Best Movies To Watch This Coming Fall

Craving a scary movie night? Or are you looking for something tamer to watch this fall? Whether you’re in the mood for horror or not-so-scary halloween movies, there’s something out there for everyone. If you’re looking to spend your halloween in front of the TV, here are ten movies you should definitely consider watching.

1. Hocus Pocus (1993)

Out of all the halloween movies in existence, this is the most iconic. There’s no other word that describes it as well. “Camp” also comes to mind when I think of Hocus Pocus. What’s more camp and iconic than Bette Midler singing “I Put A Spell On You” with prosthetic teeth? Though I’m older than the movie’s target audience, I can admit, it’s hilarious. Bette, SJP, and Kathy Najimy put everything into their performances; their comedic timing is on-point, and their costumes? Amazing. If you have a subscription to Disney+, you can stream Hocus Pocus there!

2. It (2017)

Truth be told, I hate horror movies. Jump scares are the banes of my existence, and I try to avoid them at all costs. Ever since I watched The Babadook in middle school, I’ve been completely turned off by the horror genre. It, however, surprised me. And I don’t mean “surprise” in a jump-scare-y way, though there were a few jump scares I had to mute. I guess clowns don’t phase me, because I found the scare level of this movie to be tolerable. What I like most about this movie is the ’80s, Stranger Things type of vibe. The then-child actors do such a fantastic job, especially Finn Wolfhard as trash-mouth Richie. It is available for streaming on Netflix and HBO Max. 

3. Coraline (2009)

Honestly, I think Coraline is scarier than It. I appreciate the time and effort clay animation takes, but I’ve gotta say, the style of it freaks me out. In spite of its creepiness, I love Coraline. Neil Gaiman, who wrote the original book, is a genius at storytelling. The soundtrack matches the overall unsettling-ness of the movie—the opening song is burned in my memory. I don’t think I’ve ever recovered from the Other Mother. To this day, I get nightmares.

4. Dead Poets Society (1989)

Seize the day (or carpe diem) by watching this incredible movie. Dead Poets Society is not overtly a fall movie. Still, I feel like it’s best seen around September and October, when the scenery starts to look like that in the film. Autumn marks the start of school, so it just makes sense that you watch a movie set at a private academy. As a book lover and a New England resident, Dead Poets Society holds a special place in my heart. Just make sure you have tissues nearby.

5. Over the Garden Wall (2014)

Technically, this isn’t a movie. Over the Garden Wall is a miniseries that ran on Cartoon Network, circa 2014. There are only ten short episodes, so it’s super digestible. It’s also one of my favorite shows ever. Period. If you’re into either cottage core or the vintage halloween aesthetic, this show was made for you. For a cartoon, it’s surprisingly deep and melancholy. If you aren’t already convinced, the series opens with a frog playing a piano. A frog playing a piano. How can it get better than that? You can stream Over the Garden Wall on Hulu and on HBO Max.

6. Halloweentown (1998)

Let’s be real, we all wanted Aggie as our grandma. Every movie in the Halloweentown franchise is an instant classic. I remember staying up late when I was five to watch these halloween movies on Disney Channel. Now, I can watch them anytime I want on Disney+. The nostalgia is unreal, and the cameo of Ryan from High School Musical will never not rock my world. This might be controversial to say, but I think the third one (Halloweentown High?) is the best. Sue me.

7. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

I can’t talk about cult classic halloween movies without mentioning Little Shop of Horrors. As a former theatre kid, I lived for this movie. It’s certainly strange, with the main antagonist being a talking plant from outer space. But the songs are so, so catchy. I guarantee “Suddenly Seymour” will get stuck in your head. 

8. What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

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If you’re a fan of the TV show What We Do in the Shadows, you should definitely check out the movie. Though I prefer the TV show, the movie is still hilarious. Anything that involves Taika Waititi is sure to be amazing, so it’s no wonder why I liked this movie so much. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the show and movie, both of them are mockumentaries about vampires. The vampires that they feature are the opposite of intimidating; Viago, Taika’s character, is my favorite. Stream What We Do in the Shadows on Hulu. 

9. Scream (1996)

Do you like scary movies? Then Scream is the perfect slasher for you. Even horror haters, like me, will enjoy this movie. I’ve only seen the first one in the franchise, and I really liked it. The twist at the end left me shook. Also, can we talk about the cast? Matthew Lillard (Shaggy from the live action Scooby Doo movies) makes an appearance, as does Courtney Cox (aka Monica Geller). Apparently, though, Courtney’s bangs in the later movies are scarier than the killer. 

10. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

This movie is absolutely adorable. I’ve always loved watching the Charlie Brown holiday specials, with The Great Pumpkin as a favorite. The halloween vibes are through the roof. The Great Pumpkin reminds me of trick-or-treating, halloween parties, and going to pumpkin patches as a kid. Snoopy wearing aviator goggles is also the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. That’s an A-plus costume right there.

Even if you don’t like horror movies, you don’t have to miss out on the fall fun. As you can see, there are tons of non-scary halloween movies out there. And this is just a brief glimpse of all the halloween movies you can watch! Check out your streaming services, grab some popcorn, and enjoy.

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