These Are The Coziest Fall Movies To Stream After Your 'Gilmore Girls' Rewatch
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Saying goodbye to a sun-drenched summer can be difficult, but as the days become shorter and the chilly sweater weather settles in, there’s a special kind of warmth that comes with the start of the fall season. For many people, autumn evokes childhood memories and pumpkin spice cravings. For others, it’s a significant time to reconnect with friends and family through fun group activities, like going on a nature hike, visiting an apple orchard, or watching a movie set during the coziest season.
From Thanksgiving-centric family dramas (Home for the Holidays), to football favorites (Remember the Titans, Rudy), to autumnal documentaries (The Last Autumn) and animated fantasy films (The Deer King), there are a variety of fall movies to satisfy everyone’s cravings.
Whether you’re into Halloween cult classics, sweet romantic comedies, or fun back-to-school flicks, Women's Health rounded up 50 of the best fall movies to watch during the months of September, October, and November. So, grab a warm mug of your favorite pumpkin-flavored drink, snuggle under your softest blanket, and get into the fall spirit with these amazing autumn movies.
The Half of It (2020)
Ellie Chu is an introverted, straight-A high schooler who makes extra money by writing papers for her fellow students. She’s approached by inept football player Paul Munsky to write love letters for his crush, Aster Flores, and soon finds herself falling for Aster as well. As Ellie and Paul spend more time together (occasionally against the picturesque backdrop of autumn in Washington state), they become friends and begin to learn what love truly means.
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Hocus Pocus (1993)
While out trick-or-treating with his younger sister on Halloween, Max accidentally resurrects the Sanderson sisters—a trio of 300-year-old villainous witches. The three sisters must suck out the soul of at least one child before sunrise, or else they’ll turn to dust. A night full of hilarious chaos ensues in this Disney cult classic.
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Home For The Holidays (1993)
After losing her job and finding out that her daughter is staying home with her boyfriend for Thanksgiving, single mother Claudia Larson travels alone from Chicago to Baltimore to spend the holiday with her dysfunctional family. Directed by Jodie Foster, this 1995 dramedy is one of the most relatable movies ever made about holiday family gatherings.
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Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
It’s officially back-to-school season! Prepare to be inspired by 11-year-old Akeelah Anderson, a young girl and spelling enthusiast from South Los Angeles who, with the incredible support of an English professor and her local community, proves that she has what it takes to compete in (and maybe even win) the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
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October Sky (1999)
October Sky tells the true story of Homer Hickam (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), the son of a coal miner from West Virginia. After watching the Soviet Union’s Sputnik 1 launch in 1957, Homer is inspired to build his own rockets, despite his father’s disapproval. With the support of his friends and science teacher, he participates in the National Science Fair and eventually goes on to work at NASA.
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The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Jack Skellington is tired of the same old Halloween routine and antics, so he devises a plan to kidnap Santa Claus and take over Christmas. This Tim Burton classic is sure to bring out your Halloween spirit.
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Remember the Titans (2000)
Football season begins in September, which means fall is the perfect time to watch a movie about the beloved sport. Based on a true story, Remember the Titans follows the struggles and triumphs of a newly racially-integrated high school football team in 1970s Virginia.
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Halloweentown (1998)
Marnie Piper discovers that she's a witch during a visit from her grandmother on Halloween. When her grandmother leaves to head home, Marnie and her younger siblings secretly follow her into Halloweentown, a place where warlocks, ghouls, and other magical beings live. While there, she must learn to harness her witch powers and help save the town from an evil force before it’s too late.
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Coco (2017)
Centered around the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, this Pixar film follows an aspiring musician who travels to the Land of the Dead to learn about the history and traditions of his ancestors. This beautiful tearjerker is all about music, family, and following your dreams.
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When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Nothing feels more like autumn than colorful falling leaves and cozy-looking clothes. Both of these seasonal highlights can be found in this hilarious classic rom-com about two friends who keep circling each other.
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Good Will Hunting (1997)
Matt Damon plays Will Hunting, a 20-year-old genius who has recently been paroled from jail and is working at MIT as a janitor. When Will anonymously solves a difficult math problem posted by a professor, he’s eventually taken under the professor’s wing and introduced to Sean Maguire, a psychologist who helps him overcome his personal struggles. Set in scenic Cambridge, Massachusetts, this film also stars Robin Williams and Ben Affleck.
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The Craft (1996)
When four outcast high schoolers form a coven and use witchcraft to cast spells on their enemies, they subsequently deal with the consequences of their newfound powers.
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The Breakfast Club (1985)
If you’re looking to start the season with some back-to-school nostalgia, then this classic coming-of-age movie is a must-watch. Five high school students from different cliques spend a Saturday in detention and soon learn that they're more alike than they thought.
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Pieces of April (2003)
After learning that her mother is dying from terminal breast cancer, April Burns (played by Katie Holmes) invites her estranged family to her tiny Manhattan apartment for Thanksgiving in hopes of reconciling. The only problem is that April has never cooked a Thanksgiving dinner, and her oven is broken. This film is a heartwarming holiday treat to watch with your loved ones.
