We’re all familiar with the standard aesthetics of fall: amber-hued leaves, pumpkins, school bells, scarves, more pumpkins. But I’d argue that fall is really more of a feeling—something you recognize deep within your bones. Especially when it comes to the best fall movies you tend to want to rewatch every year, sometimes it’s hard to describe just what makes them feel so much like autumn.
Featured image by Teal Thomsen.
For example, why is Gilmore Girls, a show that takes place in every season (and not just in the revival, which was literally broken out by season), so heavily associated specifically with fall? It just feels like it, that’s why. According to my Spotify landing page today, fall is “Taylor Swift” season. The music streaming service doesn’t elaborate any further, but it doesn’t have to—we’re all nodding along as we fire up Taylor Swift’s “Folklore” album for the umpteenth time.
If fall is a feeling, then the following movies have it in spades—some more explicitly than others. Ahead, discover 65 of the best fall movies—from Netflix, Hulu, Max, Prime Video, and beyond.
The Best Fall Movies on Max
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Honestly, the entirety of Tim Burton’s filmography feels appropriate to watch in the fall. But Edward Scissorhands, with its fairytale feel and gothic influences, just may be the director’s most touching story.
Available on: Max
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Can you really make a list of fall-centric films without including the award-winning movie that launched Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s careers? Set in the golden-hued, academic-focused world of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and featuring Robin Williams as a compassionate therapist, the movie is perfect for a bit of catharsis on your couch.
Available on: Max
Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster’s Hereditary haunts long after the closing credits. Not just for the horror, but for the portrait of grief and what it can do to a family. Plus, the Toni Collette “I am your mother” speech will forever live on.
Available on: Max
The Goonies (1985)
The first—but certainly not the last—Steven Spielberg film on this list, The Goonies is a summer blockbuster through and through, but has all the fun-house energy of an autumnal state fair.
Available on: Max
It (2017)
I love a good Stephen King novel, and I like a handful of the film adaptations that sprang from them, but It is my personal favorite. It’s satisfyingly scary, but the psychological component of the story is what keeps me coming back fall after fall. And though the action takes place almost exclusively during the summer, the moodiness of Derry, Maine feels distinctly autumnal.
Available on: Max
Late Autumn (1960)
If you’ve been searching for a sign to finally watch Japanese film director Yasujiro Ozu’s mid-century masterpiece about family love (and gentle matchmaking), consider it found.
Available on: Max
Any and All Harry Potter Movies (2001–2011)
The pumpkin count is off the charts in this widely known epic about a boy wizard. Literally every installment (bar from the final film, which takes place closer to winter) kicks off at the start of fall, where the back-to-school rush looks different, but feels just as comforting.
Available on: Max
Mystic Pizza (1988)
Listen, a movie doesn’t get adapted into a stage musical with a score by Melissa Etheridge more than 20 years after its release (and more than 10 years after that exact scenario happened on 30 Rock) if the romantic comedy foundation isn’t genuinely solid.
Available on: Max
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Nora Ephron’s classic romcom thrives on the chemistry of Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, but the golden brown setting certainly doesn’t hurt. Between the leaf-strewn streets of Manhattan and Ryan’s expertly layered outerwear, you can practically feel the crisp air.
Available on: Max
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
The moment The Cranberries’ “Dreams” kicks in and Meg Ryan begins waxing poetic about the magic of Manhattan in the fall, there’s an instant feeling of warmth. It’s hard to resist the quick-witted charm of a Norah Ephron movie, but add some smart turtlenecks, endless twinkle lights, and auburn caviar (a garnish!), and our favorite AOL-centric movie becomes simply undeniable.
Available on: Max
Election (1999)
The high school classic about an ambitious student (Reese Witherspoon) and a well-meaning teacher (Matthew Broderick) only seems to get sharper with age. The determined Tracy Flick has remained a relevant pop culture figure for a reason. We give it 10 bouquets of newly sharpened pencils.
