It’s Halloween season, which means many rainy days in bed with nothing to do. That’s where this handy list comes in: seven of the best movies for gloomy days– alone or with friends.
1. it’s the great pumpkin, charlie brown
This is one of my all-time favorite movies for the fall season and Halloween especially. As Linus waits patiently in a pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin, we watch the Peanuts gang prepare for a Halloween party and go trick-or-treating. At only 25 minutes long, it’s perfect for a quick study break and, like any Charlie Brown movie, it’s very nostalgic. This is one of those movies that just screams Halloween, and is a must-watch for any fall month.
Where to Watch: Apple TV
2. little women
This is a great movie for any season, but Greta Gerwig perfectly captures fall in New England, making Little Women an excellent movie to cozy up with when it gets gloomy. Viewers watch as four sisters grow up and experience love, loneliness, and loss together, ultimately finding strength in their bonds with one another. If you’re sentimental like I am, this movie is a tear-jerker, but the scenes in the girls’ cozy Massachusetts home provide a sense of comfort that matches perfectly with your fall candles, snacks, and blankets.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
3. the harry potter movies
Watching Harry Potter during the fall is a no-brainer. There’s something comforting about the big castle, cozy dormitories, close friendships, and somewhat gloomy setting that makes the movie perfect for autumn. Not to mention the magical elements of the movie, which make it very Halloween-esque. Even if you’ve seen the movies 50 times, it’s perfect background noise for pumpkin carving, board games, or having casual conversations.
Where to Watch: Max, Amazon Prime
4. the nightmare before christmas
Another classic is The Nightmare Before Christmas, which follows the life of King of Halloweentown, Jack Skellington. In this movie, he’s in charge of running Halloween in the real world. It brings in elements of Christmas, but is definitely focused more on the spooky elements of the fall season. Thus, it’s a great movie to watch for someone trying to get in the Halloween mood this fall.
Where to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime
5. halloweentown
Halloweentown takes place in a town where it’s Halloween year-round, and watching it will have you wanting to pack your bags and live right alongside the witches. It’s a very light-hearted Halloween movie and perfect for a girl’s night in.
Where to Watch: Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime
6. Beetlejuice
This movie is a little scarier than the others, but is still funny. It follows a deceased couple haunting their old house and accidentally attracting Beetlejuice, an obnoxious spirit who puts both the spirits and the residents of the house in danger. I don’t love scary movies, but I enjoyed this one.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
7. the twilight movies
Similar to the Harry Potter movies, any of the Twilight movies are perfect for a rainy day in. The supernatural element with the vampires and werewolves is reminiscent of Halloween, while the setting in rural Washington perfectly encapsulates the classic fall feeling. The combination of a love story and thriller makes the series binge-worthy.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime