Wondering what to do with your free time in the in-between period of Halloween and Christmas?…fret no more, I’ve got you sorted.
November, in my opinion, is the perfect month to snuggle up under a blanket with a hot drink and binge-watch some iconic flicks. So whether you’re planning on hosting a movie night with your besties, or spending some quality time with yourself, here are some of my cosy favourites to help you savour the last of the autumnal season.
Little women
Greta Gerwig‘s adaptation of the classic novel is the ideal watch to put you in your November feels. Following the lives of the March sisters – Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Meg (Emma Watson), Amy (Florence Pugh), and Beth (Eliza Scanlen) – from childhood through to womanhood, this period piece will melt your heart, break it, and then patch it up again in the space of two hours.
As the story unravels through different seasons and timeframes, the cinematography captures the colours and moods of autumn and winter beautifully. Making it an aesthetically-pleasing viewing, and placing itself at the very top of my watchlist.
[Where to watch: Netflix]
bates motel
A series giving us a contemporary backstory to how Norman Bates became Psycho? Yes. Please. Inspired by Hitchcock’s horror cult classic, Bates Motel details the life of a young Norman Bates as we watch him grow from a normal (ish) boy to an infamous creepy-motel-owning, dead-mother-obsessing, shower-stabbing serial killer.
After the death of his father, Norman (played by Freddie Highmore) and his mother (the Conjuring’s Vera Farmiga) seek a fresh start in the picturesque White Pines Bay. As buried secrets of the town begin to surface, and Norman’s relationship with his mother is highlighted in all its disturbing glory, we watch as Norman Bates’ psyche unravels and the bodies begin to pile up.
[Where to watch: All4, Amazon Prime, or NowTV]
Harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban
All of the Harry Potter movies are a must-watch for me in the months of September through to December. So if you do have the time then definitely host yourself a HP movie marathon. (If you want to go all out with themed snacks and drinks then I strongly recommend searching through Pinterest for ideas…like this make your own Polyjuice Potion!)
However, if you only have time for one movie then the Prisoner of Azkaban is my one for you. In my biased opinion, it is the best of all the Harry Potter movies. The kids are more grown up yet the nostalgia is still strong, Draco Malfoy is at his peak, and the storyline is superior. Time travel? Check. The Marauders? Check. Werewolves, Patronuses, and Hippogriffs? Check, check, and check. Pumpkins and November feels? Got ’em. Overall vibes? Immaculate.
[Where to watch: Amazon Prime or NowTV]
spinning out
Okay, so this series doesn’t scream autumnal BUT it is set in a snowy ski resort town, following the life of Kat Baker (Skins’ and Maze Runner’s Kaya Scodelario) as she navigates the cut-throat world of competitive ice skating.
This show promises to have you hooked from the very first episode as we watch the protagonist, Kat, balance her mental health, love life, complicated family and friend relationships, all while pursuing the sport she loves – one that promises to give her glory, only with equal parts pain. With addictive drama, heart-tugging moments, characters you can’t help but love, and a slow-burn romance added into the mix, I cannot recommend this show enough…enjoy.
[Where to watch: Netflix]
the half of it
Last but certainly not least on my watchlist is this feel-good Netflix film, set in the quaint fictional town of Squahamish. When social outcast Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) agrees to write a love letter for the school jock, an unlikely friendship is formed. But will her secret crush ruin everything?
A few words to describe this film: charming, tender, and unapologetically human. As the characters’ stories unfold against the backdrop of golden and orange hues of autumn foliage, this is a coming-of-age flic guaranteed to warm your heart and soul.
[Where to watch: Netflix]
Happy watching!