Top 10 Films to Leaf You in Awe This Fall

We’re nearing the end of summer, which means the end of the big summer blockbuster season. Now it's time for better weather, warmer drinks, and maybe even a sweater or two on a good day.

But with that also comes a new selection of films to enjoy for the next couple of months. A new setting of golden-colored leaves and supernatural creatures turning the corner; there’s no wonder that this is my favorite season.

So of course, I had to pull together a few favorites from the archives.

(Now, you may notice that certain creepy classics are missing. Why? Well, with Halloween around the corner, I think that it deserves its own special treatment. But that’s another surprise for later!)

Here are my recommendations for the top 10 films to watch this upcoming fall:

10. Twilight (2008) Directed by Catherine Hardwicke

I mean, c’mon. Is it really fall if you’re not binging the Twilight Saga?

When Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) reluctantly moves to the town of Forks, Washington, she automatically senses that things are not what they seem. Soon enough, her suspicions come true when she finds herself crossing paths with the elusive Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson.) As they connect with each other and fall in love, Bella realizes that Edward is no ordinary small-town guy. His vampire nature and hostile enemies lurking in the shadows threaten to tear the two lovers apart– quite literally.

The Twilight Saga will forever be iconic due to its hits and misses, but that doesn’t make it any less fun to watch. Catherine Hardwicke's direction for the first installment will-- in my heart-- always remain the best one. The soundtrack is amazing, with special nods to “Decode” by Paramore and the amazing vampire baseball scene with “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse. At times it can get over the top, but I think that adds to the appeal that's surrounded the films for years.

So no matter if you’re Team Edward or Team Jacob, if the weather gets colder and the sun starts setting earlier, you know that's your sign to dust off the Twilight Saga and welcome in the autumn season.

9. Silver Linings Playbook (2012) Directed by David O. Russell

Learning that Jennifer Lawrence won her Academy Award for Best Actress for this film at 22 will never NOT be impressive.

David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook follows Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) as he tries to return to his normal life in the Philadelphia suburbs after a violent incident landed him in a mental hospital. Moving back home with his worried mother (Jackie Weaver) and overly superstitious father (Robert de Niro), Pat claims to have a new perspective on life and plans to get his ex-wife Nikki (Brea Bee) back; but his bipolar disorder threatens to ruin his plans. He ends up finding help in Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence), a young widow with borderline personality disorder, when she offers to help him get in contact with Nikki.

Cooper and Lawrence’s undeniable chemistry can only be overshadowed by their riveting portrayals of mental illness. It’s so easy for actors to overdo it, to make unrealistic approaches, but they manage to hit the nail on the head. The shame, the stigma, the difficulty of loving someone that you want to help but can’t figure out how. It brings to life the hardships that come with healing, but the peace that comes with self-discovery.

Silver Linings Playbook shows us that we can find love in the most unexpected places. It’s a story of triumph and perseverance and shows that even in the midst of chaos, there can always be a silver lining.

8. Interview with the Vampire (1994) Directed by Neil Jordan

Now before Twilight, there were still hot vampires around. And this film is the perfect example of just that.

Daniel Molloy (Christian Slater) is a reporter from San Francisco who finds himself in a strange position. He’s interviewing a 200-year-old vampire. Louis de Pointe du Lac (Brad Pitt) agrees to recount his life to Daniel, revealing his creation at the hands of Lestat de Lioncourt (Tom Cruise) and his relationship with daughter-figure Claudia (Kirsten Dunst.) Louis brings up the concepts of morality and immortality, the suffering and the joy in his supernatural lifestyle. It all ends up begging the question, “Is becoming a vampire really worth it?”

Adapted from the Ann Rice novel, Interview with the Vampire takes the dark side of a lonely immortal existence and wraps it together with great performances by Cruise and Dunst. It’s a refreshing take to see a vampire story from the perspective of the actual vampire and be able to empathize and connect as a viewer.

Neil Jordan’s Interview with the Vampire will forever remain a 90s cult classic, and if you want to give another vamp flick a go, then look no further because this one definitely made me think twice about who I want to interview.

7. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) Directed by Wes Anderson

If there was ever a director who could take the colorful words of Roald Dahl and put them from the page to the big screen, it would be Wes Anderson.

In this adaptation of the beloved children’s book, Mr. Fox (George Clooney) is a middle-aged fox who constantly wishes he could go back to his former life of dangerous heists and mischief. Unsatisfied with his mundane life, he goes against his wife’s (Meryl Streep) and son’s (Jason Schwartzman) wishes and plans to perform one more heist to relive his glory days. By robbing the three most ruthless, dangerous farmers in the valley.

Anderson brings this tale to life in such a unique way, from his iconic color palettes to rounding up his signature all-star voice cast. The beauty and charm of the childhood story aren’t lost, but more amplified by the way that Anderson handles Dahl’s humor and storytelling.

In true Wes Anderson form, it’s one of the most aesthetic stop-motion films out there. His take on autumn from the point of view of animals is visually striking in a way that will have you wanting to live in the fantastic world of Fantastic Mr. Fox.

6. Dead Poets Society (1989) Directed by Peter Weir

If more professors were like Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society, I think we’d all be better off as a society.

At Welton Academy, students Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard) are roommates under great pressure from both their parents to become– in their eyes– “great men.” When they meet their new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), they are caught off guard by his eccentric and unorthodox way of teaching. Soon enough, the boys learn to seize the day, engage in the arts, and bring back the Dead Poets Society to Welton.