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The Last Autumn (2020)
If you enjoy watching documentaries year-round, then this pick is for you. The Last Autumn follows an elderly farming couple on the rural Icelandic coast as they herd their sheep down from the surrounding mountains with their family for the last time during the fall season.
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Really Love (2021)
The warm, autumnal colors in this sensual love story about a budding painter (Kofi Siriboe) and an ambitious law student (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing) will put you in the fall mood.
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Beetlejuice (1988)
Barbara and Adam Maitland pass away from a car accident while vacationing at their country home. When a new family moves into their former house, the ghosts of the recently deceased couple hire a crude, boisterous bio-exorcist from the Netherworld to scare them away.
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Legends of the Fall (1994)
Based on the 1979 book of the same name, this epic Western drama spans across 50 years and follows the lives of three brothers from Montana as they’re affected by the wilderness, World War 1, and love.
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Twilight (2008)
When Bella Swan moves from Phoenix, Arizona to a small Washington town, she meets vampire Edward Cullen and falls in love. The gloomy Forks weather and angsty teen romance make this movie a perfect watch for a rainy autumn day.
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McFarland, USA (2015)
Did you know fall is also cross country season? In this film based on an inspirational true story, a track coach (played by Kevin Costner) helps transform an all-Latino cross-country high school team of novice runners into state champions.
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The Deer King (2021)
This animated fantasy film begins in autumn, as a deadly disease spread by wild dogs wipes out hundreds of people in a salt mine. Despite being bitten by one of the dogs, Van, an enslaved former warrior, manages to survive and escape the salt mine with Yuna, an orphaned girl. As the disease continues to spread to other areas, a holistic doctor named Hohsalle is determined to find a cure.
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The Haunted Mansion (2023)
If you’re looking for a spooky, family-fun movie to watch with the kids this October, The Haunted Mansion is a great pick. When realtor Jim Evers and his family find themselves trapped inside Gracey Manor, they must figure out how to break the mansion’s century-old curse.
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Autumn Sonata (1978)
Set in late fall and featuring muted autumnal hues, this 1978 film centers on the relationship of a famous classical pianist and her neglected daughter, who meet for the first time in more than seven years.
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Silver Linings Playbook (2013)
After spending time in a psychiatric hospital, Pat Solatano (Bradley Cooper) moves back in with his parents and is determined to reconcile with his ex-wife. He then meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a young widow who offers to help him reconnect with his estranged wife if he agrees to be her partner for an upcoming dance competition. Football is a part of this romantic dramedy’s storyline, but you don’t have to be a fan of the sport to thoroughly enjoy watching it.
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Mermaids (1990)
Charlotte’s mother, Rachel, constantly relocates her family whenever she ends a romantic relationship. When Rachel moves Charlotte and her younger sister to a small town in Massachusetts, a series of events tests their familial bonds. Starring Winona Ryder, Cher, and Christina Ricci, this family dramedy set in 1960s New England will bring out warm fall feelings.
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Corpse Bride (2005)
Another great Tim Burton film, Corpse Bride follows Victor Van Dort as he prepares for an arranged marriage. While rehearsing his wedding vows in a forest, he’s suddenly pulled down into the underworld and betrothed to a deceased bride named Emily.
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Dan in Real Life (2007)
Widower Dan Burns is an advice columnist and single father of three daughters. After taking a trip to his parent’s house in Rhode Island for an annual Thanksgiving reunion, Dan visits a bookstore and meets Marie. Just when he thinks he has a chance with her, he finds out she’s dating his younger brother.
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Pitch Perfect (2012)
Are you or is someone you know starting college this fall? Get into the fun school spirit with freshman Beca Mitchell and her university’s all-female a cappella group, the Barden Bellas, as they practice to compete against their rivals in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Regionals. Based on a book of the same name, this musical comedy features Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Ben Platt, and Elizabeth Banks.
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Practical Magic (1998)
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star as Sally and Gillian Owens, two sisters who come from a long line of witches. When an evil spirit threatens to kill them, they must use their magic to save themselves and break a centuries-old family curse.
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Past Lives (2023)
Past Lives follows the relationship of Nora Moon and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends who lose contact after Nora’s family leaves South Korea and moves to Toronto. More than 20 years later, the two reconnect as adults and contemplate their relationship. Something about this film invokes a warm nostalgia and achy melancholy that some autumn days can bring.
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If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Based on the 1974 novel by James Baldwin, If Beale Street Could Talk tells the love story of Fonny and Tish—a young Black couple whose dreams are derailed when Fonny is falsely accused of a crime. The New York fall foliage adds to the beauty of this award-winning film.
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Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life (2020)
Want to learn more about Día de los Muertos? This 2020 documentary candidly explores the history and customs of the vibrant Mexican tradition, in which families honor and celebrate their deceased ancestors every autumn on November 1 and 2.
