Fall is finally here. Have you caught a crisp autumn breeze as you sipped on a pumpkin spice latte? Did you go frolicking through an apple orchard? Is your Instagram adorned with photos of autumnal boots standing in a pile of newly fallen leaves? If you answered yes to these questions, you may not know what fall activity to do next. I can’t blame you. It sounds like you’ve pretty much got the checklist covered.
Have you thought about all of the fall movies that need to be watched? It’s time for a list of some fall themed movies you can stream at home! There’s something for everyone on this list, from rom com to horror. These titles are available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and HBO Go. After a day spent picking out the perfect pumpkin, there’s nothing like relaxing to watch a nice, fall-themed film.
“The Edge of Seventeen”
Starring: Haley Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Haley Lu Richardson and Blake Jenner
Directed by: Kelly Fremon Craig
Streaming Platform: Netflix
This coming-of-age story follows the awkward but relatable Nadine as she attempts to navigate her senior year of high school. “What does any of that have to do with the fall?” you’re wondering, hoping there’s actually autumn content here. Of course there is! I take the fall seriously and am happy to report that the entirety of “The Edge of Seventeen” is bursting with BAE (Big Autumnal Energy!). From start to finish, the film takes place in the confines of fall, as all movies should! Trees are changing colors and leaves are falling. You can almost feel the October air as Nadine bikes through the roads of suburbia. If you love a good teen angst dramedy with your pumpkin spice latte, start streaming “The Edge of Seventeen” right now!
“October Sky”
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper and Laura Dern
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Streaming Platform: HBO Go and HBO Now
Long before Jake Gyllenhaal was Mysterio and Laura Dern was Renata Klein, the two actors teamed up in “October Sky.” It’s the true story of Homer Hickam, the teenaged son of a coal miner who becomes interested in building rockets. This movie has it all: Gyllenhaal, rockets, the month of October and a whole lot of plaid. Is there anything more perfect for fall? I don’t think so.
“You’ve Got Mail”
Starring: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan
Directed by: Nora Ephron
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime
Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks find love with New York City’s crisp fall landscape serving as a backdrop. Need I say more? Well, I’m gonna say more about how great “You’ve Got Mail” is because everyone needs to know. There are so many things to love about this movie, including:
The ‘90s Computer Technology
Who doesn’t feel nostalgic seeing the AOL logo pop up while a computer generated voice says, “You’ve Got Mail!”? What a rush of adrenaline. Siri and Alexa may be our future, but we can’t forget the AOL robot who started it all.
The Chemistry
We know that Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks dominated the ‘90s with their parade of rom coms, but “You’ve Got Mail” is special. Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox are two dynamic characters that draw you into the story. Even with big business complications and the difficulties of internet dating, they just have to end up together!
New York in the Fall
“Don’t you just love New York in the fall?” Kathleen asks her co-workers in the film. Of course I do, Kathleen! That’s why I keep coming back to “You’ve Got Mail” time and time again.
“The Sixth Sense”
Starring: Haley Joel Osment, Bruce Willis and Toni Collette
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Most of us have seen or heard about the twist ending of “The Sixth Sense” that shocked audiences everywhere. M. Night Shyamalan’s Oscar-nominated film about a young boy who can see dead people is both chilling and emotional. The lead performances by Haley Joel Osment and Bruce Willis are fantastic. Set in the fall? Check. Perfect for Halloween? Check. Creepy, but not outright terrifying? Check. If you’ve never seen this, what are you waiting for? It’s right there waiting on Netflix!
“Lady Bird”
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalfe, Timothée Chalamet and Beanie Feldstein
Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime
Unlike “The Tempest,” Autumn is not quite the titular role in this coming-of-age film about a headstrong California teen hoping to make her way to an east coast college. Fall is just one part of Lady Bird’s journey through a major year in her life. That doesn’t mean it can’t have a place in the fall favorites category though! Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut is comedic and heartfelt. The Thanksgiving segment is a pivotal part of the story. So break out some pie and click that play button on Amazon Prime. First one to cry wins!
