I’m feeling frisky for that first brisky autumn air, even though it feels like the pits of Hell in Alabama right now. In honor of autumn starting today, I thought it’d be fun to give you all a list of my favorite fall films. If you watch one of these a week, you’ll have a film for every week of the season until winter begins. This season’s list is themed around twelve vibes of fall as well. How fun! Let’s dive in!
For the dreamers: Good Will Hunting
This time of year brings a sense of optimism for me personally. If you’re in the mood for a pick-me-up classic with a hint of autumn melancholy, this is the perfect film to start with. It’s got Boston in the fall, young people trying to figure their lives out, and the idea that maybe your life can be bigger than the hand you’ve been dealt. What a better way to kick off the season?
For the schemers: Fantastic Mr. Fox
One of my personal favorite films of all time, Fantastic Mr. Fox begins with a shot of an autumnal landscape, and the fall vibes follow suit from start to finish. Apple cider, farm life, and the right amount of tomfoolery. This one is a must-watch for me every Fall.
- For the dead – Coco
For the dead: Coco
Too obvious not to put on the list, Coco serves as Pixar’s take on Day of the Dead. A five star film in my book, and one that makes me emotional every time I watch it. Might be a good idea to watch this one in late October!
For the dread: The Shining
Technically this one straddles autumn and winter, but it’s a descent into the madness of the inner psyche like leaves falling on the ground, no doubt about it. Nicholson is lights out, and the film itself will knock your lights out as well. One of the all-time great films that works better when the weather starts cooling off and the days get shorter.
For the deranged: Psycho
I recently learned that Psycho takes place in December, making it eligible for this list by the skin of its teeth. However, this film is so batshit crazy and downright incredible that it could very well go on any list for any time of year. It’s one of my favorite horror/thriller films of all time, and a must-watch during spooky season.
For the estranged: The Royal Tenenbaums
There’s a feeling of melancholy that permeates fall unlike any other season. Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums depicts that feeling to absolute perfection. If you want to lean into the subtle ache that things are not as they should be (whether that be internally or externally), watch this one!
For the magic: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
I think we should accept it as canon that Harry Potter films are officially Thanksgiving films. Don’t ask me why, but I think it should be so. Nothing screams the magic of fall like the Hogwarts castle to me personally. A fun watch for the whole family, and bonus points if you want to watch the entire series!
For the tragic: Dead Poets Society
I’m a sucker for a movie that makes me cry, and Dead Poets Society does it for me every time. Robin Williams is an absolute force of nature in this role, the story will rip you to shreds and then try to piece you back together, and the aesthetic of the film screams “fall is here!” with every fiber of its being. This might be the most fall feeling film on the list.
For the mystery: Knives Out
New England mansions, gothic estates, crunchy leaves in every scene, and a cozy mystery story that plays out to near perfection. Knives Out has such a great vibe, and provides the perfect feeling of fall in one of the most entertaining murder mystery films of all time. Star-studded, action-packed, and a damn good time through and through.
For the history: Remember the Titans
Football and the fall just go together. And what better way to relive the glory days of your yesteryear than to throw on Remember The Titans? This film evokes a great sense of nostalgia, while also offering a hopeful reminder of how far we’ve come (and how much work it can take to get there).
For the romance: You’ve Got Mail
Name an acting duo that gives you the warm fuzzies more than Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. I don’t think there is one. You’ve Got Mail takes place in the fall, reminds us of the early days of the internet before things went off the rails, and is one of the best rom-coms of all time. What’s not to love?
For the bromance: E.T.
Halloween, hoodies, boys on bikes, and friendships made with an alien lifeform. You’ll get all of this and more from Spielberg’s all-timer here. If you haven’t seen this film before, what are you doing? Go watch it right now!
So there you have it: 12 vibes of fall, conveniently packaged into 12 movies. I’ve put them all into a Letterboxd list if you want to follow along and check them off as the season rolls on. Now, go watch some movies!
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