There’s something special about autumn: that strange in-between state of summer and Christmas, when leaves turn into beautiful shades of red, you’re dodging falling conkers as you walk down the street, and you’re not so cold yet that you’re lamenting the warm days of summer. With the autumn equinox later this month, it’ll soon be time to whip out our favourite jumpers, buy a pumpkin spice latte and cozy up on the sofa to dedicate some hours of rainy days to the telly.
And when it comes to TV and films to watch this season, there are several options. With Halloween and – for our American readers – Thanksgiving all taking place in this season, you may find your watchlist taking eclectic turns between cozy comfort TV shows to creepy horror films, and just about everything in between. Here are our selections of the best TV and films to watch this autumn.
Gilmore Girls
TV series about the lives of a quirky thirty-something year old woman and her teenage daughter living in a small, charming Connecticut, New England town.
Practical Magic
Two sisters (played by Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock) who also happen to be witches move back to their small-minded town and face a curse that threatens to prevent them from finding lasting love.
Stranger Things
Hit Netflix series following a group of teenagers as they uncover secret government experiments, supernatural monsters and a girl with extraordinary powers.
Coraline
A girl moves to a new house and discovers a parallel world that appears to be an idealised version of her home, before quickly learning all is not as it seems.
Only Fools and Horses
A personal favourite, this British sitcom follows two brothers, Del and Rodney Trotter, who are black street market traders and dream of becoming millionaires.
Mr Selfridge
Period drama on the life of Harry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of Selfridges, and the people who help to run the store.
Emily in Paris
Emily Cooper moves to Paris to take up a job at a marketing firm. The series follows the trials and tribulations of Emily’s life in the city of love.
Pride and Prejudice
Our choice for this classic tale is the 1995 tv adaption with Colin Firth as Mr Darcy.
The Twilight Saga
With vampires and werewolves, and taking place mostly under thick, heavy clouds in the perpetually rainy town of Forks, the series fits the bill for an autumn watchlist.
The Harry Potter Series
Another series, the Harry Potter films have more recently been adopted as Christmas films, but with all the witches and other supernatural drama, Harry Potter is very much a Halloween film too.
Keeping Up Appearances
Hyacinth Bucket (‘It’s pronounced Bouquet!’) is a woman who aspires to climb the social ladder. In her attempts to befriend members of the upper class, she often faces several mishaps of her own making, not least from her working-class family.
Lupin
This French drama series is a retelling of the classic story of Arsene Lupin, a famous thief and master of disguise as he continuously outwits the authorities trying to catch him.
The Princess Bride
The story of a farm boy turned pirate who has to overcome several obstacles to reunite with the woman he loves.
Little Women
Follow the March sisters as they mature into adulthood during the American Civil War.
Schitt’s Creek
Really, this hit Netflix series could be watched any season, but there’s nothing quite like binge-watching half a season when it’s pouring with rain outside. The comedy series follows the Rose family who, having lost their wealth, find themselves living in the one asset they still own – a small town called Schitt’s Creek.
Amélie
Amelie, a shy and quirky young woman, decides to help the people around her find happiness. Perfect choice for a whimsical afternoon.
The Addam’s Family
The supernatural black comedy series follows the eccentric (to say the least) Addams family. A must-watch for a lighthearted Halloween watch.
Rebecca (1940)
Adapted from Daphne du Maurier’s novel, a young woman marries the wealthy widower, Maxim, and is haunted by the memory of his perfect first wife.
Corpse Bride
When Victor practises his wedding vows near her grave, he inadvertently revives a dead woman from her grave who believes she is married to him.
Emma
Autumn de Wilde’s 2020 adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic is a visual feast and (with its excellent cast) is a favourite of ours.
Behind Her Eyes
A twisty thriller, this Netflix series follows a mother, Louise, as she embarks on an affair with her married boss while also befriending his mysterious wife. It was one of the few shows I’ve watched where I really didn’t see the end coming!
Outlander
Claire Beauchamp is an English nurse rekindling her relationship with her husband following the end of World War II in 1945 when she is transported back in time to 1743 Scotland, and where she meets Jamie Fraser, a Highlander fighting for the Jacobite cause.
