As the weather gets colder and the leaves start to change, many people begin to order their beloved Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and the need to rewatch their favorite feel-good Fall and Halloween movies returns. Here is a list of movies to consider putting on the big screen to get in the mood for Fall.
‘80s-’90s Fall Throwbacks:
When Harry Met Sally is a classic Autumn-spirited film starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. This 1989 movie is set in New York, takes place over 12 years, and is a beloved romantic comedy that can be watched any time of the year but specifically includes vibrant colored leaves and more modest fashion, giving it the reputation of being an Autumn movie.
Dead Poets Society (1989) is similar to this as it takes place during the Fall which marks the beginning of the school year in the movie. It follows a multitude of storylines including Robin Williams’ character teaching and inspiring his students through the art of poetry as well as the friendship and bonds between many of the students as they deal with their own personal struggles, giving it an authentic representation of human relations that explains why so many fans favor rewatching it each year.
Tim Burton Halloween:
Tim Burton has been known for decades as he perfectly encapsulates the Halloween spirit we all enjoy. His stories feature unique character designs that can be easily recognized and the cinematography of many of his movies comforts viewers.
Starring Johnny Depp, Edward Scissorhands (1990) is among fan favorites as it tells the story of an outcast who dreams of being accepted and loved. Played by Winona Ryder, Kim Boggs falls for the caring and devoted Edward despite their differences.
Another popular Burton movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), is a cross between Halloween and Christmas as the main character Jack Skellington leaves his world (Halloween) and discovers a plethora of other worlds. He then enters Christmas town and is met by a realization that the two worlds cannot cross, meaning that he is unable to bring Christmas to his home.
Family-friendly Halloween:
One of the most well-known Halloween movies is a family favorite, providing entertainment for any age group. Kenny Ortega’s Hocus Pocus (1993) follows Max and his sister Dani as they move to Salem, Massachusetts during the Fall. They both have to adapt to the Halloween-filled spirit of their new home and the origins of the town that Max at first doesn’t believe in but soon uncovers when he accidentally frees the witches from the town stories.
Hubie Halloween (2020) is more recent, but not less loved. Also set in Salem, this comedy follows Adam Sandler, Hubie, who is the town's eccentric but caring member who is often made fun of and teased. One Halloween, however, he finds himself in an actual police investigation of a potentially life-threatening situation that he then has to save his beloved town from, despite the mistreatment he has previously received.
In the spirit of the Fall season, commonly-used streaming services have decided to create their own lists of Halloween movies and limited series, like Disney+, Netflix, and Hulu featuring many different genres of Halloween movies that are worth watching and rewatching as the air becomes crisper and the days get shorter.
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