As soon as September comes around, my mind starts spinning with autumnal hopes and dreams. However, in my little corner of the world, it still feels very much like summer until mid-October, with a few teasers thrown in throughout September and early October just to mess with us. For me, personally, autumn activities are for October and November. September is still summer. And with October here now (YAY!), I have been enjoying compiling a watchlist of all the movies and episodes of TV shows that I hope to watch this autumn.
I've mentioned it many times here before, but we do not do horror movies in our home. I have many thoughts and convictions about them. Spooky? Yes. Mysterious? Yes. Cozy? Yes. But horror? Absolutely no way. So if you enjoy seasonal, cozy, comforting, very autumnal vibes, with a few Halloween or Thanksgiving celebrations thrown in, then I hope you enjoy my watchlist.
Anne of Green Gables
I know a lot of people associate the Anne movies and books with springtime, which I get. But, for me, I always think of autumn and coziness and warmth. I'm a die-hard fan of the original Megan Follows versions of the movies, and they're the only ones I'll watch.
Baby Boom
This is one I grew up with, and it's always stuck with me...especially the house. It's a dreamy, gorgeous, cozy home in the countryside of Vermont. This movie has lots of autumnal scenes...with some wintry ones as well. So it's a good one to watch all cozy season long. As with most, if not all, of the titles on this list, this one makes a great re-watch over the course of autumn and winter.
Practical Magic
It took me until this summer to fall in love with Practical Magic. I'd tried it a few times, and it just didn't click with me. But this summer, I finally understood why it's so beloved by so many. I love witchy tales and vibes, and the messages in this movie really hit home for me. Another one to watch again and again.
Mystic Pizza
Another nostalgic autumn movie set in a gorgeous New England town on the coast. A trio of girlfriends in their late teens/early twenties all work at a small pizzeria, and they're all trying to figure life out. It's just got those vibes I love!
The Little Vampire
A Halloween childhood favorite that's still just as fun to watch as an adult. Movies from the 90s and very early 2000s just hit different. I've been rewatching them my whole life and never tire of them. This one included.
Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire
With many fond memories of watching this on the Disney Channel growing up, this is another favorite to rewatch every October.
Mona Lisa Smile
This is one of only a few on this list that I haven't yet watched, but it's most definitely on my watchlist for this autumn. I've heard it has all those vibes and scenery, so I'm hoping that's the case. And that it's a good movie, too!
Stepmom
WARNING: This one is a bit depressing, but it's absolutely beautiful with all the gorgeous autumn foliage and nature and the home is a dream. I have to be in a certain mood to watch this one, but it's a feast for the eyes...and the story is sweet, too. This movie was one of the first places I remember as a young girl being inspired to learn to quilt. That still stands out to me.
Halloweentown
While the first movie in this series is by far the best, in my opinion, we do enjoy watching the first three...don't even bother with the fourth. I agree with Marnie...Halloween is cool.
Casper
Another one from childhood that I honestly haven't seen in a long time...so I'm definitely due for a rewatch.
Hocus Pocus
This is a movie that, for me, is watched for two reasons: nostalgia and the rich Halloween vibes. The story is definitely secondary to me. But it's one I watch every year for those two reasons, and I enjoy it immensely because of them.
October Kiss (Hallmark)
Hallmark doesn't have a ton of Halloween (or Thanksgiving!) movies, but this one is an absolute gem. A real favorite of mine...so vibrantly Halloween and autumnal. So festive!
Agatha Raisin
One of my very favorite shows, especially this time of year. I love that it's funny and quirky and a mystery series, too. There are a few episodes that feel extra cozy and spooky that I love watching around cozy season.
You've Got Mail
A real classic, at least for me. One that must be watched every autumn...and usually again on and off through the entire cozy season. Every time I watch this one, it gets better.
Julie and Julia
And this one gets better every time, too. One of my top favorite movies of all time. I could gush about this one forever. Simply perfection. And while not necessarily autumnal, there's something about it that feels like it just suits this time of year.
Gilmore Girls
One of the most quintessential cozy shows ever made. At least for me anyway. I love the feel of this show most of all, and it never gets old returning to Stars Hollow. I do have my favorite episodes that I watch over and over again...Bracebridge Dinner, anyone?
