The Horizon randomly polled sixteen students on their favorite movies and TV shows to watch in autumn to compile a popular watchlist. These students were pulled from class and asked about their opinions of the fall season and their favorite titles to watch when the leaves start to fall. Out of the interviewees, fourteen noted a favorite movie or TV show they watch to help set the autumnal atmosphere.
The overall most popular title of both the movie and TV suggestions was Gilmore Girls, which ran from October of 2000 to May 15, 2007. 28% of interviewees noted this as their overall favorite title to watch in autumn, which makes up 66% of TV recommendations. “It’s heartfelt and it feels like fall there. It’s a cute town,” Annie Tueler said in regards to what makes the show special. There were two other TV titles recommended by students, with the first being the animated series Over the Garden Wall. “It’s a cartoon so anyone can watch it. It’s kind of scary. Has a really great soundtrack. I’m really passionate about it,” said Joey Hill. The series aired its only season in November 2014 but still remains popular among a smaller audience. The other show suggested by students was Friends. While most of this show does not take place during fall, Sienna White notes, “Every season there’s a Thanksgiving episode and a Halloween episode, so I feel like it’s a very fall show to me.” While about half of the suggestions were for a TV show, the remaining interviewees recommended an autumnal film.
The movies chosen during interviews ranged from spooky children’s movies to adult horror titles. The only movie mentioned by multiple people was the 2009 animated film Coraline, with 12.5% of the overall recommendation and 28% of the favorite movies. Jaycee Christensen described the film as, “Creepy and I’ve always watched it during fall.” Another recommendation that can be enjoyed by all ages is the Jim Henson film Labyrinth. This 1986 film was recommended by Gracie O’Bryant, who stated, “It’s kind of spooky and the soundtrack sounds very fall to me.”
For those who are searching for something that is more scary than spooky, the Horizon received four horror movie recommendations. The first title recommended by a Skyline student was the 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s It. When asked what makes this a must watch fall film, Lily Guthre said, “It takes place in the summer, but it has a scary clown. That screams Halloween.” Another recommendation about supernatural horrors was Sinister which premiered in 2012. Corey Boulds cites this film as, “Really effective. Really knows how to scare you.” The final two films are well-known horror titles: Scream (1996) and Saw (2004). With both being influential staples of the horror genre, it is no surprise that they would be recommended for this list.
Not only are these past titles great for fall, but there are upcoming horror releases during this autumn that have garnered attention. Many films are being released directly to streaming, but the anticipated Exorcist: Believer goes to theaters on October 6. The other most anticipated release of the month is the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie, starring Josh Huterson and Mathew Lillard, which releases on October 27. The film was originally announced in 2015, but is finally being released to audiences in theaters.
