic scenes are set against colorful leaves and windswept hair, making the whole movie feel like fall. Aside from the aesthetics, the film has an incredible story with many emotional scenes, and I have yet to watch it without shedding a tear. This movie is perfect to watch with your sister or your girlfriends, and you should not let the season pass without watching it.
3. when harry met sally (1989)
A list of movies is never complete without a rom-com and while this movie fits into the category of fall films, it is also one of my favorite rom-coms of all time. The movie begins with Harry and Sally arguing in the car over whether men and women can truly be friends and their banter is unrivaled. The pair reconnect 10 years later at a bookstore, and the romance develops over the course of the movie in New York City, creating some iconic autumn scenes. The film is also considered a comfort movie to many, and I would definitely recommend watching it to feel safe and cozy during the season.
4. dead poets society (1989)
Carpe Diem – seize the day – is the iconic motto of the film Dead Poets Society, a motto introduced by John Keating, an English professor at the Walton Academy all-boys prep school in Vermont where the movie is set. Keating inspires his students to pursue their dreams and think outside the box, leading them to form the Dead Poets Society. While I do not want to spoil too much, I cannot recommend this movie enough, and it should 100% be added to your fall watch-list. The dark academia vibe and melancholic tone embody a back-to-school feel. The autumn mood, combined with the incredible cinematography, makes this film one of the best fall films ever.
5. Knives out (2019)
Knives Out is my favorite murder-mystery and most rewatched film ever, and the aesthetics combined with the plot make it a fall staple. The film is set in Boston, Massachusetts, and the central crime occurs in a gothic mansion where murder novelist Harlan Thrombey mysteriously dies. Detective Benoit Blanc investigates the death by looking into the family members and the unique characters, each carrying their own secrets, make this the perfect mystery to unravel. This film has all you could ever ask for in a fall classic – murder, aesthetics and the perfect setting. Chris Evans, in his cream-colored sweater, is just the cherry on top. I was kept guessing until the very end, and I can’t wait to appreciate the mystery for the eighth time this fall.
I hope this list gives you some ideas for getting into the fall spirit, and be sure to take advantage of the sweater weather before it turns into another cold Wisconsin winter!