Fall movies deserve to be acknowledged as a separate entity outside of Halloween films.
Before Halloween creeps around, there’s still plenty of fall left to enjoy. The cozy seasonal feeling deserves to be celebrated with movie nights, while wrapped in a fluffy throw blanket and drinking apple cider with the lights dimmed. If this is up your alley, I know exactly the films for you.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Director Wes Anderson’s first animated feature film, Fantastic Mr. Fox, is a comedy based on the children’s book by Roald Dahl. It follows the quirky Mr. Fox and his inability to stop his thievery, fuelling the ongoing feud with his human neighbours. The movie is clever, whimsical, and comforting for the autumn season, featuring familiar Anderson favourites from Bill Murray to George Clooney. It’s a movie entertaining and funny for all ages.
During the fall season, everything seems to slow down, signalling change. Every shot in this film embodies this transitional autumn feeling. The movie ends with a feast filled with geese, chicken, and apple cider, reminiscent of Thanksgiving, a classic fall holiday. The constant pastel orange, yellow, and reds cement Fantastic Mr. Fox as a warm autumn hug through the screen.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
As we know, fall is officially “cuffing season,” so snuggle up with your partner and watch When Harry Met Sally, a classic, heartwarming, romantic comedy. The story follows Harry and Sally who grapple with the question of whether men and women can be friends without sex getting involved. Though I don’t agree with the movie’s thesis, it’s a beautiful encapsulation of fall through pumpkins, cute sweaters, and walks through bright orange leaves.
Set in New York, a fabulous city to be in during the colder months, there are many beautiful scenes of the couple walking through Central Park nestled between the changing autumn leaves, showing off their cozy fall outfits—including cable knit sweaters and slacks, perfect for fall inspiration outfits.
Harry Potter Series (2001-2011)
This take might be controversial. Some people will argue Harry Potter is a Christmas series, but I disagree, it’s perfect for fall. As September rolls around, and the new school year starts, viewers can head back to Hogwarts and watch Harry, Hermione, and Ron’s school years begin as well.
Most people have grown up watching or reading the multibillion-dollar franchise. The childhood comfort makes it the perfect series to binge as it gets colder, and the school workload becomes more stressful. Unlike many other movies, Harry Potter—specifically The Prisoner of Azkaban—does a great job of depicting the nostalgic transition from autumn into the colder seasons. Fans watch the Golden Trio gallivant through the pumpkin patches as the weather cools down, eventually erupting into the holidays.
Knives Out (2019)
To me, fall and Halloween movies should be distinct categories. While Halloween films should be saved for spooky season, a masterfully crafted and hilarious Who-Dun-It like Knives Out demands to be watched throughout the fall season. The film’s Clue-inspired ensemble cast, and its emphasis on a classic crime genre, includes an over the top detective played by Daniel Craig who makes it a crowd pleaser for your next movie night. The story begins with the death of the head of a prestigious family, Harlan Thrombley, played by Christopher Plummer. From there, trouble ensues.
The film’s grand setting is littered with warm throw blankets. Chris Evans, one of the film’s leads, is often seen sporting cable knit sweaters—adding to the autumn allure. Set in the big, brooding, family estate, it’s reminiscent of Thanksgiving family reunions gone awry. Finally, the orange and yellow colour scheme paired with the foggy dark atmosphere of the mansion hidden in the trees pulls the whole October vibe together.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Dead Poets Society is set at an all-boys elite boarding school in New England, and follows the journey of a new teacher, John Keating, played by Robin Williams. His unorthodox teaching style encourages the boys to take risks and connect with art and literature. The film reflects the complex and ever-changing life of a student, and the importance of finding passion within academia. The intellectual atmosphere of the film centered around poetry, and the pursuit of knowledge, is sure to resonate with students.
The atmosphere of the fall semester is captured very effectively through this movie using warmer tones, dark frames depicting a chill in the air, birds flying south, and the leaves slowly drifting off the branches of trees. The emotional complexity of the film captures the ambiguous transitional season of autumn.
Tags
Fall, films, Movies, Recommendations
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