Available on: Max
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
A key part of my personality is that I was a Jennifer’s Body fan before it became a cult classic. Diablo Cody’s bold follow-up to Juno may not have been what was marketed, but Karyn Kusama’s hyper-stylized world, the cutting teen girl commentary, and Cody’s unique witticisms have endured long past this bummer of an AV Club review.
Available on: Max
Pieces of April (2003)
A Thanksgiving movie through and through, this low-budget indie has earned a cult fanbase over the years, partly perhaps due to the intimacy of the pressure cooker kitchen drama, but almost certainly because of the surprising (and iconic) bluntness of Katie Holmes’ bangs.
Available on: Max
Coraline (2009)
In my opinion, it wouldn’t be Halloween without watching Coraline. I find myself leaning toward it every year.
Available on: Max
The Notebook (2004)
Get ready for all the tears with this 1940s romance drama. After Noah and Allie’s carefree summer, you’ll see how the characters change with the seasons in the most gut-wrenching romance movie.
Available on: Max
The Best Fall Movies on Apple TV+
The Village (2004)
While I’m not the biggest fan of thrillers, I have seen plenty enough to know their appeal during fall—and the setting of this movie screams autumnal aesthetic. In this film, an Amish-style community doesn’t dare enter the woods beyond their borders, but when one of the young villagers becomes ill, the boy who loves her takes the ultimate risk to seek medicine outside of the town.
Available on: Apple TV+
It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (1966)
Pumpkins, The Peanuts, and a whole lot of Snoopy love, this movie is always on my watchlist when fall rolls around. Whether you’re a lover of Halloween or simply satisfied with fall on its own, this is the ultimate classic for all your seasonal needs.
Available on: Apple TV+
Any and All Twilight Films (2008–2012)
Though the millennials were coming of age when Stephenie Meyer released her saga about a glittering vampire man-boy who insists on repeating senior year forever, it’s Generation Z who has picked up the mantel of keeping the glorious weirdness of Twilight alive and relevant. See: Olivia Rodrigo’s purse, this Twitter account, and the rise of the Twilightcore aesthetic.
Available on: Apple TV+
The Best Fall Movies on Netflix
The Age of Adaline (2015)
This strange little anomaly of a film is having a Netflix resurgence and honestly, I get it. A standout in the Blake Lively oeuvre (despite its criminally low Rotten Tomatoes score), the film takes an earnest approach to its bizarre plot (a lightening storm renders the titular Adaline 29 for eternity), offering a warm film that cares about its characters—and lets Lively be a clotheshorse for the ages. Suspend that disbelief, don’t worry too much about plot, and hunker down for some Adaline time.
Available on: Netflix
The Half of It (2020)
Netflix’s teen comedy take on Cyrano de Bergerac may not get as much fanfare as the To All the Boys trilogy, but the queer coming-of-age story is just as worthy of your weekend afternoon.
Available on: Netflix
Matilda (1996)
The perfect amount of magic to kickstart fall, Matilda is a classic that never gets old. While I do enjoy the new musical rendition, there’s something about this cast that’s simply nostalgic.
Available on: Netflix
PHOTO: Editorial use only. No book cover usage.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alex Bailey/Working Title/Kobal/Shutterstock (5885843ab)
Matthew Macfadyen, Keira Knightley
Pride and Prejudice – 2005
Director: Joe Wright
Working Title
UK
Scene Still
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
If you, too, are still feeling the aftereffects of regencycore à la Bridgerton, Pride and Prejudice will make you long for love in the era of royals. Apologies to all the lovers of the classic, the Keira Knightley version always does it for me.
Available on: Netflix
tick, tick… BOOM (2021)
Technically, this is a musical. If that’s not your vibe, keep scrolling, but just know you’ll be missing out on both a heartbreaking and entertaining story. Based on a true story of the creator of the musical Rent Andrew Garfield stars as Jonathan Larson in this moving musical drama directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. (C’mon, where are my theatre people at?)
