Unlike winter, spring, and summer, fall movies have a vast number of layers because it is the season with the most festivities, themes, and aesthetics. Autumn movies can range from horror to coming-of-age, and because of this variety, through extensive movie watching, I have compiled a list of basic fall flicks to watch depending on the mood. Note: the horror and coming-of-age categories include violence, smoking, and self-harm.
“Horror”
Beginning with a popular genre around Halloween time, I have split horror into slasher, psychological, and comedic. Slashers are the classic scary movies, with jump-scares, blood, gore, and a lot of running. I recommend “Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984), “Halloween” (1978), and “Scream” (1996). These movies follow a similar idea, with a villain terrorizing a group of high schoolers who try to stop him throughout the movie. My last recommendation for slashers is the 2021 “Fear Street” trilogy from R.L. Stine’s book series of the same name. This slasher series takes the viewer on a twisted journey in three different decades, each with the same curse tormenting the varying main characters. Unlike the classic horrors, “Fear Street” follows an entirely different plot, steeped in blood spatters and haunting magic.
Contrary to slashers, psychological movies are horrific in more subtle ways, holding their fear in realistic dynamics of the human mind. Therefore, they can often be scarier than slashers, as they are more likely to occur. I recommend “Black Swan” (2010), “The Blair Witch Project” (1999), and “The Shining” (1980) for this genre. These movies each follow a protagonist who, by their own choice or pushed by the plot, is put into situations that make them slowly question their identity and sanity. For a slow build-up, I enjoyed “The Blair Witch Project” particularly for that reason. “Black Swan” is slightly more disturbing but has exciting twists which kept me glued to the screen. “The Shining” is a haunting masterpiece, following the main character’s progression from an average husband and father to something entirely more dangerous.
Lastly in the horror category is comedy. A funny horror movie is either due to its well-written screenplay or because it is simply such a bad movie that it is hilarious. For a stomach-hurting-laughing-fit, my hilariously bad movie recommendation would be “Texas Chainsaw 3D” (2013). One of the many “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” successors, this movie was exactly as one would imagine an umpteenth sequel to be. However, if a good time is the target, this one is a bullseye. Similar humor can be found in “The Final Girls” (2015), a parody highlighting every horror movie cliche. For better-written comedy but terrifying horror, I recommend “It” (2017) and “Happy Death Day” (2017), which do not shy away from scarier aspects of the story but also provide well-timed comedic relief.
“Family-Friendly”
A good fall movie does not have to be horror or need violence and gore to make it quality. Many movies for a family-friendly audience can often be even more enjoyable, as their plot is driven by a wholesome central message for viewers, rather than relying on scares and screams. Some classic family-friendly fall film recommendations include Tim Burton’s “Edward Scissorhands” (1990) and “Corpse Bride” (2005). In addition, I suggest the beautifully animated “Wolfwalkers” (2020), and “Kiki’s Delivery Service” (1990), as well as the slightly scarier Claymation “Coraline” (2009). Also, with aesthetically pleasing fall vibes “Little Women” from 2019. These movies bring the audience into new, wondrous worlds as the protagonists lead adventures into themes of love, identity, family, and community.
“Coming-of-Age”
Coming-of-age movies encapsulate the struggles of being an adolescent and having the ability to express it with the audience in ways that can resonate with them. To me, any coming-of-age film, no matter what season in which it takes place, reminds me of fall, since both represent a time of change. As a result, this list includes movies that do not necessarily only take place in autumn. I suggest “Big Time Adolescence” (2019) and “Lady Bird” (2017), in addition to the iconic “Dead Poets Society” (1989), and “Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012). These movies follow a main character who tries new things, with the audience viewing the positive and negative effects they may have on the character’s life, yet altering it just the same.
“Romantic Comedies”
My list cannot be complete without fall rom-coms, iconic enough to be a film genre. Combining romance, comedy, and autumn, the only result can be an addictive annual-watching tradition in the form of emotional declarations of love and cliche happy endings. “When Harry Met Sally” (1989) is a must-see classic that I watch every fall season, and Julia Roberts’ “Runaway Bride” (1990) is moving in its central theme of identity and finding oneself. Lastly, for a wholesome Halloween vibe, “Practical Magic” (1998) fits well in terms of its cozy and witchy aspects.