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When you think of the fall, your mind might go straight to goblins, ghouls, and horror movies galore. But for those of us who aren’t all about Halloween, there’s a treasure trove of fall films perfect for the season. Drawing a bit of a blank on which films we’re talking about? Don’t worry. In honor of the first day of fall, we’ve pulled 14 of the best movies to watch during autumn that have nothing to do with Halloween.
We have to admit, fall is probably one of our favorite seasons — from the leaves changing colors and the temperatures dropping ever-so-slightly to warm apple cider and breaking out your favorite sweater. During these brisk evenings, there’s really no better way to enjoy autumn than cuddling up on the sofa and watching a movie that’s the perfect picture representation of the season. In the mood for love? Watch When Harry Met Sally and If Beale Street Could Talk, both of which are brimming with fall imagery. Looking for some laughs and a dysfunctional family drama? The Royal Tenenbaums might be just right for you.
Whatever frame of mind you’re in, we have you covered with plenty of picks for the perfect movie night. So, grab a soft blanket, light your autumn-scented candles, and cue the movie magic! From Fantastic Mr. Fox to Practical Magic, here are the 10 best non-Halloween movies you can stream all season long.
‘When Harry Met Sally’
If we’re going to start somewhere, then it has to be with Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron’s When Harry Met Sally. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan are a romcom dream team in this classic 1989 film, which tracks the relationship of Harry Burns and Sally Albright from their drive to New York City after college, to becoming friends, and then navigating their burgeoning romantic feelings for one another. Written by Ephron and directed by Reiner, this film features beautiful vignettes and setpieces during NYC’s glorious fall. Those quintessential photos of Harry and Sally walking through Central Park during autumn? Yeah, we can’t get them out of our heads. Enjoy this movie well through autumn and into winter — it makes a great New Year’s Eve watch.
Watch on HBO Max.
‘Practical Magic’
Does Practical Magic feature witches? Yes. But this isn’t your witch’s brew variety Halloween haunt. Practical Magic is all about sisterly love — in this case, the bond between Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman). The two siblings live with their aunts and are completely ostracized from their small town, dealing with the centuries-old stigma of being witches. In spite of a curse that would snatch ever-lasting love away from the sisters, they never lose hope, or their nerve, in this movie that’s simply magical.
Watch on HBO Max.
‘If Beale Street Could Talk’
From the very first frame of Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk, you know this is a fall film that will penetrate your heart. An adaptation of James Baldwin’s lyrical novel of the same name, If Beale Street Could Talk follows Tish Rivers and Alonzo ‘Fonny’ Hunt’s love story. Just as the young couple, and expecting parents, are about to start their life together, Fonny is accused of a crime he did not commit. Tish and her family, including mom Sharon (Regina King in her Oscar-winning role), embrace new life while trying to save that of the one they love.
Watch on Amazon.
‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’
You’d be hard-pressed to find a single frame of Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox that doesn’t look like the picture of autumn. This adaptation of Roald Dahl’s story is rambunctious fun for the whole family. Anderson and his impeccable creative team employ stop motion animation to tell this tale of a fox and his community who band together to ward off one farmer who threatens their livlihood. Don’t mess with this fox.
Watch on Hulu.
‘The Royal Tenenbaums’
Another Wes Anderson vehicle, The Royal Tenenbaums is a dramedy with one of the most dysfunctional families you’ll ever meet. It’s been years since the Tenenbaum family lived under the same roof. What ensues when they finally gather together? A bit of bickering here, some unrequited love rising to the surface there, and, oh yes, a few dalmatian mice scurrying about. Bathed in hues of oranges, yellows, golds, and more, The Royal Tenenbaums is a great addition to your autumn-themed movies in rotation.
Watch on Hulu.
