Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn: Five Fall-Themed Films

Colorful foliage. A crisp, cool breeze. Sweaters and sweatpants. Despite the lingering summer heat, autumn is just around the corner.  

The autumnal season brings not only falling leaves but also one of the year’s biggest holidays — Halloween. Despite the growing anticipation of the holiday, there’s more to enjoy about the season than candy, costumes and horror movies. 

To embrace the autumnal spirit, The Phoenix compiled five fall-themed movies to set the mood for the season.

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” 

In Wes Anderson’s stop motion film, Mr. Fox (George Clooney) lives a comfortable life with his wife Felicity (Meryl Streep) and son Ash (Jason Schwartzman). However, Mr. Fox grows bored of his monotonous life. In an effort to relive his glory days as a notorious thief, he executes a heist against three local farmers. 

Unfortunately for him, the farmers join forces to seek revenge against the sly fox. This not only endangers Mr. Fox but also puts his family and woodland community at risk.

The autumnal color palette presents variations of yellow, red and orange. The whimsical score composed of folk and jazz music creates a playful yet soulful mood. Apples, pumpkins, baked goods and other items associated with fall fill the screen. The film creates a warm and cozy atmosphere fitting for autumn. 

“Coco”

It’s only been a few years since its release in 2017, but Pixar’s Oscar-winning “Coco” has proven to be one of their most critically acclaimed works.

Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) loves music despite his family’s deeply-rooted hatred of song and dance. Desperate to fulfill his dreams of being a musician, Miguel journeys to the land of the dead to discover the secrets behind his family’s history. Once there, he joins forces with Hector (Gael García Bernal), and together they must uncover their respective pasts before the end of Día de los Muertos.

Vibrant animation, rich music and touching family moments, this movie is on track to be considered a classic autumn watch in years to come. 

“Knives Out”

Renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found murdered at his estate, prompting the attention of famous detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig). Thrombey’s family should be mourning his death but instead, each family member celebrates — disguising their own secret motivations for wanting him dead. 

Despite their differences, one thing the entire family has in common is the desire to pin the murder on Thrombey’s nurse Marta (Ana de Armas). Facing manipulation and hostility at every turn, Marta must find the real killer and prove her innocence before time runs out. 

Fast-paced, jaw-dropping and clever, “ Knives Out” is a thrilling whodunnit. 

A thrilling and suspenseful atmosphere isn’t the only mood “Knives Out” creates. The movie’s visuals display overcast, foggy autumnal days capturing the melancholic dread autumn weather causes. Still not convinced? Then watch it purely for Chris Evans’ iconic sweater.

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”

Released in 1966, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” is a classic Peanuts tale — except this story focuses not on the wishy-washy protagonist but on his sidekick Linus.

Due to his reputation of being immature for his age, nobody believes Linus when he tells them about the Great Pumpkin — a pumpkin that delivers toys to children on Halloween. Determined to prove his friends wrong, he gathers the courage to spend the night alone in a pumpkin patch. 

Classic depictions of pumpkins, colorful leaves and the nostalgic animations rendered from Charles M. Schulz’s “Peanuts” comic makes the movie a fall staple. The timelessly endearing characters bring viewers a feel-good story that is comfortably familiar.

“Dead Poets Society”

In contrast to other films on this list, “Dead Poets Society” is not a light-hearted film and deals with heavier themes. 

At a prestigious New England boarding school, a group of boys expect the usual rigorous fall semester. However, their eccentric new English teacher Mr. Keating (Robin Williams) is nothing like they expected. 

In an environment accepting nothing but perfection and conformity, Mr. Keating inspires his students to rebel against authority and take their futures into their own hands. 

Aspiring to live by Mr. Keating’s mantra — “carpe diem” — several students form the Dead Poets Society, a rebellious excuse to sneak away from the campus past curfew and read poetry. Quickly, the club becomes a way for the boys to encourage each to live life to the fullest.

While most of the film is set during fall, its ending takes place in winter. Much like the transition from seasons in real life, the movie’s seasonal shift evokes a much darker end. 

Still, the setting of academia and level of introspection required to watch “Dead Poets Society” should put the film on anyone’s watchlist.

Featured image by Olivia Mitchell / The Phoenix