Have you been feeling that recent chill in the air and looking forward to autumn, but don’t want to jump right into spooky season? Here are some of the best fall movies that aren’t Halloween-themed to get you into the autumnal spirit.
Number One: Little Women
Everyone loves a classic. While this film was produced in 2019, the story has been around for over a century. Little Women was first written by Louisa May Alcott in 1868. The story follows the lives of four sisters, Amy, Jo, Beth, and Meg March. Little Women jumps from the past to the present as it details the sisters’ complicated relationships and their journeys into adulthood. While this movie takes place over all seasons, the fall shots have beautiful foliage and warm, orangy hues that make them notable for their visual appeal. Not to be overlooked are the scenes themselves, as one of the most memorable clips, Jo and her lover’s falling out, is shot amongst a sea of orange and yellow fall leaves. This Academy Award-winning film is perfect for easing into autumn.
Number Two: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Directed by the well-known Wes Anderson, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a stop motion of handmade, tactile characters. The movie follows Mr. Fox (who is, believe it or not, a fox) as he breaks free from his mundane life and resorts to his old life of thievery by raiding the gardens of three farmers, Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. Mr. Fox must then work to save his family and the community of ground-dwelling animals from the farmers’ resulting retaliation. The film has an autumnal aesthetic, with its color palette ruled by orange, red, brown, and yellow. The colors, accompanied by the movie’s furry cast dressed in nostalgic clothing, give the movie a cozy vibe that reminds many viewers of Thanksgiving, making it an ideal watch for the entire fall season.
Number Three: Knives Out
If you’re looking for a fall mystery that you can curl up and watch with a hot cup of apple cider, then look no further. Knives Out is the perfect whodunnit with a hint of thrill, but none of the Halloween horror. When there is a suspicious death in the remote, crimson-leaf-surrounded estate of crime novelist Harlen Thrombey, it is up to detective Benoit Blanc to investigate Thrombey’s murder the night of his 85th birthday. Blanc uncovers family secrets and mountains of lies as he investigates Thrombey’s family and closest friends to discover who the murderer is. Similar to the other films on this list, Knives Out takes place in the fall and has a deep autumnal color palette, consisting of dark red and rich oranges. This, coupled with its murder mystery and web of lies to unravel, makes Knives Out an intriguing fall watch.
Number Four: Practical Magic
Just based on the title, it’s clear that this movie has more mystical elements than the others. However, Practical Magic is perfect if you’re looking for a cozy 90s film with spooky elements but no Halloween references. Practical Magic details the story of a lineage of witches, specifically, sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, as they battle their family’s curse that whoever loves an Owens woman must die. Because of the curse, Sally and Gillian mostly reject their magical abilities. However, they are forced to perform dark magic when Gillian’s boyfriend suddenly dies to keep their family safe and the cops off their backs. The mystical elements of this movie, accompanied by its autumnal setting and the characters’ warm, cozy style of dress, will surely get you into the fall spirit (pun intended).
