As I'm sure I've stated many times before in this blog, fall is my favorite time of the year. Especially the period of October to November. The weather has gotten significantly cooler which is so much more relaxing, and also ideal for running. It's also one of the most exciting times for sports. During this brief period all major sports leagues are active. The MLB enters its playoff season, the NFL and European Futbol leagues are approaching their mid-point, and the NBA and NCAA basketball season are coming to a start.
Honorable Mention
9. James Bond Series- I'm focusing on the more recent James Bond films with Daniel Craig. This revamping of the series provides a very raw and grim setting which I feel falls well in line with gloomy fall days. Perhaps it's just the British settings and culture which I have often associated as somewhat gloomy. And yet the story line is extremely action-packed where the good hero always prevails over the evil characters. I think this series has a fall quality to it for it's setting and it's many twisted characters.
8. Sherlock Holmes Series- This is the recent Sherlock Holmes film series starring Robert Downey and Jude Law as Dr. Watson. Similar to the James Bond series, this setting provides a very British-like grim style to it. The colors are mainly grey, dark blue, and black which instill a feeling of spookiness. The story of the films are dosed with creepy, mysterious, and supernatural elements that are best enjoyed during the fall season.
7. The Illusionist (2006)- This dramatic, mysterious, and romantic film is ideal for the fall time. It is a period piece set in 1890s Europe. The story-line is one of magic and mystery with romance at its core. The setting, coloring, and costumes are very monochromatic with a brown-to-gray shade to it all. Even the musical score has a mysterious quality to it, driven by strong violins it is dosed with fall elements.
6. American Beauty (1999)- This artistic film is in my Top 25 all-time favorite list, and I have written numerous times about it. I think it is best enjoyed during fall time for various reasons. First is the setting of the story; modern day, mid-west suburbia during early fall. Then there is the general coloring of the film; it is dim to match the unhappy characters yet also provides occasional bright shades of red, to represent excitement. And finally is the storyline full of dry unhappiness with brief moments of pleasure. It has a very fall like artistic quality to it.
5. V for Vendetta (2005)- Yet another British dark and gloomy setting that is best watched during the fall time. Consider the film's most famous line "Remember, Remember the 5th of November". The main character, V, is a costumed anti-hero vigilante, set in a dark and dystopian world. These are quality elements of the fall time, specifically Halloween.
4. Pans Labyrinth (2006)- Now here is a very unique fantasy film with Halloween elements. It is in my Top 25 All Time favorite list with true artistic quality to it. The setting is a sad one during a time of the Spanish Civil War. A young girl turns to fantasy to bring her hope during dark times. She meets many creepy creatures along her story. The theme of the story is best summarized by it's beautiful lullaby song. It is a very sad song, perfect for a very sad movie that provides moments of true beauty and brilliance.
2. Civil War Films- Once again the whole topic of the Old American West is very fall-like to me. That includes the entire subject of the American Civil War which occurred during the mid 1800s. I suppose this was a very rural time for American society who dealt with more sadness than happiness in their lives. I think the countryside is best enjoyed during the fall and this is why I love fall festivals in small towns. These are my favorite Civil War films; that incorporate elements of the old countryside, Old Folk Music, and old American heritage. One of my Top 25 Favorite films, is Cold Mountain, which is a romantic story set during the Civil War. It also has a very good soundtrack to it with Old Folk-time music. .
1. Harry Potter Series- I have often written about the fall-like quality of the Harry Potter series. It is in my opinion the most ideal Halloween/fall time story. That is because of it's complex fantasy story about magic. It incorporates elements of mystery and sheer dark arts. It also has many unique characters and creatures ideal for a scary Halloween setting.
However besides the cooler weather and the exciting sports season, it is also a seasonal change that brings on so many cultural traditions. Consider all the wonderful things that come with the fall season; the changing leaves, Apple Cider, pumpkin flavors, Halloween, darker beers, wine, Thanksgiving, and one of my favorites are the small town festivals. For me it is a period of cultural inspiration, which is of course derived from my favorite movies.
I've often considered myself a connoisseur of films, and truly believe that there are some movies that should be watched during certain seasons. No I'm not talking about Christmas movies or other holiday movies that are obviously meant for their season. Yet rather consider the content and setting of the film which can be associated with certain seasonal characteristics. I intend to begin a series of my favorite films to watch during each 4 seasons. I will first provide my top ten fall films with an explanation as to why they are best enjoyed in the fall time.
Best Fall Movies
I think the best fall movies are ones that provide a sense of fear or unsteadiness. It's a fall-like feeling similar to Halloween, the cooler weather, and the dying leaves. For starters let me make it clear that I personally do not enjoy Horror films. I find them to be overly disturbing. I can understand why many others would consider scary movies ideal for the fall time, however there won't be any on my list here. I instead prefer subtle dark tones in my fall films with good drama and mystery. This list is an emphasis on the film's relation to the fall season rather than it's overall quality.
