22 Non-Halloween Films to Enjoy When You Love Fall but Want to Skip the Scary Stuff

For the Josephs, every Sunday is a family Thanksgiving, both the good and the bad. This close-knit Chicago family gathers every week for dinner, a cherished tradition until Mother Joe, the matriarch, suffers a debilitating stroke, sending the family into disarray. Through the eyes of 11-year-old Ahmad, we witness the warmth and challenges, and the soul food of the title becomes a symbol for something much deeper than just a style of cooking.

Where to stream: Prime Video, Peacock, IMDb TV

Nothing screams fall like football... or at least that's what football enthusiasts tell me. While Remember the Titans is a classic sports movie, it also serves as an inspiring historical drama about Herman Boone, the real-life first Black coach of an integrated football team at a high school in Alexandria, Virginia.

If the gloomy fall weather has you reflecting on time passing, you may find solace in thinking about Denzel Washington, who seems to have aged only five years in the last two decades.

Where to stream: Disney+

I owe an apology to the cast and crew of Waiting to Exhale: back in my younger years, my friends and I sneaked into a late-night screening, thus denying the film the few extra dollars that might have kept it at the top of the box office longer, possibly prompting studios to make more films starring Black women. Whitney, if you can hear me, I’m sorry.

As someone from the west, it's tough for me to track the seasons, so a movie set in Phoenix, Arizona, doesn't really give me the seasonal vibes—yet it still delivers a heartwarming tale of life changes and the hope for new beginnings. The story follows four women supporting each other through failed relationships (and that legendary car fire will certainly warm you up on chilly fall evenings).

Where to stream: HBO Max, IMDb TV

Alright, so this movie technically takes place in early winter, but for those of us who can’t stand the cold, it’s sweater season long before December hits. Fall also seems like an ideal time for a murder mystery—after all, it’s often called the “cozy” mystery genre. You’re meant to wrap yourself in a warm, safe blanket and enjoy solving the case with no real fear that you’ll be the next victim. Ryan Johnson’s sharp thriller plays with Agatha Christie-style conventions in ways that make it feel both cozy and thrilling. But, really, let’s all agree: Chris Pine’s sweaters.

Where to stream: Prime Video

If you’re planning on traveling for Thanksgiving (is that even a thing this year?), you might reconsider after watching this Steve Martin/John Candy classic (directed by John Hughes). But most likely, you’ll just sit back and be thankful that none of this chaotic journey is likely to happen to you. It’s an over-the-top screwball comedy, sure, but it’s never mean-spirited, and it culminates in a heartwarming conclusion that will melt even the coldest of hearts.

Where to stream: Hulu, Paramount+, AMC+, Epix

Spike Lee’s directorial debut is shot in black and white and entirely set in Brooklyn, so you won’t get those classic fall colors. What you will get is the story of Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns), a sexually liberated woman who’s dating three men at the same time while choosing freedom over commitment. While some elements may not resonate as well in 2021, the film plays with feminist themes and builds to a memorable Thanksgiving dinner where all of Nola’s boyfriends are invited.

Where to stream: Netflix

When Hocus Pocus was first released in 1993, few admitted to enjoying its delightful absurdity. However, the film has since gained a loyal following, inspiring a sequel (arriving next year) that brings back Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker as the hilariously hapless witches returned from the dead. It’s a great pick if you’re craving something witchy and Halloween-themed that won't give you too many nightmares.

Where to stream: Disney+

Director Todd Haynes crafted this stunning romance as a tribute to the vibrant, melodramatic films of Hollywood’s golden era, particularly those by Douglas Sirk. Starring Dennis Haysbert and Julianne Moore, the film is set in 1950s suburban Connecticut, but tackles themes of racism and homophobia that were left untouched by the classics of that time. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and the fall scenery may just be the most visually captivating in film history—though Sirk’s work in the 1955 film All That Heaven Allows certainly gives it a run for its money.

Where to stream: Disney+

Fall seems like the ideal time to dispose of a body, doesn’t it? It’s not too hot to make you sweat digging the hole, but the ground hasn’t frozen solid yet. However, this rarely seen and underrated Alfred Hitchcock film proves that the usual assumptions about corpse disposal aren’t always right. The Trouble with Harry is about a body that refuses to stay buried—so if your favorite fall vibe is dark comedy with a hefty dose of sexual innuendo set against the Vermont backdrop, this is the film for you.

Where to stream: Digital rental

Though the story unfolds over a period stretching into winter (around “lambing season” for the characters), the stark, chilly Yorkshire landscape keeps a distinctly fall vibe throughout—perfect for a budding romance between a sheep farmer and a migrant worker who arrives to help on the farm. The film’s portrayal of sheep farming feels authentic, and while it’s a far cry from a lighthearted watch, it’s a rare gay drama that doesn’t rely on tragedy to tell its story.

