The Best Movies for "Fall Vibes"

Fall is “officially” here this weekend- although if you ask anyone, it starts unofficially on September 1. 

So what are the best movies to envelop yourself in that “Fall” feeling? Movies that are comfy, cozy, maybe a little spooky, but always welcoming and inviting, like lighting a candle, grabbing a blanket, and settling in for a dark and dreary day. 

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (2011) 

One of my favorite movies of all time, this 2011 Cold War drama is based on John le Carré’s 1974 novel of the same name. 

Directed by Thomas Alfredson and lensed by Oscar-winner Hoyte Van Hoytema, this rain-soaked espionage film is a drama that burns as slowly as a cigarette, left to linger as smoke fills the screen and drenches every scene in a washed, dark, and atmospheric mood.

The film stars Oscar-winner Gary Oldman as George Smiley an espionage veteran who uncovers a nefarious conspiracy that suggests a Soviet spy has infiltrated “The Circus”, the MI6 headquarters in London. The film also stars Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, the late John Hurt, Mark Strong, and many other familiar faces. 

SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999) 

Tim Burton is a lucrative name once again thanks to the success of the recently released BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE, but one of his most films is often overlooked which is his gothic reinterpretation of American literary icon Washington Irving’s 1820’s story. 

SLEEPY HOLLOW, shot by Emmanuel Lubezki, is layered in foggy upstate New York forestry and alight with jack-o-lanterns and candles. It is a charming horror story so richly detailed you can smell the dead leaves and melting wax as Burton transports you into his world. 

The film stars Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane, a New York police constable sent to the small hamlet of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a string of murders believed to be carried out by “The Headless Horseman”, a Hessian phantom seemingly picking off certain members of certain prominent families. It also stars Christina Ricci, Casper Van Dien, Michael Gambon, and Miranda Richardson. 

MYSTIC PIZZA (1988) 

Donald Petrie’s 1988 romcom follows three young women who come of age working in a sleepy seaside Connecticut pizza parlor. 

This fall-set cozy movie featuring Julia Roberts is a must-watch for anyone who is a sucker for coming-of-age dramas and feel-good romances and will leave you with that cozy, warm, feeling like taking that first crisp breath of Autumnal air and fastening your coat.

The film also features Vincent D’Onofrio, Lili Taylor, Annabeth Gish, and a very young Matt Damon. 

HARRY POTTER SERIES 

It’s hard to think of anything more cozy than following Harry, Ron, and Hermoine through adolescence and into adulthood at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. 

While your mileage may vary on which film you find the comfiest (and best), there’s no mistaking that these films are “rainy day classics” with the charming Hogwarts setting through the seasons, especially Halloween and Christmas, making these films either “Fall” or “Winter” classics, or both depending on your love of the franchise. 

Scenes that illicit the most “comfy vibes” usually include the dining hall, the charming hamlet of Hogsmeade, and of course the crackling fires of the common rooms. 

TWILIGHT (2008) 

While the whole series can be placed here, special attention goes to the first film which was helmed by Catherine Hardwicke, one of the most underrated directors of all time. 

Set in the coastal town of Forks, Washington Twilight, especially the first one, is drenched in atmosphere with rain-soaked streets, foggy forests, and cozy homes/shops. 

TWILIGHT has seen a renaissance in recent years, after everyone (myself included) stopped pretending it was cool to hate it. It actually rocks really damn hard and has the best soundtrack of any film possibly ever. 

TWILIGHT stars Kristen Stewart as Bella, the new girl in town who falls in love with the mysterious Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) who turns out to be part of a family of vampires. Their love puts both of them in danger, however, when a pack of trouble-making bloodsuckers come to town