Media/Entertainment
Media/Entertainment
Fifteen (Spooky) Movies to Watch This Fall
It’s here. The leaves are different colors, the breeze brisker, the nighttime temperatures lower. It makes us want to walk the streets by day and cuddle up on the couch by night. Luckily, there are plenty of fall classics to get everyone in the mood for this time of year. Some are new, others old or just plain terrifying…but ‘tis the season for fears and cheers. So, here are some movies to see before Mariah Carey wakes from her year-long slumber.
1.Coco (Available on Disney+)
Mixed in with fall stories of cold weather, ghosts, and ghouls is the Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos, where people remember friends and family they have lost. Miguel’s adventure to the Day of the Dead celebrates the holiday and its cultural traditions, with its music and vibrant setting making for one of the most stylish and moving depictions of family heritage.
2.Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (In Theaters Dec. 5)
Not long after its debut, Five Nights at Freddy’s became one of the biggest cultural phenomena of our generation, with its abundance of lore and fan theories making it worth adapting to the big screen. The first film was released back in 2023 to much fanfare, leaving more than enough in the tank to explore and uncover in subsequent movies. Case in point: the sequel picks up right where it left off as the heroines uncover the true origin of Freddy's Pizzeria.
3.Frankenstein (On Netflix Nov. 7)
This tale is synonymous with fall for its thrilling and spooky rendition of a mad scientist doing what he otherwise shouldn’t: reanimating the dead. Yet, compared to Mary Shelley’s original text, many make Frankenstein’s creation out to be more monster than man. The latest adaptation, brought to life by science fiction extraordinaire Guillermo del Toro, aims to be closer to the source material by mixing new and more engaging plot elements for the average modern viewer.
4.Ghostbusters (Available on Peacock)
The jingle of this fall classic says enough to know exactly what kind of movie this is. From the stars to the outfits and the Ectomobile, it oozes (pun very much intended) with charm and memorability. Plus, it has a bunch of scientists building intricate gadgets to catch ghosts and makes each look good while doing so.
5.Good Will Hunting (Available on Paramount+)
For those who want an uplifting and motivating experience, following a kid from Boston as he comes to terms with his past so he may use his intelligence to build a better future. It’s full of heart, impeccably performed by Matt Damon and Robin Williams, and says all people need to know about imperfection and the human condition.
6.Knives Out (Available on Prime Video)
The murder mystery genre continues to be one of film’s most captivating, with Rian Johnson’s latest rendition of the formula proving to be one of the biggest and most successful of them all. The first film may have come out in 2019, but it remains a thrilling tale of familial distrust and disposition. Its all-star cast, featuring the likes of Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, and Chris Evans, also makes for quite the ride as its core mystery is solved.
7.Night of the Living Dead (Available on Tubi)
Remember zombies? The monsters synonymous with Halloween, from their green skin to their stilted walk and craving for human flesh? This is the movie that re-invented them, regarded as one of the greatest horror films ever made, depicting a night of terror and fear as a group of individuals must survive those who seek to eat them by any means necessary.
8.Nosferatu (1922 Original & 2024 Remake - Available on Prime Video)
While it may not be the most popular movie to watch around Halloween, it remains influential in forming the Halloween many celebrate today. Its plot relies on humanity’s natural fear of the unknown, with the titular character attempting to feast on the blood of new residents in their home. The cult classic also received a reimagining one year ago from Robert Eggers, bringing the story to a new generation (and century) of viewers.
9.ParaNorman (Available to Rent/Buy)
This stop-motion spectacle has all the makings of a classic Halloween tale: a narrative rooted in the fright factor that comes from zombies and witches, Massachusetts colonial town vibes, and a main character who speaks to the dead. It also has a splendid sense of humor and a core message about acceptance and empathy.
10.Scooby-Doo (2002 Live-Action - Available on Prime Video & HBO Max)
No matter which iteration of the Mystery Gang it is, this creature-filled classic serves more than enough mysteries and bone-chilling revelations to get people through the spooky season. There are the films from the early 2000s, which were written by a certain James Gunn, and several iterations of the gang brought to cable television over the decades, including the 1969 original that kick-started the franchise. However, each has its own set of villains, character quirks, and gags to choose from, making any version of the gang a great way to celebrate this time of year.
11.Sinners (Available on HBO Max)
Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s journey into 1920s southern Mississippi stands as one of 2025’s best films, showcasing immigration and cultural absorption in America during the early 20th century. It also features classic ghouls, like demons and vampires, as the lead antagonists, thrillingly meshing its horror, action, and drama elements. Whether a fan of horror or the art of movies, it has something for everyone.
12.The Iron Giant (Available to Rent/Buy)
Fall often brings a longing for frightening or creepy imagery, but it’s also a time for comfort and coziness. This story follows an alien robot and his human friend learning about each other and what it means to be mortal during a time of political turmoil, abundant with witty humor, colorful characters, and odes to Maine’s landscape and endless shades of orange, red, and yellow foliage.
13.The Running Man (In Theaters Nov. 7)
The latest film from Edgar Wright stars Glen Powell participating in a competition where contestants must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins for entertainment. Friends and foes alike are driven by a single phrase — Hunt him down — that leads to various levels of hijinks and action set pieces. Get the popcorn out for this one.
14.When Harry Met Sally… (Available to Rent/Buy)
Many long for someone who will love them as much as they love themselves, or wish they had taken a chance on the one they missed out on. Wherever people lie on the love spectrum, this romance flick acts as a powerful observation on the triumph and tragedy friendship and romance can bring, with a dash of cold-weather fashion to match and elevate the vibe that comes with it.
15.Wicked: For Good (In Theaters Nov. 21)
Wicked, a story of friendship and defiance between gifted witches Elphaba and Glinda, is regarded as one of the greatest musicals to premiere on Broadway. So great, in fact, that its big screen adaptation was split into two films so its story could be told in greater detail. Part one released in 2024, featuring Cynthia Erivo’s rendition of Elphaba and the musical’s most iconic number: “Defying Gravity.” Part two seeks to bring Glinda and Elphaba’s stories to their completion…until the events of The Wizard of Oz, that is.
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