This post is all about fall aesthetic movies.
Fall is finally here! I don’t know about you but I’m not hesitating to cozy up with my favorite fall aesthetic movies and shows. I’m not giving up on getting into the holiday spirit. It’s just not the same as you get older. The holiday season becomes something easier to feel encompassing your world when you’re little.
All the same, I’m not giving up on autumn no matter how old I get. It’s not only the beginning of cozy weather, but it’s also back-to-school season and the spookiest time of year.
You are going to get some ideas of fall aesthetic movies and shows to watch this season. It’s my ideal to-be-watched list for fall this year. You’ll find a list full of classics, childhood favorites, and light-hearted pieces.
This post is all about fall aesthetic movies.
Best Fall Aesthetic Movies and Shows:
1) Freaks and Geeks
Synopsis: Lindsay Weir, a high school mathlete, rebelliously joins a group of burnouts in an attempt to fit in. Lindsay’s brother, Sam, is navigating his freshman year at the same time. The show follows the experiences of these two groups.
When I first watched this show, I was a junior in high school. Junior year generally is one of the more stressful times in high school and this show just alleviated a lot of that stress for me. This show has a special place in my heart. You should watch Freaks and Geeks because it’s a realistic and funny reflection of late adolescence.
Where to watch: Hulu, DVD
2) Pocahontas
Synopsis: Settlers from England, led by Captain John Smith, sail to the New World, hopeful to find gold. Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan, wants to follow her path instead of marrying the warrior her father approves of. Pocahontas and John Smith begin to spend time getting to know one another’s cultures, but will that be enough to ease the tensions between the settlers and the Native Americans?
I love love love this movie so much. It’s ironic because for years I thought it would be boring. Probably due to my elementary school teachers bringing this movie up annually around Thanksgiving. I must’ve thought it would be “educational”.
Turns out, it isn’t even historically accurate. I’d say take this fictional movie for what it is. And let me tell you, I think Pocahontas is a beautiful story about intuition, love, and courage.
If you’ve never watched this gem before, this fall is the perfect time to do so. It has this heart-warming feel to it because the animation is extremely well done and the music is lovely. You will fall in love with this movie too. You’re welcome.
Where to watch: Disney+, DVD
3) Dirty Dancing
Synopsis: Baby is disappointed when she realizes the last remnants of her youth will be squandered by a seemingly boring summer resort with her parents. However, her luck turns around, when the resort’s dance instructor, Johnny, trains Baby to be his new partner.
You might be confused why this movie is on a “fall aesthetic movies” list. I mean, it takes place in the summer. Dirty Dancing simply has a coziness to it that is better appreciated in the cooler months of fall. Plus, the soundtrack helps to prove that 80s music is superior.
Where to watch: DVD
4) Harry Potter
Synopsis: After his parents are killed in an accident, Harry moves in with his aunt. The Dursleys treat him poorly, even though he’s family. So when Harry finds out he’s not only a wizard, but the only wizard to survive a direct attack by Voldemort, his life completely changes.
There isn’t any specific time of year that best suits reading or watching Harry Potter. However, it just makes sense for fall because Harry is on his way to Hogwarts while most people go back to school. If the nostalgia and genuine love of this classic series aren’t enough to watch (or rewatch) Harry Potter, I don’t know what else to say.
Where to watch: Max, DVD
5) Dead Poet’s Society
Synopsis: The students at a rigid all-boys school get a new English teacher, Mr. Keating, who uses the term “carpe diem” as a guide to inspire them. Dead Poet’s Society follows the lives of these students as they begin to question what they’re being told. By doing this, they learn to become individuals and all the consequential things that occur as a result.
I think I first watched Dead Poet’s Society when I was in high school and it was a powerful and moving watch for me. Of course, anyone can watch this movie, but I especially believe high schoolers should. It’s something about the writing, the characters, and their stories that would be relatable to people of similar ages.
The message in this movie revolving around “carpe diem” and the possibilities that spring from living life the way you want to live it gives people a sense of urgency. Wake-up calls are needed, particularly as we form routines this fall.
Where to watch: DVD
6) Halloweentown
Synopsis: On her 13th birthday, Marnie and her siblings find out they come from a family of witches. Curiosity led them to follow their grandma home to Halloweentown. Although this is exciting news for them, there’s an evil threatening the world that requires Marnie and her family’s help to stop.
I remember Disney would always stream marathons of this series around Halloween, but I never watched. I’m not sure what turned me off from it because I finally watched this last October and it was so good.
It has such a nostalgic and special feel to it even though I didn’t grow up with it. Halloweentown definitely has the fall aesthetic down and it’ll make you excited for the spookiest time of year.
Where to watch: Disney+, DVD
7) Legally Blond
Synopsis: Elle Woods gets a rude awakening when her boyfriend breaks up with her. He claims she’s too blond and that wouldn’t look good for him at law school. Elle gets into Harvard Law, determined to win him back.
You will find Legally Blond interesting even if you don’t plan on becoming a lawyer. It’s funny and, to my surprise, inspiring. Elle’s boyfriend breaks up with her basically because he doesn’t think she’s smart enough. He doesn’t want her to make him look bad, but she ends up getting into Harvard Law and works hard to prove she deserves to be there.
Where to watch: Netflix, DVD
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8) WandaVision
Synopsis: After getting married, Wanda Maximoff and Vision, move to a suburban town called Westview. Set in a black and white 1950s setting, they attempt to fit into their new environment.
WandaVision is honestly one of those shows you’re going to want to watch in one sitting. From episode to episode, you just want to figure out what the heck’s going on, but for good reason.
