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TEAM ZOELLA OCTOBER 22, 2021

15 Movies Guaranteed To Land You Right In The Autumn Feels

A feel-good watch list is an absolute necessity on those chilly fall evenings spent swaddled in your dressing gown but if you’re not quite ready for Hocus Pocus and hot water bottles just yet, these seasonal on-screen gems should get you in the mood.

Whilst there are many, many reasons to look forward to the hygge thirst trap that is: autumn, getting reacquainted with our telebox is right up there at numero uno. Ditching all open-air plans for the feel-good candlelit glow of Hogwarts and the treasured rom coms we’ve seen 184 times (what of it?) is exactly what this time of year was designed for. 

A feel-good watch list is an absolute necessity on those chilly fall evenings spent swaddled in your dressing gown but if you’re not quite ready for Hocus Pocus and hot water bottles just yet, these seasonal on-screen gems should get you in the mood. Featuring timeless cult classics, heart-warming animations and leafy scenes aplenty, pour yourself a hot toddy and nestle in for the foreseeable future with these cosy flicks. Bye, bye social life, hello hibernation station!  

1. Waitress (2007)

Give me the synopsis

We haven’t had a pie film this good since… well, American Pie but this is a pie strictly without the penis. The film follows Jenna Hunterson, a waitress and pie-baking genius who works in a diner in a small southern town. An unwanted pregnancy changes the events in her life and with the help of her friends, she finds the courage and confidence to start afresh. 

What’s so autumn about it: 

It’s a rom-com pie. If that doesn’t sell it to you, we can’t be pals. 

2. Practical Magic (1998)

Give me the synopsis:

Based on the Alice Hoffman book of the same name, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star in this pro-witch cult classic about a family of witches, navigating love, life & midnight margarita magic. 

What’s so autumn about it:  

Hard magic and feminism is always in season, plus Sally (Sandra Bullock) lights a candle with her breath. What more do you need? 

3. Autumn in New York (2000)

Give me the synopsis:  

An autumnal rom-com – clue’s in the name – starring Richard Gere and Winona Ryder. He plays a fancy-schmancy restaurateur (read: 48-year-old playboy), who falls for a terminally ill woman half his age. Insider’s tip, you will get something in your eye and only ice cream can fix it. 

What’s so autumn about it: 

Manhattan is the main character. 

4. Mona Lisa Smile (2003) 

Give me the synopsis: 

Julia Roberts stars as a free-thinking Art History teacher at the conservative Wellesley College in this period film set in 1950s New England. She sets out to empower her pupils and inspire them to challenge the outdated roles they’re expected to play in society. 

What’s so autumn about it: 

Great costumes, back-to-school vibes and New England in her best fall finery. 

5. Paddington (2014) 

Give me the synopsis: 

Crack open the jar of marmalade because this endearing film/s is the stuff of fluffy Seville Orange dreams. A warm-hearted live action comedy that follows the many misadventures of a young Wellington boot, red bucket-hat-wearing bear in the big city. 

What’s so autumn about it: 

Prime feel-good hibernation viewing. Watch it swiftly followed by the *elite* second movie.

6. Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)

Give me the synopsis:

This adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s book is a downright loveable watch for the whole family. Mr Fox (voiced by George Clooney) pledges to give up his wild chicken-thieving ways when he becomes a father but when he realises what’s available at the farms across the field, he can’t resist his animal instincts. Cue the game of cat and mouse or fox and farmer! Truly chef’s kiss entertainment for a rainy day in October. 

What’s so autumn about it: 

Wes Anderson got his paws on the colour palette. Need we say more? Pure animated JOY.

7. Sweet Home Alabama (2002) 

Give me the synopsis:

Successful New York fashion designer and bride-to-be Melanie Carmichael (Reese Witherspoon) returns home to Alabama to get her first hot husband to sign the divorce papers but upon seeing her ex, she starts to feel things for him all over again…

What’s so autumn about it: 

A childhood sweetheart story for cuffing season? Groundbreaking. 

