Fall is a very special time at the University, with longstanding traditions like the beloved annual Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn and the extravaganza of Lighting of the Lawn. With the crimson leaves falling from the trees and the sunset slowly creeping earlier into the afternoon, there’s no better way to celebrate the fall than with a movie marathon.
To make fall at the University feel even more special, light a vanilla scented candle and snuggle in with some spiced apple cider for a screening of these seasonal staples fit for a night in with friends.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
An oldie but goodie, this 1989 classic embodies all there is to love about romance and the wistfulness of passing time. Filled with iconic scenes of New York City adorned in fall’s finest colors and the earthy tones of autumn, this movie masterpiece follows Harry and Sally through over a decade of friendship. Having met through a random car ride home in college, these two journey through anger, love, loss and everything in between.
A tale of enemies to friends to lovers, this rollercoaster relationship aligns with the themes of transition and inevitable change present in the fall’s fleeting passing. As the colors and coziness of November create a soft and inviting lull, so does the charming banter and companionship of Harry and Sally’s confusing yet comforting growth.
From witty remarks to heartwarming breakthroughs, this romantic comedy hooks viewers with its relatable character arcs and the frustrating familiarity of navigating friendships and relationships. Woven with the warmth and endearment that accompany an autumnal evening, this movie proves a whimsical and winsome addition to any watch party.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
Another blast from the past, Charlie Brown’s Halloween special never gets old. This animated short film has remained a beloved staple for years and captures the childhood innocence of Oct. 31.
The film centers around Linus’s charming childlike belief in a magical being, the Great Pumpkin, and his steadfast mission to remain in the pumpkin patch until its arrival. While Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts crew celebrate the holiday dressed in cute costumes and parade the neighborhood on the hunt for candy, Linus sits longingly and filled with hope for a sneaky sighting.
This childhood sweetness combined with the antics of the Peanuts party create a nostalgic and signature short that warms the heart, even after the holiday itself has passed. In its quick 25-minute run time, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” has viewers soaring in the sky with pilot Snoopy, wishing earnestly for the appearance of the elusive Great Pumpkin and laughing along with the mayhem of the night.
Coraline (2009)
“Coraline” takes on a slightly darker, more artistic approach to the season in an extraordinary and wonky stop-motion film. Having just moved to a new house, young Coraline sets out exploring while her busy, working parents leave her far too often to her own devices. She discovers a passageway out of her gloomy reality and into an alternate universe almost the same as her own. While Coraline revels in the warmth of her new life, a few key differences distinguish this new abode from her own.
The “Other” worlds' chilling attention to detail and whimsical nature invite a haunting ambience that captures the dropping temperatures and fading light of the fall season. Perhaps the most enticing aspect of the movie, the stop-motion animation proves an impressive and daunting feat that adds to the strangeness of both of Coraline’s worlds. An art in itself, each frame faced painstaking creation as the one-second-at-a-time production builds to an entire 1 hour and 40 minute narrative.
“Coraline’s” meticulous details present a unique and carefully woven surrealness suited to the nostalgic yet melancholic transition into winter. Even with its darker twists and turns, Coraline, at heart, offers a tale of adventure and gratitude fit for the retrospective nature of the fall. The film proves more than just a Halloween favorite, but also a seasonal classic that appreciates the imperfections and mysteries of Coraline’s world.
From live action to animation to stop-motion, fall classics come in all forms and features. Whether heartwarming or funny, cozy or nostalgic, these familiar favorites appreciate the magic of the fall season.
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