6 Movies to Watch This Fall For Classic Autumn and Halloween Vibes

Happy first day of autumn!

Autumn is my favourite time of year. Fairy lights and fireplaces and Halloween, oh my! I love the cooler days, the cozy feeling of wrapping up in a blanket or wearing a favourite sweater, pumpkin- and apple-flavoured everything, that crisp scent of fallen leaves and fresh air. Included in my love of all things fall are movies set in the season. I've compiled a list of my six favourites, some of which are Halloween-y and others that bring the cozy autumn vibes. The list is short, but there should be something here for everyone!

All the fall romcom feels:

 

Runaway Bride

Released in July 1999

 

For many people, when they think of classic romcom pairings, they think of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. For me, it’s Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Pretty Woman is a classic for many reasons, but my favourite movie of theirs - and one of my all-time favourite movies, period - is Runaway Bride. I watch it every autumn (and multiple times throughout the year too) because of the gorgeous shots of fall foliage in the adorable fictional small town of Hale, Maryland (which is actually Berlin, Maryland). I love the chemistry and banter between Roberts and Gere’s characters, plus there are some wonderfully quotable lines, great side characters (Hector Elizondo, Rita Wilson, Joan Cusack, Christopher Meloni, and Paul Dooley, just to name a few), and the soundtrack is one of my favourites.  It was directed by Garry Marshall, so you know it has a lot of heart and humour.

 

 

You’ve Got Mail

Released in December 1998

 

Going back to what I said about classic pairings a minute ago: the reason Tom and Meg don’t immediately come to mind for me is because I only finally saw You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle over the summer. I know, I know, I call myself a romcom lover and I hadn’t seen two of the most classic movies ever? Well, I finally fixed that and I absolutely loved You’ve Got Mail. I love that the movie opens on fall in New York, and this great line from Meg’s character, Kathleen: “Don't you love New York in the fall? Makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address”. There’s just something so cozy about this movie - the fairy lights, Kathleen’s bookshop, the shots on the streets of New York. I still can’t believe I waited 22 years to watch this movie, but I’ll definitely be watching it again very soon.

 

Witchy Goodness:

Practical Magic

Released in October 1998

 

Midnight margaritas, anyone? I’ll admit I’ve never read Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, but I love the movie. It’s this sort of odd mixture of light and fluffy with darker elements that shouldn’t work and yet somehow it does. It’s funny because if you watch the trailer, you’d think it was your average lighthearted, sexy romcom with some magical elements, but there are some genuinely heartbreaking moments and some pretty disturbing ones too. I love movies (and books) that bring the emotion along with the giggles and swoons (swoons courtesy of Aidan Quinn in this case), and this movie definitely does that.

 

 

Hocus Pocus

Released in July 1993

 

Unlike many people who grew up in the late 80s/early 90s, I didn’t see this movie until just a few years ago (are you seeing the pattern here? I’m perpetually behind with movies). I immediately understood why it was a favourite for people of all ages - it’s hilarious, has a touch of romance, lots of action, and some great quotable lines. It’s basically the ultimate Halloween movie. 

 

 

Classic Nostalgia:

Okay, so to be fair, the other movies are nostalgic too, considering they’re all from the 90s, but these two were top favourites when I was younger, and remain favourites today.

 

Casper

Released in May 1995

I was obsessed with this movie. I remember seeing it in the theatre and being completely enchanted. There was something about Christina Ricci’s portrayal of Kat that really intrigued me. I think in a way, I could see myself in her; we were close in age, I’d lost a parent less than a year before this movie came out. I loved her and I loved everything else about the movie - that amazing house, Casper himself (I still can’t hear the words “Can I keep you?” without choking up), the dynamics between Kat and her dad, Casper’s completely obnoxious uncles - just everything. This movie is funny, has so much heart, and it’s wonderfully creepy in a kid-friendly/PG way. My niece and nephew (six and ten) love this one too, which makes me happy beyond words.

 

 

Labyrinth

Released in June 1986

 

This one isn’t fall or Halloween themed, but the magical elements, various creatures, Goblin City, and other things make it perfect for this time of year in my opinion. I was only two when this movie came out, so I haven’t been watching it my whole life, but pretty close. It was one of my first favourites, and I made my parents rent the VHS endless times (anyone else remember the days of renting movies because it was basically unheard of to buy them yourself?). 

 

There’s just so much to love about this movie: the music (I’m actually listening to “Magic Dance” as I type this, and “As The World Falls Down” is one of my all-time favourite songs), the costumes, the characters. Jim Henson’s creations mixed perfectly with the real people - David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly were so perfectly cast as the Goblin King and Sarah.

 

Bonus: On my must-watch list this year:

Remember how I said I’m perpetually behind on movies? Two of the movies on my must-watch list this year are classic fan-favourites that I have no good reason for not watching before now. Thanks to Disney+ I’ll have no excuses this year, and I’m determined to finally watch The Nightmare Before Christmas (released October 1993) and Halloweentown (released October 1998).

