There's something about the fall and winter seasons that makes curling up in front of a screen feel like an indescribably cozy experience. Summer blockbuster movies certainly hit in their own right, but they don't feel like a warm blanket. There's a different sort of escape that comes from the changing seasons and the holidays, and this is especially the case for the type of viewers who romanticize fiction. It's particularly the case for romance fans and the specific type of magic that comes from watching a romantic comedy set in New York, or a deliciously witchy romance that scratches an even more specific itch.
Viewers who are on social media can see the trending memes: a voiceover of the late Edward Herrmann reciting the words, "I am an autumn" from Gilmore Girls, the Practical Magic theme used as the soundtrack for countless reels. Fall films not only hit differently, but the romance in them feels extra believable—warm and lovely. From gothic classics like The Addams Family to romantic comedy staples like When Harry Met Sally, here are the best fall movies and TV shows for romance fans. Look to Hulu, Apple TV+, and more to find your next comfort watch.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Whether you've seen Nora Ephron's renowned classic, When Harry Met Sally, or not, chances are you've seen the screenshot of Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan standing in a field of foliage and fallen leaves as the titular characters. Despite the fact that the film spans across a few years and takes viewers through a number of seasons, fall is at the heart of the story. It's the season when they first meet, and it's a time the film frequently goes back to in order to showcase why they were always meant for each other.
Nora Ephron films hold a different kind of magic, and with scenic shots of New York City, as well as the incredible chemistry between Crystal and Ryan that still holds up, When Harry Met Sally is still beloved for countless reasons. It carefully and diligently explores a type of lasting romance that underscores how differences can, at times, be the very thing tethering two people together. It points out how the passage of time only strengthens a relationship in monumental ways, diving deep into various types of love stories to add extra layers of romance in a film that's already dreamy and nostalgic. With sharp writing and astounding banter, When Harry Met Sally is a must-watch for viewers who want realistic depictions of romance.
The Addams Family (1991)
There are a handful of adaptations of the Addams Family, but there's something especially romantic and cozy about Barry Sonnenfeld's version that stars Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia. And sure, it's Christmas when the film begins, but nothing says spooky or fall like the titular gothic family that thrives on darkness and the macabre. More than anything, when it comes to romance, few things compare to the steadfast, deliciously unrestrained adoration that Morticia and Gomez Addams have for each other.
For those of us who grew up watching the film and its sequel, Addams Family Values (1993), it was easier to feel more drawn to the kids our age, Wednesday and Pugsley. But as an adult, rewatching the film every year only affirms that it's indeed a romance, brimming with a love that's so deep, it sets an impossible standard that feels particularly tied to the family's unique quirkiness that no other creation can top. It isn't every fall romance aficionado who can also handle a bit of horror, but for those who want an additively profound display of love and a more spooky version of the seasonal decay that fall ultimately is, The Addams Family can't be beat.
Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
With seven seasons and 153 episodes, Gilmore Girls is a lot to commit to. Still, for the viewers wanting a true escape into a capricious small town that's basically synonymous with autumn, then the series is an undeniable must-watch. While the show understandably spans across the four seasons, there are a handful of episodes that viewers consistently rewatch year after year because the fall festivals and early 2000s charm evoke a sense of warmth that feels palpable off-screen.
The show feels like fall, not only because the season is present throughout, but because it holds onto a cozy vibe that features both small-town antics and academia ventures. More than that, Gilmore Girls shines as a series about mothers and daughters, and it's simultaneously addictive when it comes to romantic relationships. Although Alexis Bledel's Rory goes through a number of frustrating arcs before she finally finds "the one," her on-screen mother, Lauren Graham's Lorelai, experiences the best kind of grumpy sunshine in a romance with the grumpy coffee shop owner, Scott Patterson's Luke.
Practical Magic (1998)
Practical Magic is a quintessential autumn must-watch, not only for the romance, but also for the story about sisterhood and generational trauma that's explored throughout. Following a curse brought on by their ancestor Maria Owens, love becomes an unattainable thing for the long line of Owens witches, driving the entire narrative to its eventual happy ending when Sandra Bullock's Sally finds love again after loss. But that's not all, set in a gorgeous New England small town and full of spellbinding moments, the movie deep dives into the idea of what acceptance truly is, all while allowing the characters to be fun and layered.