Honorable Mention- Unforgiven (1992)
- Rudy (1993)
- Mystic River (2003)
- To the Wonder (2012)
10. Tim Burton Movies - All Tim Burton movies have a certain creepy quality to them that is ideal for the Halloween season. I wouldn't so much call his movies scary yet they offer a rather unique and dark style about them. Two of Burton's key film partners, are the actor Johnny Depp and the composer Danny Elfman, both of which are in almost all of Burton's movies. Johnny Depp is an extremely talented actor with a rather mysterious and eccentric character about him. While the music of Danny Elfman provides a very twisted and unusual style to it. Burton's general film direction, from dark settings, actors, music, and story line, are ideal for the fall season.
- Edward Scissor hands (1990)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
- Sleepy Hollow (1999)
- Big Fish (2003)
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
- Sweeney Todd (2007)
9. James Bond Series- I'm focusing on the more recent James Bond films with Daniel Craig. This revamping of the series provides a very raw and grim setting which I feel falls well in line with gloomy fall days. Perhaps it's just the British settings and culture which I have often associated as somewhat gloomy. And yet the story line is extremely action-packed where the good hero always prevails over the evil characters. I think this series has a fall quality to it for it's setting and it's many twisted characters. - Casino Royale (2006)
- Quantam of Solace (2008)
- Skyfall (2012)
- Spectre (2015)
8. Sherlock Holmes Series- This is the recent Sherlock Holmes film series starring Robert Downey and Jude Law as Dr. Watson. Similar to the James Bond series, this setting provides a very British-like grim style to it. The colors are mainly grey, dark blue, and black which instill a feeling of spookiness. The story of the films are dosed with creepy, mysterious, and supernatural elements that are best enjoyed during the fall season. - Sherlock Holmes (2009)
- Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
7. The Illusionist (2006)- This dramatic, mysterious, and romantic film is ideal for the fall time. It is a period piece set in 1890s Europe. The story-line is one of magic and mystery with romance at its core. The setting, coloring, and costumes are very monochromatic with a brown-to-gray shade to it all. Even the musical score has a mysterious quality to it, driven by strong violins it is dosed with fall elements. 
6. American Beauty (1999)- This artistic film is in my Top 25 all-time favorite list, and I have written numerous times about it. I think it is best enjoyed during fall time for various reasons. First is the setting of the story; modern day, mid-west suburbia during early fall. Then there is the general coloring of the film; it is dim to match the unhappy characters yet also provides occasional bright shades of red, to represent excitement. And finally is the storyline full of dry unhappiness with brief moments of pleasure. It has a very fall like artistic quality to it. 
5. V for Vendetta (2005)- Yet another British dark and gloomy setting that is best watched during the fall time. Consider the film's most famous line "Remember, Remember the 5th of November". The main character, V, is a costumed anti-hero vigilante, set in a dark and dystopian world. These are quality elements of the fall time, specifically Halloween. 
4. Pans Labyrinth (2006)- Now here is a very unique fantasy film with Halloween elements. It is in my Top 25 All Time favorite list with true artistic quality to it. The setting is a sad one during a time of the Spanish Civil War. A young girl turns to fantasy to bring her hope during dark times. She meets many creepy creatures along her story. The theme of the story is best summarized by it's beautiful lullaby song. It is a very sad song, perfect for a very sad movie that provides moments of true beauty and brilliance. 
3. Oh Brother Where Art Thou (2000)- Another topic I often associate with the fall season is the Old American West. With that comes Old Time Folk music (such as the fiddle and banjo) that embodies that Old American country culture. I'm not sure exactly why but it all has a very fall-like quality to it. If there is any movie that best captures that Old Time Folk Music scene it would be this film. It's a musical comedy set with many fall-like qualities.
2. Civil War Films- Once again the whole topic of the Old American West is very fall-like to me. That includes the entire subject of the American Civil War which occurred during the mid 1800s. I suppose this was a very rural time for American society who dealt with more sadness than happiness in their lives. I think the countryside is best enjoyed during the fall and this is why I love fall festivals in small towns. These are my favorite Civil War films; that incorporate elements of the old countryside, Old Folk Music, and old American heritage. One of my Top 25 Favorite films, is Cold Mountain, which is a romantic story set during the Civil War. It also has a very good soundtrack to it with Old Folk-time music. . - Gone with the Wind (1939)
- Glory (1989)
- Dances with Wolves (1990)
- Gettysburg (1993)
- Gangs of New York (2002)
- Cold Mountain (2003)
- Lincoln (2012)
1. Harry Potter Series- I have often written about the fall-like quality of the Harry Potter series. It is in my opinion the most ideal Halloween/fall time story. That is because of it's complex fantasy story about magic. It incorporates elements of mystery and sheer dark arts. It also has many unique characters and creatures ideal for a scary Halloween setting.
This is not a horror series yet a subtly dark series that grows darker with each film. To add to this dark theme is yet again the gloomy British day to day settings. Even more magical and mysterious is the castle of Hogwarts, the main set of the story. Considering this setting, the story, the characters, and it's eerie John Williams musical score,. It is the perfect movie series to watch in the fall.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (2009)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