Available on: Netflix
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Feeling nostalgic for your high school days? This movie breaks the norms of high school when a group of polar opposite students finds themselves together during a Saturday in detention.
Available on: Netflix
La La Land (2016)
I can’t explain exactly how this movie screams fall, but every time I watch it I feel cozy and very aligned with the season. Whether or not you agree with the ending (sigh), it’s an upbeat film that a crowd can enjoy.
Available on: Netflix
The Best Fall Movies on Disney+
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
This movie is perfect for girls night with some fall-themed snacks and maybe even a bubbly cocktail. I’ve never turned down a chance at watching this classic, and maybe even shedding a tear or two.
Available On: Disney+
Coco (2017)
Truly a top-tier Pixar creation, Coco has helped me, an adult woman in her 30s, handle the idea of death. But beyond its poignant storytelling and absolute banger of a lullaby in “Remember Me,” the movie’s visual template of glittering marigolds is animated autumnal charm in its purest form.
Available on: Disney+
Hocus Pocus (1993)
For many, the first whiff of pumpkin spice is just an excuse to fire up the timeless tale of the Sanderson sisters. The nostalgia is so strong that a sequel was released 29 years after the original.
Available on: Disney+
Remember the Titans (2000)
In what’s probably apparent at this point, there aren’t a lot of football movies on this list. (My apologies to the Rudy stans.) But even I can’t resist the sports-fueled melodrama and groovy 70s soundtrack of Remember the Titans.
Available on: Disney+
Halloweentown (1998)
All of these Disney movies are making me seriously miss my Halloween as a kid. Inviting over your friends from class, sitting with popcorn and M&M’ candies, and carving pumpkins. What gets better than that? The only thing missing is a classic like Halloweentown.
Available On: Disney+
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Just in time for the 30th anniversary announcement, make sure to add this movie to your watchlist this fall (and every fall for that matter). You might even catch in in theaters near you September through October!
Available On: Disney+
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)
If you loved the first movie, recounting the villain origin story of one of the most hated (and misunderstood) Disney villains, you’ll love the sequel.
Available On: Disney+
The Princess Diaries (2001)
I think a small part of me will always long to be royalty after watching The Princess Diaries for the first time. While it’s not explicitly stated to take place during the fall, I think the schoolgirl-turned-princess ambiance makes it a cozy, feel-good favorite.
Available on: Disney+
The Best Fall Movies on Hulu
Practical Magic (1998)
Once dubbed “the Thelma and Louise of witch movies,” Practical Magic centers on the sisterly bond between Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. There is a romance of course, with sweeping moments and plenty of witchy magic, but it’s the chemistry between the two actresses—and the film’s endearingly chaotic plot—that has earned the movie its cult-loved status.
Available on: Hulu
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
A cozy, quintessential sleepover movie of my tweens, this buoyant indie comedy about a British teenager who loves her highly traditional Indian parents—but also David Beckham—remains just as relevant today as it was 20 years ago. (Its writer and director, Gurinder Chadha, is a woman of color.)
Available on: Hulu
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
Many of the best fall movies are set around Halloween, but there’s nothing like the vibes of a Ghostbusters film. This rendition of the classic follows a single mom and her two kids who discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.
Available on: Hulu
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Given the internet ubiquity of quotes and gifs mined from this movie, it’s hard to believe the modern classic premiered in 2006. For even more mind-bending realizations, observe this photo of a 39-year-old Anne Hathaway looking remarkably like the 23-year-old Andy Sachs at New York Fashion Week in 2022.
The Devil Wears Prada is an early-aughts time capsule for hustle culture and the girl boss era, but it’s also a movie about coats. Lots and lots of great fall coats that are as timeless as Meryl Streep’s cerulean speech.
Available on: Hulu
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
If you’re looking for a real scare, this movie series is the perfect fit for binging during the fall. We won’t judge if you close your eyes.