Featuring a whimsically autumnal score from Alan Silvestri, incredible performances from the whole cast, and a narrative that keeps you on your toes from start to finish, Practical Magic is, in short, magic. It's not too scary for anyone who might not prefer supernatural elements, and the realism it's grounded in allows the characters to shine through a film that carefully blends dark elements with a wholesome conclusion.
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
At this point, Nora Ephron movies are synonymous with cozy, and like When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail glistens with all the fall vibes. Starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, the remake of The Shop Around the Corner (1940) explores an enemies-to-lovers storyline wrapped up in a tale of pen pals, instantly becoming a classic as the kind of remake that adds its own magic without trying to replace the original. While The Shop Around the Corner is more of a Christmas film, everything about You've Got Mail, starting with the New York setting and the comfortable wardrobe, screams fall.
More than anything, the nostalgia in You've Got Mail makes it even cozier to rewatch today, as AOL Instant Messenger is a lost art. While small bookshops are thankfully doing a little better these days, especially the ones focused precisely on romance novels, the story itself feels like a timeless reminder of how important it is to preserve human connections and small shops. It's a reminder of what makes the changing seasons so dreamy as the characters find themselves in situations that romanticize everyday, ordinary occurrences.
A Discovery of Witches (2018-2022)
Adapted from the bestselling All Souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness, A Discovery of Witches is an undeniable must-watch for viewers who love dark academia, vampires, and witches all blending into an enchanting romance. Starring Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer, the first season is especially perfect for fall-viewing as it takes viewers through Oxford with scenic shots that are as dreamy as they are eerie. Grand libraries, quaint coffee shops, and the beginning of a spell-binding love story, there's something especially picturesque about the first season, and it's a bonus that there's foliage vining around old buildings.
While the Twilight Saga is also essential viewing for the fall, A Discovery of Witches is specifically perfect for viewers who don't appreciate or care for the love triangle trope. Throughout the series, Matthew and Diana remain a solid pair, going through every little obstacle together, all while they strengthen their love in the process. It isn't too dark or too scary, but rather palatable for almost every type of viewer who wants a bit of fantasy and realism sprinkled together in a natural blend that focuses on the characters.
Little Women (2019)
Like a few of the films on this list, Greta Gerwig's Little Women spans across the seasons, but there's something particularly dreamy about the scenes that take place in the fall. There's a coziness etched into the adaptation that makes it a definitive must-watch despite the heartbreaking loss of Beth March, and it's entirely because of Gerwig's stunning directorial vision. In addition, whether it's the story of sisterhood, the various romantic relationships, or Jo March's relatable writing woes, so much of Little Women feels like a wholesome viewing experience because the story adapts the book in such a way that the message remains universal, no matter when we watch it.
Since its premiere in 2019 to today, this version of Little Women still manages to be the one viewers end up turning back to through memes and references. With exceptional performances from the whole cast, a gorgeous score from Alexandre Desplat, dreamy scenic shots, and a compelling screenplay, the film is essential viewing all around, but it pairs especially well with a hot drink of choice and a blanket by the fire.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Pirates and princesses and vengeance and love, what's not to love? It isn't every '80s film that still holds up today, but the magic and heart in The Princess Bride never fails to evoke something comforting. The fall scenery in the film is one thing, but the story itself shines with the kind of storybook fantasy that's especially perfect to watch when the leaves start to fall and you want a bit of magic that isn't spooky. Despite some mature themes, The Princess Bride is oddly appropriate for all ages, delivering the kind of love story that only grows more precious the older we get.
Hilarious, practical, and pristinely directed by Rob Reiner, The Princess Bride is a must-watch for viewers who want something indescribably special—quirky and a little ridiculous even. While it's not the entirety of the film that features autumn as a season, it still has all the markings of what makes the time of year so magical. It glows in a way that touches on cozy themes like love conquering all and unconventional friendships that result in the found family trope, which easily evokes warmth to sentimental viewers.
