Pinterest, from *When Harry Met Sally (1989)*

While I would consider myself a fan of all forms of art and media, film and television shows will always hold a special place in my heart. Whether my days involve traditions like going to the cinema on Christmas Day or binge-watching my favourite television series over and over again, both my watchlist and my recommendations are constantly expanding.

Nothing screams “autumn” like a classic horror film or a cozy comfort show, therefore this post is dedicated to introducing a few new (or possibly familiar) titles to you. I urge you to take these options as a suggestion, but without further ado, here is my curated and recurring watchlist for the fall season that includes media I think are worth your time:

Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls is one show that never fails to convince me that fall has arrived. Personally, I rewatch this series every fall to ensure I always have a cozy show on the go. This show is a drama which follows a character named Lorelai, as well as her daughter, Rory, and shows the positive and negative experiences associated with family, motherhood, and growing up. The show surrounds Lorelai and Rory’s lives as they both evolve throughout the seasons, highlighting the importance of friend and family relationships. Gilmore Girls is a classic feel-good early 2000’s television series which could be compared to shows like One Tree Hill, The O.C, Dawson’s Creek, and Gossip Girl. With over 7 seasons, and one spinoff series, Gilmore Girls is a show that you can start in the fall and easily continue watching well into the winter season.

Practical Magic

Practical Magic is a 1998 fantasy film that I watch every October, typically the night right before Halloween. This film contains the exact kind of Halloween magic I look for before the big night, and I’m sure it will leave you feeling as enchanted as I always feel. Practical Magic follows two estranged sisters, after splitting ways during early adulthood, who are forced to work together to keep a dangerous secret from coming to light. The film is set during the fall in a town similar to Salem, Massachusetts, and brings all of the fall feels to the big screen. The film features Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the leads, and it is honestly the perfect film to get you ready for Halloween. Witches, mystery, and midnight margaritas (if you know you know), who could ask for more!

You’ve Got Mail

You’ve Got Mail is the ultimate “Meg Ryan fall” movie, in my humble opinion. If you are a fan of Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’s Diary, or When Harry Met Sally, I can guarantee that you will absolutely adore this film. You’ve Got Mail features Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, who star as rival bookshop owners who unknowingly fall in love with each other over an online emailing platform. With a run time of just under 2 hours, You’ve Got Mail is the perfect cozy rom-com for when you want to feel like you’re experiencing a late 1990s fall in New York City, but from the comfort of your own home. This film is directed by Nora Ephron, which immediately makes it a must-watch romance film to welcome the fall season (sorry, I don't make the rules!).

The Scream Franchise

Arguably my favourite horror film franchise (of all time), the Scream films have the perfect scare-factor for the Halloween season! A timeless film series, Scream is both scary and entertaining for the spooky season, while not being overly Halloween themed, making them suitable to watch all year long. Though I would like to add, if you are fairly sensitive to horror films, it might be best to skip this recommendation altogether. Each film follows a main character, as well as the character’s friends, who are somehow connected to a string of violent attacks. All of the films somehow relate back to the first movie, which involved the character Sidney Prescott, with characters racing against time to figure out who is terrorizing them. These films are classic watches, and I can guarantee they will have you holding your breath the entire time.

Dead Poets Society

“O Captain, My Captain!” - Dead Poets Society has been on my fall film rotation for over 5 years now. This film is one of the most inspirational yet melancholic films I have ever seen. Dead Poets Society follows a group of friends in a dull boarding school who are taken aback on the first day of classes when their new English teacher uses atypical teaching techniques to promote the importance of literature and poetry. The film showcases how the boys’ expanding love for poetry helps them regain confidence in their personal interests and encourages them to live life to the fullest. Dead Poets Society is an emotional story about discovering yourself throughout adolescence, and I believe every person should watch it at least once in their life. While this film is not technically fall themed, the timeline of the story spans throughout many seasons, and I believe the best season to watch the movie in is the fall.

Coraline

I watched Coraline for the first time when I was 11 years old, and I have been hooked ever since. Coraline is one of those films that is so peculiar that you can’t help but watch it over and over again. It has an unexplainable quality which draws you in and keeps you interested even when you’re nervous, and although it is both fictional and stop-motion, the theme and storyline are so wildly appealing that they almost seem realistic. The film follows a young girl, Coraline, who is in constant disagreement with her parents until the day her parents suddenly go missing. The film tackles ideas of identity and courage, and follows Coraline’s journey of escaping the life she thought she wanted. This film is a classic tale of “be careful what you wish for,” and I think it is a perfect psychological thriller for the Halloween season.

Lost in Translation

Lost in Translation is a drama film that follows two characters who live completely separate lives, yet somehow cross paths and realize they are more alike than they seem. The story tackles themes of displacement, connection, and melancholy among two strangers, who are eventually drawn together and realise that connection might be the cure to their comparable loneliness. Lost in Translation is a film about personal growth and self-identification, which takes place in Tokyo during the autumn months. This film is perfect for every fall season because it has a timeless quality that encourages rewatching, bringing to light different objectives after each viewing. Personally, I enjoy watching this film halfway through the fall term to remind myself of how much I value my connections with friends and family, especially during the busy seasons.

Lady Bird

Lady Bird is one of my all-time favourite films, and I rewatch it at least once a year, typically in the fall. Lady Bird serves as an homage to “the” mother-daughter relationship, displaying both the good and the bad, ultimately describing how similarities might cause turbulence among family members. The film begins with the characters in their senior year of high school and ends with the main character, Lady Bird, beginning university. This film is very special to me because it follows Lady Bird’s frustration as she experiences girlhood, but also shows her growing up and reflecting on the relationships she brings with her as she moves into a different stage of her life. With influential actors like Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, and Timothée Chalamet, this indie coming-of-age film always urges me to consider how I navigate and appreciate my own personal relationships. If you’re searching for a heartfelt, emotionally contradictory film, Lady Bird is the perfect movie to add to your watchlist.

A Perfect Fall Watchlist

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