Where to stream: Hulu, Sundance Now, Kanopy

While this sequel technically takes place during summer, the Addams Family’s world is a perpetual autumn—wherever they go, it always feels like Halloween is just around the corner. Plus, the film nods to another beloved fall holiday, Thanksgiving, through Wednesday’s darkly humorous reimagining of Indigenous revenge (perhaps a bit problematic, but still oddly satisfying).

Where to stream: Paramount+, AMC+

What could capture the essence of fall better than an obsession with death? Well, besides the reflective mood of early ‘70s Cat Stevens music? This film has both, wrapped up in the unlikely romance between Bud Cort and the legendary Ruth Roman, whose chemistry brings both humor and unexpected depth. It’s a dark comedy, but with a comforting warmth that balances the foggy gloom of the San Francisco Bay and Harold’s nihilism.

Where to stream: Prime Video, Kanopy

Thanksgiving at Diana Ross’s house is exactly as chaotic as you'd expect. This family gathering kicks off a reimagining of the L. Frank Baum classics, taking us on a journey through a fantastical version of Queens with an all-star cast. It’s a far cry from the rural settings of the traditional Oz, with energetic songs and dance numbers, and a promise of renewal to fortify us against the cold days ahead.

Where to stream: Peacock

In the San Fernando Valley, fall doesn’t bring much change to the landscape (easterners will notice trick-or-treating is a jacket-free event). But in true Steven Spielberg fashion, this alien invasion flick brings more warmth and heart than it does suspense.

Where to stream: Peacock

Perhaps the most delightful superhero film, Spider-Verse stars Miles Morales, surrounded by a diverse cast of interdimensional spider-heroes. It’s fast-paced, emotionally resonant, and completely family-friendly. The autumn vibes aren’t just in the film’s warm tone, but also in the seasonal scenery, especially in the final acts.

Where to stream: FX Now

Let’s take a trip back to the time when Billy Crystal was the ultimate romantic lead. If there’s a quintessential fall movie duo, it’s Nora Ephron and Rob Reiner. Together, they created some of the best-loved romances of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, and few films capture fall quite like When Harry Met Sally.... A romantic comedy with a unique style and intelligence that the genre often lacks, it spans years (ending during the December holidays, which makes it perfect for New Year’s too), but its vibe is undeniably autumnal. (Who doesn’t love New York in the fall?) It’s a feel-good movie that doesn’t sugarcoat relationships, but reminds us that good ones are worth the effort. (See also: Nora Ephron’s You’ve Got Mail.)

Where to stream: HBO Max

Two lovers connect through prison glass in this gripping, non-linear adaptation of James Baldwin’s 1974 novel. The love story between Tish (KiKi Layne) and Fonnie (Stephan James) is weighed down by harsh realities, but it unfolds against the changing seasons and times of New York, beautifully captured in the greens, browns, and yellows of fall.

Where to stream: Hulu

Okay, I admit it. I picked a clip of the song “Remember Me,” and now I need a moment. Coco is a beautifully heartfelt Pixar film about a young boy from Santa Cecilia, Mexico, who journeys to the land of the dead during Día de Muertos. His goal? To find the spirit of his grandfather, hoping he’ll help him return to the land of the living and possibly heal the wounds of past generations. Try not to tear up during the moving, bittersweet finale.

Why do I let Pixar do this to me?

Where to stream: Disney+

True to many of Ingmar Bergman’s films, this one features quiet dialogue and soft autumnal hues, but with an intense undercurrent. Hollywood icon Ingrid Bergman (unrelated to the director) delivers an unforgettable final performance as the meticulous, self-assured mother to the timid Liv Ullmann. It may not be the quintessential fall comfort film, but it’s a sharp, thought-provoking drama. You could certainly do worse than spend a chilly evening with these three legends at the peak of their craft.

Where to stream: HBO Max, The Criterion Channel

Wes Anderson’s films often exude autumnal charm, and this one is no exception. In his stop-motion animation, the story of a clever fox evading three hunters unfolds with vibrant burnt orange tones that completely take over the screen, creating an atmosphere that feels as if it were painted by fall itself.

Where to stream: Disney+

Far from cozy, this one is a sharp contrast to the usual fall fare, so don’t expect anything resembling pumpkin spice. The film follows Selah, a high school social queen who rules with a firm hand from her wicker throne until an unexpected friendship upends her world. Tayarisha Poe’s work is full of style, with the camera capturing the striking autumn scenery of the Pennsylvania boarding school setting in every shot.

Where to stream: Prime Video

Autumn often brings with it thoughts of crackling fires, cozy sweaters, and heartwarming films. It’s a season that reminds us to seek comfort in the simple pleasures, a time when we long for reassurance that the world continues to spin and that it’s okay to savor quiet nights. Life and light will come back, eventually, just like the leaves that fall only to return. But sometimes, for some of us, they don’t. So take a cue from Robin Williams, who wisely told us all to seize the day, no matter how cold the evening air may be.

Where to stream: Digital rental