by Zury Cordova 

1. The Addams Family (1991)

The Addams Family perfectly captures the spooky, cozy vibe of the starting fall season. It’s a fun and appropriate movie as Halloween approaches. Its gothic setting, creepy mansion, and odd characters counterbalance the humor and the family-loving relationship. This all makes it the perfect nostalgic watch for the season, especially if you haven’t seen it already! 

2. Coco (2017) 

Disney’s Coco centers around the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), celebrated to honor loved ones who have passed away. The movie follows Miguel, a young boy who accidentally finds himself in the Land of the Dead while chasing his dream of becoming a musician, despite his family’s ban on music. Miguel discovers the value of remembering and honoring loved ones as he discovers long-kept family secrets, eventually reestablishing his connection to his heritage. The film’s warm color palette, filled with rich oranges, marigolds, and glowing candles, captures the cozy essence of fall. Coco is a visually stunning and moving story that resonates with audiences of all ages, celebrating Mexican culture in a vibrant, magical way.

3. Coraline (2009) 

Coraline has a whimsical, eerie atmosphere that is ideal for autumn. The narrative centers on Coraline, a young girl who finds a hidden door leading to an idealized but soon dangerous parallel reality. She must face the evil “Other Mother” to get away and save her family. Coraline is a fantastic fall watch, reflecting the mysterious and gothic energy of the season with its eerie atmosphere, haunting animation, and messages of perseverance.

4. Hocus Pocus (1993)

The Halloween classic Hocus Pocus is the tale of three witches, the Sanderson sisters, who are brought back to life in modern Salem after a teenager named Max accidentally lights the Black Flame Candle. A magical candle that has the power to raise spirits including the Sanderson Sisters. Max has to overcome the witches and prevent them from becoming immortal by draining the life power of the town’s children before dawn. With its classic Halloween scenery and eerie, whimsical feel, Hocus Pocus is the ideal choice. It is a must-watch for everyone trying to get into the autumnal mood because of its unique blend of humor, magic, and nostalgia, perfectly portraying the feelings of the season.

5. Twilight (2008)

Twilight is an ideal fall movie with its gloomy, hazy surroundings of the Pacific Northwest and themes of supernatural romance. Not only that, but its blend of mystery, suspense, and love, combined with its scary yet warm atmosphere, makes it an excellent choice for a pleasant, comforting fall viewing. This movie is an adaptation of the book. It follows Bella Swan, a high school student who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington. She becomes intrigued with Edward Cullen, a mysterious classmate who turns out to be a vampire. As their relationship continues, Bella learns the risks of being with Edward. 

6. Beetlejuice (1988)

It is officially Tim Burton season. With the release of the second Beetlejuice film, now is the ideal moment to revisit the film. It skillfully combines supernatural elements with dark humor. In the movie, a recently deceased couple struggles to haunt their own house and calls on the spirit Beetlejuice to help frighten off those who arrived. As Beetlejuice’s erratic behavior gets out of control, chaos ensues, making for an incredibly fun and eerie experience.

7. It (2017)

It, Stephen King’s classic, is a must-watch. The movie centers on the Losers’ Club, a group of kids haunted by a shape-shifting creature who appears as the creepy clown Pennywise. The children must come together to face their worst fears and end the evil haunting their hometown before it returns. With its spooky atmosphere and themes of courage, friendship, and fear, it’s the perfect choice for getting into the horror mood.

8. Terrifier (2016) 

With the release of the third movie, I’m excited to watch the new movie, though I can confidently say that the first sequel in this series is my favorite. Terrifier depicts the horrific encounters of two young women, who encounter Art the Clown, a sadistic killer with a twisted sense of humor. As Art stalks them, the film features cruel, persistent horror that tests the limits of fear. Terrifier is perfect for fans of slasher films. Its unsettling atmosphere, combined with Halloween themes, makes it an ideal choice for getting into the spooky spirit of the season. 

9. Scream (1996)

Scream is a great franchise to start binge-watching this spooky season. Also a slasher movie, it is unpredictable and cleverly twists traditional horror tropes. The movie centers on Sidney Prescott, a high school girl, as she is terrorized by Ghostface, a masked assassin, and her classmates through a string of gory killings. The blend of suspense, dark humor, and self-aware criticism of the horror genre in Scream is an ideal film that is a must-see for everyone hoping to enjoy the thrills and chills of the season. 

10. The Conjuring (2013)

The Conjuring Universe is one of my favorite movie franchises. We were introduced to this chilling series with The Conjuring, a film that has become a horror staple. Inspired partially by the true stories of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the movie follows the couple as they help the Perron family, who are experiencing terrifying supernatural occurrences in their farmhouse. As they delve deeper into the haunting, they uncover dark secrets and face a malevolent entity determined to terrorize the family. Its eerie themes of family, faith, and the supernatural go very well with the time of year, making for an immersive experience for all horror fans embodying the frightening mood of fall.