The Herald’s Top Ten Fall Movies
By Caleb Palmer
With summer coming to a close and the fall season upon us, there are many things you can do to get into the festive fall spirit. However, spending time inside can be just as productive for festive energy with the weather cooling down. Movies are a good way to do exactly this; so, for you, we have a list of the top ten must-watch movies to get into the fall vibe.
1) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Starting off the list we have a cult classic: Harry Potter. More specifically Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Directed by Alfonso Cuaròn (Gravity; Roma) the third installment in the Harry Potter franchise begins a more thrilling tone shift in the series, including supernatural elements and frightening creatures.
Where to watch: The Harry Potter series is available to stream on Max by HBO, Amazon Prime Video, and a premium Hulu subscription.
2) Twilight
Next, we have another successful franchise film, Twilight. A polarizing film garnering 49% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.3/10 on IMDB, this may split your dorm room apart on opinions of bad or good. Regardless, Kristen Stewart delivers an unforgettable performance as Bella Swan, our main character. The film’s moody tones and setting provide an exceptional fall experience.
Where to watch: Twilight is not currently free to stream however, it can be rented for $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, and YouTube.
3) Good Will Hunting
Our pick heading up in the drama category is an award-winning drama and a must-watch for fans of incredible acting and storytelling, Good Will Hunting. A content warning is necessary as this film has an R rating for profanity, alcohol use, and suggestive content. It is the feature debut of young Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who co-wrote this while in college. Featuring a timeless and tear-jerking performance from Damon and Robin Williams, the film explores emotion, healing, and the human condition. If you are looking for a good cry and a happy ending, this is your perfect choice. Set in Boston it shows off some of the North East in prime fall condition to help settle the warm tone.
Where to watch: Good Will Hunting is available for streaming on Max by HBO, and Amazon Prime Video.
4) Dead Poets Society
One Robin Williams performance after another, we have Dead Poets Society. Set in the fall semester of a boarding school in Vermont in 1959, Dead Poets Society provides an incredible fall atmosphere. Robin Williams plays a professor who uses nontraditional educational practices to reach the hearts of a group of young men through passion and purpose. The film is not only heartwarming but is inspirational and will leave you with a good feeling.
Where to watch: Dead Poets Society is currently unavailable for streaming; however, it can be rented for $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, and YouTube.)
5) Little Women (2019)
Our next pick comes from Greta Gerwig (Barbie; Lady Bird), a female director who has been smashing records at the box office and, in my opinion, has not made a bad film. The pick is her second solo directorial project Little Women (2019). Hot off the tails of Lady Bird, Gerwig uses Saoirse Ronan again as a strong female lead playing Jo March. Surrounded by a star-studded cast including Florence Pugh, Timothee Chalamet, Emma Watson, and Merryl Streep, this modern adaptation of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott is sure to leave you satisfied. Set in Concord, Massachusetts with multiple scenes showing the New England fall foliage, the film creates a warm nostalgic environment while keeping you entertained with its dramatic story.
Where to watch: Little Women is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Starz, and a premium Hulu subscription.
6) Knives Out
Another fall classic we’ve chosen is a newer film but is one that has taken Hollywood by storm. It is the first installment of Knives Out. Rian Johnson (Star Wars The Last Jedi; Rogue One) uses a cast of familiar faces to bring a murder mystery to the screen. The costume designer knocked it out of the park with tweed, furs, and cable knit sweaters to really make the autumn atmosphere feel alive. The wardrobe, the setting, and the color palette really punch in the fall experience.
Where to watch: Knives Out is currently unavailable to stream but is available to rent for $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, and YouTube.
7) Fantastic Mr. Fox
This next pick is another fan-favorite book adaptation: Fantastic Mr. Fox. Directed by Wes Anderson (Asteroid City: The Grand Budapest Hotel), it is filled with symmetrical aesthetics and warm color grading. Anderson went all out in creative practice for this, using real animal fur on the stop-motion characters for authenticity and a real-life feel. Anderson decided to use his consistent and familiar casting group of names like George Clooney, Bill Murray, and Meryl Streep to bring familiarity and excellence to his project. This film will make you want to grab a cup of apple cider and sit down for a fun afternoon watch.
Where to watch: Fantastic Mr. Fox is available to stream on Max by HBO, Amazon Prime Video, and a premium Hulu subscription.
8) School of Rock
We have another film set at the beginning of a school year surrounded by cold weather and falling leaves, and while it is a comedy, the leading actor is nothing short of dramatic. We have School of Rock. Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused; Before Sunrise) directs with Jack Black as Dewey Finn at the helm of the cast. Set in New York, we follow Dewey Finn (Jack Black) as he manages to teach and create a rock band out of fifth graders. Filled with laughs and plenty of second-hand embarrassment, this film is sure to make for a good watch.
Where to watch: School of Rock is available to stream on Paramount+ and PlutoTV.
9) The Batman
We now have another murder mystery film; this one is set during Halloween and is shot in moody dark lighting to present a chilling environment. It is The Batman, directed by Matt Reeves (Cloverfield; Planet of the Apes) and starring Edward Pattinson. Here we have another installment of the ever-growing Batman universe. This one is posed as more of a thriller than a normal blockbuster superhero movie. Although it’s not without big flames and superhuman abilities, fans of mysteries, dramas, and true crime might take interest in this iteration of the Caped Crusader.
Where to watch: The Batman is available to stream on Max by HBO and Amazon Prime Video.
10) Hocus Pocus
Our tenth and final pick is a holiday-centered movie and a must-watch. It is the wildly popular Hocus Pocus. Hocus Pocus needs no introduction: we all know that it is the quintessential Halloween movie. Following a group of teenagers trying to stop three bumbling witches, it is full of comedic moments, drama, and just a hint of spookiness.
Where to watch: Hocus Pocus is available to stream on Disney+.
Any essential fall movies we missed? What is your top ten? Let us know! Don’t forget to follow our Instagram @theheraldeditorinchief for more content!
