Summertime is drawing to a close, and the season of pumpkin spice lattes, cosy jumpers, and crunchy leaves is about to begin. Make the most of the fall period with this variety of movie recommendations, guaranteed to suit every autumnal mood!
The transition from summer to autumn can be a difficult time. For most young people, it is a signal that school or work is back in session, marking an end to the glorious freedom that summer brings. It can also can be a shock when the nights start drawing in earlier and the weather grows colder.
I’ve curated an extensive list of the best fall-inspired films to kick those autumn blues and get you in the seasonal spirit. Whether you’re looking for wholesome vibes, something a little peculiar, or love a good horror flick, I’ve got you covered!
1) Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)
If you want some warm and comforting fun, look no further than Fantastic Mr Fox. Director Wes Anderson, best known for his unique and eccentric filmmaking style, breathes new life into Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel with this stop-motion adaptation.
This charming animated film follows the mischievous Mr Fox, who is forced to flee with his community from a group of cruel farmers when an attempted robbery goes awry.
There isn’t a single frame in the movie that doesn’t feature the colour orange, ensuring a cozy autumnal atmosphere is maintained throughout. Fantastic Mr Fox is the ultimate comfort movie; it’s heart-warming, a little silly, and full of strong life lessons about family and pride.
With a stacked cast of talented voice actors, a delightful soundtrack, and gorgeous cinematography that captures the magic of autumn, what’s not to love?
IMDb: 7.9/10
Where to Watch: Disney Plus
2) Knives Out (2019)
As a major thriller and detective fiction fan, cozy murder mysteries are a fixture on my bookshelf. Rian Johnson’s Knives Out feels like an Agatha Christie novel come to life, replete with A-List actors and satirical social commentary.
The film follows Benoit Blanc, a kind-hearted detective portrayed by Daniel Craig, who investigates the mysterious death of the patriarch of the wealthy Thrombey Family. The film poses a puzzle that’ll keep you guessing until the end.
Knives Out is a classic ‘whodunnit’, crammed with red herrings, twists, and a quirky cast of characters. However, despite its grisly subject matter and high stakes, the film retains a surprisingly snug and comfy atmosphere.
Not only are the visuals and set design steeped in autumnal shades, but the costume department quite obviously stocked up on plenty of cozy sweaters for the cast to don. If you need more Benoit Blanc content on your screen, check out Netflix’s Glass Onion (2022) and Wake Up Dead Man (arriving this December).
IMDb: 7.9/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
3) When Harry Met Sally (1989)
When Harry Met Sally, renowned as a rom-com classic, is the perfect movie to restore your faith in true love this fall. The film follows the two titular characters and their chance encounters over the course of twelve years.
As their friendship begins to blossom, they ponder the eternal question: can men and women ever just be friends and nothing more?
The chemistry between Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal is electric, and their developing bond feels completely natural. Thematically, the movie highlights the importance of human connection and relationships, romantic or otherwise.
Autumn can often be a lonely time for many people, but a great film like this one can feel like a comforting hug during the colder months. Like any quintessential rom-com, When Harry Met Sally is bound to leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
IMDb: 7.7/10
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Apple TV
4) Coraline (2009)
Adapted from Neil Gaiman’s fantasy-horror novella, Coraline is a stop-motion film directed by Henry Selick, known for his work on The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). It tells the story of an inquisitive young girl — Coraline Jones — who moves with her family to Pink Palace Apartments in Oregon.
After quickly growing bored in her new home, she explores the grounds and discovers a secret passageway to another universe.
The ‘Other World’ appears to resemble her life at the Pink Palace, but is better in every way imaginable. She is warmly welcomed by her ‘Other Mother’ and ‘Other Father’ and initially enjoys her new life, but things in this alternate dimension are not what they seem…
As well as being visually impressive with its intricate animation, it’s the ideal movie for those seeking some peculiar entertainment this fall. Coraline will forever be a staple in my Halloween watchlist — I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it!
IMDb: 7.8/10
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Apple TV
5) Beetlejuice (1988)
The gothic-comedy Beetlejuice sees director Tim Burton at his wackiest and most hilarious. It follows a recently married couple — Adam and Barbara Maitland — who die in a car accident.
Initially, the pair is unaware of their recent demise, but after discovering a book titled Handbook For The Recently Deceased, they realize they are ghosts. The obnoxious Deetz family moves into the Maitlands’ home shortly after their deaths, unaware that the couple is haunting it.
Desperate to rid their home of the family, Adam and Barbara summon Beetlejuice, a sordid ‘bio-exorcist’ who specializes in terrorizing the living. Stuffed full of ’80s campness and Burton’s signature eccentricity, Beetlejuice is totally weird in the best way.
Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Beetlejuice is perfect, with his infectious charisma oozing off the screen. Winona Ryder delivers a standout performance as Lydia, the gothic daughter of the Deetz family. Also check out the sequel Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice (2024) if you can’t get enough of this crazed bio-exorcist.
