Fall has arrived, and nothing beats watching a good movie for those cozy nights curling up under a blanket. For some, it means a good rom-com to watch with a fresh batch of cookies, while others may prefer the thrill of spooky season creeping in. No matter the mood, some of the most beloved movies are set in the fall and capture the essence of the season. From warm and nostalgic coming-of-age tales and childhood classics to horror stories, here are The Black & White’s best movies to watch this fall. 

“When Harry Met Sally” 

Rob Reiner’s 1989 “When Harry Met Sally” is as good as rom-coms get. Over the course of a decade, this film is a poignant reflection on time and growth. Harry Burns (Billy Cristal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) meet three times before initiating a close friendship that evolves into something more. With intriguing inner turmoil, unusual story structure and great characterization, “When Harry Met Sally” turned the rom-com genre on its head, providing audiences with a fresh story that strays from cliches. 

“You’ve Got Mail”

“You’ve Got Mail” encapsulates the aesthetic of New York in the fall, the smell of old books and bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils. The 1989 rom-com by director Nora Ephron tells the love story of Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) and Joe Fox (Tom Hanks). Kathleen is the owner of a family-run children’s bookstore, while Joe is a wealthy businessman whose book superstore threatens to drive Kathleen out of business. However, what the two rivals don’t know is that they’ve been exchanging mail on the internet under nicknames, forming a friendship. The flourishing of this unlikely duo is the perfect watch to get comfortable on a cold October night. 

“Dead Poets Society” 

Director Peter Weiss’s “Dead Poets Society” is a 1989 coming-of-age drama. The film takes place in the late 1950s in an elite boarding school, where expectations are high and authority figures are strict. The movie follows a group of boys whose lives change after meeting their new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), whose unconventional teaching style and love for poetry inspire them to look at life through a different lens. Together, they cultivate a newfound passion for poetry while learning to dream, hope and speak for themselves. 

“Dead Poets Society” feels like a hug and a gut punch at the same time. Despite the multitude of heartbreaking moments, the powerful lessons Williams shares in his extraordinary performance bring a warmth to this movie that makes it perfect for fall. 

“Little Women” (2019)

Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation of “Little Women” feels very true to Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel. Gerwig’s camera work, visual choices and non-linear storytelling bring renewed emotion and energy to the classic story. The movie follows the March sisters, Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth as they grow up, say goodbye to their childhood and try to make their way into a world that looks down on women’s genius. Gerwig masterfully explores themes of sisterhood throughout the film, displaying how the sisters, despite their frequent disagreements, are in perfect harmony with each other. “Little Women” is familiar and comforting, making it a great film to watch this fall. 

“The Nightmare Before Christmas”

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is the perfect fall movie for those who are secretly counting down the days until they can put up a Christmas tree. This Henry Sellick-directed and Tim Burton-written 1993 movie is a delightful blend of Halloween and Christmas. It follows Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween town, who, bored with his yearly routine, accidentally finds his way into Christmas town. He becomes enchanted with it, trying to take over the holiday. With its stunning stop-motion animation and haunting soundtrack composed by Danny Elfman, this story captures both holidays at once. Its autumnal spookiness mixed with sweet Christmas cheer is perfect for a crisp, late fall evening. 

“Good Will Hunting” 

Gus Van Sant’s 1997 “Good Will Hunting” is a touching drama about wasted potential and healing from trauma. Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is a janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a troubled past, brilliant mind and talent for mathematics. When a renowned math professor discovers his genius, he offers Will a chance to work with him on one condition: he has to see a therapist, Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). Williams delivers one of his most memorable performances as Will’s mentor, who pushes him to see himself as deserving, in this touching exploration of trauma and vulnerability. 

“Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban”

Director Alfonso Cuaron’s “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is the third installment of the “Harry Potter” saga. As the weather gets colder, it’s essential to take a trip to Hogwarts and follow these familiar characters as they get themselves into mischief once again. The movie is more mature, with shadowy dementors, time travel, werewolves and the mystery of Sirius Black haunting the story. Hogwarts’ beautiful, ancient hallways, flickering candlelight, fall landscapes and dark storytelling capture the spirit of fall like no other.

“Corpse Bride”

Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride,” released in 2005, is a gothic tale perfect for the spooky season. The story follows Victor, voiced by Johnny Depp, who, when practicing his vows for his upcoming arranged marriage, accidentally proposes to a deceased bride with a tragic backstory, Emily (Helena Bonham Carter). The beautiful animation, character design and Victorian backdrop give the movie a melancholic but comforting atmosphere. This film mixes dark humor and gothic romance beautifully, making it a timeless Halloween favorite. 

“Donnie Darko” 

Richard Kelly’s “Donnie Darko” is an unsettling, thought-provoking and mysterious movie about a teenager, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal), who receives visits from a creepy bunny that tells him the world will end soon. He gets tangled up in time travel and an alternate universe, making this science-fiction psychological thriller a coming-of-age story that grapples with fate, loneliness and identity. The Halloween backdrop and haunting score make it a darker option for a fall movie night. 

“Knives Out”

Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” is a 2019 murder mystery that follows detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) as he investigates the death of wealthy novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). Benoit investigates Thrombey’s large, dysfunctional family, all of whom are suspects in the murder. The compelling story, mixed with beautiful cinematography, makes the film feel like both a classic and a completely new murder mystery with plenty of twists and turns. The warm colors and fall setting give the movie an autumnal charm, making it a witty but suspenseful fall pick.

From emotional melodramas to comical murder mysteries and Halloween classics, all of these films share a warm, autumnal spirit — perfect for colder weather.