Originally published: October 8, 2023

The weather is colder providing the perfect excuse to spend more time indoors with a crackling fire and good movie playing in the background. Here’s my list of 10 must see movies for the fall season whether you like a cozy or scary vibe.

When Harry Met Sally

Okay classics first! When Harry Met Sally stars the wonderful duo of Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal as they meet over the years catching up on life, love, and how to properly order at a restaurant. When Harry Met Sally is set mostly in New York with great backdrops of fall leaves, chunky 90s knit sweaters, and all the feels of changing seasons.

Autumn in New York

When speaking of New York fall vibes there’s nothing that provides it more than Autumn in New York with a young Winona Ryder and handsome as always Richard Gere. If you can manage to look past the mostly misogynistic script, in my opinion, there’s an enchantment that takes place in the cinematography and aesthetics of the film. One of my favorite scenes is a shot of the kitchen during a Halloween party providing all the warm 90s/early 2000s vibes that come to mind for the time, all wrapped up into an iconic New York apartment. Depending on how you look at it Autumn in New York is a romance dream, or how I see it, just a tragic beautiful nightmare, but it’s serving all the fall vibes nonetheless.

Hocus Pocus

In my opinion, I couldn’t have a cozy autumn movie list if there wasn’t going to be the first Hocus Pocus listed. There’s a magical witchy trifecta that takes place for this movie to be so good and I’m not just talking about the Sanderson Sisters. The all-star cast, gorgeous New England fall scenes, and funny well-paced script that still manages to hold up and not be cheesy all these years later is why it has been cemented as a fall/Halloween classic. I can’t imagine a fall or Halloween season without Hocus Pocus, and now you won’t either!

Twilight Series

I think the first film in the series gives the best Halloween fall spooky vibes with the eerie blue coloring over each scene that I love. Twilight is a great fall film to watch especially when it’s down pouring on a chilly evening in October.

The Runaway Bride

Now I’m not sure what it is about Richard Gere and being in fall feeling movies, but it just works. Gere stars opposite Julia Roberts as a journalist who is trying to get to the bottom of this small town story surrounding Roberts character, a woman who can’t seem to make it down the aisle. There’s beautiful small town shots in this movie against horseback riding, plus fall foliage, making it seem like a nice cozy fall film to me.

Mystic Pizza

Okay hear me out- I know most people may see Mystic Pizza as a summer film, and while I can agree that it can take place in that category as well, there’s just something about it that also gives me fall vibes. Taking place in the iconic small town of Mystic, CT there’s naturally enchanting New England Vibes with shots of fall foliage, and outfits of (now) vintage 90s sweaters, leather jackets, and candle lit scenes that speak of fall to me. Definitely a softer take on fall vibes, but check it out for a all around great nostalgic film!

Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice is the perfect juxtaposition of warm New England fall vibes filmed against the foliage of Vermont, with a creepy storyline and funny dialogue that makes it almost a family friendly Halloween film. It’s a go to for the Halloween season for a reason and can’t be missed.

Monster House

Kids movies are also serving the Halloween vibes that I can still watch presently and Monster House is one of those films. The storyline is equal parts scary as it is emotional and I think that’s why it continuously sticks out for so many people as a great fall movie.

Haunted Mansion (2003)

The Haunted Mansion featuring Eddie Murphy is a great family fun movie to provide all the spooky Halloween feels the season calls for. I did see the newest iteration and although I like it, I still don’t think it’s as good as the original. So go watch the 2003 version to make you excited for Halloween!

Coraline

Before this year I wouldn’t exclusively watch Coraline as a scary movie but it definitely provides the spooky story line and visuals synonymous with a good scary kids film. If you’re wanting something deep, jarring, and visually gorgeous you have to watch Coraline.

Scream Series

My favorite horror movie for Halloween is Scream so naturally it’s the first on the list of my must-see Halloween movie picks! An all-star cast, murder mystery type story, amazing dialogue, and plot twists to keep you interested make it an overall great scary flick. The other’s in the franchise can be hit or miss, but definitely at least worth one watch through of each in the series for the Halloween season!

Trick r’ Treat

Trick r’ Treat was the first horror movie I ever watched while at a Superbowl party when I was around 13. I crack up when I think back to being glued to the TV with a group of friends while in a Giants jersey as I was spooked by the burlap sack pumpkin creature on the screen. There’s something so fun about Trick r’ Treat hitting on all the Halloween cliches and that’s why I think it’s a must see if you like scary movies and the old school vibes of Halloween in your hometown neighborhood.

The Cabin in the Woods

I think the humorous yet scary tone of Cabin in the Woods is perfect and is a fun horror watch every Halloween season. There’s something about the movie that’s equal parts terrifying but isn’t over the top for the sake of nonsensical and the overall story evens out the gore (ew). I think it’s also a great watch party movie if you’re looking to have a scary movie night that isn’t going to leave you’re most squeamish friend (I’m that friend) traumatized by the end of the night.

Friday the 13th (1980)

The original Friday the 13th is the perfect slasher movie that provides the right balance of scariness and nostalgia with typical slasher movie themes. I think it’s a great watch and I can’t speak to the other films in the franchise or remakes but there’s something great about the classics.

Halloween (1978)

In the same vain the original Halloween is surprisingly scary considering when it was filmed. The style of filming and the pacing of events has kept it a spooky Halloween movie fave for a reason.

Sleepy Hollow

Albeit not classified as a horror movie, maybe just something a little creepier than the typical family fun Halloween movie, Sleepy Hollow is still a great Halloween film. I love the typical Tim Burton aesthetics that are supplied with the almost over the top acting of Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane in this spooky Sleepy Hollow inspired retelling of the Washington Irving tale.

Some bonus entries with series I like to watch during this time too!

R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps TV series

Perfect for family fun watching but if you lean into a darker ambience in your viewing space there’s definitely an episode or two that will make an adult give a little jump.

Are you Afraid of the Dark? The Carnival of Doom

Just erring on the side of cheesy but still managing to hold it’s own The Carnival of Done from Are you Afraid of the Dark? -Nickelodeon’s kids horror series is a great Halloween time watch.

Scream TV Series

There’s also a Scream TV series that played on MTV that I remember being fun because people were able to vote on who was killed of next. It doesn’t hold a candle to the movies but it’ still Halloween fun!

The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell

This Netflix series is a vintage style Halloween take on a cooking and homemaking show. Each creation presented by Christine is a spooky treat that you can bring to life for your own haunting events. I love the puppets in this and am so sad that she doesn’t have a seasonal spotlight with Netflix. Check out her youtube if you like her style because she has a ton of great content!

I also have some films I’m planning to watch for the first time this season that I’m excited about:

The Midnight Club

Crimson Peak

The Invitation

What scary or cozy films are you watching this fall/Halloween season? Do you love any on this list? Let me know with a comment or connect with me on social media! Pinterest is my fave right now!

Happy watching!