The Best Non-Classic Movies for Fall

Have I told y'all before about how much I love fall? It's my absolute favorite season, I love the rain, the darkness, the colder temperatures, the changing leaves, fruits like apples and oranges being in season, pumpkins growing: there is so much to enjoy about this season! 

But perhaps the best thing about the season, is that it get's chilly enough to snuggle up with blankets and hot chocolate to read a book or watch a movie.

Of course, classics like You've got Mail (controversial opinion: I despise the plot of this movie and will probably never watch it again), Dead Poets Society and Practical Magic are right there to be rewatched! But I do enjoy watching a new movie as well, so I figured today I'd share some movies that I love, that don't often appear in the classic 'fall movie' lists online, but that I think have great fall vibes!

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1. The Odd Life of Timothy Green

Cindy and Jim are a couple dealing with the devastating news that Cindy won't be able to conceive, when a mysterious boy shows up at their doorstep. The boy, Timothy, is taken in as their son, but something odd is going on with Timothy, where did he come from? Is he here to stay? And why are there little leaves growing from his legs?

This movie is just cozy all around, Cindy works at a museum, Jim at a pencil factory and everyone wears pretty sweaters all the time. It's quaint, mysterious but rooted in enough realism that the characters are real from the very first second. All sorts of things I love about fall, like rainstorms and the leaves changing are actual parts of the plot in this movie, this movie is fall through and through.

2. Penelope

Due to her family doing some shady business, before Penelope was even born, she was cursed to have a pigs nose, until 'one of her own accepts her'. Growing up isolated in her room, Penelope is now old enough to start looking for that one special guy (of standing, of course, as he needs to be one of her own) who can love her, despite her nose.

This movie is just the definition of whimsical to me, the sets are stunningly eclectic but cozy and the story has love but also magic, friendship and personal growth. The stacked cast (Catherine O'Hara, Christina Ricci, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage, James McAvoy) balance the comedy with real drama perfectly. It's my favorite romcom ever and a perfect movie to snuggle up with during fall!

3. The Intern

Robert De Niro plays 70 year old retiree Ben, who, sitting bored at home, applies to be an intern at a new online shopping company in town. The company is founded and run by young entrepreneur Jules, who did not expect her new intern to be a senior, and is fairly sure that he won't be able to contribute much.

Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway are like a cozy power duo. They both bring so much warmth and humanity to their characters, making this movie one of my favorite feelgood movies ever. It doesn't quite have the intense fall color palette that the previous two movies on my list have, but the setting of the movie (New York) and the wholesome storylines really make this a perfect fall movie for me.

4. Fly Away Home

After her mothers death, 13-year old Amy moves in with her estranged father on his Canadian farm. When she finds an abandoned nest of goose eggs on the property, she starts a secret project in the barn: hatching the eggs and taking care of the little geese. Adventure ensues, because not everyone agrees with her keeping the geese. And a question looms: how are the motherless geese going to migrate when fall comes? 

This is my absolute favorite childhood movie. Some quirky side plots and characters make the otherwise fairly straightforward story very entertaining. The setting of the farm and, later on, the sky overlooking stunning fall forests are just delicious. I love watching this to commemorate the fall migration season commencing once again, a lovely way to connect to the rhythm of nature. 

5. Nancy Drew (2007)

When Nancy's father gets a job in Los Angeles, they move into an old, abandoned mansion. She promised her dad that she'd abstain from sleuthing for a while, but the mansion houses a mystery: the unsolved death of a movie star. While she tries to find her place at her new high school, Nancy cannot help herself and sets out to solve the mystery!

I did not expect a movie set in LA to be such a fall movie! But Nancy brings the cosy vibes, with her love for spooky locations (the abandoned mansion is both spooky and very cosy at the same time) and her tweed outfits. The mystery surrounding the Hollywood starlet adds an element of vintage, that I felt really sealed the deal on it being a perfect autumn watch! 

A single warning for this movie, even though 2007 feels like yesterday, the r-slur is used in the movie by one of the mean girls. Obviously I don't think that was okay, so take that into account if you plan to watch the movie!

6. Sydney White

When Sydney is banished from her sorority, she has no other choice but to move in with the other rejects: seven dorky guys living together in a run down house on campus. Will Sydney find a new purpose on campus, with the help of her new friends?

There are lots of things that signal the start of fall: back to school season being one of them! Where Legally Blonde is a clear spring movie for me, this one managed to clearly capture that fall back to school vibe for me! It's a modern retelling of the Snow White fairy tale, which adds some cosy charm to the story for me. It's almost too sweet at times, but I found it a perfect match for a sweet mug of hot chocolate.

That's it for now! If I find more movies to fit this category, I will add them to the list! Want to keep updated? I post on Bluesky whenever I add something to any of my blogposts!

In need of more stuff to watch during this autumn season? I have a blogpost with my favorite cosy fall TV shows here!