Happy October, Eagles! I am sure many of you have seen Instagram infographics, Pinterest boards, magazine articles and lists from friends, all telling you what to do or watch this fall season. There are many guides out there, but perhaps none so reliable as your trusty Waltonian Autumnal Reporter. Over the past couple of years, I’ve personally written a fall activities guide, a brief movie list and a step-by-step instruction manual for a favorite chilly weather activity: roasting marshmallows. Now, in my final fall semester, I am here to give you the ultimate list of fall-themed entertainment: movies, shows, and more. Strap in, we’ve got a lot of (leaf-covered) ground to cover.
First, I’d like to go through a couple of things set in the fall season. Of course, there is “Over the Garden Wall,” a show beloved by many a tumblr user. With dancing pumpkins and spooky tunes, OTGW is an autumn staple to enjoy with friends. There are also many episodes of “Gilmore Girls” that are set in the fall. Season one, episode six, ‘Rory’s Birthday Parties’ and season three, episode nine, ‘A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving’ are my personal favorites. As for movies, you can never go wrong with “Knives Out”–a funky murder mystery–and “Autumn in New York”–a romantic drama with plenty of fall energy to spare.
We ought to give some space for scary entertainment. There are the obvious classics, such as “Psycho,” “Scream” and “Halloween.” Beyond that, you will have to consult other lists or fall experts. I collected these three titles from my much cooler friends who actually enjoy watching scary movies and being purposefully afraid. Personally, I am easily scared and find shows like “Stranger Things” and even “Doctor Who,” with its campy and creepy creatures, have plenty of fear factors for me. There are also the go-to Halloween flicks, such as “Beetlejuice,” “Corpse Bride” and “Nightmare Before Christmas.”
The cozy section is definitely more my speed. Some fall favorites of mine include “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “You’ve Got Mail,” “Amelie” and “When Harry Met Sally.” All wholesome, all lovely, all give that warm fuzzy feeling that you want out of a fall movie. There is also the timeless classic, “Little Women.” Whether you are a 1994 Winona Ryder die-hard or a 2019 Gerwig fan, the story is charming and sweet, perfect for a fall movie night. Considering the fact that fall is also back-to-school time, we are well into our semester and perhaps need some encouragement. It might be nice to watch something with a focus on academics. “Dead Poets Society,” with its sweeping shots of foliage; “Mona Lisa Smile,” containing many beautiful pieces of art and fall fashion inspiration; and “Good Will Hunting,” giving us the atmosphere of Boston in the fall, are all fantastic choices for romanticizing school life.
We have talked plenty about movies and shows. What about books? Let’s keep with some of the same categories we have set up so far: spooky, cozy, and academic. There is, of course, a vast quantity of literature to choose from, so this is only a tiny selection. Hopefully it will give you all some good ideas!
As stated earlier, I am not really one for enjoying the truly scary or grotesque. But I can get down with some Edgar Allen Poe. Any of his excellent short stories or poems will give you the right creepy vibes for the Halloween season. If you want something a little more intense, Stephen King’s “The Shining” moves beyond the standard horror genre by exploring difficult family dynamics. It’s scary enough to give you the chills but realistic enough to make you reflect.
For our cozy recommendations, I will dive into a few fantasy worlds. “Legends & Lattes,” a charming novel about a battle-worn orc who retires to open a cafe, “A Psalm for the Wild-Built,” a sweet sci-fi about a tea monk and a kind robot and “A Far Wilder Magic,” a young adult magical romance, are all cozy fantasy/sci-fi books with much to offer. “The Dead Romantics” is a quirky ghost story disguised as a romance novel.
No list of fall academia reads would be adequate without Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History.” This could maneuver its way into the creepy category, too. Fair warning, it is a twisted novel, not just in terms of plot. Murder and drama abide. For a less disturbing read, “Babel” by R.F. Kuang is an incredible dark academia, magical realism masterpiece of a novel.
For shorter-form content, there are plenty of YouTube and Instagram creators that have plenty of fall fun to offer. For YouTube channels, Ruby Granger makes academic, bookish videos in the English countryside. Emma, username * emmie * has lovely reading vlogs and book recommendations. If ASMR is your thing, Goodnight Moon creates calming, warm videos with intricate sets and sound design. User @deadpoetswilde on Instagram posts movie clips, poetry excerpts and words of wisdom to help you carry out the dark academia aesthetic. There is also plenty of music that puts one in an autumnal state of mind. With every change from summer to fall, I am once again drawn back into the sound of The Cranberries, The Oh Hellos, Lord Huron, Fleet Foxes, Sam Phillips (who often features on the “Gilmore Girls” soundtrack), Fleetwood Mac and of course, Hozier.
If there is anything in particular you can take away from this extensive series of lists and recommendations, let it be this. Autumn is a season of beauty and change, and the fresh chill in the air combined with beautiful foliage is conducive to the enjoyment of beautiful things that other seasons do not offer in the same way. Take some time this fall to enjoy and appreciate art in all its many forms. You could make your own list of iconic fall things and share with your friends! Use this opportunity to connect with people in your community over a shared love of autumnal entertainment.
Kylie Smith 
Natasha Chaillou 
Hannah Gerber