The Best Fall Movies for a Cozy Night In
Light a candle and press play on these autumnal flicks.
One of our favorite things to do in the fall is cozy up at home with a movie. We’ve rounded up the best fall movies to watch, from family-friendly Halloween flicks to romantic dramas. One thing they all have in common: They pair perfectly with a fall candle, a cozy blanket, and a big bowl of popcorn.
Whether you’re in the mood to revisit a classic or watch something new, there’s sure to be a movie here that catches your eye. Spooky-yet-sweet animated films, nostalgic tearjerkers, and timeless comedies are all on our list of fall movies. There’s something everyone in your crew will enjoy, whether you’re watching a movie with hard-to-please tweens, your horror-loving partner, or your friend group with widely varying tastes (or all of the above). Luckily, we’ve highlighted options available from a wide variety of streaming services, so no matter which ones you subscribe to, you’ll be able to find something to watch. (You can probably also find some of them via your local library!)
Ahead, check out the best fall movies to watch this season. For more seasonal inspiration, check out our favorite fall party theme ideas, grandma-approved hobbies to pick up this autumn, and our favorite fall decorating ideas for a cozy home update.
Coraline
Beautiful fall imagery abounds in one of the best Halloween movies of all time. Resourceful but lonely Coraline discovers a hidden door in her spooky new house. It brings her to a land that looks fantastical but hides dark secrets.
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Shutter Island
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this psychological thriller has moody backdrops and unexpected twists perfect for a stormy autumn day. A Deputy U.S. Marshal (Leonardo DiCaprio) investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane but everything is not as it seems. You won't see the final twist coming!
Definitely, Maybe
Light jackets abound in this bittersweet rom-com following Will (Ryan Reynolds), a thirty-something divorcee in New York. When his hilariously precocious daughter asks about her mother, he tells her the stories of three women he loved, not telling her which one is her mother.
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Spirited Away
This movie isn't set in the fall, but the feasts and steam baths sure give this Ghibli film an autumn feeling. After her parents are turned into pigs, 10-year-old Chihiro enters a world of spirits, working in a mystical bathhouse while she tries to free herself and her parents.
Ratatouille
This food-centered movie will have you ready for some fall feasting. Remy the rat dreams of becoming a chef. Down on his luck, Linguini is a garbage boy in a French restaurant, but he can't cook. Working together, they can achieve both of their dreams.
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
There's never a better time than the fall to step into the magic of Hogwarts. It's back to school meets cozy fall fires meets the power of friendship. What more could you want from a fall movie?
Corpse Bride
Melancholy and romantic, Tim Burton's iconic style makes this a perfect fall movie for more than just Halloween. In Victorian England, mild-mannered Victor (Johnny Depp) practices his wedding vows in front of the ghost of Emily (Helena Bonham Carter), who mistakenly thinks they are now married.
Twilight
It’s hard to beat a classic for that 2010s nostalgia factor. Is it melodramatic? Sure. But fall is the season for brooding, so you’ll still find us rewatching it when the weather gets cold. Bonus points if you can quote the most ridiculous scenes by heart.
The Breakfast Club
That's right, fall is back-to-school season. This coming-of-age dramedy sees five very different high schoolers stuck in detention together, working out their differences to defy the high school social order, if only for a moment in time.
Coco
This Dia de los Muertos flick is a heartfelt celebration of ancestors and our beloved dead. Come for the gorgeous animated skeletons, stay for the touching story of the importance of family. Aspiring musician Miguel crosses the border into the land of the dead and seeks the approval of his favorite musician, the famous Ernesto de la Cruz.
The Princess Bride
Fall forest scenes are everywhere in The Princess Bride. When Buttercup is betrothed to the loathsome Prince Humperdink, she must be rescued by the Dread Pirate Roberts and a colorful cast of misfits. For true love to win, they must overcome the Fire Swamp, the Pit of Despair, Rodents of Unusual Size, forced “mawwiage” and death itself.
Hocus Pocus
May I suggest a double feature of Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2? These Halloween classics combine campy fun with iconic performances from Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. A comedic trio of witches are resurrected on Halloween night in a romp that includes a zombie, a sentient spell book and a talking cat.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
One of Wes Anderson's finest (and coziest), this movie has a deliciously autumnal color scheme and an abundance of cider. The sly Mr. Fox goes to war with three neighboring farmers as he steals their produce in a conflict that soon involves all the local animals.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
When's the right time to watch this movie? I would argue it's around Thanksgiving, right between Halloween and Christmas. Regardless of when you watch it, this tale of pumpkin king Jack Skellington branching out into Christmas celebrations makes a great singalong.
Dead Poets Society
Oh Captain, my captain! Fall in New England and boarding school academia combine to make this quintessential fall viewing. An English teacher inspires his students to love poetry and seize the day in this beautiful and moving film.
Jennifer's Body
This movie has teeth, literally. When cheerleader Jennifer (Megan Fox) is possessed by a demon, she starts eating boys. It's a queer teenage supernatural comedy horror that's hard to categorize but easy to love, with a sharp look at trauma and complicated female friendships. Bon appétit.
Pride and Prejudice
The perfect watch with a warm drink. Mr. Darcy's famous hand flex is as big a star in this 2005 adaption as Kiera Knightley is. It's ideal rainy-day fare, harkening back to a time when catching a cold in the rain could strand you at your neighbor's house for several days.
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Romeo + Juliet
Yes, this was filmed in Miami. Yes, there are beaches and palm trees. But by my heel, I care not! The gorgeous costuming and dark passion of Baz Luhrmann's genius adaption starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Clare Danes makes it a perfect fall watch regardless. The church scene will take your breath away, while the masquerade will give you costume ideas of your own.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
It's always a good time to watch Peter Jackson's masterpieces, but the sweeping landscapes are never cozier than in the fall. Rivendell and Lothlorien offer a particularly autumnal beauty. Follow Frodo and the fellowship as they cross Middle Earth to try to defeat great evil.
Kiki's Delivery Service
It's the season of the witch. Kiki and her black cat Jiji set out on their own for the first time and open a flying courier service using Kiki's broomstick. Together, they must navigate the struggles of growing up and newfound independence.
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