“Coraline” by Henry Selick — Sophia Teyolia ’29

Every October, there’s one fall film that I always return to, not because it has the most jump scares, but because it feels like autumn from the inside out. “Coraline,” based on Neil Gaiman’s novella, is a stop-motion classic that balances childhood wonder with deeply unsettling dread. The film follows blue-haired Coraline Jones, who discovers a small door leading to an eerily improved replica of her world. 

What truly makes this film a seasonal staple is its atmosphere. The gloomy skies, barren gardens and theme of change strike at the core of fall. The rustic, handcrafted clay characters and the themes of family contribute to the film’s cozy aesthetic. 

Then, there’s the Other Mother, button-eyed and voiced by Teri Hatcher, who feels familiar yet deeply unsafe. Her warm tone is inviting for Coraline and viewers alike, but underneath the surface, it’s calculated and sinister. The Other Mother embodies that low-level anxiety that builds throughout the story, a reflection of how fall often feels: comforting, with something lurking just below. This is the perfect movie to watch with friends when you want that creepy Halloween vibe without tossing your popcorn all over the couch. 

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” by Wes Anderson — Daniel Xu ’29

There’s a lot to love about this staple of American animation. “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is one of those rare moves that’s equal parts tearjerker and an absolute blast of an experience. Based on Roald Dahl’s 1970 novel of the same name, the film centers around the titular Mr. Fox, who faces the rage of a group of human farmers after he returns to his farm-raiding ways. 

Thanks in large part to the puppet-based stop-motion, there’s a real physical quality to the cinematography — from the softness of the animals’ fur to the grittiness of the soil, the film is tactile in a distinctly Anderson way. “Mr. Fox” is also defined by its phenomenal cast of voice actors. Beyond George Clooney’s clever charm in the leading role, other standouts include the tender emotion of Meryl Streep as Mrs. Fox and Willem Dafoe’s scratchy yet slimy performance as Rat. But what makes “Fantastic Mr. Fox” so iconic, for me at least, is how it touches seasonality: Thanks in no small part to the orange palette featured in every single scene, the feeling of fall is inescapable when watching this fox and his adventures. 

“Scream” by Wes Craven — Emerson Prentice ’29

When I want to be transported to Halloween, I put on “Scream.” It is the ultimate slasher movie. It’s scary. It’s funny. It’s deceptively smart, playing on horror movie stereotypes to keep you guessing to the very last second. Without a doubt, this movie has everything you need for a fall film. The first scene is horror movie perfection. As Casey Becker’s popcorn begins to burn, your heartbeat instantly speeds up. Ghostface’s ominous phone calls and the subsequent life or death chase around the house puts you on the edge of your seat. I’ve watched this movie with many friends, and they’ve never known who Ghostface was until the final reveal. I can’t say all seven of the “Scream” movies are fall cinematic masterpieces, but this one certainly is. 

“The Lost Boys” by Joel Schumacher — Mei Knutson ’29

With sky-high coiffures, vampire bikers and copious amounts of fake blood, “The Lost Boys” is a certified ’80s masterpiece. It’s set in Santa Carla, a clear stand-in for Santa Cruz, and although it sounds cliche, the setting truly does become a character. To the tune of shred rock and eerie new wave, Schumacher immerses the viewer in Santa Carla’s boardwalk revels, foggy highways and quirky comic book stores. While the movie’s stylings are good, its main selling point is its humor. Situations are both hilarious and horrifying, and the script doesn’t need snappy one-liners to make you laugh so hard you cry (although it has no shortage of quotable lines.) If you have a couple friends, a comfy couch and popcorn to spare, watch “The Lost Boys” this Halloweekend; it’s packed with gore and good fun. 

“Bram Stoker’s Dracula” by Francis Ford Coppola — Blyss Cleveland, PhD Candidate

“Bram Stoker’s Dracula” by Francis Ford Coppola — Blyss Cleveland, Ph.D. candidate

There are countless adaptations of Bram Stoker’s gothic novel “Dracula.” Coppola’s version is my favorite because it is a visual masterpiece. Count Dracula (Gary Oldman) is given an origin story as a 15th century warrior who returns home victorious from battle only to find his enemies have tricked his wife into dying by suicide. Dracula turns himself into a vampire and waits in his undead state to be reunited with his love. He gets his chance in 1897 when he learns his former wife has been reincarnated as Mina Murray (Winona Ryder). Though Mina is engaged to Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves), Dracula concocts an elaborate scheme to earn her affection.  

“Bram Stoker’s Dracula” is an excellent spooky season watch for scaredy-cats because the scarier moments are tempered by the melodramatic tone. A character comes down with an affliction that can only be described as super sexy anemia that leaves her writhing in ecstasy during a blood transfusion. Keanu Reeves’ performance is quite stilted and leaves much to be desired, but his wig changes so dramatically in several scenes that it deserves an IMDb credit. Additionally, the film is a reminder that having a crush is overrated. Dracula declares that he has crossed “oceans of time,” yearns for his beloved with the fervor of a thousand suns and turns Mina’s tears into diamonds. This is all very romantic, but spending centuries scheming and yearning has made him really weird. If you have feelings for someone and want to exorcise them from your mind, this should go straight to the top of your watchlist!