For me, autumn somehow always goes hand in hand with watching more films. Perhaps it is because at this time of the year, I feel less like I am missing out on anything if I spend an evening getting cosy at home in my own little world. As the world around me changes, I take notice of different films on my watchlist. What seemed too gloomy, too slow, or simply not right for me in summer suddenly becomes exactly what I would put on for an autumn evening. At this time of year, darker worlds, unusual characters, and old classics come off the shelves, but sometimes I rather need a lighter story. That is why I did not try to select films that are “autumn films” in the traditional sense. Instead, I collected films that I would somehow prefer to watch at this time of year.

Nosferatu (1922)

The 1922 Nosferatu offers a completely different experience from what we are used to in horror films today, yet it served as an excellent foundation for modern films in its genre. It does not contain  jumpscares in the modern sense, but there is still something particularly disturbing about the way it uses light, shadows, and the visual world of silent cinema without the need for loud music or sudden cuts. The character of Orlok, for example, is enough on his own to make the viewer feel uncomfortable. What makes me recommend it is that, even after more than a hundred years, it still has an atmosphere of its own. It is not just that it looks like an old film that is only worth ticking off on a “classic films” bingo card. In autumn, the black-and-white images, long shadows and foggy, dark world work particularly well for me, creating exactly the gloomier atmosphere that I prefer at this time of year. If you would like to experience how a horror film can create fear while doing almost none of the things we associate with horror films today, you should definitely watch this film.

Beetlejuice (1988)

Tim Burton’s 1988 film has become a real cult classic, and it is not without reason. The film mixes the grotesque, black humour, and the supernatural in its own special way. Perhaps one of the most interesting things about it personally is how visually impressive it still is today, even though the filmmakers could hardly rely on computer-generated effects. Many scenes were created using stop-motion, puppets, forced perspective, and in-camera tricks. Burton also did not want to hide these techniques. He actually liked the fact that the film looked a little cheap, strange, and artificial. This gave the whole film a distinctive handmade look, which I think can be more interesting for viewers today than perfectly polished digital visuals. The film is loud and satirical, and approaches the subjects of death and the afterlife with the director’s distinctive humour.

If someone is not necessarily looking for a terrifying horror film in autumn, but would like to watch a bizarre film with dark humour that completely takes them out of their everyday routine, I think this is the right choice.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

One of the greatest strengths of Good Will Hunting is not necessarily the story itself, but the dialogues and human moments that constantly raise the question of facing ourselves. The strongest parts of the film are some of its particular scenes and the relationships between the characters, while the story basically explores the possibility of change and development. Self-discovery, friendship, and the importance of social background are also notable themes.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys films where the story does not end straight away, because the thoughts and questions it raises linger with us for a while. Besides talent and self-knowledge, the film also deals with how difficult it is to recognise our own potential, and how much harder it is to make use of it.

I think it can be particularly spot on for someone who is trying to find their place, is unsure about which direction to take next, or simply wants to watch a truly human story. It belongs on an autumn list not because it takes place in autumn, but because it has something of that quiet, thoughtful atmosphere that I also enjoy during this season.

Amélie (2001)

For me, Amélie is exactly the kind of film that is good to watch when everyday life seems a little more bland than usual. It does not try to say anything grand, but instead focuses on the little things: a glance, a chance encounter, an unusual habit. or the things that most of us might not even notice. This gives the whole film a special atmosphere, as if everyday Paris were a slightly more magical place.

What I particularly like about it is that it does not need any special explanation. It is simply enjoyable to watch. Because of its colours, music, Amélie’s strange little world and its overall playfulness, I think it is the perfect contrast to the darker films on my list. I especially recommend it in autumn: when everything outside is already foggy and gloomy, this is exactly the kind of film that makes the world seem a little less dark.

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Guillermo del Toro’s unique film is both a magical fairy tale and a terrifying nightmare. We get a glimpse into a world where imagination is not simply an escape from reality, but another side of it: darker and more mysterious, yet often easier to understand than the real world. One of the most special aspects of the film is precisely how the two worlds constantly blend together, while neither loses its own rawness. The film does not simply tell a story, but also involves us in interpreting it. The labyrinth and the fantastical elements that appear in it are not merely decorations for the story, but a part of the way the film thinks. The director uses the traditional tools of fairy tales without making them harmless or predictable at all.

At this time of year, I feel particularly drawn to these darker, thought-provoking stories. When it gets dark earlier, the world also seems a little gloomier, and it feels good to choose a film that does not try to make everything lighter at all costs. If I had to choose just one dark fantasy for autumn, this would be my choice. Pan’s Labyrinth is beautiful, but also quite disturbing, full of images and creatures that will probably not be easy to forget later.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Wes Anderson’s classic stop-motion film creates the perfect autumn atmosphere with its visuals alone. The forest, the warm colours, the unusual animal characters, and the distinctive visual world make it feel almost as if an illustrated storybook is coming alive before our eyes.

The film is playful, witty, and a little melancholic at the same time, carrying deeper meanings beneath the surface. Because of its characters and visual world, it is easy to enjoy even if someone is not usually a fan of animated films. For me, this is one of those films that I would not necessarily rewatch at this time of year because it is an autumn film, but simply because it gives me an autumn feeling.

I would mainly recommend it to those who enjoy watching films that have a visual style with a character of its own. Besides, I think the film’s brown, orange, and earthy colours fit particularly well with the seasonal colours.

The Queen’s Gambit (2020)

The Queen’s Gambit is one of those series that you do not start watching because you are particularly interested in its subject, and yet  you still immerse in its world very quickly. Here, chess is much more than a simple game: competition, the desire to prove oneself, and how well someone can control themselves are just as important as the game itself.

What I particularly like about this series is its atmosphere. Alongside the fashion, locations, and colours of the 1960s, the whole series has a slightly cool and elegant atmosphere, which I think is perfect for an autumn weekend. I would recommend it to those who like series that do not just tell a story, but also have a world of their own. I would also recommend it to those who think chess is boring, because there is a good chance they will think differently after watching this series.

A Man Called Otto (2022)

A Man Called Otto is a film that we might not expect too much from at first: the story of a grumpy man who sticks to the rules, and would prefer to leave everything and everyone around him alone, expecting the world to do the same. Yet, it works precisely because of its simplicity. It does not try to give us great answers about life, but instead shows through small human situations how much it can mean when someone suddenly knocks on the door of our lives.

There is something very honest about its portrayal of loneliness, loss and the fact that people can still change even when they think everything has already been decided. I particularly like these kinds of films in autumn. They are a little sad, make us laugh a little, and still leave us with a warm feeling at the end. If you are looking for a film for a gloomy afternoon that can both touch you and bring a smile to your face, I would definitely recommend this one.

As I reach the end of the list, I would like to share just a few final thoughts with the readers. For me, autumn is not necessarily only about looking for films that take place among autumn colours and in front of rainy windows. It is much more about how it somehow becomes easier to immerse ourselves in a story at this time of year, whether it is cheerful, sad, strange, or particularly dark. This is why these eight films made it onto the list: each one takes me to a different world, yet I found something in all of them that makes me more inclined to watch them again now, in autumn. And if even just one film from this selection ends up on someone else’s watchlist, then putting this list together was already well worth it.

 

Translator: Hajtmann Tímea