16 Cozy Movies To Get You Into The Fall Spirit
Fall is arguably the coziest season, best spent inside with a warm cup of cider or cocoa on the couch in front of the screen. Seasonal movies don’t just fall into the Halloween horror genre, but span from football dramas to twisted mysteries. Pop Culture Planet contributors Jordan Bohan and Danielle Forte break down all the films to watch for your next Fall movie night.
Addams Family Values
The second installment in the iconic franchise, Addams Family Values will deliver all of your fall wants and needs. It has laughs, the right amount of dark comedy and imagery, all with a plot that will keep your eyes glued to the screen (of course, while sipping some apple cider). I know I said second installment, but there is really no need to see the first, the quirky personalities of the family will be recognized within the first five minutes of watching and you’ll instantly fall in love. But, while you’re here, let me catch you up on the plot of this one. Gomez Addams (Raul Julia) and his wife Morticia (Anjelica Huston) are welcoming their new baby boy into their home. With siblings Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) trying to annihilate this new addition to the family, Gomez and Morticia find it best to hire a nanny to keep an eye on everyone. This new nanny (Joan Cusack) does the job, but not without a treacherous twist.
Addams Family Values is streaming on Paramount+, Prime Video, and The Roku Channel.
- Danielle Forte
The Age of Adaline
Adelaine Bowman (Blake Lively) has miraculously remained 29 years old for nearly 80 years, never allowing herself to build close relationships in fear of them discovering her secret. A chance encounter with a philanthropist named Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman) reawakens her long suppressed passion for life and love. When a weekend with Ellis’ family threatens to expose the truth, Adelaine makes a choice that changes her life forever. Though this film is not explicitly a fall movie, it does have that fall time gloom to it that makes you reminisce on years past.
Watch The Age of Adelaine on Netflix, Max, and Prime Video.
- Jordan Bohan
Casper
Casper is a friendly young ghost who peacefully haunts a Maine mansion. A specialist James Harvey arrives to communicate with Casper and his fellow spirits. Casper quickly falls in love with Harvey’s daughter Kat but, their budding relationship is complicated by their different states and family antics. This sweet and silly ghost story is the perfect lighthearted movie for a fall night.
Watch Casper on Netflix.
- Jordan Bohan
Clueless
Clueless has been a cult classic since its premiere back in 1995. Rich and popular Beverly Hills High school student Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) sees herself as a matchmaker. Her first success story was setting up two of her teachers. Inflated by her success, she decides to give an outcast new student Tai (Brittany Murphy) a makeover. When Tai becomes more popular than Cher, she realizes that her disapproving ex-stepbrother (Paul Rudd) was right about how misguided she was as she ends up falling for him. This back to school favorite will have you in your feelings yearning to pack up your backpack and head back to class.
Watch Clueless on Paramount+ or Pluto TV.
- Jordan Bohan
Coraline
Coraline, based on the book by Neil Gaiman, hit theaters in February of 2009 and instantly became a classic! With the perfect amount of creepy, curiosity, and beauty, you can’t help but fall in love with this dark stop motion fantasy. Coraline (Dakota Fanning) is a young girl who aimlessly explores her new house one day, only to find a secret door. Behind that door lies an alternate universe to hers. At first, Coraline is ecstatic as she found her “regular” life at home quite stagnant. As the movie unfolds we come to realize that the alternate universe is actually a place filled with sinister forces who try to get Coraline to stay, forever. This movie is nostalgic (stop motion just isn’t made like this anymore!) with Easter eggs that will have you finding new things each time you watch. It transports me right to autumn.
Coraline is streaming on Max, Hulu, and Prime Video.
- Danielle Forte
Dead Poets Society
With the vibrant leaves falling off the trees, birds flying south, and students’ coats billowing in the wind, Dead Poets Society is perfect for snuggling up on the couch with a warm cup of apple cider. This coming-of-age film, directed by Peter Weir, finds the late Robin Williams playing John Keating, the new English teacher at an all boys preparatory school. Known for its traditional education values and high standards, Keating is the teacher that comes in and shakes everything up with his unorthodox methods of teaching. It goes without saying, but the boys at this school face enormous pressure from their parents to succeed in life. Williams’ character swoops in like Peter Pan (any Hook fans?) and shows these boys that there is more to life than abiding by their parents' rules. Day by day, he helps the boys come out of their shells and seize the day!
Dead Poets Society is streaming on Prime Video and Apple TV.
- Danielle Forte
The Devil Wears Prada
Andy (Anne Hathaway) is a recent college graduate with big city dreams. After landing an assistant job at a prestigious magazine, she finds herself at the demands of diabolical editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Andy questions her career goals and longevity of staying in the job as Miranda runs her around New York City. This movie has all the vibes of a fall rom-com, except in this case the love interest is her job. The fashion industry in New York City during the fall time is everything you need for a cozy movie night.
