Fall is just around the corner, which makes it the perfect time to start thinking about curling up with a good book or movie on a cozy rainy evening. But what kind of content will make an autumn night even better? Below is a compiled list of fall books and movies that will either make the reader/watcher feel nostalgic or chilled.
Movies can help people relax and rewind while reflecting on the changes happening in their lives, and autumn is a season centered around change. So, whether it’s rediscovering a classic or finding an underrated treasure, fall movies are an amazing way to get the most out of this season.
Most people think of horror movies when autumn comes rolling around, but plenty of films are perfect for this time of year. “Over the Garden Wall” is an underrated mini-series created for Cartoon Network by Patrick McHale. “Over the Garden Wall” follows the story of two half-brothers, Wirt and Greg, who find themselves lost in a mysterious forest called “The Unkown.” The series accomplishes in five eleven-minute episodes what other franchises accomplish in five seasons. It’s whimsical yet eerie, and the autumnal tones and scenery add to the spooky atmosphere.
Fall classics like “Gilmore Girls” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” are impossible to leave out, even if it’s just playing them in the background while studying or relaxing.
Austin Van Allen, a State High IB Film and Cinema Arts teacher says there is “a sense of tradition” that sticks out in fall films. “There’s something comforting [about] being able to come back and share that experience with somebody,” Van Allen said, describing his annual rewatching of “Hocus Pocus” with friends and family.
Fall isn’t fall without a mystery book, and Agatha Christie is a famed author known for her genius detective novels. She was even named the “Queen of Mystery” for her work. For those looking for a great mystery to keep you on edge, “Murder on the Orient Express” is a well-known and chilling tale that follows the fictional detective Hercule Poirot as he investigates a murder while trapped in the confines of the luxurious Orient Express. This book is deceptive, brilliant, and perfect for the spooky season.
State High Librarians Cathi Fuhrman and Mark Morath described their plans to highlight fall-themed stories via a prepared statement..
“We’re going to highlight obviously horror fiction, things like ‘Dracula’ and ‘Frankenstein,’ Lovecraft, Shirley Jackson, but of course, Stephen King books,” they said. “[We] find that a lot of students, they might not normally read scary horror fiction, but a lot of times in the fall they’ll consider it just because it’s that time of year.”
So whether you are looking for a chilling mystery or an unsettling classic, autumn is the perfect time for settling down with a good book or movie. Now you are ready to sit back, relax, and enjoy this spooky yet nostalgic time of year with a list of media that matches autumn’s unique vibe.