IMDb: 7.4/10
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
6) The Addams Family (1991)
With the second season of Wednesday just launching on Netflix, there’s no better time to familiarise yourself with this oddly macabre clan. Adapted from Charles Addams’ gothic comic series, this feature film is an absolute treat for lovers of all things supernatural and spooky.
The film’s plot revolves around the mysterious reappearance of Fester Addams and the family’s strained efforts to reconnect with him after his long absence.
Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia shine as Morticia and Gomez Addams, the gothic power-couple with a love too wholesome to put into words. The film also saw Christina Ricci’s big break as the morbid Wednesday Addams, whose performance inspired Jenna Ortega’s in Netflix’s serialised reboot of the franchise.
Full of gothic imagery and costumes, this movie is ideal for anyone looking for some light-hearted scares this fall. The Addams Family may be as ‘creepy and kooky’ as their theme song suggests, but they’re also such fun to watch.
IMDb: 7.0/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
7) Psycho (1960)
Widely considered one of the most iconic horror films of all time, Psycho is a must-watch for all thrill seekers this autumn. It is directed by the incredibly talented Alfred Hitchcock, an auteur famed for his ability to instill psychological terror in his viewers.
The film follows a young woman called Marion Crane, portrayed by Janet Leigh (the mother of ‘scream queen’ Jamie Lee Curtis). Marion, desperate to marry her boyfriend Sam, steals $40,000 in cash from her boss and flees to California to evade the law.
Her journey is interrupted by a storm, prompting her to seek refuge at the ‘Bates Motel.’ There she meets Norman Bates, the reclusive and quiet proprietor of the building. What follows is a masterpiece in horror filmmaking, elevated by a sinister soundtrack and great acting.
Psycho‘s chilling atmosphere and effective jump scares are sure to send a shiver down your spine. Hitchcock excels in subverting audience expectations and maximizing tension, ensuring that you’ll be glued to your screen for the film’s entirety.
IMDb: 8.5/10
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
8) Ready Or Not (2019)
For fans of the ‘slasher’ genre, Ready or Not is certain to be a crowd-pleaser. It stars Samara Weaving as Grace, an unassuming young woman who marries into the wealthy Le Domas family.
The wedding between Grace and her spouse, Alex, initially goes smoothly and the family welcomes her into their ancestral home. However, when Grace innocently suggests a game of ‘hide and seek’ after the ceremony, things quickly go south for these two newlyweds.
The Le Domas have a dark secret— if new members of the family choose ‘hide and seek’ on their wedding night, the rest are required to find and sacrifice them to the Devil. After a slow opening, the film suddenly descends into violence and chaos. Samara Weaving is amazing in this film, playing Grace so well that you can’t help but root for her to escape.
Not only is the film relentlessly thrilling, but it is ludicrously funny and offers commentary on social elitism and privilege. With its black humour, interesting themes, and gruesome SFX, Ready or Not is bound to hook you in and refuse to let you go!
IMDb: 6.8/10
Where to Watch: Disney Plus
9) Ghostbusters (1984)
Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! Instead of watching its various sequels and spinoffs, experience the original entry into this classic Hollywood franchise this autumn. If you’re unfamiliar with the film series, Ghostbusters follows a group of men — Peter, Ray, Egon and Winston — who start a ghost-catching business in New York City.
The group’s business is a success, leading them to encounter several dangerous entities. When Dana, Peter’s love interest, is possessed by a malevolent demigod named Gozer, the team is forced to take on their most extreme mission yet.
Ghostbusters was, and remains, a cultural phenomenon. From its catchy theme song to the endless memes it has spawned, it will forever be an iconic supernatural classic. It has also been rebooted numerous times since its initial release, cementing its legacy in popular culture.
A little weird, somewhat scary, and a whole lot of fun, Ghostbusters is a movie everyone should watch at least once in their life.
IMDb: 7.8/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
10) Twilight (2008)
I know, I know… Twilight isn’t exactly a good film. But in spite of its cringeworthy moments and its goofy special effects, it has got that autumnal atmosphere that we all crave nailed to a T.
The film centres around a teenager called Bella Swan who moves to Forks, Washington. Upon meeting vampire Edward Cullen at her new school, she falls irrevocably in love with him. The remainder of the movie focuses on their developing relationship and Edward’s efforts to protect Bella from another coven of vampires.
With its cool blue & green colour palette and a whole host of supernatural creatures to feast your eyes on, Twilight blends spookiness and cosiness to get you feeling that fall spirit. This is accompanied by a fab soundtrack featuring the likes of Paramore and Muse.
Whilst I’m not the biggest fan of the Twilight series as a whole, the first film has endless rewatchability potential. It’s easy to see why so many people regard it as an autumn classic.
IMDb: 5.3/10
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
