When that first cool, crisp hint arrives in the air and the summer heat melts away for another year, many of us feel the itch to pull out the pumpkins, hoodies, blankets, fuzzy socks, and all things that shout “FALL!” For many of us, it’s our favorite time of year and we welcome the season with open arms.
Fall brings shorter days, and more hours for our kids to fill indoors. This is the perfect time of year to gather everyone on the couch for a fall family movie night! …But what to watch? Here are some of our favorite fall family movies.
Fall Movie Night Ideas
Fall Movies to Watch with Young Children
Charlotte’s Web: This classic is a great option as it follows the birth of Wilbur in the spring and culminates with Wilbur’s appearance at the autumn fair. This is a fun movie with a sweet message that reinforces the importance of kindness to others. While the popular animated version is a great option, we love the 2006 movie version at our home.
1973 version: Rated G; 1 hr 34 min; watch for free on YouTube
2006 version: Rated G; 1 hr 37 min; available to stream on Paramount+ and Amazon Prime
This is America, Charlie Brown – The Mayflower Voyagers: No list of fall family movies would be complete without Snoopy and the Peanuts crew. While It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving get a lot of love (and they should!), don’t forget about this classic retelling of the Pilgrims’ journey to America, the hardships they faced, and the events leading up to the first Thanksgiving. This would be a great watch for a homeschool history class!
1988; Unrated; 24 minutes; available to stream on Vimeo
Fantastic Mr. Fox: The popular Roald Dahl book received this adorable movie adaptation that is set during fall and is loved by people of all ages. Follow the Fox family as Mr. Fox attempts to outsmart the farmers Boggis, Bunce, and Bean and pull off the greatest heist the forest has ever seen. My husband loves this movie as much as my 5-year-old. It’s sure to be a family favorite!
2009; Rated PG; 1 hr 27 min; available to stream on Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime, and Disney+
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Who doesn’t love Winnie the Pooh?! Join Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood as they encounter one adventure after another. The windy day story gives all the fall feelings. This is a great watch with littles when it’s a blustery day at your house!
1977; Rated G; 1h 14m; available to stream on Disney+
Pocahontas: It’s hard to find a more cinematic fall experience than appears in Disney’s Pocahontas. Join the Algonquin princess and her animal friends as she befriends and saves the life of John Smith. Just make sure you don’t let Disney be your history teacher. Maybe have a quick, historically accurate lesson or conversation with your kiddos after the movie about the real Pocahontas and John Smith.
1995; Rated G; 1 hr 21 min; available to stream on Disney+
Honorable Mentions:
- Frozen 2 – If you have little ones, you may be Frozen-ed out which is why I didn’t include it in the list above, but it is set in fall and has some beautiful animated autumn scenery. You can stream it on Disney+…if you want.
- The Fox and the Hound – This is another Disney classic that gives fall vibes and is a great story of overcoming obstacles to maintain friendship, but it may be a bit intense for little ones. The 2006 sequel is cute, still set in autumn, and might be a better, more lighthearted option if you have sensitive kids. Both are available to stream on Disney+.
- Hotel Transylvania – If you’re looking for a non-scary monster movie for Halloween, this is it. Though not set during Halloween, it is still a great time to enjoy this movie because of the characters. This movie (and its sequels!) is really cute, funny, and able to be enjoyed by all ages. You can find it to stream on Hulu.
Fall Movies to Watch with Older Children
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey: This was a favorite in my house when I was growing up, and can still be enjoyed by kids today. Snuggle up and follow Shadow, Chance, and Sassy as they brave the autumn wilderness to get back home to their people. Some younger kids who aren’t as sensitive may enjoy this one as well.
1993; Rated G; 1 hr 24 min; available to stream on Disney+
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: If you’re looking for a perfect cozy, magical, exciting movie for the whole family, look no further than the first installment of the Harry Potter series. This story garnered worldwide fame for a reason…and if this movie kicks off a family movie marathon in your house, keep the popcorn flowing and enjoy!
