20 cozy movies that’ll get you in the fall mood

It will definitely make you cry, but Stepmom will also get you fully prepared for fall. The house, the outfits, the leaves: Every scene is ultra cozy and a world you want to step right into (minus the actual events of the film). 

Who wouldn’t want to hang out in Boston in the fall with Matt Damon, Robin Williams, and Ben Affleck? Everything about Good Will Hunting screams autumn, even the film’s poster. There’s also a lot of great jacket and cardigan work in the movie. 

If it’s a sports film that gets you in the mood for fall, nothing will do the trick better than The Blind Side. This football film has great actors and a great message, and it centers around the one fall sport that’s heralded in America more than any other. 

Everyone loves a good mystery in the fall, and Knives Out is the perfect one to rewatch for a cozy movie night. The setting, the plot, and Chris Evans’ sweater combine to make a near-perfect autumnal film. And it’s still entertaining even if you know how it ends. 

Little Women is arguably the perfect fall film because it can be watched at any point throughout the season — even after Thanksgiving — and it’s still cozy. And both the 1994 and 2019 versions are excellent, so you can’t go wrong with either. 

If the word “cozy” doesn’t immediately come to mind when someone talks about Twilight, you’re watching the film all wrong. Okay, that might be a bit dramatic, but don’t let people fool you into thinking that Twilight isn’t the perfect movie to watch to get into a fall mood. 

Practical Magic is also a perfect movie to watch to get into a fall mood. It’s got great transitional elements from late summer to early fall and spooky elements that’ll get you excited for Halloween. 

Edward Scissorhands is excellent to watch in autumn. The aesthetic is a little different than other autumnal watches, but it’s a welcome change of pace while keeping in theme with the oddities of the season.

If you want something totally Halloween, watch Hocus Pocus. This film is obviously most appropriate to view in October, but if you’re ready for fall in September, give it a go. It’ll do the trick.

For an animated selection, opt for Fantastic Mr. Fox . No one sets a tone visually quite like Wes Anderson, and this is one of his all-time greatest. Few films are cozier than this one. 

If Mystic Pizza doesn’t get you settled in for fall, no movie will. This Julia Roberts classic is slow-paced in the best way, making it such a calm and easy watch for when the air gets crisper, and the leaves finally start to change colors.

When Harry Met Sally... is the classic to end all classics. This rom-com takes you through the entire year, but its most prominent season is fall. But even without the leaf-peeping scenes, the film would scream autumn thanks to its color scheme and tone. 

Clue is another fantastic mystery to turn on in the fall when you want something a little spooky but not totally frightening. It’s also got alternate endings, which is a feature not seen in modern films (and that is a travesty that filmmakers need to rectify!). 

Another good heartfelt football movie, Remember the Titans will both settle you in for the season and move you to be on the right side of history. It’s a great watch for anyone who enjoys the intersection of athletics and activism. 

Never say die! The Goonies is one of those strange films that even more strangely holds up. It’s a fun adventure film with autumnal undertones that’s an excellent choice if you’re looking to introduce adolescents to classic films. 

Beetlejuice is a little kooky and chaotic, but that is comforting to some. If Tim Burton films put you in a meditative state, Beetlejuice is the perfect fall film to get you in the seasonal mood. 

Who doesn’t love Reese Witherspoon? Admittedly, not all of her work is particularly comforting, especially what she’s done lately. But Sweet Home Alabama is totally comforting and cozy, especially in the fall. Also, Patrick Dempsey. 

If you need more classic Reese Witherspoon, Legally Blonde is the one. It’s got lots of great fall scenes and Bostonian views that’ll inspire you to take a walk outside or watch some Law & Order. 

Silver Linings Playbook is a cozy film for cinephiles. It’s got great direction and performances and it has a happy yet realistic ending that’ll make you smile. And the plot’s got a lot of football, which is obviously autumnal. 

For something a little zanier, there’s The Princess Bride. This film has adventure, quotable lines, beautiful scenery, and great actors. It’s a lot of movie lovers’ go-to film for a reason.