See any favourites on this list? What movies do you associate with fall or love to watch in the autumn or around Halloween?

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4 Steps to Planning the Perfect Fall Party

Autumn is the perfect time to throw a party. You have so many options with themes, plus it’s that perfect ‘in between’ time - people aren’t as busy as they are in the summer with travel, family activities, and the desire to be outdoors all the time, and the Christmas rush hasn’t started yet, with its endless parties and get-togethers, shopping, and other things associated with the holiday season.

If you're throwing a party this autumn and need some help, here are four steps to planning the perfect fall party.

1. Decide on a theme

There are countless options for themes for fall parties. If one doesn’t immediately come to mind, here are a few to get the creative juices flowing:

• General fall theme ~ If you simply want to host a get-together for friends or family, a basic autumnal theme is sure to be a hit.   
• Thanksgiving gathering ~ Most people have family obligations around Thanksgiving, but for those who don’t have family, or for tight-knit groups of friends, Thanksgiving is a great time to get together. You can do a traditional dinner or something completely different, like a potluck or buffet of everyone’s favourite foods.
• Viewing party ~ Most TV shows start back up in September and October. If you have a group of friends who love a specific show, throw a viewing party themed around that show. You could also do a marathon or best-of rewatch of your favourite shows.
• Sports-themed party ~ Similar to the viewing party, you could host a fall sport-themed party. You could have people over while a big hockey or football game is on TV, or go all out with a theme specific to your favourite team.
• Oktoberfest party ~ Get down Bavarian style with plenty of German food and beer, music, and even traditional outfits. Take advantage of the weather before winter sets in and fire up your barbecue to grill some bratwurst.
• Halloween party ~ This is probably the most obvious party to have in the fall, and one of the most fun, too! There are endless choices for Halloween parties: children’s parties, costume parties, haunted houses, specific themes like Harry Potter - the list goes on and on.

2. Plan your menu

What kind of food will you serve at your gathering? Will you have a fancy sit-down dinner? Potluck where everyone brings a dish? Buffet-style where you provide the food? Will it be casual or fine dining? Chips and dip or gourmet appetizers? If your party is a specific theme, it’s a good idea to plan your food around that theme; for example, if you choose a general autumnal theme, you could do flavours like apple and pumpkin. If it’s a party for children or if it’s a mixture of adults and children, don’t forget about food that appeals to kids and is easy for them to eat.

Once you have the food under control, it's time to think about drinks. Will you be serving wine? Cocktails? Beer or spirits? Non-alcoholic drinks? Will you have a self-serve bar set up, pre-made drinks, or will you or someone else be playing bartender for the event? Is it BYOB? Is it a completely alcohol-free party? If you are serving alcohol, don't forget the non-alcoholic beverages for those who don't drink, like water, punch, sparkling drinks, pop, etc.

Something important to take into consideration when planning a menu is food allergies and aversions. It never hurts to ask your guests about allergies like gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, etc., and don't forget to account for vegetarians and vegans!

3. Decorate for the party

One of the reasons I love the idea of hosting a party in the fall is because the decorating options are endless. If you’re going with a fall or Thanksgiving theme, you can do something simple and elegant with leaves, pumpkins, maize, pine cones, and candles of various sizes. If you’re throwing a Halloween party, you could have fun with decorations ranging from cute to spooky to downright scary, depending on your theme.

Decorations depend largely on your personal style. Some people like to go all out, while others want to keep things minimalistic and focus more on the food and drink. There's no right or wrong here; do what works for you, and also what fits into your budget.

4. Make your guest list and send invitations

For some people, a guest list will be obvious. For those with a bigger group of friends or a larger family, it might be harder to decide who to invite. My best bit of advice when it comes to figuring out the guest list for any party: know your audience. If you’re having a Halloween party and costumes are a requirement, not everyone will be interested in dressing up (shocking, right? I’d give anything to go to a fun costume party!). If you’re having an elegant sit-down dinner or cocktail party but a few of your friends prefer more raucous parties with loud music, free-flowing booze, and entertainment, or simply aren’t the type for ‘fancy’ parties, maybe leave them off the guest list this time around.

Once you've made the guest list, it's time to send out invitations. You can send paper invitations in the mail, or if you're looking for a more eco-friendly way to invite people, you can send paperless invitations. These days, most people don't keep invitations the way they used to, which means they likely get thrown away, creating waste this planet just doesn't need. Sending paperless e-vites not only reduces your carbon footprint, it also makes it easy to keep track of RSVPs. If you're looking for a wide variety of beautiful invites for every occasion, check out Paperless Post's invitations. They have dozens of absolutely gorgeous autumn-themed invitations, as well as Halloween invites that range from cute to whimsical to creepy to elegant.

Now that you've chosen your theme, created your menu, bought or made your decorations, and sent out invitations, you have all the elements of the perfect fall party! Whichever way you choose to celebrate this beautiful, colourful season, I hope you enjoy the time spent with family and friends.

This post was written in collaboration with Anagram Interactive.

