Just because Halloween is over, doesn’t mean Fall is. In fact, I think Fall really starts at Halloween (especially with global warming not cooling down the planet until late October now). For those who want to get into a cozy fall vibe with movies, I will be recommending a few, in no particular order. These films can be slightly spooky, but mostly have a warm and cozy atmosphere. So grab some fuzzy slippers, pour yourself a fall beverage (maybe an apple cider mimosa, warm cider, or even hot cocoa), and settle in for some of what I think are the best films to watch in the fall season.
- Practical Magic (1998): Let me start by saying that most people will think this movie is great up until just before the halfway point, where they may ask, “What is going on here?”. That is a totally normal response. This film’s major flaw is that it can’t commit to a genre. Is it a rom-com, a drama, or a horror? However, its stylistic confusion is part of the fun. At its core, it’s a movie about female friendship, family, sisterhood, and witches. Underneath the whimsy is an important message about not letting abusive men get away with their crimes, but it’s very much a fun way to start fall. From its setting on an eerie island to the dreamy botanical greenhouse of potions, it’s a fanciful adventure, even when it gets bizarre.
- You’ve Got Mail (1998): Most people have probably seen this film or at least seen it referenced. It features two very popular actors, who, at this time, were arguably at the peaks of their popularity: Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. They play a classic opposites-attract, “we hate each other but only because we don’t know we love each other yet” kind of thing. Their character dynamic is entertaining, but it’s really the setting that sells the film: autumn in Manhattan. Does it get any better than that? I think not. Also, they're bookshop owners. What is more autumnal than a cozy New York City bookshop in fall? I would argue, not much. So come enjoy this zany, will-they-won’t-they rom-com, and stay for the warm-and-fuzzy ambience it can give you year after year.
- Hocus Pocus (1993): This one is obviously a classic. It’s more geared toward Halloween, given that it takes place during the holiday, but there’s something about the nostalgia and whimsy that makes it a more classic, relaxing fall watch for me. There’s the spooky, yet stunning setting of Salem, Massachusetts, that immediately puts you in a fall mood, as well as the fun main characters of The Sanderson Sisters – the main witches, who are cast to perfection with Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker. While, as a viewer, you’re not rooting for the witches – I mean, they are sucking the souls out of children, so they’re clearly evil – you can’t help but get a kick out of their hijinks. An especially standout moment in the movie for me is when the witches see a man, who is perfectly played by Gary Marshall, dressed as the devil. They think he is the actual devil and begin calling him master, subsequently going into his home, eating his food, dancing with him, and annoying his wife. It never fails to make me laugh out loud, so pop this one on if you want a good time and a good chunk of nostalgia.
- Good Will Hunting (1997): This film is mostly a drama, but it has several good laughs. It’s incredibly heartwarming, with standout moments from Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and the late Robin Williams. This film is about a disadvantaged college janitor who is secretly a genius; he’s just never had the opportunities to leave the area he lives in or to harness his potential at a good school. We see him try to balance being discovered as a genius, accepting changes in his life, and trying to fit in with smarter and richer people, all while trying not to leave his friends behind. So what does this have to do with fall? Well, it takes place mostly during the fall season in Boston, another picturesque autumnal city. There are plenty of shots of the characters having heart-to-heart conversations in Cambridge, at MIT, and in Boston Common. This film will make you see people differently, want to strive for more for yourself, and perhaps take a stroll through beautiful Boston in the fall.
- Legally Blonde (2001): I know, I know, this seems more fun, bright, and summery than the rest of my picks, but hear me out. This film takes place over a college year, and nothing says fall more than academia. This film is so fun, but also empowering and motivating. Yes, some of the stereotypes have aged poorly, but the message of women supporting women and challenging yourself is still there. The film stars Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, who is seen as surface-level ditzy and not very hardworking. She is the head of her sorority at a Los Angeles college and, in her eyes, has the perfect boyfriend. However, he shallowly breaks up with her right before he leaves for Harvard Law School —his logic being that his family “wants [him] with a Jackie and not a Marilyn.” Damn. Harsh. Elle gets the brilliant idea of working hard and getting into Harvard Law, and surprises her ex-boyfriend in the process. She soon realizes that even though he seems to want her, she has lost interest and is more focused on proving to herself and those who doubt her that she is actually brilliant. It’s a fun film with a great message.
- Dead Poets Society (1989): Saving one of the best for last, I’ll cut straight to the point: this one will gut you emotionally. Yeah, there are some fun and lighthearted moments. The movie is a coming-of-age story about a group of adolescent boys at a boarding school in New England (again with the New England and academia contributing to the fall vibes ) and their new unorthodox poetry teacher — played breathtakingly by the late Robin Williams. He teaches them to learn not by just memorizing or reading, but by living, feeling, and being creative. It’s a tearjerker, and it makes you feel triumphant. It almost makes you want to take an English class or be a poet.
Well, those are my fall picks! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, and maybe they’ll even make it into your yearly traditions. Stay tuned for some winter/holiday picks coming soon. Happy Fall!
