Fall Movie Recommendations
20th Century Fox, Fantastic Mr. Fox
By: Allison Wallis
As autumn approaches, many look forward to a comforting afternoon with a classic book or a calming movie. The seasonal change is illustrated with warm orange hues, fallen leaves, and baked treats. Many movies have different styles, such as cozy and comforting comedies or dark and suspenseful mysteries that capture the ambiance of autumn. Here is a list of recommendations to watch during this season:
- Knives Out
Murder Mystery, Thriller, Suspense.
Knives Out 2019 – Rian Johnson
Knives Out is a classic murder mystery full of suspense and drama. The film is centered around Harlan Thromby (Christopher Plummer), whose death occurs on his 85th birthday after a night of celebration. Detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, investigates family relationships that connect each member to Harlan, suspecting that one of them is the murderer. Knives Out is the perfect murder mystery to watch on a cold and mysterious night.
- Beetlejuice
Horror, Comedy
Tim Burton, Beetlejuice – 1988
Tim Burton’s 1988 Beetlejuice is a comedic but spooky film about a married couple who recently died in a car accident. The couple haunts their previous house, searching for a way to return to life. As the new family moves in, Lydia, performed by Winona Ryder, interacts and befriends the deceased couple. The unsettling Beetlejuice introduces the couple to a way to return to their home, causing conflicts with the current family. The film is a Halloween favorite since it ties the spookiness of Halloween with unique and irregular characters, but it is also amusing to watch.
- It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Animation, Family Film
Bill Melendez, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown – 1966
The animated special, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, is a short film about the well-known Peanuts characters celebrating Halloween. The film is about Linus, Charlie Brown’s best friend, who is waiting in a pumpkin patch all night for a Great Pumpkin while his friends go trick-or-treating. The film is a short watch, but evokes a comedic spirit on Halloween.
- Murder on the Orient Express 2017
Murder Mystery, Thriller, crime
20th Century Fox, Murder on the Orient Express, 2017 – Kenneth Branagh
The film Murder on the Orient Express is another classic murder mystery movie. It is based on the classic novel written by Agatha Christie, where Hercule Poirot, played by Kenneth Branagh, investigates a murder on the Orient Express train. The Orient Express is stranded in the middle of a snowstorm, where the crime occurs. Hercule Poirot investigates each of the thirteen passengers to uncover the story and connections between them. The Murder on the Orient Express has many adaptations, but each provides a unique version that is packed with twists and suspense throughout the film.
- Little Women 2019
Romance, Dama
Little Women 2019, Columbia Pictures
The 2019 version of Little Women, directed by Greta Gerwig, is a classic fall movie. The film is a comforting movie to watch, since it tells the story of the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, as they approach adulthood. The film explores the close relationship between the March sisters and their family, who are waiting for their father to return from the Civil War. The family struggles to live without their father, but manages to find joy and comfort together.
- Coco
Animation, Adventure, Family Film
Pixar Animation Studios, Coco, 2017
Coco is a classic comfort movie to watch during Día de los Muertos, the celebration of the Day of the Dead. The movie is about a young boy, Miguel, who has a passion for music. However, his family forbids music to be played since it once brought conflicts to their family. In pursuit of his passion, Miguel searches for a guitar to be like his dream musician, Ernesto de la Cruz. He ends up in the land of the dead, where he meets his ancestors. Coco is a touching movie to include in your fall movie list. The animation style and soundtrack are comforting and capture the spirit of the celebration, Día de los Muertos.
- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Comedy, Action, Romance
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, 2010 – Edgar Wright
The film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a 2010 romantic comedy and action film by Edgar Wright based on a comic by Bryan Lee O’Malley. The film stars Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, a bass guitarist who meets his dream girlfriend, Ramona Flowers. As Scott Pilgrim learns more about Ramona, he discovers that to be her boyfriend, he must face her ex-boyfriends in a series of battles to win his position. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a film that combines comedy with pop culture through video game visuals and comic book illustrations. The film is a classic comfort comedy that is lighthearted and comedic.
- Fantastic Mr. Fox
Animation, Action, Adventure
20th Century Fox, Fantastic Mr. Fox – Wes Anderson 2009
The film Fantastic Mr. Fox is known for its aesthetic, with warm orange tones, unique animals, and a stop-motion style, making it the perfect movie to watch during autumn. The film is directed by Wes Anderson, starring George Clooney, who plays the voice of Mr. Fox. The story is based on a book written by Roald Dahl, about a father fox who steals from his wealthy human farmers, Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. The film Fantastic Mr. Fox is a chase, packed with action, between Mr. Fox and the farmers who struggle to outsmart the fox family.
- Big
Comedy, Romance
20th Century Fox, Big 1988
The 1988 comedy film Big was directed by Penny Marshall. It is a film about a 12-year-old boy, Josh Baskin, who wishes to be big after visiting a carnival. The next night, Josh’s wish is granted, transforming him into a 30-year-old man. Josh heads to New York City to find a job, where he becomes close with his employee, Susan Lawrence. Josh discovers the everyday of adulthood, while cherishing his childhood curiosities. The film Big explores the unfamiliar transition from childhood to adulthood in the changing season of New York City.
Coming soon:
The upcoming movie releases feature animation, action, and adventure films such as: Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (November 14, 2025), Wicked: For Good (November 21, 2025), Zootopia 2 (November 26, 2025), Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (November 26, 2025), Avatar: Fire and Ash (December 19, 2025), and more!
Credits:
Edgar Wright, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” Rotten Tomatoes, https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/scott_pilgrims_vs_the_world Accessed 30 October 2025.
Tim Burton, “Beetlejuice (1988).” IMDb, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094721/. Accessed 30 October 2025.
Kenneth Branagh “Murder on the Orient Express (2017).” IMDb, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3402236/ Accessed 31 October 2025.
Charles M. Schulz “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (TV Movie 1966) | Animation, Comedy, Family.” IMDb, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060550/ Accessed 31 October 2025.