We’re getting closer and closer to the ‘ber months and while some may say it’s too early to be thinking about fall, I can’t help but long for everything autumn brings with it. Whether you’re a pumpkin spice enthusiast or just looking forward to cozy nights in, preparing for the fall season can help you to romanticize the season and make the most of it, which is why today’s post is going to be my Fall Starter Pack for 2025.
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In this post you will find recommendations for movies, TV shows, activities, and even an updated Fall Spotify Playlist. Basically, this will be your one-stop-shop for all things autumn so let’s get started by jumping into movies.
Harry Potter (The Entire Movie Series)
Is it even autumn if you’re not watching Harry Potter? I mean, boy wizard who goes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and defeats the Dark Lord with his two best friends, Ron and Hermoine. How could you not watch these movies in the fall? From the golden leaves swirling around Hogwarts to the candlelit Great Hall feasts and misty strolls through the Forbidden Forest, the entire series feels like autumn wrapped in a spell. I highly recommend taking a particularly rainy day and having a Harry Potter marathon.
Little Women (2019 Version)
I know that this movie is considered by many to be more of a winter or Christmas movie, but Greta Gerwig’s 2019 masterpiece is (and forever will be) a fall movie in my mind. There’s no other movie that captures the soul of fall quite like this one. With its warm tones, excellent cast, and cozy New England landscapes, it feels like stepping into a crisp autumn afternoon.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
If nostalgia is what you’re looking for, then you’ve got to watch (and re-watch) It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. This is the ultimate fall tradition. The cozy animation, jazzy soundtrack, and heartfelt charm make it perfect for a chilly evening with a warm blanket and a bowl of popcorn. It’s not really fall until you’ve watched this classic.
Casper Meets Wendy
With crisp autumn vibes, charming 90s effects, and a young Hilary Duff as the sweet and spunky Wendy, this family-friendly film is a magical mix of whimsy and warmth. It’s lighthearted, a little spooky, and full of feel-good fun—ideal for a laid-back fall movie night.
The Lake House
The Lake House is the perfect fall escape—it’s romantic and wrapped in a cozy sense of longing. With its golden-hued scenery, quiet lakeside moments, and heartfelt letters drifting across time, it captures the stillness and magic of autumn. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock deliver a love story that feels like a warm sweater on a chilly day—timeless, a little mysterious, and beautifully bittersweet.
You’ve Got Mail
I don’t know about you but I’m all for a Meg Ryan fall, particularly when it’s in New York City in the fall. This movie is the quintessential autumn movie—cozy bookstores, crunchy leaves, warm coffee shops, and the sweetest slow-burn romance. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks bring all the charm and wit you’ll ever need on a crisp fall day.
Sleepy Hollow
This movie is autumn at its most gothic and glorious. With misty woods, flickering lanterns, swirling leaves, and that eerie sense of mystery, it’s a cinematic love letter to fall’s darker side. Tim Burton’s haunting visuals, paired with a chilling legend and Johnny Depp’s brooding charm, make it the perfect watch for when the nights get longer.
My Oxford Year
My Oxford Year on Netflix is the perfect fall watch—it’s romantic, bittersweet, and set against the dreamy, golden backdrop of Oxford in autumn. The film captures that back-to-school energy with a grown-up twist. I mean, it’s a tear-jerker for good reason. If you’re in the mood for something heartfelt with cozy academic vibes, this one’s a must. And before you ask: yes, that is King George from the Bridgerton prequel, Queen Charlotte.
Brothers of the Frontier
My last movie recommendation is an oldie but a goodie that stars the iconic Lawrence brothers: Joey, Matthew, and Andrew. This straight-to-TV movie is the ultimate fall adventure—full of crisp wilderness air and the unbreakable bond of brotherhood. Set against a backdrop of rugged forests and frontier spirit, it follows three brothers who get separated from their parents when a vengeful land baron runs them off their homestead. It’s a little bit cheesy, but still totally worth watching. Besides, look how cute little Andy Lawrence was a kid.
Gilmore Girls (Netflix)
Because this is my absolute favorite show of all time, I will always recommend it for the fall. Just in case you don’t know what it’s about, it follows Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, a mother-daughter duo who act more like best friends than parent/child. When Rory gets accepted to the prestigious Chilton Academy, it’s up to Lorelai to figure out how to come up with the money for tuition. Que Lorelai’s parents – Richard and Emily Gilmore – but Lorelai doesn’t have the best relationship with her parents. Can they put the past behind them? Full of witty banter, pop culture references, and unforgettable characters, the show explores family bonds, personal growth, and the cozy chaos of everyday life.
The Buccaneers (Apple TV+)
This next show is a Gilded-Age period drama series, based on Edith Wharton’s unfinished final novel. Set in the 1870s, it centers around five wealthy American heiresses who arrive in London high society seeking titles, suitors, and social status. But things get complicated very quickly as hearts get broken, lovers get jilted, and not everyone is as they seem.
Wednesday (Netflix)
It’s just not autumn without the Addams Family, am I right? With its gothic setting, crisp autumn vibes, and sharp-witted heroine, this series feels like Halloween wrapped in a trench coat. Whether you’re in it for the mystery, the Addams Family nostalgia, or Wednesday’s iconic dance scene, Wednesday delivers all the cozy-creepy energy you want during the fall. Season 2 comes to Netflix on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Broadchurch (Amazon Prime)
In my mind, fall equals murder mysteries and there is no better murder mystery out there than Broadchurch. Set against the moody cliffs and windswept beaches of a small British town, this series pulls you into a chilling mystery that unravels layer by layer. When a young boy’s body is found on the beach a community is rocked to its core as two investigators try to find the murderer. But could the murderer be closer to home than anyone thinks? You’ll just have to watch and see.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Hulu/Disney+)
With cozy 90s charm, quirky humor, and just the right dose of witchy fun, this throwback series is like a pumpkin spice latte for your soul. Salem the talking cat, spells gone wrong, and Sabrina’s coming-of-age adventures make this feel-good classic a nostalgic autumn escape you’ll want to binge again and again.
The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix)
If you’re looking for a spine-chilling, emotionally rich series to watch this fall, The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix is a must. It’s not just about ghosts—it’s about grief, family, and the shadows that linger long after the lights go out. With haunting visuals, unforgettable storytelling, and just the right amount of scares, it’s the perfect series to watch with a blanket pulled up to your chin.
The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
This next series is for all the Dark Academia lovers out there. With its rich 1960s aesthetic, quiet intensity, and stunning storytelling, this series pulls you into the mind of chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she battles addiction, loneliness, and the odds stacked against her. It’s the perfect fall watch—thoughtful, stylish, and impossible to pause. Plus, the wardrobe and makeup is top tier.
Refresh Your Wardrobe with Fall Colors & Fabrics
Visit Your Local Pumpkin Patch
Take a scenic drive to see the fall foliage
Have a fall-inspired picnic
Thrift an old sweater
Do a Ghost Painting
Attend a Fall Festival
Take Ghost Pictures
Bake Something – Anything with Lots of Spices
Tell Scary Stories around a Bonfire
Browse the Fall Collections of Your Favorite Stores
Carve and/or Paint Pumpkins
Wear Your Favorite Pair of Fall Pajamas
Go to a Football Game
Visit a Farmer’s Market for some Seasonal Produce
Try a new soup recipe
Decorate your home for fall
Host a cozy game night with family and friends
Have a gumbo cook-off
Verse of the Day: This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:8