Available on: Hulu
The Best Fall Movies on Prime Video
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
An early entry into the Stephen Spielberg oeuvre is filled with all the warmth, community, and suburban charm that would go on to become hallmarks for the beloved American director.
Available on: Prime Video
The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
I know this list has its fair share of coming-of-age dramedies, but I promise this well-written, beautifully acted installment into the genre does it better than most.
Available on: Prime Video
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
The film’s comfortable moodiness and plucky soundtrack buoy the plot’s sci-fi nature, making Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind feel lived-in and warm, despite its frigid New York settings.
Available on: Prime Video
Get Out (2017)
I truly have no idea what season Get Out is set in (although Allison Brie does wear a lot of turtlenecks and high-collared jackets), but fall feels like the right time to revisit Jordan Peele’s instant horror classic.
Available on: Prime Video
Harold and Maude (1971)
Though not a commercial success when it was first released, Hal Ashby’s idiosyncratic dark comedy about a death-obsessed young man and his eccentric 80-year-old girlfriend (you can see how it might have been a tough sell) went on to earn its due credit, giving more film lovers an opportunity to hear Cat Stevens’ incredible original soundtrack and witness Maude and Harold’s magnificent, 70s coats.
Available on: Prime Video
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Featuring not one but two Thanksgivings, this award-winning dramedy tells the intertwining stories of three Manhattan sisters over the course of two years. The cast is stellar, the writing is fantastic, and it’s one of the few Woody Allen movies to have a somewhat happy ending.
Available on: Prime Video
Knives Out (2019)
Anything that evokes an Agatha Christie novel instantly feels fall-adjacent. Plus, now is a great time to watch if you haven’t get seen Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.
Available on: Prime Video
Lost in Translation (2003)
Like most Sofia Coppola movies, Lost in Translation is a vibe more than anything else. And though there’s never a specific season mentioned in this Academy Award-winning tale about the intimacy of human connection, there is an array of enviable coats, scarves, and jackets that certainly made it feel like fall in Tokyo.
Available on: Prime Video
Rushmore (1998)
Set at a Houston boarding school, Wes Anderson’s coming-of-age dramedy features the director’s signature rich color palette, a bookish backdrop, and plenty of smart blazers.
Available on: Prime Video
The Others (2001)
This Nicole Kidman deep cut is what I like to call “spooky scary.” Alejandro Amenábar’s gothic thriller about a mother and her two children dealing with the increasingly supernatural in a post-World War II country house is wonderfully atmospheric and haunting, with a twist that—even if you know it’s coming—somehow always satisfies.
Available on: Prime Video
Casper (1995)
If I ever came face-to-face with a ghost, I have a weird reassurance that it would be friendly like Casper. Maybe, that’s just due to how much I loved this movie as a kid.
Available on: Prime Video
PHOTO: With the fall season underway, Claire, an ambitious New York attorney, returns to her small hometown in Vermont to help save her father’s farm from being lost in a legal battle with his neighbor. There, she runs into her former high school rival, Patrick, a handsome local lawyer, whom she soon learns is related to the woman suing her dad and is also representing her in the upcoming court case against him. Before long, Claire and Patrick find themselves on opposing sides of the heated property dispute and conflicting feelings arise when an autumn romance begins to bloom between them. Photo: Erin Cahill, Trevor Donovan Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Fred Hayes
Love, Fall & Order (2019)
Look no further for your slightly cheesy, fall feel-good movie. An ambitious attorney travels to her home to save her dad’s fall festival on the family’s pumpkin farm, and of course, finds a little romance along the way.
Available on: Prime Video
Beetlejuice (1988)
Come on, is it really fall without Beetlejuice playing while you decorate for your yearly Halloween party?