‘You’ve Got Mail’
Remember when we said you could watch When Harry Met Sally starting in autumn and well into winter? Well, the same applies to Nora Ephron’s You’ve Got Mail. This contemporary iteration of 1940’s The Shop Around The Corner features Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as pen pals and rival book store owners. She has a small, adorable book shop; he works for a big company looking to put her out of business. Even though they detest one another in real life, they have the best flirty banter when they exchange emails. So, what happens when they find out their lover via email is their sworn nemesis? Put on The Cranberries’ hit song “Dreams” and get ready, you’ll want to watch this movie all autumn long.
Watch on Hulu.
‘Knives Out’
In keeping with the spooky season, what’s better than a good, old-fashioned murder mystery? Rian Johnson has the answer with KnivesOut, the 2019 ensemble dramedy that cuts deep. Featuring a string of stars like Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, and a star-making turn by Ana de Armas, this whodunit follows the murder of the Thrombey family patriarch and the hunt for his killer. Grab a hot cup of tea and your favorite blanket, you’ll want to tuck in for this fantastic fall film.
Watch on Prime Video.
‘Dead Poets Society’
Welton Academy, where Dead Poets Society is set, looks like the picture of fall in this beloved 1989 feature film. Starring Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard and the late Robin Williams, Dead Poets Society follows a group of young men at a prestigious private school and their beloved teacher John Keating. The students and teacher form what’s called the Dead Poets Society, revisiting the poetry of love, romance, and all the things we “live for,” as Williams’ Keating aptly puts it.
Watch on Prime Video.
‘Amélie’
You’ll never meet a woman quite as peculiar as Amélie. The titular character of this 2001 film lives her life helping others in secret – living vicariously through those who inhabit her apartment building, work in the café alongside her and even her own father. But it’s when Amélie falls in love that her own story begins to unfurl, and we’re lucky enough to watch it. This French film features gorgeous hues of reds, greens, and oranges, pulling together a stunning tableau of all the colors we associate with fall. It’s romantic, touching, and an excellent pick for movie night this fall season.
Watch on Disney+.
‘All That Heaven Allows’
We’re throwing it back to Douglas Sirk’s All That Heaven Allows for this fall film selection. Another great choice if you’re looking for a film to cozy up with in fall and well into winter, this romantic melodrama features Oscar winner Jane Wyman and Oscar nominee Rock Hudson in a tortured romance set in picturesque New England. Cary Scott (Wyman) is a widow with two adult children living her country-club-comfortable life. It’s when she meets gardener Ron Kirby (Hudson) that her world is turned upside down. They fall into a passionate love affair, but what will everyone say? And will their love survive horrid gossip? This classic picture is perfect for fall viewing.
Watch on TCM.
‘Mona Lisa Smile’
If you’re still looking for that cozy vibe that Deadpoets Society evoked, then you need to see the ever-so-underrated Mona Lisa Smile. It follows a progressive art history professor (played by Julia Roberts) who teaches at the all-female Wellesley College in the 1950s. it’s a feminist movie that shows you can go outside societal norms to follow your dreams.
Stream it on Max.
‘Mystic Pizza’
No fall marathon is complete without Julia Roberts, and one that people need to talk more about is Mystic Pizza. The 1988 film is a beloved romcom that follows a group of pals who work at a pizza parlor, finding the truth, love, and themselves. How is it fall? It’s cozy, romantic, and even talks about the fall season throughout.
Stream it on Amazon.
‘Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island’
One of the most iconic Scooby Doo films of all time is the fan-favorite, 1998 film Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island. It follows the Mystery gang reuniting, going ghost hunting on a haunted bayou island. It has that cozy fall seasoning, with that spooky vibe certain fall fans adore.
Watch it on Amazon.
‘Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost’
But if you want a Scooby Doo film that’s more fall-themed, then you gotta go with Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost. It follows the gang travelling to a sleepy, New England town by horror writer Ben Ravencroft, who invited them for their fall fest, but then the hauntings start. Plus, there’s the Hex Girls.
Watch it on Amazon.
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