Stream The Devil Wears Prada on Hulu.
- Jordan Bohan
The Edge of Seventeen
The coming-of-age story has had many renditions, but this modern take resonates with Gen Z more than ever. High school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) is at peak awkwardness when her football star older brother (Blake Jenner) starts dating her best friend (Haley Lu Richardson) in The Edge of Seventeen. Nadine starts to feel more alone than ever until an unexpected friendship with a thoughtful teen gives her a glimmer of hope. This heartwarming and funny film brings you right back to that first day of school feeling.
Watch The Edge of Seventeen on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
- Jordan Bohan
Friday Night Lights
Nothing says fall quite like football and Friday Night Lights is the quintessential autumn sports film. Set in a football obsessed small town in Texas, the star quarterback is seriously injured during the first game of the season. The town’s hope is lost and coach Gary Gains must rally the team and community to support each other in this tumultuous time.
Friday Night Lights is streaming on Peacock.
- Jordan Bohan
Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting shows off a New England autumn in the best ways, and better yet, a Boston autumn. You got the changing leaf colors and archetypal Boston streets, along with a heartwarming story. A young janitor named Will (Matt Damon) discovers his purpose in life through various exchanges with his psychologist Sean (Robin Williams). All the while, a budding romance takes place in Will’s life with a woman named Skylar (Minnie Driver). All things considered, this is the perfect movie with a great message, plus a beautiful fall backdrop!
Good Will Hunting is streaming on Max, Prime Video, Vudu, and Apple TV.
- Danielle Forte
Harry Potter
One of the most successful franchises of all time Harry Potter is a fall favorite to binge watch. In the wizarding world, Harry Potter bands together with fellow students at Hogwarts to hone his magical skills and eventually face off against his life long enemy, Voldemort. Nothing says spooky season like wizards!
Harry Potter is streaming on Peacock and Max.
- Jordan Bohan
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women has been adapted into a film multiple times, celebrating the timeless story. Jo March lives in New York and makes her living as a writer during the post-Civil war years, while her sister Amy studies painting in Paris. Amy has an encounter with a childhood crush who proposed to Jo, but was ultimately rejected. Their oldest sibling is married to a schoolteacher and their shy sister Beth develops a devastating illness that brings the family back together. This heartbreaking tale of love and loss stands the test of time.
Watch Little Women on Starz.
- Jordan Bohan
School of Rock
I might be biased because I’m a huge Jack Black fan, but this may be one of my favorite early 2000’s movies. I always watch it to cozy up and get a good laugh in. When Dewey Finn falls on hard times, a plan falls right into his lap when a prep school calls hoping to get into touch with his friend for a substitute teaching position. Dewey hilariously changes his voice on the phone and accepts the job. Dewey soon realizes that these preparatory school students aren’t just nice kids, they can rock. He helps the class channel their inner rock 'n' roll personas and enters them into a local Battle of the Bands.
School of Rock is streaming on Paramount+, AMC+, and Pluto TV.
- Danielle Forte
Teen Witch
High school nerd Luise Miller (Robyn Lively) learns from psychic Madame Serena (Zelda Rubinstein) that she possesses magical abilities that begin to take effect on her 16th birthday. When her prediction is proven true, the teen uses her powers to get what she has always wanted: popularity. She gets back at school bullies and puts a spell on hunky jock Brad Powell (Dan Gauthier), but she quickly learns that getting what you want isn’t always what you expect. This witchy fun film is a lighthearted watch for any movie night.
Stream Teen Witch on Max and Hulu.
- Jordan Bohan
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
Based on the best-selling book series by Jenny Han, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before spans three original Netflix films (and a sequel series centered on the youngest Song-Covey sister!). As Lara Jean was growing up, she wrote secret soul-baring letters to each of her five crushes. She never meant to send them or share them with anyone, but when they get into the hands of their subjects it wreaks havoc on Lara’s life. This coming-of-age story will bring you back to your high school years of first crushes, relationships, and the overall anxiety and embarrassment that comes with growing up.
Stream the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before film series on Netflix.
- Jordan Bohan
When Harry Met Sally
When Harry Met Sally is an all around representation of fall. College graduates Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) fued over the (still, to this day) contentious argument of whether or not men and women can truly have platonic relationships. Harry claims they can’t, while bright and witty Sally argues that men and women can most certainly be friends without anything sexual. Fast forward 10 years when Harry and Sally meet again… and Harry’s argument may be the right side in this class romantic comedy. Cozy up to this movie and enjoy the knit sweaters, falling leaves, and beautiful fall visuals!
When Harry Met Sally is streaming on Max and Prime Video.
- Danielle Forte