You can follow the show pretty well even if you haven’t seen every movie in the MCU. I highly recommend WandaVision, especially for fall, because it has this underlying eerieness to it. Plus, the show even has a “spooktacular” Halloween episode 😉
Where to watch: Disney+, DVD
9) Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Synopsis: On her 16th birthday, Sabrina Spellman is forced to confront the two sides of her identity. As a half-witch, half-mortal, Sabrina has to choose between the witch world to which she is a descendant and the human world of her friends.
This is a dark coming of age story and it definitely has a spooky/horror touch to it. It’s a great show to watch around Halloween you like that holiday.
For this recommendation, I’m mostly referring to the first season. It’s not that the rest of the show isn’t good, but I think the fall aesthetic is mainly in season 1.
Where to watch: Netflix
10) Hubie Halloween
Synopsis: A Halloween-loving community volunteer in Salem, Massachusetts endures the meanest pranks from everyone around him. Although he’s not the most popular guy, he dedicates himself to keeping everyone safe by solving an investigation to catch a kidnapper.
This isn’t a scary movie at all. If you’re anything like me and can barely handle horror movies, this is a good Halloween movie for you. I can best describe it as a comfort holiday movie because it’s light and funny.
Where to watch: Netflix
11) Coraline
Synopsis: Coraline is less than pleased about moving to a sleepy neighborhood with her parents. To alleviate her boredom, she explores her new home. She stumbles onto a door in the wall which she becomes obsessed with basically. On the other side of the door is a parallel universe of sorts filled with cool parents and button eyes.
This movie is kind of creepy but I love the concept of it so much I always rewatch it. It’s not an unbearably scary watch although it can be suspenseful at times. Coraline is perfect to watch around Halloween.
Where to watch: DVD
12) Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated
Synopsis: The mystery gang is focused on unfolding the true history behind Crystal Cove. There’s the mystery behind the Conquistador treasure, the Darrow family (the town’s founders), and the original mystery incorporated.
Scooby-Doo is a top 3 cartoon for me, but Mystery Incorporated is by far the best version of this cartoon. Unlike other versions, this show connects and it’s best to watch in order from beginning to end. Its comedy level is top-tier and the plot is thoroughly engaging.
Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated somehow manages to teether on eerie and spooky while still being targeted for all audiences. It’s just a brilliant cartoon and you should hands-down watch it during this time of year.
Where to watch: Netflix, DVD
13) The Fear Street Trilogy
Synopsis: Fear Street is told in three parts beginning in 1994 followed by 1978 and 1666. A couple of teens in Shadyside are determined to rid their town of a long-time curse caused by a witch named Sarah Fier.
I’ll admit, I nearly stopped watching the first movie halfway through because I was spooked out. I did end up finishing it the next day and that ending was so rough (meaning it was good).
Fear Street is a great example of the kind of horror that’s more on the tolerable side since their slasher films. I prefer this genre a whole lot more than haunting spirits and that kind of thing. It’s an exciting trilogy and I’ll spoil that it has a satisfying ending.
Where to watch: Netflix
14) The Nightmare Before Christmas
Synopsis: Jack Skellington is the beloved king of Halloween every year but becomes bored of his annual routine of scaring people. He stumbles into Christmastown and falls in love. In an attempt to control the holiday, he kidnaps Santa Claus and takes over his role.
This is another movie I had something against for no good reason. I was missing out because this movie is so clever and charming.
I’m not sure if this is generally considered more of a Halloween or Christmas movie. I personally think it’s somewhere in between, so November. Honestly, though, I’m not complaining because that gives me an excuse to watch it all holiday season.
Where to watch: Disney+, DVD
15) The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Synopsis: The deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame, Quasimodo, longs to be around other people after years of having only gargoyles as company. At a festival, he meets a kind and beautiful gypsy girl, Esmeralda, with who he falls in love. However, she also catches the attention of Judge Claude Frollo, Quasimodo’s guardian. He becomes determined to keep Esmeralda free from his clutches.
You should watch this movie because it’s so insanely beautiful. The friendship between Esmeralda and Quasimodo, the music, and the overall message of the movie is still relevant to this day.
Where to watch: Disney+, DVD
16) Coco
Synopsis: Miguel’s family has a ban on music that has lasted for generations. Despite this, 12-year-old Miguel still dreams of becoming a musician. His admiration for Ernesto de la Cruz, a famous singer, and his need to prove his talent leads him to accidentally travel to the Land of the Dead. In this place, Miguel uncovers the truth behind his family history.
When I initially watched Coco, it was reluctantly. One of my friends kept telling me to watch it and eventually I did. Again, I’m kicking myself for pushing away good movies for no good reason.
Coco is still unlike any other Pixar movie I’ve ever seen. The plot may seem simple, but the movie certainly isn’t. It’s heartbreaking yet uplifting.
Where to watch: Disney+, DVD
17) My Babysitter’s a Vampire
Synopsis: Ethan and his friend babysit his little sister, but it goes terribly because they almost get her killed. As a result, Ethan’s parents get a real babysitter as punishment and he soon finds out she’s a vampire.
To end this list appropriately, I had to include this movie. Nostalgia’s a powerful feeling and this movie is filled with it. It’s a childhood favorite that I can’t even believe came out over 10 years ago. Where does the time go?
Where to watch: Netflix
So what are you waiting for? Find a cozy spot, get your favorite hot drink, mummify yourself in blankets and watch some fall aesthetic movies and shows!
This post was all about fall aesthetic movies.
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