8. Hocus Pocus (1993) 

Give me the synopsis:

It’s not October without the Sanderson sisters, that creepy Come Little Children soundtrack and Thackery White Shirt Hottie Binx. 

Max, a curious young boy who moves to Salem with his family, lights the black flame candle and brings three famous witches, Winnie, Sarah and Mary, back from the dead. Gulp. With the help of a magical cat (embodied with the soul of White Shirt Hottie) they must retrieve the witches’ spell book by sunrise to stop them from becoming immortal and reigning terror over Salem forever more. 

What’s so autumn about it? 

Halloween but make it cosy. 

9. You’ve Got Mail (1998) 

Give me the synopsis:

It’s not autumn until Tom Hanks says, “don’t cry shopgirl, don’t cry”. Independent bookstore owner Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) starts up an *anonymous* internet romance with none other than her business rival, Joe Fox (Tom Hanks), owner of corporate superchain Fox Books. Eventually, Joe discovers Shopgirl’s true identity and must decide what to do about the blossoming romance between them. Will these online lovers, offline enemies be able to put aside their differences for l-o-v-e? 

What’s so autumn about it? 

Came here for the dial up nostalgia, stayed for the absolute autumn SCENES. It will make you want to roll in a pile of leaves. Thank you, Nora Ephron. Thank you. 

10. Dead Poets Society (1989) 

Give me the synopsis:

A new English teacher, John Keating, played by the king of feel-good Robin Williams, shakes up the private school lesson plans and inspires his pupils to realise their dreams with contemporary teachings of poetry in this coming-of-age gem. 

What’s so autumn about it? 

It eats Seasonal Affective Disorder for breakfast. 

11. Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone (2001) 

Give me the synopsis:

This film needs no introduction. The first time we meet an eleven-year-old bespectacled boy wizard as he sets off for Hogwarts will always have a special place in our hearts. Pour yourself a pumpkin juice and bask in the joy of John Williams’ magical soundtrack. He is a wizard of the highest order. 

What’s so autumn about it? 

Halloween in the Great Hall, duh. 

12. Coco (2019)

Give me the synopsis: 

Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, Miguel, a 12-year-old Mexican boy dreams of becoming an accomplished musician, just like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself transported to the Land of the Dead where he reconciles with his family’s past and learns all about his musical roots. 

What’s so autumn about it? 

The all-singing all-dancing skeletons. 

13. Good Will Hunting (1997) 

Give me the synopsis: 

This psychological drama follows Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a caretaker cleaning floors at a prestigious college in Boston and a secret mathematical genius. When he solves a difficult math problem, Professor Gerald Lambeau discovers his gift and offers to help the misguided youth reach his full potential, on the condition that he seeks help from therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). The bromance will turn your bottom lip to jelly. 

What’s so autumn about it? 

Leaves (and tears) for days. Your move, chief.

14. Cruella (2021) 

Give me the synopsis: 

Emma Stone plays an aspiring designer first known as Estella in this live-action punk prequel about the dog-napping villain, Cruella de Vil. Penniless and orphaned, Estella and her sidekicks, Horace and Jasper, run wild around London where they come up against the owner of the iconic couture company House of Baroness, expertly portrayed by Emma Thompson. Cue the fashion face-off. 

What’s so autumn about it? 

Gorgeous atmospheric London scenes & all the Halloween /Fall fashion inspo. Put the garbage dress in the V&A museum at once. 

15. Enola Holmes (2020)

Give me the synopsis: 

Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown stars as the title character in this female-led Netflix Original movie about the younger sister of famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. While searching for her missing mother, she outwits her brother and becomes entangled in another mystery with the young runaway Viscount Tewkesbury. A glorious romp through 19thcentury England ensues.

What’s so autumn about it?

The captivating cinematography makes it the perfect movie to hunker down with when it’s blowing a gale outside.