What are some of your best party planning tips? If you could host - or attend - any kind of fall party, what theme would it be?

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You might also like:

  ☆A Day of Tea and Books

  ☆10 Books I’m Excited to Read This Fall

  ☆13 Creepy Books to Read This Halloween

  ☆6 TV Series to Watch This October to Get in the Halloween Spirit

10 Books I'm Excited to Read This Fall

Every year, I set myself an ambitious fall reading list. It usually includes several paranormal and horror books I’ve had sitting on my shelves for years - because doesn’t autumn seem like the perfect time to read scary, creepy books in preparation for Halloween? - as well as new releases, and a reread or two. Despite not having much success with sticking to my autumn TBR, I continue to make one every year, and this year is no different.

As you’ll see from my list, I have eclectic reading tastes. I’m hoping there’ll be someone for everyone here and we can squee over these amazing books together!

A Brit Complicated by Brenda St John Brown

Release date: October 11th

This is the third and final book in the Castle Calder series (A Brit on the Side is #1 and A Brit Unexpected is #2), which I have absolutely adored. Besides being set in England, which is always a huge bonus for me, these books are hilarious and sexy, and feature fantastic, memorable characters.

London, Can You Wait? by Jacquelyn Middleton

Release date: October 26th

This is the sequel to London Belongs to Me, one of my favourite books of 2017. As a nerdy fangirl with anxiety, Alex’s story spoke to me, plus it didn’t hurt that the love interest was an Irish hottie! Despite being a massive romance junkie, one of my favourite things to read (and write about) is strong women discovering themselves, growing, and having healthy friendships. London Belongs to Me ticks all those boxes and then some, while having a swoony romance that’s not the focus of the book. I’ve heard, however, that London, Can You Wait? features more romance and possibly some sexytimes, and I have to say, I’m so here for that.

The Corner of Forever and Always by Lia Riley

Release date: September 26th

I’ve been a huge fan of Lia Riley’s books since her debut, Upside Down. The Corner of Forever and Always is a companion to It Happened on Love Street. Lia’s debut trilogy was incredibly emotional and angsty (Bram and Talia forever *heart eyes*), but since then, she’s largely written books that are laugh-out-loud funny and need-a-cold-shower sexy. I loved Pepper and Rhett’s story, and I’m looking forward to Tuesday and Beau’s story.  

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I’ve had Outlander on my TBR for years and have promised countless friends I would read it. My interest grew when the TV series was announced; I was determined to read at least the first book before watching the show, but I caved and watched the first season. My plan now is to read at least the first book and then watch seasons 2 and 3 of the show.

The Girl With the Red Balloon by Katherine Locke

Time travel. Magic. A Jewish main character. I’m here for all of this. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this book for ages.

The Ends of the World by Maggie Hall

This is the third and final installment in the Conspiracy of Us trilogy. The Conspiracy of Us and Map of Fates were thrilling and romantic, and they fueled my never-ending wanderlust. I’m sure this final book will be just as action-packed and exciting.  

The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman

A demon hunter in Regency London. Need I say more?

Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

This is the sequel to Stalking Jack the Ripper. I’ve always had this sick fascination with the Ripper, so I couldn’t wait to read the first book, which was creepy and thrilling. Hunting Prince Dracula is set in Romania and sounds just as exciting as the first book.

REREADS:

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

I don’t often reread books, even though I’m always saying I’m going to reread certain favourites. I read The Sugar Queen at least ten years ago, and for the last several years I’ve been saying I was going to reread it. Part of the reason I’ve hesitated is that I loved it so much the first time. It was beautiful, enchanting, and completely different from anything I’d ever read. Plus look at that cover - doesn’t it just scream ‘autumn’? But my reading tastes have changed so much in the last decade, and I’m afraid the story won’t hold up. I guess I’ll find out soon!

Ghost Walk by Heather Graham

Like The Sugar Queen, I read Ghost Walk long before I started blogging. It was my first book of Heather Graham’s and I absolutely loved the characters, the New Orleans setting, and the creepy paranormal twist. I’ve been wanting to reread it for awhile, and decided to do it this year because my mum recently reread it (we read it at the same time years ago) and said she enjoyed it as much the second time around.

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Buy the books mentioned in this post on Amazon:

If you buy anything through these links, I make a very small commission that goes into maintaining the blog and hosting giveaways. Thank you for your support!

A Brit on the Side, A Brit Unexpected, A Brit Complicated (link coming soon)

London Belongs to Me, London Can You Wait

It Happened on Love Street, The Corner of Forever and Always

Outlander

The Girl With the Red Balloon

The Conspiracy of Us, Map of Fates, The Ends of the World

The Dark Days Club

Stalking Jack the Ripper, Hunting Prince Dracula

The Sugar Queen

Ghost Walk

You might also like:

  ☆Books Set in England

  ☆Books Set in France

  ☆Books Set in Italy

What's on your to-read list this fall? Have you read any of the books on my list? See any you think I should bump up?

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