The ultimate fall movie lineup
The Messenger's take on the best movies of the fall season.
Design by Tanya Shriram
Tanya Shriram, Staff Writer
As fall approaches, students stuff themselves with funnel cakes at fairs and jump in fear at haunted houses. Much like Christmas, movies and T.V. shows are the highlight of the season. Some of the best are not even horror; comedy and romance make the list as well. Here is the perfect fall movie lineup.
Halloween defines the season of fall, being celebrated with festive traditions like carving pumpkins and trick or treating. The spooky season is the perfect time to indulge in horror movies.
The first on this list is aptly named "Halloween" and it's the pioneer of slasher films. If the iconic name Michael Myers doesn't ring a bell, the movie's theme song definitely does. The movie takes place on the night of Halloween, following Jamie Lee Curtis' encounters with the escaped psychotic patient Michael Myers. It is a classic horror film, packed with jumpscares and suspense, set right in the autumn season.
A similar movie that kickstarted a huge franchise is "Friday the 13th", specifically the 1980 original. The plot centers around a group of teenagers attempting to reopen a camp with a dark history. However, the trip turns into a night of vicious murders, as an unknown killer hunts the group. Interestingly, the reason "Friday the 13th" became associated with the spooky season is that many thought of it as an imitation of the movie "Halloween". The writer, Victor Miller, admits the idea for the movie started as just that. He confirmed this when he said, “[Sean Cunningham], the film's director, called me and said, "Halloween" is making a lot of money, let’s rip it off.” Even if the franchise started this way, it has truly found its own identity, making it considerably popular, and worthy of a spot in the lineup.
Comedy movies definitely find their place in the season as well. Combining spooky elements with tons of humor, horror-comedies are great for people who still want in on the fun of getting scared, but on a milder level. One of these classics is "Beetlejuice". The movie is a bizarre, fantasy film that immerses the audience into a ghoulish world. The main characters become ghosts and enlist the help of a so called "bio-exorcist" to get humans out of their home. A Floridian newspaper writes, "The original “Beetlejuice” appears to be the favorite Halloween film among residents in the Sunshine State." The morbid humor of the movie mixed with eerie elements creates a perfect mood for the spooky season.
Another movie that falls into this genre is "Hocus Pocus", in which friends accidentally awaken a trio of witches, executed many years ago for dark magic. The witches attempt to steal the life force of the children, but the kids fight against their evil powers. The story unfolds on the night of Halloween and introduces supernatural components, which makes it an excellent addition to the list.
Beyond the scares and laughs fall holds, fall has a romantic, heartfelt side to it as well. There are various movies that fit the description, and "You've Got Mail" is one of the most popular ones. The movie follows the story of two booksellers, who rival each other in business. However, they start an online romance, and fall madly in love, oblivious to each other's identity. The setting is autumn in New York and includes elements of the season throughout the film. The Chic American writes, "Everything from Kathleen’s oversized sweaters, midi skirts with tights, and bookish cardigans in neutral hues... to Kevin’s collection of rusty suede and leather jackets, each piece in this wardrobe is so delightfully autumnal and has the festive warmth of all cozy, pre-holiday style." Such details combined with its 90s nostalgia make it a great watch for the season.
Another beloved romance that undoubtedly deserves a spot on the lineup is "When Harry Met Sally". It is a charming movie in which two people meet in a car ride to New York where they argue over whether men and women can simply be platonic friends. Throughout the years, they find themselves crossing paths, and slowly build a friendship that blossoms into lasting love. The visuals of autumnal foliage and the transformation the characters go through, two traits associated with fall, connect the movie with the season.
From the big screen to television, the T.V show, "Gilmore Girls" captures fall just as well, if not better than the movies. It follows the story of a mom and daughter in their daily life. The show explores the girls' quirky small town life, different love interests, and changes they go through with their relationship. Many fans find it being a comfort show for them, and rewatch it during autumn time. In a recent Emmys reunion, Lauren Graham, one of the main stars said, "Twenty-five years ago, a show called Gilmore Girls premiered and obviously took over the season of fall." The creator, Amy Sherman-Pallindino found inspiration for Gilmore Girls from a small town . She built off of it, and eventually Gilmore Girls became the staple show of the season.
Fall may not last long, but these films keep the spirit of the season alive. Whether it is spilling popcorn because of a jumpscare, laughing with friends over a spooky comedy, or crying to a great love story, autumn comes to life on the screen. Grab a pumpkin spice latte and get watching.
