Seasonal movies are often centered around Christmas time, except the occasional “Groundhog Day” film. However, the fall season has a seriously underrated collection of both spooky and cozy movies. Here are five of my personal favorites that match the autumnal color palette and overall aesthetic.
‘The Addams Family’
Stream on: Paramount+, Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix
With a 1991 film, a 1993 sequel, a 2010 Broadway musical, a 2019 animated version, a 2021 animated sequel, and even a 2022 Netflix series, the “Addams Family” franchise offers many options for a spooky autumn watch. Though the films feature different plot lines, the family’s consistently strange personalities remain the same and have charmed viewers for decades.
I personally love these films because the family is always getting into trouble and going over the top with their outlandish behavior. Wednesday, the morbid teenage daughter of the family, has always been a favorite of mine due to her relatability as a sarcastic teenager with some seriously dark humor. I also highly recommend watching Jenna Ortega’s rendition of the character in the Netflix show “Wednesday,” or listening to Krysta Rodriguez voice her in the Addams Family Broadway cast recording.
‘Hocus Pocus’
Stream on: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube
This movie is a cult classic for Halloween and fall in general. “Hocus Pocus” is set in Salem, Massachusetts, the site of the Salem Witch Trials in the 1690s. The movie is about a group of kids who accidentally resurrect three witches named Winifred, Sarah, and Mary on Halloween. They then chase the kids around town, revealing bits of information about how they were able to be resurrected.
Though not a success when originally released in 1993, the film has gained popularity as a technically bad but autumnally perfect movie. It’s definitely a classic within the genre of Halloween movies, with many people dressing up as the three witches each year. I would recommend it for its spooky setting, unique weirdness, and fun musical numbers.
‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’
Stream on: Apple TV
An animated movie might seem a little childish for high school students, but this film is just so perfect to me. It’s an adorable 25 minutes of the “Peanuts” characters during the fall. Linus believes in the Great Pumpkin, a legendary pumpkin that delivers toys to kids on Halloween, sort of like a Halloween version of Santa Claus. However, the other characters just want to trick-or-treat in their costumes.
This is essentially a fall “Peanuts” special, as it features the characters doing fall activities such as bobbing for apples, trick-or-treating, and going to a pumpkin patch. Charlie Brown is unlucky as always and Snoopy entertains with his active imagination. It’s not exactly a cinematic masterpiece, but it makes for the coziest fall watch.
‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’
Stream on: Max, Hulu, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube
This one may require watching the first two Harry Potter movies, depending on how closely you plan to pay attention. The general background knowledge needed is that Harry Potter, the boy who survived a homicide attempt by Lord Voldemort (though his parents were not so fortunate…), lives with his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Dursley, and cousin Dudley. He attends the Hogwarts School of Wizardry and is constantly faced with Voldemort’s attempts at destruction.
The third movie of eight (though the third of seven books), this film surrounds Sirius Black’s escape from Azkaban, the wizarding world’s highest-security prison. Though it gets a little dark at points, this is considered the most autumnal of the Harry Potter series, due to its fall scenery of giant pumpkins and orange leaves falling off the Whomping Willow. As someone who grew up reading the Harry Potter books and watching the accompanying movies, I have always loved this film. Its plot differs from the other movies because it focuses more on the threat of Sirius Black than Voldemort, and I love its use of the magical Time-Turner. If you are looking for a more action-packed fall movie, this is the one for you!
‘Little Women’
Stream on: Hulu, YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video
This timeless story of four young women finding their place in the world was updated in 2019, when Greta Gerwig, the brain behind the 2023 summer hit “Barbie,” directed a movie based on the book, starring the beloved Meryl Streep, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and Timothée Chalamet. The film is set in the 19th century and features iconic scenes about loss, family, feminism, and love. Its color scheme perfectly matches this season and several scenes were filmed with backgrounds of red leaves and slightly golden lighting.
I still remember the impact this film had on me when I saw it in theaters. I walked out empowered by its discussion surrounding feminism and family. Its inspiring message makes it an interesting watch, while its comforting characters and family dynamic add the perfect amount of fall charm. I may be a little biased due to my love of Emma Watson and Greta Gerwig, but this may just be your new favorite fall movie.
Honorable Mention: ‘Gilmore Girls’
Stream on: Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube
When you think of curling up on the couch while watching the leaves fall, “Gilmore Girls” is what you imagine playing on the TV. This show, despite ending in 2007, is a favorite for many during this time of year. It is set in the picturesque New England town of Stars Hollow, which is home to buildings in autumnal shades of brown and orange, an iconic gazebo in the center of town, the Dragonfly Inn, and, of course, Luke’s Diner.
The show centers around Rory Gilmore and her mother Lorelai Gilmore as they navigate relationships, friendships, family, academics, and career goals. The storyline often skips over summer due to its plot surrounding the school year, therefore focusing on traditional autumn scenery and breezy days instead. This aspect of its cinematography, along with its ideal average episode length of 45 minutes, lands it a spot on this list even though it is a TV show and not a film.