The film grapples with a lot of truth about the experience of high schoolers and how much of an impact what you’re taught in school can have on your life. Many of us will only experience a couple of teachers like John Keating maybe once in our lives; others might not at all. It emphasizes the fact that while adults may believe that kids know nothing, it's because we were taught nothing of importance. Were we encouraged to write about what we feel, what we fear? To think from new perspectives, not just on paper, but to apply it in the way we walk?

Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society offers an inspiring look at growing up and finding out what you believe in and how– or if– you’re willing to stand up for it.

5. Little Women (2019) Directed by Greta Gerwig

As we all know, Greta Gerwig is on fire this year. With the success of Barbie, she’s on her way to making herself one of the most recognizable directors in Hollywood. But in 2019, when she released her version of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, she gave us a sneak peek at what was yet to come.

Little Women is a timeless tale of four sisters, Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Amy (Florence Pugh), Meg (Emma Watson), and Beth March (Eliza Scanlen), and their lives in 19th-century Massachusetts. In their ever-lively home, the girls go through different changes in their aspirations and dreams, and with the people that come along with them, like the charming Laurie (Timothee Chalamet.)

The nonlinear storytelling adds to each of the sisters' stories, and how it impacts them when they look back at how they grew up. The costume designs are incredible, and Gerwig shines the light on every sister’s aesthetic to showcase and celebrate their differences. Every actor delivers with their performances, and Ronan and Chalamet once again prove that together, they’re a force to be reckoned with.

A heartwarming and captivating insight into womanhood and coming-of-age, Little Women invites you into the fireplace-lit glow of the March home, and beckons you to listen and learn.

4. Practical Magic (1998) Directed by Griffin Dunne

Is there anything better than seeing 90s Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play sisters?

Or what about… witches?

Based on the book of the same name by Alice Hoffman, Griffin Dunne’s Practical Magic tells the tale of sisters Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman) as they try to deal with having their magical background seep into their everyday lives. Plagued by an old family curse, the sisters must try to overcome it by turning their backs on magic, but dead ex-boyfriends and paranoid members of their close-minded small town threaten to uncover their secrets once and for all.

The vibe of the whole film itself is so snug, making it a staple for the beginning of autumn months. Practical Magic is filled to the brim with love, family, and lots of witchy charm. It’s almost as if Gilmore Girls and Charmed got mixed up in one of the film’s infamous Midnight Margaritas!

3. Good Will Hunting (1997) Directed by Gus Van Sant

A complete masterclass in acting, Good Will Hunting is propelled by powerhouse performance and the excellent combo of Gus Van Sant’s directing and writing from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in their Academy Award-winning screenplay.

Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is a spirited genius who spends his days at MIT— working as a janitor. He’s read every book he could get his hands on and learned everything from 16th-century economics to modern-day mathematical theories, all self-taught. When he lands in hot water with the law, he’s made to see Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) in order to check his temper and study mathematics under Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård.) Throughout their sessions, Sean shows Will that with his gift, there’s more to life than what he thinks he knows.

While Matt Damon puts up a good fight, Robin Williams absolutely steals the show in this. The way he carries himself in the role of a therapist will have you wishing he was covered by your insurance. His chemistry with Damon is perfect, making certain scenes hit harder and other scenes show off their quick banter.

With the backdrop of a crisp autumn in Boston, Good Will Hunting will keep you engaged with its characters and their intertwined stories. Plus, the Harvard bar scene will always be iconic. How do you like them apples?

2. Coco (2017) Directed by Adrian Molina and Lee Unkrich

If there’s something you want to remember about Pixar, it’s Coco.

Coco follows 12-year-old Miguel Rivera (Anthony Gonzalez), whose only dream is to become a musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt). When a freak accident lands him in the Land of the Dead, Miguel must deal with his deceased music-hating family and the mischievous Héctor (Gael García Bernal) in order to get back to the Land of the Living.

Adrian Molina and Lee Unkrich’s take on Dia de los Muertos is nothing short of beautiful, from the animation of the Land of the Dead to the portrayal of the Rivera family. The set designs are marvelously done and pay tribute to Mexico’s architecture and culture. The music is great, and the connection the characters share with their families will pull at your heartstrings.

With a touching message and enough eye-and-ear candy for the whole family, grab a concha and some chocolate caliente and join the living (and dead!) to experience the otherworldly magic of Coco this season.

When Harry Met Sally… (1989) Directed by Rob Reiner

There’s never been another film that truly brings together the words “romantic” and “comedy” quite like When Harry Met Sally…

The story –which takes place over the course of 12 years– follows Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) as they continuously run into each other while navigating through their lives in New York. You learn their perspectives on people, love, and friendships and how this constantly leads to them being at odds.

This Rob Reiner 80’s classic is memorable for many things. The dialogue, the performances, Meg Ryan’s hair, and of course the diner scene. The dialogue is my personal favorite. It's hilariously realistic and the way Crystal delivers his lines will have you wanting to quote them for the next couple of days. Unlike many of the films coming out during that time, When Harry Met Sally… captures the fiery wit of the enemies-to-lovers trope in a way that still holds up today.

When Harry Met Sally… is as funny and feel-good as the genre can get, and highly recommended to watch as the weather gets chillier– trust me, you’ll start wishing for Billy Crystal’s cozy cable knit sweater.