The Best Fall Movies to Cozy Up With All Season Long

We were practically attached to our ACs all summer, so we’re thrilled to bring you a much more fun reason to stay indoors: snuggling up with the best fall movies.

Of course, you can always count on films featuring colorful foliage and Halloween themes to deliver quintessential autumn vibes. But there are so many other options that can spark that cozy, nostalgic fall feeling. You might get all warm and fuzzy seeing two characters slowly fall for each other in a comfortingly predictable rom-com. Or maybe you experience a sense of awe and wonder while getting lost in a mystical adventure filled with fictional ghouls, goblins, and/or wizards.

There isn’t a set criteria for what makes the ultimate autumn comfort watch (to each their own), so we put together a diverse list of options for your next cozy night (or day) in. From emo throwbacks to family-friendly Halloween movies that’ll awaken your inner child, these are some of the best fall movies to commemorate the long-anticipated arrival of sweater weather.

1. When Harry Met Sally

You can’t go wrong with a classic: This timeless late-’80s rom-com follows Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan), two complete opposites who form an unexpected (and super adorable) connection. If you’re a hopeless romantic, the strangers-to-friends-to-lovers trope will really do it for you—as will Harry and Sally strolling through fall-foliage-filled Central Park in one of the movie’s most touching scenes.

2. Bottoms

In this queer back-to-school comedy starring Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri, two unpopular best friends attempt to woo their crushes by starting a fight club. Bottoms is an unpredictable treat in the best way possible—it’s got refreshingly raunchy rumor, a cute lesbian romance, and a surprisingly gory brawl between American football jocks and cheerleaders. As Variety put it, you can expect Fight Club meets Heathers.

3. Hocus Pocus

You’ll barely recognize Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy as three hilariously mischievous, over-the-top witches known as the Sanderson sisters. Even though it was a box office bomb when it hit theaters in 1993, Hocus Pocus eventually found its audience and deserves its cult classic status: The campy favorite is packed with clever one-liners, catchy musical numbers, and unforgettable performances from its iconic cast. It’s a must-watch for Halloween enthusiasts of all ages.

4. Twilight

While some fans might argue that the Twilight saga leans more towards a Christmas vibe, we’re here to settle this debate: This series is a fall essential. The moody, rainy backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, the indie rock soundtrack, and Bella’s snug flannels definitely embody the spirit of autumn. Plus, a supernatural love triangle between a human, vampire, and werewolf is obviously on-theme for October.

5. Love Jones

When an aspiring poet (played by Larenz Tate) and photographer (Nia Long) meet by chance at a Chicago club, sparks fly and they instantly form a connection. Their electric chemistry will have you feeling warm and fuzzy inside (just in time for cuffing season), and the film’s soulful R&B soundtrack beautifully captures the intensity and heat of a passionate, whirlwind romance.

6. Knives Out

In this Oscar-nominated murder mystery, Benoit Blanc, a private detective played by Daniel Craig, is on a mission to uncover which member among a group of quirky suspects killed bestselling author Harlan Thrombey. Think of this whodunit as your modern-day Clue, where tensions and secrets unravel in a grand New England mansion that oozes fall vibes. Plus, who could resist Chris Evans’s famous chunky white sweater?

7. The Devil Wears Prada

If you need fall wardrobe inspo—and a dose of juicy drama—this one’s for you. As an assistant at a high-end magazine, Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) learns to navigate the fast-paced, high-pressure, and ultra-chic world of couture fashion. Not only does the 2006 film still hold up entertainment-wise, but you’ll also probably spot Andy-esque posh coats, tailored blazers, and leather over-the-knee boots on plenty of 2024 “fall outfit” Pinterest boards.

8. Dead Poets Society

At a stuffy New England boarding school, a few students feel empowered to finally think for themselves after an unconventional English teacher (Oscar winner Robin Williams) inspires them to form the Dead Poets Society—a secret club where they read poetry and express their true feelings. Their defiance doesn’t sit well with their strict families or rigid headmaster, however, and ultimately, this 1989 drama delivers a powerful message about the importance of following your passion.

9. Halloweentown

Halloweentown earned a spot on this list because it’s got everything we love about the spookiest day of the year—pumpkin patches, magic spells, ghosts, and (bonus points) a silly talking skeleton. The 1998 classic revolves around 13-year-old Marnie, who discovers that she’s not just an ordinary kid—she’s also a witch!—and visits a world where it’s Halloween all the time. The old-school special effects, the legendary Debbie Reynolds, and the magic of Grandma Aggie’s potion-filled home will bring you back to your trick-or-treating days and hit you with some major Disney nostalgia.

