Cozy Fall Films
By Stephen Parque
Autumn 2020 is on its way to becoming a rather dreadful season as much of the world continues to recover from COVID-19 or manage outbreaks. For many, the season is also one of the busiest as major holidays are just around the corner and deadlines may be picking up fast. It becomes all too easy to forget the importance of relaxing and de-stressing for our mental health. For this reason, I’d like to share a few cozy autumnal movies that might help act as a mental reset button when going through tough times.
This list is unranked and based on my subjective criteria of “coziness” and whether the movie features a sense of fall in the air. Even if you, the reader, may not consider them cozy movies or would rather select from different seasons, I hope this article serves as a reminder to take time out of your schedule to enjoy something and de-stress before burning out. Sometimes even a re-watch of an old favorite can be the fix you need.
Fantastic Mr. Fox | 2009
Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox features a color palette that screams autumn. The stop motion film stars an adventurous fox and his family alongside their friends, the neighboring animals. The scene of the feast adds to the family-and-friends pull of the film. There are multiple mini-stories within the movie, and much of our time is spent learning about the imperfect cast of characters and watching them grow in under ninety minutes.
Amélie | 2001
Amélie follows the adventures of the titular character, Amélie: a shy girl with a penchant for helping others. The coziness radiating from the movie comes from Amélie’s matchmaking, the mischievous antics she gets up to, and her own discovery of love. The film’s quaint setting, based around a small Parisian neighborhood, adds to the warmth.
Paddington & Paddington 2 | 2014 & 2017
Paddington is another anthropomorphic animal feature film in this list. The film is about a bear who finds himself alone in London looking for a new abode. There isn’t too much of a story to follow, and that’s perfectly fine. Just a young bear going through life and learning to live with the warm family that picks him up.
The sequel film shows much of the same, but it gives viewers more time to spend with the adorable Paddington. It’s a heartwarming affair to watch Paddington and his family promote acceptance and love. The wholesomeness Paddington and his newfound family radiate carries both movies like a tsunami of comfiness.
October Sky | 1999
A young Jake Gyllenhaal follows his dreams in October Sky against his father’s wishes. This based-on-a-true-story film follows a rural coal miner’s son, Homer, who falls in love with the idea of space while being burdened with the doubts of his father. Homer overcomes the lack of support from his father with the support of his close friends and a high school teacher. The uplifting story in addition to watching Homer’s growth and determination make for a fall classic. The title is a perfect fit for the movie and this list.
The Princess Bride | 1987
This fairy tale-esque film follows the story of a man who faces obstacles on his quest to reunite with his true love. The tales are framed by the narration of a grandfather reading a book to his sick grandson.
Although a romance at heart, The Princess Bride parodies fairy tales with fanciful encounters and near-deadly events. The director combines the encounters with witty dialogue and great comedic timing to keep even the narrator’s grandson interested in this “love story.”
Honorable mentions:
Over the Garden Wall | 2014
This miniseries follows two brothers who find themselves lost in a strange forest. Don’t be fooled by the outward appearance of a children’s cartoon. The animation, characters, and world building are stellar from start to finish. Over the Garden Wall contends with the coziest of films on this list. As a bonus, the ten-episode miniseries is bingeable within two hours.
Little Forest | 2018
This hidden gem follows a young Korean woman who escapes back to her rural hometown and lives off the land while searching for answers about her mother. The film goes through all four seasons, but the coziness hits hard during the autumn and winter portions. Watch as the main character finds answers to life while cooking, hanging out with old friends, and connecting with nature.
cbillingslea3 • November 18, 2020