As I break myself free from the clutches of Brat Summer to move into the season that truly encapsulates me as a person, I think of the films that made me love the spooky, cosy, and whimsical feelings it brings. Choosing a definitive list of films that truly fits this bill was difficult, and I may have missed some that also speak for the season. Nevertheless, this is my list of the ultimate autumnal night in. Grab your hot chocolate (or pumpkin spice if you are of that variety), get a cosy blanket, light some candles and snuggle in.
7. Knives Out (2019)
This film may or may not be here just because of the autumnal cosiness of Chris Evan’s iconic jumper throughout this movie. It is a great film for a dark autumnal day. It shows the unravelling madness following the death of the Thrombley family’s patriarch as he is found dead, or even murdered! It is a classic who-done-it that hits every mark.
6. Little Women (2019)
Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Louise May Alcott’s novel is aesthetically stunning. It tells the story of the March sisters, who each follow different paths and how this relates to the bond that they share together.
5. Casper (1995)
You can’t have an autumnal movie night without a bit of nostalgic Halloween fun. Casper tells the story of a father (who is hired for his paranormal expertise) and his young daughter who move into a towns notorious haunted house with the hopes of ridding it of its ghoulish jokesters.
4. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Based on Roald Dahl’s childhood classic, the entire colour palette for this film screams autumn. It is entirely heartwarming, telling the story of Mr Fox who returns to his youthful life of stealing from the local farmers, and the escapades that follow.
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
In third place of my list comes the third instalment of the Harry Potter Franchise. The entire series is a must-watch across the season but the most autumnal to me is the third film. The director Alfonso Cuaron added a certain aspect of spookiness to what had beforehand been a typical fantasy movie for children.
2. Dead Poets Society (1989)
This film is embedded with the right autumnal balance of academia, friendship, the hues of yellow and orange, and of course Robin Williams. It follows a class of students who band under their teacher’s poetic doctrine, to create their own secret society in which they delve further into poetry and the meaning of life. Make sure to grab the hankies!
1. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Without a doubt, at the top of my list, is the pinnacle of autumn films – When Harry Met Sally. If this list were endless, then the queen of autumnal movies would be Meg Ryan, but her chemistry with Billy Crystal in this must-watch film is electric. It takes you through the years of a couple who begin as acquaintances and evolve to more across this time. There is no film quite like it.
She/Her
Studying English and History!
Avid lover of all things Paul Mescal
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