10 Best Fall Movies to Watch This Season (That Aren’t Halloween Picks)

There’s something about fall that makes me want to watch movies where everyone wears chunky cable-knit sweaters and walks around a fall-foliage-heavy town drinking coffee.
So, if you’re looking for something cozy, nostalgic, romantic, or just very autumnal, here are some of my favorite fall movies.

10. “Dan in Real Life” (2007)

“Dan in Real Life” is basically what happens when you put an entire family in a giant New England house for a weekend and give everyone just enough time together for all their personal drama to come out.

I love how true to family gatherings this movie feels. Everyone is in everyone’s business, siblings are arguing, and there’s a family talent show. Which brings me to my main question: Who decided a family talent show was a good idea?

9. “Pride & Prejudice” (2005)

Mr. Darcy in the rain. Mr. Darcy walking through a field. Mr. Darcy hand flex.

That’s it. That’s all you need to know.

8. “Little Women” (2019)

I know “Little Women” is also a Christmas movie. I’m willing to share.

This movie has basically everything I want from a fall movie: New England, changing leaves, cozy houses, and Timothée Chalamet running around looking like he just wandered out of my Fall Outfit Ideas Pinterest board. It’s comforting, beautiful, and then suddenly you’re crying. So, you know, a great fall movie.

7. “Remember the Titans” (2000)

Fall means football, and it wouldn’t be right to make this list without at least one football movie, and this one is the best of them. It’s based on the true story of a newly integrated high school football team.

I like football, but sports movies can be hit or miss for me. My boyfriend made me watch this one because it’s his favorite, and I’m very glad he did because it’s genuinely great.

It has a really good story that goes beyond football, with great characters and some extremely memorable moments. Plus, you’ve got changing leaves, one of the greatest soundtracks of all time, and young Ryan Gosling.

6. “Knives Out” (2019)

“Knives Out” is proof that you can make a murder mystery feel cozy.

You’ve got a giant old house, fall leaves everywhere, chunky sweaters, family drama that makes your Thanksgiving dinners feel like light work, and Daniel Craig wandering around doing a ridiculous Southern accent while trying to solve a murder.

It’s basically Thanksgiving dinner if Thanksgiving dinner involved a lot more suspicious relatives and at least one dead person. And TBH, I think that’s an improvement.

5. “Good Will Hunting” (1997)

“Good Will Hunting” has basically everything required for a fall movie: Boston, college campuses, changing leaves, flannels, therapy, Matt Damon, and Robin Williams giving you life advice.

It’s occasionally funny, oftentimes emotional, and the acting is great across the board. I will always say yes to watching Robin Williams give a heartfelt monologue while surrounded by fall foliage. I’m only human.

4. “You’ve Got Mail” (1998)

“Don’t you love New York in the fall?”

Yes, Meg Ryan, I really do!

If your dream in life is to live in a charming New York apartment, own an adorable bookstore, and have an endless supply of cozy sweaters, this movie is the one for you. It has peak autumn-in-New-York vibes. There are leaves, coffee shops, bookstores, coats, walks through the city, and Meg Ryan. What more do you need?

Every time I watch this movie, I briefly convince myself that I could thrive in a tiny New York apartment where my biggest problem is accidentally falling in love with a man who wants to destroy my bookstore.

3. “Dead Poets Society” (1989)

“Dead Poets Society” is very much a movie about being young and having absolutely no idea what you’re doing with your life. It’s also one of those movies that makes me want to go back to school for about five minutes before remembering that school is terrible.

That being said, it’s also very beautiful and nostalgic, and it’s peak back-to-school fall. Not to mention, the whole cast is great, especially the one and only Robin Williams.

2. “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009)

I previously described this movie as “basically 87 minutes of immaculate fall vibes, tiny sweaters, and a fox having an identity crisis while committing crimes,” and I’m standing by that claim.

I also don’t think you can make a fall movie list without Wes Anderson’s color palette making an appearance. Honestly, I’d watch this movie with the sound off just for the vibes. Luckily, it’s also pretty funny.

1. “When Harry Met Sally” (1989)

“When Harry Met Sally” is another movie that makes me want to immediately put on a sweater and walk around a city for no particular reason.

The movie goes through several seasons, but the fall scenes are the ones that stick with me. Harry and Sally walking through Central Park surrounded by leaves is basically the visual definition of an autumn movie. And, obviously, the diner scene is still one of the greatest rom-com scenes ever. (Rewatch this one at New Year’s, too.)

Bonus: “Over the Garden Wall” (2014)

Technically, this is a miniseries, not a movie, but the entire thing is only about two hours. That’s basically movie length, so I’m giving myself permission to include it. Just watch it first before you disagree with me.

It’s about two brothers who get lost in a forest, and it might be the most aggressively fall thing ever made. The soundtrack alone makes me want to go outside and step on some crunchy leaves.

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