43 Best Fall Movies We Can Watch Over & Over Again
Autumn is, by far, one of the most exciting times of the year. Not only do we get to enjoy leaf-peeping road trips, but also, we get to indulge in pumpkin spice lattes, wear cozy sweaters and enjoy a number of fall activities. From apple picking and pumpkin carving to DIY crafts, there are countless ways to celebrate the fall season. But oftentimes, curling up with a blanket while binge-watching fall movies is just what we need to get us in the spirit.
Fortunately, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime offer a plethora of options when it comes to films that remind us of the season, whether it’s a Halloween-themed mystery, a family-friendly Thanksgiving film or a quirky back-to-school rom-com. So, if you’re looking to update your streaming queue, keep reading for 43 of the best fall movies—from classics like Hocus Pocus to Netflix’s To All The Boys I've Loved Before—that will slowly prepare you for the fall season.
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1. 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982)
A young boy befriends a lost alien, dubbed “E.T.” With the help of his siblings, he tries to keep his new companion safe from his parents (and the fall weather).
Starring: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote, Robert Macnaughton, Drew Barrymore and K.C. Martel
2. 'Good Will Hunting' (1997)
Despite his high IQ, Will Hunting works as a janitor at MIT. At the beginning of the school year, he solves a graduate-level math problem, which leads him to Professor Gerald Lambeau.
Starring: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver and Stellan Skarsgård
3. 'About Time' (2013)
When Tim turns 21, he’s surprised to learn he can time travel. Although he can’t change the past, he uses his special ability to live every day to its fullest, especially ahead of the holidays. (Disclaimer: Tissues are a must.)
Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Lydia Wilson and Lindsay Duncan
4. 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' (2018)
Lara Jean has a several secret crushes at school, so she writes her feelings down in a series of love letters with no intention of sending them. That is, until her younger sister does the deed for her. Basically, it’s an example of what not to do when school resumes.
Starring: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Andrew Bachelor and Trezzo Mahoro
5. 'Election' (1999)
A comical tale about a group of students who are running for student body president. Their less-than-ethical tactics will transport you right back to high school.
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Reese WItherspoon, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell and Phil Reeves
6. 'The Spectacular Now' (2013)
Aimee’s future plans are put on hold when she meets Sutter, a popular party animal who becomes an unexpected love interest. How will the school year affect their relationship?
Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Kyle Chandler and Brie Larson
7. 'Casper' (1995)
Casper is a kind ghost living in a haunted mansion in Maine. His seemingly peaceful life is flipped upside down when a paranormal specialist brings his teenage daughter to the house. Ideal for families who are looking for an upbeat fall movie.
Starring: Bill Pullman, Christina Ricci, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle, Ben Stein and the voice of Malachi Pearson
8. 'Parasite' (2019)
The Parks are unknowingly infiltrated by the Kim clan, who become employed by the wealthy family without revealing they’re related. Their chilling story will leave you with goosebumps that are totally unrelated to the fall weather.
Starring: Kang-ho Song, Sun-kyun Lee, Yeo-jeong Jo, Woo-sik Choi, So-dam Park and Jeong-eun Lee
9. 'The Roommate' (2011)
This movie might make you think twice about finding a random roommate this fall, as it follows an innocent student who’s assigned a dangerous living arrangement.
Starring: Minka Kelly, Leighton Meester, Cam Gigandet, Aly Michalka, Danneel Ackles and Frances Fisher
10. 'Remember the Titans' (2000)
When Black coach is hired as the head football coach at an integrated high school, a small Virginia town is forced to adapt or let it interfere with its renowned football legacy. Back to school, here we come.
Starring: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst, Donald Faison and Craig Kirkwood
11. 'The Blind Side' (2009)
The story of how real-life NFL player’s Michael Oher achieved his dreams with the help of a very type-A mother. You know, to help fill the void of Friday night football.
Starring: Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Jae Head, Lily Collins and Ray McKinnon
12. 'Hocus Pocus' (1993)
When Max moves to Salem, Massachusetts, he’s unbothered by the town’s haunted past. As a result, he accidentally frees a coven of witches who are determined to become immortal.