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Moonstruck (1987)
Set in Brooklyn during November, Italian-American widow Loretta Castorini (played by Cher) falls in love with Ronny Cammareri (Nicholas Cage), her fiancé's estranged younger brother. You’ll want to pour a glass of wine and snuggle under a blanket on an autumn night for this one.
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An Autumn Afternoon (1962)
Widely considered a masterpiece, An Autumn Afternoon tells the heartbreaking story of an aging widower who sets up an arranged marriage for his only daughter. The film’s Japanese title, A Taste of Sanma, refers to Pacific saury fish, a prominent seasonal food that represents autumn in Japanese culture.
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What's Cooking? (2000)
What’s Cooking? depicts how four L.A. families of different ethnicities celebrate Thanksgiving, each with their own cultural take on the traditional holiday meal.
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The Straight Story (1999)
In 1994, a 73-year-old man named Alvin Straight traveled 240 miles on a lawnmower across Iowa and Wisconsin to visit and make amends with his ailing brother. This movie was shot during the fall season of 1998 and is a biographical retelling of Straight’s six-week journey.
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The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
Nadine’s high school life takes a turn for the worse when she discovers that her best friend Krista is secretly dating her popular older brother Darian. Feeling more alone than ever, she finds support from her classmate Erwin and her teacher Mr. Bruner. There are tons of scenes full of colorful trees and leaves in this lively coming-of-age story.
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Night of the Living Dead (1968)
If you’re a hardcore horror fan, this classic 1968 zombie movie is the perfect watch for Halloween. When corpses across the East Coast begin to leave the graveyard in search of people to eat, seven strangers in rural Pennsylvania try to survive by seeking refuge in an abandoned farmhouse.
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Rudy (1993)
Another great film to watch during football season, this inspirational sports movie follows Rudy, a young man from a working-class family who lacks the money, good grades, and athletic physicality to play major football in college. When his best friend dies in a mill explosion, he becomes determined to fulfill his dream of playing football at the University of Notre Dame.
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Autumn in the City (2022)
About to turn 30, Piper moves from the Midwest to New York City in hopes of finding her true calling in life. There, she meets neighbor and aspiring writer Austin, and the two work together on a children’s book. As the name suggests, this Hallmark rom-com takes place during autumn, and is a sweet fall homage to the Big Apple.
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St. Elmo's Fire (1985)
Watch seven friends navigate life responsibilities and adulthood after graduating from college in this 1985 coming-of-age film. The cozy sweaters and glow of fall leaves in the background give off major autumn vibes.
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Far From Heaven (2002)
Exploring themes of race, class, and sexuality during the 1950s, this movie is about a wealthy stay-at-home wife in suburban Connecticut whose seemingly perfect marriage begins to fall apart when her husband commits adultery. Nearly every scene of Far From Heaven is like a gorgeous autumn postcard.
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Sweet November (2001)
Sara Deever (Charlize Theron) lives by a strict rule where she has one new boyfriend every month. When she meets Nelson (Keanu Reeves), an advertising executive, the two begin a no-strings-attached, one-month relationship in November and ultimately fall in love.
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The Village (2004)
Residents of an isolated, Amish-style village in Pennsylvania live in fear of creatures that inhabit the surrounding woods. When a young boy is injured, a blind woman bravely ventures through the forest to obtain medicine for him. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, this tense thriller features a scenic fall background.
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Autumn Dreams (2015)
A young couple’s elopement is annulled by the bride’s parents. Fifteen years later, when both are engaged to their respective partners, the two find out that there was an error in the paperwork and they are still legally married. The former couple reunite in autumnal New York to finalize their annulment, and romantic feelings resurface.
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You've Got Mail (1998)
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan play rival bookstore owners who develop an online romance via email. The movie spans across a year, but its most memorable scenes take place during New York’s fall season.
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Meet the Parents (2000)
Hoping to propose to his girlfriend Pam while visiting her parents for the first time, Greg Focker instead faces a series of nightmarish events while struggling to impress Jack, his prospective father-in-law. With beautiful orange colors, toasty sweaters, and falling leaves, this rom-com is a must-see for the season.
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The Lovely Bones (2009)
The Lovely Bones centers on a teenage girl who has been brutally murdered. Watching over her family and killer from a heaven-like space called “the in-between,” she struggles to balance her wish for revenge with her desire to help her grief-stricken loved ones heal. Most of this film takes place in autumn, capturing the beautiful foliage amid a heavy story.
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All the Bright Places (2020)
Two troubled teenagers partner for a class assignment that requires them to explore their scenic, autumnal-colored hometown. Their lives are forever changed when they begin to learn more about each other and form a deep bond.
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Rushmore (1998)
An all-out war erupts when quirky student Max Fischer and rich industrialist Herman Blume both fall in love with Rosemary Cross, the new first-grade teacher at Rushmore Preparatory School. This Wes Anderson comedy will definitely bring out your fall spirit.
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