Movies can be watched and enjoyed any time of year, but for many films, their themes, characters, and settings fit perfectly in specific seasons. So whether it be something as apparent as being set from September to November, or just an autumnal color palette, many movies feel like the perfect watch during the fall months.
Autumn is an incredibly multifaceted month. While, on the one hand, the approach of Halloween brings a spooky feeling to the air, the colder weather brings the season of cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice, and autumn leaves. Therefore, audiences can watch many movies to truly get them into the spirit of autumn.
10 Little Woman Is A Cozy Movie For The Colder Months
Based on the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women is a classic, beloved tale of four sisters and their lives, loves, family, and futures. While many adaptations have made it to the big and small screen, Greta Gerwig's 2019 movie has quickly become an audience favorite.
The movie follows two different timelines over many years, but many of the major scenes take place in the autumn and winter months. Little Women is an incredibly genuine account of domestic life and thus simultaneously has some somber but heartwarming scenes. Many note that the movie feels like a warm hug from a loved one, perfect for the chilly fall months.
9 Dead Poets Society Is A Dark Academia Favorite
The beautifully heartwarming yet heartbreaking 1989 drama Dead Poets Society has become something of a classic. For many, it is the perfect autumnal movie due to its dark academic institution aesthetic and elite boarding school setting.
The movie follows maverick teacher John Keating, played by the iconic comedy actor Robin Williams, who teaches poetry to his students, opening them up to new forms of expression. The movie was incredibly successful, earning a BAFTA award, a Cesar award, and the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
8 Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban Stands Out
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a favorite among fans. The movie has a unique aesthetic among the series and has a dark and gloomy vibe that is perfect for the fall months. Every season is beautifully marked by the whomping willow covered in snow or shedding its leaves, and the winter months have a clear place in the series.
Especially in the third act of the movie, when Harry and Hermione use the time turner to help save Sirius and Buckbeak, it is clear that Hogwarts is already preparing for the following autumn. Hagrid's hut is surrounded by colossal squashes and pumpkins growing in the garden, conveniently providing cover for the duo when hiding from their past selves.
7 Hocus Pocus Is A Halloween Must
For many households, Disney's 1993 movie Hocus Pocus, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimi, is a Halloween cult classic. The movie follows the Sanderson Sisters, a trio of chaotic witches who a teenage boy in Salem accidentally resurrects.
The film still has a solid fanbase, a staple of the autumn season for audiences. However, this year is the perfect time for new viewers to visit the film for the first time as, almost 30 years later, Disney is releasing a sequel. Hocus Pocus 2 is set to debut in late September on Disney+.
6 Fantastic Mr. Fox's Fall Aesthetic Is Stunning
Based on the novel by British author Roald Dahl, Wes Anderson's brilliant, feel-good stop motion movie Fantastic Mr. Fox oozes autumn in every frame. The film follows the mischievous Mr. Fox, who steals from the local farmers, putting his family in danger of being hunted.
The movie beautifully executes an autumn aesthetic, from the character design to the brown tweed costumes to the autumn leaves which cover the trees. Furthermore, the movie is a classic story loved by children and their families. Therefore, it is the perfect film for a cozy movie day with the family during the fall.
5 Corpse Bride Is Equal Parts Unsettling And Beautiful
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride is an animated movie that's equal parts creepy and beautiful. The film features the voices of Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson, and Joanna Lumley and follows a nervous groom who captures the affections of a bride who rises from the dead.
The movie is a spooky yet stunning tale of romance and letting go, which perfectly balances its horror elements and the sweetness of the narrative. The beautiful aesthetic and especially the iconic butterfly scene leave audiences feeling warm inside despite being a story of the undead.
4 When Harry Met Sally Has A Beautiful Fall Backdrop
When Harry Met Sally is a classic 80s romantic comedy that follows the complex relationship between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan's Harry Burns and Sally Albright. The movie is a warm, funny story and has become incredibly beloved by audiences.
Even the movie poster embraces an autumnal aesthetic, with the duo appearing in front of golden brown and orange treetops. The autumn leaves in New York, coupled with the characters' clothing of cozy sweaters and warm coats, and the jazz soundtrack make When Harry Met Sally the perfect fall flick.
3 Knives Out Is An Autumnal Mystery
Knives Out is an incredible murder mystery story from celebrated writer/director Rian Johnson. The movie follows Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, who investigates the death of the head of an incredibly chaotic family. The movie features a brilliant ensemble that includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana de Armas, and Christopher Plummer, who help create a gripping story.
The movie is set during the fall and features a beautiful autumnal color palette and cozy clothing. Who can forget Chris Evan's loveable villain Ransom Drysdale and his now iconic cream cable knit sweater?
2 Waitress Is A Pie-Filled Comedy
Autumn is frequently associated with warmth, coziness, apples, and cinnamon, exactly what the comedy-drama Waitress is about. The movie follows Jenna, a small-town pie baker, and waitress, who discovers she is pregnant with her abusive husband's baby.
While it may sound like an intense narrative, in the end, it is a story about a woman finding her agency once again, surrounded by friends who love her. The happy heartwarming ending, coupled with the focus on and appreciation of delicious sweet pies, gives the movie a cozy, autumnal feeling. If viewers love the film, they can even listen to the soundtrack for the 2016 Broadway musical adaptation.
1 Halloween Is The Perfect Spooky Season Movie
As its title suggests, the Halloween franchise is set during Halloween. It follows Michael Myers, considered to many to be the embodiment of evil, a masked serial killer who pursues his victims on Halloween night.
Halloween and Myers' characters are incredibly popular and recognizable within pop culture and provide the perfect scary Halloween night movie viewing experience. The movie has become so popular that it spawned thirteen sequels to varying degrees of success. Viewers who wish to tackle the entire franchise this autumn will be just in time for the final installment Halloween Ends, releasing in October.