There’s nothing like fall and Halloween season. Sandwiched between the sweltering summer months and the dreary winter months, autumn is generally considered to be the best season of the year and for good reason.
Between the comfortable weather, gorgeous views, and overall vibes, fall is the most cozy season of the year by far. And you know what makes it even cozier? The abundance of autumn and Halloween related movies and shows that are out there! Sure, some folks may love their horror and slasher movies, but me? Give me a warm mug of apple cider and a comfy fall movie to relax with.
With spooky season now in full swing, these are the top 10 coziest fall movies and shows you should watch this Halloween.
10
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
No one does holiday movies like Charlie Brown and the crew. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a timeless classic, no doubt a staple in many households since the special aired in 1966. Clocking in at 25 minutes, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a delightful, bite-sized treat of Halloween goodness.
9
Haunted Mansion (2023)
If you’re a fan of the Haunted Mansion ride in either Disney World or Disneyland, Haunted Mansion is right up your alley. Billed as a faithful adaptation of the beloved Disney ride with a charismatic cast — not you, Jared Leto — Haunted Mansion has everything you could want in a cozy, yet spooky, Halloween movie. Or, if you’re a fan of the classics, feel free to watch the original movie based on the ride — 2003’s The Haunted Mansion — starring the always enjoyable Eddie Murphy.
8
Beetlejuice (1988)
While it’s a bit more on the raunchy side compared to others on this list, Beetlejuice is still an incredibly charming and funny Halloween movie with all the usual Tim Burton whimsy. Michael Keaton puts on a hilarious performance as the titular character and Winona Ryder is an absolute delight. Plus, the special effects and makeup are top tier and add wonderfully to the cartoonishly scary vibes of this movie.
7
The Addams Family (1991)
The Addams Family and all its various television shows and movies have been an American staple for decades now. There are a lot of iconic adaptations of this delightfully macabre family, but the original 1991 film The Addams Family still hits like nothing else. Shoutouts to Christina Ricci, Raul Julia, and Anjelica Huston for their iconic performances that will no doubt last the test of time.
6
Clue (1985)
Clue is without a doubt the funniest movie on this last. The cult classic film based on the board game of the same name is a riot of a good time, bolstered by gut-splitting performances from Tim Curry and Madeline Kahn in particular. There are jokes around every corner in Clue, ensuring you won’t go more than a few minutes without laughing and the multiple endings to the film remain one of the most fascinating ways to end a movie we’ve ever seen.
5
Scooby-Doo (2002)
Any of the classic Scooby-Doo cartoon movies will do here — I’m partial to Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island and Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost — but the 2002 live action film deserves its praise too. Featuring an all-star cast of Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, and Linda Cardellini, the Mystery Incorporated gang has never had this much personality. While the CGI doesn’t hold up to today’s standards, Scooby-Doo is an incredible blast of nostalgia in a very charming package.
4
Halloweentown (1998)
Halloweentown is definitely near the peak of the Disney Channel Original Movies mountain. As someone who enjoys the more comfy aspects of Halloween way more than the scary bits, Halloweentown delivers the comforting vibes in an endearing Disney movie spectacle. The bright and quirky visuals of Halloweentown itself still charm me to this day.
3
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Part Halloween movie, part Christmas movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas is the best of both worlds for enjoyers of both holidays. “This Is Halloween” is, of course, a staple for any good Halloween playlist due to its jaunty tune and timeless Tim Burton visuals. The stop motion animation is still gorgeous to look at, as are the unique character designs scattered across this film.
2
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Everyone knows Hocus Pocus! The Sanderson sisters are always a delight to watch, whether that be squabbling between themselves or hunting down the main protagonists of the film. In 1993, Hocus Pocus set the bar high for cozy and fun Halloween movies and it feels like nothing else has touched it since.
1
Over the Garden Wall (2014)
Over the Garden Wall is the quintessential cozy fall media everyone should watch. With 10 total episodes clocking in at around 10 minutes each, Over the Garden Wall is easily watched in one sitting much like any other movie. Between the gorgeous animated visuals plucked straight out of a vintage cartoon, charming characters, and a compelling and mysterious plot, Over the Garden Wall has something for everyone.
Trust me, if you want to put yourself in the coziest mindset for fall, Over the Garden Wall is the perfect tone-setter.