10. Good Will Hunting

Obviously Good Will Hunting is an amazing movie to watch any time of the year. (It won two Oscars for good reason!) But there’s something about its introspective mood that feels just right for fall. This heartfelt film follows a young genius named Will Hunting (Matt Damon) who works as a janitor at MIT. But after a professor sees his academic potential, Will receives a life-changing opportunity to leave behind his troubled past. Fair warning for first-timers: This movie is sad. (Prepare to bawl during that unforgettable scene between Will and his therapist, played by the one and only Robin Williams.) But this tear-jerker is also a beautiful film that perfectly portrays the charm of fall in Boston, from its cozy cafés to stunning autumn foliage.

11. Remember the Titans

When you think of fall nostalgia, perhaps homecoming season, back-to-school excitement, and the thrill of high school football come to mind. Well, Remember the Titans captures all of those core memories. Denzel Washington stars in this sports drama loosely based on Herman Boone, a 1970s high school football coach trying to unite a racially divided team. Whether you’re drawn in by the uplifting plot or stay for Washington’s standout performance, this movie delivers some lessons about teamwork, friendship, and perseverance that’ll stick with you.

12. Coraline

Coraline is just as creepy as it is enchanting—and that’s why it’s ideal for the cooler, darker months. Follow along as Coraline Jones discovers a parallel world that seems too good to be real: Her “Other Mother” is actually attentive, the food is much tastier, and all of her wishes come true. That is, until things take a dark turn, and Coraline must escape before she’s forever trapped with an evil entity who wants to take her soul (and sew buttons into her eyes).

13. Hubie Halloween

In this campy Netflix comedy, an awkward deli worker (Adam Sandler) becomes an unlikely hero tasked with saving his small town from a mysterious kidnapper. It’s a silly, slightly paranormal whodunit that includes Sandler’s famous Happy Gilmore–esque humor. Not to mention, you’ll find yourself pointing at the screen every few minutes saying, “Wait, I know them!” since the cast is stacked with A-listers like Maya Rudolph, Julie Bowen, Kevin James, Ben Stiller, and Steve Buscemi, just to name a few.

14. Fantastic Mr. Fox

Directed by Wes Anderson and based on the beloved Roald Dahl classic, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a stop-motion masterpiece about a reformed chicken thief (voiced by George Clooney) plotting one final heist: to steal from three mean farmers. Every scene is a feast for the eyes, filled with rich autumnal colors—deep oranges, golden yellows, and rustic reds—that will make you feel as if you’re spending a cozy, wholesome fall day in the (animated) countryside. (Oh, and you might be inspired to make your own nutmeg ginger apple snaps after finishing this movie.)

15. Practical Magic

No fall film roundup is complete without this fan favorite. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star as sisters (who descend from a long line of witches) fighting off a curse that kills the men they fall in love with. This isn’t your stereotypical Halloween movie, but it features black cats, whimsical spells, and curses on shitty ex-boyfriends that make it a fitting choice for spooky season. Even if you’ve already seen (and loved) Practical Magic, it’s not a bad idea to refresh your memory and revisit this 1998 classic—especially now that a sequel has been confirmed!

16. Little Women

The original is worth checking out too, but we also highly recommend Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen. Not only did this period drama earn six Oscar nominations (and win one), but it also offers a fresh take on a timeless story about independence and self-growth. Plus, seeing the March sisters slowly bloom into their true selves—all while flaunting some award-winning Victorian-period costumes—is worth the two-plus hour watch.

17. The Harry Potter series

Maybe you’ve streamed the Harry Potter franchise a million times already. But we can’t think of a better time to revisit the magic than when the air turns cool and crisp. Dive into a full-on HP marathon or just stick with one or two favorites. Either way, you’ll experience the perfect fall escape by immersing yourself in the lavish Great Hall banquets, action-packed Quidditch matches, and cool-sounding magic spells at Hogwarts.

18. You’ve Got Mail

The queen of rom-coms, Meg Ryan, is back on our list. This time, she plays Kathleen Kelly, a bookshop owner who unknowingly catches feelings for her business rival (Tom Hanks) while exchanging anonymous AOL emails (remember those?). Sappy love story aside, this enemies-to-lovers movie is also a sweet homage to the beauty of autumn in New York City.

19. Sleepy Hollow

You might not typically think of horror movies as “cozy,” but this gothic thriller has a surprisingly welcoming aura. After a string of gruesome murders, Ichabod Crane (played by a young Johnny Depp) must track down the culprit: the Headless Horseman. With plenty of mild jump scares, a few clever jokes, and a touch of sexual tension between Ichabod and a wealthy landowner’s daughter (Christina Ricci), Sleepy Hollow is a great option to curl up with under your comfiest throw blanket.

20. The Half of It

The “Cyrano de Bergerac” concept has been done many times before, but rarely with the charm and depth you’ll find in The Half of It. In this 2020 Netflix coming-of-age story, shy straight-A student Ellie is enlisted by a jock to write love letters to the girl of his dreams. The problem? As Ellie pours her emotions into each note, she realizes she, too, has feelings for her. This beautifully complicated queer teen romance may make you laugh, cry, and embrace a pang of nostalgia as you recall your own first crush. In other words, it’ll give you all the bittersweet fall feels.