Starring: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, Thora Birch and Vinessa Shaw
13. 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)
Meet Jack Skellington, a beloved pumpkin king who experiences culture shock when he stumbles into Christmastown.
Voiced by: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix and Paul Reubens
14. 'St. Elmo's Fire' (1985)
A group of recent college graduates navigate adulthood for the very first time in this fall flick. Follow their journey as they attempt to find themselves as individuals, all while leaning on each another for support.
Starring: Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy
15. 'Halloweentown' (1998)
On her 13th birthday, Marnie learns she’s a witch. Join her as she follows her grandma to Halloweentown, a magical city where warlocks, trolls and zombies reside year-round.
Starring: Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Judith Hoag, Joey Zimmerman, Phillip Van Dyke and Emily Roeske
16. 'Matilda' (1996)
Matilda has a brilliant mind, but it goes unnoticed by her parents. Everything changes when she enrolls in a new school and uses her telekinesis powers against the evil principal, Miss Trunchbull.
Starring: Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Mara Wilson, Embeth Davidtz and Pam Ferris
17. 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' (2001)
The fall movie follows Harry as he receives a letter arrives from Hogwarts on his 11th birthday. He’s summoned to the magical boarding school, where he learns the truth about his parents’ deaths.
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith and Robbie Coltrane
18. 'October Sky' (1999)
A coal miner wants his sons—Jim and Homer—to follow in his footsteps. When fall approaches, the boys consider pursuing alternate career paths, which puts a wrench in their dad’s plan.
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Scott Thomas and Laura Dern
19. 'Practical Magic' (1998)
Gear up for Halloween with Sally and Gillian, who have avoided magic their entire lives. However, when Gillian’s boyfriend (spoiler alert!) dies unexpectedly, they’re forced to channel their family’s dark powers for the very first time.
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest and Goran Visnjic
20. 'The Addams Family' (1991)
The Addams family is delighted to be reacquainted with Gomez’s missing brother, Fester…until they realize the man is a fraud. Think of it as a must-watch this fall.
Starring: Christopher Lloyd, Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christina Ricci and Dan Hedaya
21. 'Booksmart' (2019)
In attempt to make the most of their senior year, Amy and Molly throw their academics aside to focus on their social lives. Although the movie leads up to graduation day, it’s the perfect film to get you geared up for fall.
Starring: Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams, Jason Sudeikis and Lisa Kudrow
22. 'Grease' (1978)
After an unforgettable summer, Sandy and Danny part ways only to reunite that fall when Sandy unknowingly enrolls in Danny’s school. *Cue “Summer Lovin’”*
Starring: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Didi Conn and Jeff Conaway
23. 'Beetlejuice' (1988)
A family buys a new house only to learn it’s haunted by the previous owners, who were killed in a car accident. While trying to get rid of the ghosts, they accidentally summon a spirit named Beetlejuice.
Starring: Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis
24. 'Frozen' (2013)
Queen Elsa is struggling to control her powers, which accidentally caused an infinite winter. In an attempt to save their town, her sister, Anna, teams up with a man, his playful reindeer and a snowman to make things right.
Starring: the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad
25. 'The Craft' (1996)
In the midst of fall, Sarah transfers to a new school and befriends a coven of witches. The problem? They’re keen on taking advantage of her telekenetic powers.
Starring: Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell
26. 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' (1987)
The movie centers on a fall road trip to Chicago gone terribly wrong. It’ll definitely put any hellish holiday travel experiences into perspective. Trust us.
Starring: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins
27. 'When Harry Met Sally' (1989)
Meet Harry and Sally, a pair of quirky New Yorkers who are convinced that men and women can’t be friends—or can they?
Starring: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher
28. 'Doctor Sleep' (2019)
Dan is trying to live in peace, despite his traumatic childhood. When he meets a gifted teenager named Abra, they team up to battle a cult called the True Knot.
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran
29. 'Dead Poets Society' (1989)
John Keating is a new teacher at an all-boys preparatory school. Although the facility is known for structure and tradition, he implements an unorthodox method of teaching.
Starring: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke
30. 'Autumn' (2009)
If you’re looking for a horror film, Autumn follows a group of people who survived a virus that killed millions. When the dead bodies begin to rise, the real fun begins.
