15 Movies For Cosy Autumn Vibes

It’s that time of year, when the seasons are changing and all we want to do is retreat to our homes and cosy up on the couch. With a good film, of course. Whether it’s romance, drama, mysteries or something a little bit spooky, we’ve come up with a list of the ultimate films to watch as the leaves turn and the nights get colder. 

Knives Out (2019)

Rian Johnson’s murder-mystery comedy sparked a cosy trend back in 2019, thanks to its setting in a grand old Massachusetts mansion – and to star Chris Evans looking rather fetching in a chunky knit sweater. The film itself is the perfect choice for some cosy laughter, as eccentric detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) tries to get to the bottom of the death of a noted novelist (Christopher Plummer). With Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana de Armas and Toni Collette rounding out the vast ensemble cast, it becomes a whodunnit with as many punchlines as there are plot twists. 

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Before Evans made it chic again, comedian Billy Crystal stole hearts wearing chunky knitwear in possibly the most famous romantic comedy of all time. He plays Harry, a no-nonsense man who believes that men and women can’t be friends without sex getting in the way. This assertion is challenged when he meets Sally (Meg Ryan), a free-spirited woman with whom he forms a bond. Over the course of 12 years, various meetings turn friendship into love. A warm hug of a movie with a couple of racy elements, most of the segments are set in the autumn months and feel perfect for that time of the year when we all get reflective. 

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Auburn fields and houses dug into the soil set the tone for Wes Anderson’s charming adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl book. Made with stop-motion animation, George Clooney voices the title character of a fox who wages war with a trio of cruel farmers. The film, embracing the changing of the seasons and the complexities of nature, is a delightful family tale with a wicked sense of humour that will make you smile as you root for Mr Fox, Mrs Fox (Meryl Streep) and their many friends to make it out safely. 

The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

Arguably one of the best movies about the complications of modern teenage life, Hailee Steinfeld shines in this story of a teenage girl whose isolated life feels even more lonely when her best friend starts dating her brother. Doing away with a lot of the clichés of high school life, The Edge of Seventeen looks deeply into the lead’s heart to find out what’s important. A sparkling turn from Woody Harrelson as Steinfeld’s sarcastic teacher and reluctant mentor provides plenty more that anyone who has endured the ups and downs of ‘almost-adulthood’ can relate to.

St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)

While we’re on the topic of teen movies, the ‘80s were a big moment for films about youngsters’ lives with hits like The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off defining the moment for many. One of the best in this subgenre is St. Elmo’s Fire, Joel Schumacher’s film about the lives of seven friends who struggle to make the transition from college life to adulthood. Autumn is about change, and the movie masterfully addresses that time in our lives when we take on responsibilities but still remember the freedom of our teenage years. A delightful classic with a rousing soundtrack! 

Dead Poets Society (1989)

A New England boarding school is the backdrop for this classic drama starring Robin Williams as a passionate English teacher who changes the lives of his pupils. This film is perfect for those days when you want something to inspire you, and Williams has a whole script of lines which do just that. When he says “seize the day, boys, make your lives extraordinary”, you’ll be filled with an uplifting sense of just what’s possible in life. While there are some tear-jerking moments, there’s a reason this movie was quoted so much when Williams passed in 2014, as fans copied the line that the students used to honour his character: “Oh Captain, My Captain!” 

Hocus Pocus (1993)

The arrival of cooler weather has us looking toward Halloween, and if you’re after something that’s a little spooky but not too scary, this is the perfect pick. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy are barrels of fun as three chaotic witches brought back to life after hundreds of years to terrorise the town of Salem on All Hallows’ Eve. While not a hit at the time of its release, the movie has since become a beloved Halloween classic, spawning a sequel and amassing an army of devoted fans. If you haven’t seen it yet, let the Sanderson Sisters seduce you with their song and dance numbers, and maybe you’ll become a follower yourself!

Sleepy Hollow (1998)

Perhaps you’re a little more daring with your Halloween movies, but still want something rooted in history? The bare trees and chilly winds of Upstate New York are the setting for Tim Burton’s adaptation of Washington Irving’s novel about an 18th-century police constable (Johnny Depp) who is sent to the town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate the deaths of its residents, which are rumoured to be at the hands of the Headless Horseman (Christopher Walken). Burton’s unique gothic style is given an autumnal twist in this edgy but intriguing mystery.

Little Women (2019)

Sisterhood, loss and coming of age are the key themes in Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel, adapted here by future Barbie director Greta Gerwig. An astonishing cast of female stars, including Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Meryl Streep, all bring new life to the period piece about a group of sisters and their mother making the best of life while their father fights in the American Civil War. The novel has been adapted many times for the big screen, but this remains one of the most highly regarded versions, as it takes daring risks with the source material to tell a story with a more feminist perspective. 

Autumn in New York (2000)

Who doesn’t like a bit of a weepie from time to time? Richard Gere and Winona Ryder are a match made in heaven as two Manhattan singletons who find each other. Gere’s character, an older womaniser with no belief in true love, is changed when he falls for a terminally ill woman (Ryder). Autumnal both in the setting and in terms of the characters’ situation, this is a dramatic but life-affirming tale that deserves to be cherished with a loved one. 

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Two comic giants team up in this comedy about two men forced together to try and make it home to their families in time for Thanksgiving. The deadpan humour of Steve Martin is matched by the madcap antics of the late John Candy in an odd-couple road trip that will steal your heart – and get you in the mood for the colder months, as we see America from the window of, well, planes, trains and automobiles! 

Moonstruck (1987)

Our last hit from the late ‘80s gave the icon Cher an Oscar win for Best Actress. Set in November on the brownstone-lined streets of Brooklyn, we follow her character, Loretta, who chooses to marry a man she likes but doesn’t love following the death of her first husband. However, the arrival of her fiancé’s passionate younger brother (Nicolas Cage) changes everything. The perfect autumn romantic dramedy, there’s something reassuring about joining Loretta on her journey to find out what real love is.

October Sky (1999)

Before he reached the A-List, Jake Gyllenhaal played a young man with a dream in this oft-overlooked gem. The film follows the true story of Homer H. Hickam Jr. (Gyllenhaal), a young man from a coal mining community who goes against his father’s wishes and tries to build a rocket, inspired by the launch of the Sputnik satellite in October 1957. Featuring a wonderful supporting performance from Laura Dern as Homer’s teacher, it’s an endearing tale that urges audience to never give up on what makes your spirit soar. 

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Set against a backdrop of Boston’s rich browns and reds in autumn, Matt Damon’s breakthrough film won Oscars for him and best friend, Ben Affleck, as writers, while the late Robin Williams won Best Supporting Actor for what is arguably his best dramatic role. It’s a story about being brave enough to take a chance on yourself, told from the perspective of a troubled but brilliant young man (Damon) who faces a bright future if he can only confront his past. Williams is superb as his therapist, a teacher still haunted by the loss of his wife. Uplifting and life-affirming, it’s a journey you won’t soon forget.

Notting Hill (1999)

What happens when a humble book shop owner (Hugh Grant) falls for the most famous movie star in the world (Julia Roberts)? That’s the high-concept scenario in this British romantic comedy set in the titular cosy neighbourhood of London. The film is as romantic and feel-good as it comes, with the endless charm of the two stars radiating from the screen. If you want something that feels effortlessly romantic as the nights draw in, look no further.

[Header photo: iStock.com/OKrasyuk]