“The Village”
Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, William Hurt and Sigourney Weaver
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Streaming Platform: Netflix
A long time ago, in a pre-”Joker” world, Joaquin Phoenix was just living in “The Village.” The polarizing 2004 M. Night Shyamalan film is about a town that is terrorized by mysterious monsters. The film was initially marketed as horror, but is much more of a thriller with romantic elements. I can’t lie; the first time I watched “The Village,” it didn’t exactly stick the landing. It made its way on this list because I revisit it almost every fall. There’s something about the intriguing atmosphere that draws in the viewer. It’s a portrait of an eerie autumn like no other. Picturesque landscapes fill each scene with something quite mysterious lurking in the background.
“The Phantom of the Opera”
Starring: Emmy Rossum, Gerard Butler and Patrick Wilson
Directed by: Joel Schumacher
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Based on my many viewings of “The Phantom of the Opera,” I’m assuming a lot of it may technically take place in the winter time, but there’s no need to get super technical here. It could’ve been a cold fall that year! You never know. No matter the weather, this movie has got Halloween written all over it! If you didn’t go through an obsessive “Phantom of the Opera” phase in the 4th grade (like I may have), you need to know what this movie is about! Basically, an 1800s Parisian opera house is haunted by a man who’s obsessed with the star singer, Christine Daae. There’s drama, romance, intrigue and action. Sounds like Halloween to me. The Masquerade scene is what every party planner is trying to achieve! “The Phantom of the Opera” is the perfect fall film for anyone who loves musicals, costumes and Halloween, of course!
“Across The Universe”
Starring: Jim Sturgess, Evan Rachel Wood, Joe Anderson and Martin Luther
Directed by: Julie Taymor
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Long before the world forgot The Beatles in “Yesterday,” they were singing their songs joyfully “Across The Universe.” This jukebox musical of Beatles hits is a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. It centers around Jude and Lucy, a couple caught up in the psychedelic ‘60s, until the political upheaval of the Vietnam War threatens to tear them apart. Director Julie Taymor creates a dazzling stylized world that’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Fall is prominently on display throughout the first act of the film, including several musical numbers set in the season. Dazzling visuals + Beatles songs + Autumn = a recipe for a great film.
“Big Fish”
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Jessica Lange and Billy Crudup
Directed by: Tim Burton
Streaming Platform: Hulu
It’s no secret that Tim Burton is inspired by Halloween. However, “Big Fish” is a step away from his usual dark and gothic style. The film follows Edward Bloom, a larger-than-life character who tells fantastical stories about his life. Edward’s son doubts the authenticity of his stories, causing a riff in their relationship. “Big Fish” is a whimsical and heartfelt story about family. The cozy and occasionally creepy atmosphere just screams autumnal masterpiece.
“A Quiet Place”
Starring: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe
Directed by: John Krasinski
Streaming Platform: Hulu
John Krasinski’s directorial debut is a far cry from Jim on “The Office.” “A Quiet Place” is a creepy and atmospheric thriller that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. The film is almost entirely silent as it chronicles the journey of one family who must try to survive terrifying alien attacks without making a sound. This is prime spooky cinema that is perfect to watch with a cup of apple cider and a slice of pumpkin bread.
That does it for this list of 10 fall films to stream! What are some of your favorite movies to watch in the fall? Do you prefer a lighthearted rom com like “You’ve Got Mail”, a coming-of-age dramedy like “The Edge of Seventeen” or something a little more intense like “The Sixth Sense”? Let us know in the comments!
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Featured image credit: PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
Rebecca Daniel is a freelance journalist from Atlanta, Georgia. She was introduced to “The Sound of Music” at age two which led to her love of film and all things musical. You can often find her writing a review about the latest movie she’s seen in theaters or counting down the days until she watches the next one. Rebecca recently made a short film called “Movie: Impassable.” She just got her Independent Producing Certificate with UCLA Extension and hopes to make more movies in the near future! She is inspired by directors like David Fincher, Sofia Coppola, and Damien Chazelle. When movies aren’t on her mind, Rebecca enjoys hanging out with friends, watching football and baking a fun dessert.