Starring: Dexter Fletcher, Dickon Tolson, Lana Kamenov
31. 'Sweet November' (2001)
After meeting at the DMV, Nelson and Sara establish an unconventional fall relationship, which is determined by a one-month trial.
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Jason Isaacs
32. ‘Addams Family Values’ (1993)
In this Addams Family sequel, an evil nanny plots to murder Uncle Fester (Lloyd) and take his inheritance while Wednesday (Ricci) and Pugsley (Workman) are sent off to summer camp. From Wednesday’s brilliant Thanksgiving speech to the film’s macabre sense of humor, prepare to fall in love with the classic (and feminist icon Morticia Addams) all over again.
Starring: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Christina Ricci
33. ‘It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ (1966)
The Peanuts gang are excited to celebrate Halloween. Meanwhile, Charlie gets invited to his first party and Linus eagerly awaits the arrival of The Great Pumpkin. It’s a charming, family-friendly classic that’s bound to bring out your inner child.
Starring: Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Sally Dryer, Kathy Steinberg
34. ‘You’ve Got Mail’ (1998)
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star as two rivals who have no idea that their anonymous online romance is actually with each other. The feel-good rom-com includes two memorable Thanksgiving scenes and is sure to give you a dose of nostalgia (remember when “You’ve got mail” notifications were a thing?).
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Parker Posey, Jean Stapleton, Dave Chappelle
35. ‘Clue’ (1985)
Clue is what you get when you mix a star-studded cast with slapstick humor, quotable one-liners and the most fascinating murder mystery. Considering the nostalgia factor and how Clue influenced so many Halloween costumes, it would feel irresponsible to not add this cult classic.
Starring: Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd
36. ‘The Good Witch’ (1999)
When a mysterious newcomer named Cassie Nightingale (Bell) moves into an abandoned home in a small town, she opens up a unique shop and uses her abilities to change the lives of her new neighbors. The magical movie not only spawned six sequels, but also inspired a successful series that's now in its seventh season.
Starring: Catherine Bell, Chris Potter, Catherine Disher, Peter MacNeill
37. 'Autumn in New York’ (2000)
Will Keane (Richard Gere), a restaurateur and ladies' man, strikes up an unlikely romance with a free-spirited young woman who's very ill. If you're looking for a poignant love story to give you all the feels, this is your best bet.
Starring: Richard Gere, Winona Ryder, Anthony LaPaglia
38. ‘October Kiss’ (2017)
A young woman’s fear of commitment prevents her from pursuing any serious relationships, but when she gets hired as a nanny by an attractive single dad, she finds herself falling hard for her charming boss. The chemistry between the leads and the heartwarming storyline will have you grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.
Starring: Ashley Williams, Sam Jaeger
39. ‘Soul Food’ (1997)
Soul Food centers on a family whose lives are turned upside down when the matriarch, who has always held the family together through Sunday dinners, suddenly falls ill and passes away. The awkward family dinners and heated arguments will give you all the Thanksgiving vibes, making you laugh one moment and get emotional the next.
Starring: Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach
40. ‘Harvest Love’ (2019)
From the extensive library of Hallmark comes this feel-good drama, set against the backdrop of a gorgeous pear orchard. When a single surgeon visits her family’s farm to take a break from her busy life, she meets and falls in love with the farm’s manager. Naturally, a swoon-worthy romance ensues.
Starring: Jen Lilley, Ryan Paevey
41. ‘Knives out’ (2019)
When Harlan Thrombey, a wealthy crime novelist, is found dead at his own party, everyone in his dysfunctional family becomes a suspect. We included this one for Chris Evans’s famous sweater.
Starring: Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis
42. ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ (2002)
New York fashion designer Melanie thinks she has it all now that she just got engaged. However, before she can say “I do” she must return to her hometown to get divorced from her childhood best friend.
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey, Josh Lucas
43. ‘SIlver Linings Playbook’ (2013)
After spending four years in a mental institution, a former teacher moves back in with his mother and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. He quickly makes a new, and also damaged friend. Most of this film takes place and revolves around the fall football season.
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro
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