Favorite Shows & Movies To Get Cozy & Watch in Fall

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As the cozy season begins to push the last bit of warmth out, there is nothing better than curling up with a good book. But second to that, is curling up and watching a cozy-coded movie or tv show. 

Most of the recs on this list are pretty tame, meant for teenage/young adult audiences, and I’m very much leaning into my nostalgia as a 90s baby.

Let’s start with shows. These are some of my absolute favorite to rewatch during the fall. 

Grimm

Portland detective Nick Burkhardt, descended from a long line of warriors known as Grimms, defends his city from magical creatures known as Wesen, which are part human and part animal. Fighting alongside his partner, Hank, colleague Sergeant Wu and friends Monroe and Rosalee, Nick faces off against internal and external forces, including his police captain, Sean Renard.

I discovered this show many years ago and absolutely love rewatching it. The earlier season’s lean heavily into the Grimm’s fairytale stories and present them in a modern retelling.

There is a ton of lore and I cannot recommend this show enough. Like most long-running series, it does get a little convoluted the further it goes. But this is one of the few shows I will willingly watch from start to finish.

Over The Garden Wall

Two brothers go on an adventure in the woods and end of lost. With time losing its meaning, the two brothers encounter odd characters and deal with quirky situations. 

My fiancé, Diego, originally got me into this show. He had enjoyed it prior to me and I found that I loved its charm and silliness while watching. 

Stranger Things

In case you’re unfamiliar, Stranger Things is set during the 1980s in Indiana. Where a group of young friends encounter supernatural forces and secret government exploits. But as they dig deeper and the mystery unfolds, they discover far more extraordinary mysteries and ominous monsters. 

Like I said, Stranger Things is a fan favorite in my house for a reason! The plot is very strong, the monsters fairly scary, and the bonds of friendship indestructible. 

I don’t re-watch this one nearly as much as the others, but it still scratches an itch I didn’t know I have every fall. Specifically, the first season. 

Gilmore Girls

With an almost cult-like following, Gilmore Girls is set in the charming, small town of Stars Hollow. Populated by an eclectic mix of dreamers, artists, and everyday people, this multigenerational show focuses on Lorelai and Rory. A mother-daughter with an interesting dynamic duo as they navigate their lives together. 

This first time I watched Gilmore Girls, I think I was about 13. It soon became a tradition to order burgers and hunker down for an hour while the new episode aired on the WB. 

While there are seven seasons, this list on Reddit does a fantastic job of pointing out specific episodes set in fall. 

The Vampire Diaries

The vampire diaries is another with an almost cult like classic, full of millennial women still drooling over Damien and Stefan. But like the name implies, is a supernatural teen drama. 

This was another obsession show and has plenty of spin-offs to boot! (The Originals & Legacies)

This one is really good for those who love drama, romance, and plenty of supernatural elements. 

Honorable Mention: Gossip Girl

Students at an exclusive prep school are haunted by their secrets as an elusive and mysterious online personality by Gossip Girl, sends out texts detailing the secrets and lies of said students. 

If you haven’t watched Gossip Girl, then allow me to introduce you. 

There isn’t a lot of substance to this show. It covers some heavy topics, but lets them go as easily as they are introduced. But it’s truly an interesting ride and the first season is peak fall. 

Movies

For the movies, I have decided to compile a short list based on a few different factors. Rather than listing out just a few. There are so many more movies I love during the fall and narrowing them down just doesn’t feel fun. 

I’ll do my best to organize them by genre instead, since we have a few to cover!

Dramas

• Little Women
• The Age of Adeline
• Edward Scissorhands
• The Lake House
• You’ve Got Mail

Romance

• Twilight
• The Notebook
• Practical Magic
• To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

Thrillers (Or at least more spooky-ish vibes)

• Knives Out
• Before I Fall
• The Craft
• Cruel Intentions
• Clue
• Sleepy Hollow

And literally anything by Wes Anderson or produced by Studio Ghibli. 

There are so many more fantastic shows and movies to be recommended, but I would say these are all at the top of my list. 

And these are barely the tip of the iceberg. There are so many good movies and tv shows. Especially when we also factor in comfort and re-watching shows/movies.

Looking for some fall book recs? Check out this list of fall releases for some fall reading inspo!

I’d love to hear your recs! What are some of your favorite shows/movies to watch during the fall?