Available on: Prime Video
Paddington 2 (2018)
Is Paddington 2 better than Citizen Cane? The credentials may still be up for debate, but I say, emphatically, yes. Its pristine Rotten Tomatoes score is my personal excuse to watch the beloved anthropomorphic bear film anytime I want (with or without any children present), but Paddington in the fall? That’s an unbeatable pair.
Available on: Prime Video
Little Women (1994)
I adore the Greta Gerwig Little Women, which I would argue is the most autumnal of any Louisa May Alcott adaption. But as a woman of a certain age, the 1994 version, directed by Gillian Armstrong and starring Winona Ryder as Jo, is a pure rush of nostalgia. I want to wrap a pashmina around my shoulders just thinking about it.
Available on: Prime Video
The Corpse Bride (2005)
The visuals are stunning, the music is fantastic, and the plot is compelling enough to tie all those top-tier Tim Burton hallmarks together. There’s something about this movie that makes it the perfect balance of spooky and heartwarming.
Available on: Prime Video
Legally Blonde (2001)
With its sparkling aesthetic and bright pink ensembles, Legally Blonde might not initially register as a fall movie, but when Elle finally finds herself amid the autumn foliage at Harvard, it’s instant coziness.
Available on: Prime Video
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
Every Thanksgiving, I’m reminded of how wistful and sweet this road trip buddy comedy really is. But the emphasis remains on the comedy between Steve Martin and the late, great John Candy, whose charming dancing-while-driving-while-smoking sequence to the “Mess Around” is, as one Redditor put it, “so simple, yet so amazing.”
Available on: Prime Video
The Best Fall Movies on Paramount+
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The low-budget horror essentially launched the found footage genre, and though it’s often replicated, the magic and mystery of The Blair Witch Project, which existed in a time well before Reddit forums (though they would have eaten it up), will likely never be reproduced again.
Available on: Paramount+
Love Story (1970)
Often considered one of the most romantic movies ever made, the aptly named 70s classic tells the story of an unlikely pair who meets in Cambridge, Massachusetts—practically the geographic equivalent of fall. You’ll feel all your feelings and marvel at a majestic set of brows that were truly ahead of their time.
Available on: Paramount+
Clueless (1995)
Maybe it’s the Cher-themed Halloween costumes, or maybe the start-of-school aesthetic, but Clueless is never a bad choice for Fall movie nights.
Available on: Paramount+
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
Sometimes, a good romcom is all I need when we enter the cooler months. Not only has this movie always been one of my fall favorites (maybe it’s the early 2000’s editing style?) but the internet has blown up this film in search of Kate Hudson’s famous yellow dress.
Available on: Paramount+
Addams Family Values (1993)
Ah, the Addams family. If you were a fan of Wednesday starring Jenna Ortega, then it’s in your best interest to see the film where it all began. There’s nothing more Halloween than the Addams family spirit.
Available on: Paramount+
The Best Fall Movies on Fubo
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
If anyone in our nation’s history could truly personify fall, it would have to Fred Rogers, a man synonymous with a zip-up cardigan. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’s inspired casting of America’s Dad, AKA Tom Hanks, as the beloved television host is just the cherry on top.
Pro fall movie tip: follow the film with a showing of the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor for a good cry.
Available on: Fubo
Clue (1985)
With a killer (pun intended) comedic ensemble, a gothic mansion setting, and a slew of dark secrets, the cult classic immediately draws you in. The fashion is lush, the hidden doors are plentiful, and the balance of spooky and silly is spot on. The competition isn’t exactly fierce, but Clue is absolutely the best movie based on a children’s board game.
Available on: Fubo
Lady Bird (2017)
A coming-of-age story and a mother-daughter drama rolled into one, Lady Bird offers all the nostalgia of a great fall movie along with a story that’s just plain great.
Available on: Fubo
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)
I don’t know about you, but I’m a big fan of the recent Jurassic World movies. They may not be the most realistic, but they’re entertaining and carry a modern twist on the Jurassic Park storyline.
Available on: Fubo
This post was originally published on September 23, 2022, and has since been updated.
