By Liana Martin
The beginning of fall marks a time of change. Leaves begin to fall, days become shorter, and the sticky summer wind is replaced with crisp air that rolls in with a familiarity you can always feel, but never truly place. There’s perhaps no better way to anchor these feelings of nostalgia than by revisiting some of the films that exude the comfort of the season. These 5 classics will make you yearn for simpler times and provide you with a much-needed escape from reality.
1. Dead Poets Society (1989)
(Photo: IMDb)
This 1989 classic follows a charismatic English professor (played by the late Robin Williams) who sets out to inspire his students to look at both poetry and life differently. An evocative coming-of-age drama, Dead Poets Society will make you laugh, brood, and cry with its comedic performances, inspiring script and heartbreaking vulnerability.
2. You’ve Got Mail (1998)
(Photo: IMDb)
The last of Nora Ephron’s genre-shaping romantic comedies, You’ve Got Mail is the perfect watch to reminisce about the Fall in New York City. Immerse yourself in this classic that follows two business rivals (played by Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks) turned friends who find love in the most unlikely places.
3. Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
(Photo: MUBI)
With arguably one of the most exciting casts of the 2000s, Mona Lisa Smile follows an art history professor (played by Julia Roberts), with lots to teach about life and much to learn about love. Featuring a narrative that masterfully interweaves the stories of each of its characters, this star-studded film still resonates with its viewers who are drawn to its perpetual themes of sisterhood, empowerment and equality.
4. The Age of Adeline (2015)
(Photo: Lionsgate)
This poignant romantic fantasy follows 29-year-old Adaline Bowman (played by Blake Lively) who has incomprehensibly remained the same age for nearly eight decades. With a gripping storyline and undeniably beautiful cast, The Age of Adeline will tug at your heartstrings and make you wonder what it really means to let go and embrace life.
5. Beetlejuice (1988)
(Photo: IMDb)
Directed by Tim Burton, this cult classic is a horror comedy about a “bio-exorcist” hired by ghosts to evict a family who newly moves into their home. Comedically bizarre and delightfully deranged, Beetlejuice creates a sense of wonder that only a few current Hollywood films can truly master. As Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hits theatres, revisiting the 1988 original offers the perfect prelude to its much-anticipated sequel.
So whether you’re curled up under a blanket on a rainy afternoon, or have friends over for a movie night- these fall classics will surely deepen your appreciation of the season’s unrivalled comfort and natural charm.