Rudy
Another new-to-me movie that I grew up hearing about because my mom's entire family are huge Notre Dame fans. I'm not a huge football fan, though I will forever cheer on our local team, I admit that there's nothing like football to say autumn in America. I'm here for it...hopefully, it's good.
Harry Potter series
A real favorite for all cozy season long.
An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving
One of the few Thanksgiving movies that I know of, and a lovely one at that. Old-fashioned charm and beautiful storyline make this one a great November watch.
The Hobbit / Lord of the Rings trilogies
As with the Harry Potter series, The Hobbit and LOTR movies are great for all of cozy season. I've heard of several people who watch all the movies over the week between Christmas and New Year's and I happen to think that's a great idea.
The Good Witch (Hallmark)
The original movies in this series (beginning with the one from 2008) are absolutely delightful. I recently rewatched the first one, and oh my goodness! I forgot how much I love it...so cozy and autumnal, and I absolutely adore Cassie's Halloween party at the end of the movie. So fun!
Double, Double, Toil, and Trouble
Hands down, my all-time favorite Halloween movie ever...from the time I was 4 years old. I cannot say how much I love this movie. The vibes and style of everything, the nostalgia and feel of how Halloween felt as a little girl, the magic and rich seasonal atmosphere...I love it all.
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries (Hallmark)
This is so not just a cozy season watch for us, but it's especially wonderful to watch these in the autumn and winter, as many of the movies seem to be set in those months. Lots of snowy, rainy, foggy, misty weather make for a fun mystery movie!
Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade (Hallmark)
So this one kind of falls under Christmas, but it's set at Thanksgiving, so it works either way. My sister loves this movie, and I've never seen it all the way through. I want to remedy that this year!
A Family Thanksgiving (Hallmark)
Another Thanksgiving movie from Hallmark that I remember from years ago. I haven't watched it in so long, I'm due for a rewatch. I remember I enjoyed it.
A Harvest Wedding (Hallmark)
A new-to-me Hallmark movie that I watched a few weeks ago, and I loved it. The scenery and autumnal colors were so vibrant. I loved the story and characters and how autumnal it all felt.
All of My Heart trilogy (Hallmark)
A favorite trilogy from Hallmark, though my favorite is definitely the first movie. Set in a Bed and Breakfast in the Pennsylvania countryside in the most dreamy house, yes please.
Home Improvement
One thing I do every single year is rewatch the holiday episodes of shows I grew up with...and still love and watch regularly. Home Improvement has some of the best Halloween episodes, as well as some sweet and comical Thanksgiving ones, too...and the same can be said for Christmas, but I'll save that for a December post. This is seriously one of my favorite shows!
The Middle
Another show with some of the best holiday episodes. And another favorite show of mine! Love spending the holidays with the Heck family and all their nutty shenanigans. Why don't more shows follow the year and seasons when they make episodes? That's by far one of the best things about this one!
Friends
So I've been watching Friends for the first time this summer. I'm only beginning season two now, so I've no idea if it's entirely for me. However, I did enjoy the first season. I find it a very light, funny, cozy show. And I really need more of that in my life!
Shetland
I always get in the mood to give this series a rewatch come this time of year. All the moody weather and atmospheric Scottish island scenery makes it feel so perfect in the autumn and wintertime. I really love the mysteries, too, and how tangled up they are. Of course, now I know what happens with each one, but I could only ever figure it all out once!
Vera
Another seasonal rewatch for me. Set in Northern England, all the scenery and weather and Vera's trenchcoat and hat seem to make this another perfect show for cozy season.
Wolfblood
My mom and sister have watched this series through several times, and I'm joining them this year for the first time. So far, we're about halfway through the first season, and I've got to say, I'm loving it. It's totally my cup of tea!
Well, there you have it...what's on my autumn watchlist and how I'll be spending most of my evenings tucked under a blanket, cup of tea or hot choco nearby, candle lit or the fireplace crackling, and some sort of crafty project in hand with one of these movies or shows on the telly. There's no other way I'd rather spend my nights!
What's on your autumn watchlist? I'll be sharing my Christmas watchlist in December, as well, so lots more fun to chat about then!
