Movies for Fall (That Aren’t Scary)

If you know me, you know I love horror movies. (A lot…) However, not everyone is like me and enjoys being scared and that’s okay! Footage of Michael Myers stalking the people of Haddonfield, or nightmares of Freddy Krueger terrifying sleepy teenagers on Elm Street is not everyone’s cup of tea.

I think there is this idea that October (and autumn in general) is reserved for horror movies only, and that’s simply not true. There are so many great “fall” movies that are not meant to terrify, and I love these movies all the same.

So, I decided to make a list of my favorite movies for fall that are not scary. These films just feel like fall to me and I love their aesthetic. Here are my top picks:

Mona Lisa Smile

I am not joking when I say that Mona Lisa Smile is one of my favorite movies of all time. Not only is the acting phenomenal, but the story is so intriguing. I also really love how this film is pro-woman, but allows for all interpretations of what that might look like. All of the characters are so vastly different, yet are all women with their own minds and hearts.

The aesthetics of this movie, too, are amazing. It takes place at Wellesley College in the 1950s and gives off all the New-England-fall feels.

Practical Magic

This one is a little too on-the-nose for a fall movie, but it’s not scary and that’s what matters! Practical Magic is another one of my favorite films. The plot is romantic and kind of spooky, and the aesthetics are so sweet and autumnal.

Also, if you’re interested in the book, I wrote about it here. I loved the book just as much as the movie, but they are different.

Mermaids

Mermaids is another movie that takes place during autumn in New England and provides all the necessary fall feels. Personally, this movie means a lot to me because I always watched it with my grandmother, but it’s really an awesome movie in general.

Remember the Titans

Would a fall movie list really be complete without a film about football? Nope!

I am not the biggest fan of sports (sorry, Dan) and I still enjoy Remember the Titans. Not only is the acting and soundtrack of the film phenomenal, but the messages in the movie are timeless. As a teacher, this movie is also a great one to show in class.

Knives Out

Like a good football movie, would this list be complete with a classic who dunnit? Nope!

The plot of Knives Out is so exciting and fun! Plus, the cast is amazing. Any movie with Jamie Lee Curtis is a fall movie, as far as I am concerned. I mean, and then you have Christopher Plummer, Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Toni Collette… the list goes on.

Dead Poet’s Society

Movies about school, in general, remind me of fall, and Dead Poet’s Society makes my list. In many ways, this film feels like the “male equivalent” of Mona Lisa Smile.

I have to admit: I have a love/hate relationship with this movie. I really do think the acting is phenomenal and I am also a huge fan of the aesthetics, but it’s such a tragic movie and it’s difficult not to see many villains in it. Overall, though, it is a great film.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Like with Practical Magic, this movie might be too on-the-nose… but it makes the list nonetheless! The fall and Halloween scenes in this movie are so awesome and makes me wish I was a student attending Hogwarts. Plus, this is really the only movie on my list that is appropriate for all kids.

Matilda

Okay, I’ll put one more kid’s movie on the list!

Matilda is such a cute movie and definitely gives off those mYsTeRiOuS fall feels. I also love the cast.

A Good Year

Many of the scenes in A Good Year take place during the summertime, but the film is all about entering the “fall” of one’s life. This is another one of my favorite movies and is just so perfect. (Especially if you’re a wine drinker!)