2001; Rated PG; 2 hr 32 min; available to stream on Peacock and Max
Jumanji: This exciting story provides some fall scenery, though your kids may not notice it because of the creatures chasing the characters as they run down the street. This tale of 2 kids who find an old, magical board game, rescue a man trapped inside, and have to work together to overcome all the obstacles and complete the game is a fun option for your family movie night…though it may put your kids off board games for a while.
1995; Rated PG; 1 hr 44 min; available to stream on Max and Amazon Prime
Little Women: Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, this story follows 4 wildly different sisters – Jo, Beth, Amy, and Meg – as they grow from children during the Civil War into the women they become. To date, there have been 7 movie adaptations made, so you can take your pick. These two are my favorite versions for a cozy fall movie night.
2019 version: Rated PG; 2 hr 15 min; available to stream on Starz, Hulu, and Amazon Prime
1994 version: Rated PG; 1 hr 55 min
The Goonies: How could we have a list of fall family movies without this classic? We couldn’t! This tale of 2 brothers who discover they might lose their house to make way for a country club, find a map in the attic leading to a pirate treasure, and go on an adventure of a lifetime with their friends is sure to be nostalgic for parents, and your kids can find out why Goonies never say die!
1985; Rated PG (*while this is PG, it’s an 80’s PG, so be prepared for a good bit of swearing); 1 hr 54 min; available to stream on Hulu and Sling
Honorable Mentions:
- Casper: This young, friendly ghost who lives in a dilapidated mansion with his mischievous uncles finds his existence turned upside down when an afterlife specialist and his daughter move into Casper’s home. You can find this 1995 film on Hulu and Netflix.
- Hocus Pocus: This movie is a staple for many families this time of year. If you’re looking for a classic Halloween witch tale, here you go. This title and its sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, can be streamed on Disney+.
- A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: If Mr. Rogers is loved in your home, this sweet, biographical pic starring Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers needs to be on your fall movie list!
Fall Movies to Watch with Teens
Remember the Titans: In many homes, fall is synonymous with football, and this is my all-time favorite football movie. Watch what happens when a white high school is forced to integrate with a black high school during the racially-charged days in 1970s Virginia and their football team manages to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and create a bond that will last forever.
2000; Rated PG; 2 hrs; available to stream on Disney+
October Sky: This film is based on a true story. Homer Hickman’s dad is a coal miner in West Virginia and has expectations of his sons becoming miners as well. When Homer watches Sputnik 1 fly across the sky, he becomes fascinated with rocket science. While his father doesn’t approve, his friends and teacher help him build a rocket and pursue his dream. This movie is great for the budding scientist in your home or any who just might need encouragement to reach for the stars.
1999; Rated PG; 1 hr 55 min; available to stream on Amazon Prime
You’ve Got Mail: Introduce your kids to the ancient, magical world of AOL and dial-up internet in this sweet, funny rom-com that begins in the beautiful New York City autumn. It’ll make you want to buy a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils and your kids can see how we lived in the Stone Age before smartphones.
1998; Rated PG; 1 hr 56 min
The Village: If you have older kids who love a good, spooky mystery, make sure The Village is on your list to watch this fall. The residents of a rural village in Pennsylvania must live by one very important rule – if they stay in their village, the creatures will stay in the woods. When someone needs medical supplies they don’t have, what will happen when the truce is broken and someone enters the woods?
2004; Rated PG-13; 1 hr 48 min; available to stream on Hulu
School of Rock: When a wannabe rock star gets kicked out of his band and finds himself in desperate need of money, he pretends to be his roommate and takes a job as a substitute teacher at an elite prep school. When he discovers the musical talent of his students, his new goal is to secretly enter them into the Battle of the Bands, win, and get revenge on his former band. Shockingly, things don’t go according to plan and hijinks ensue. Filled with laughs, this is a good option for a family movie night.
2003; Rated PG-13; 1 hr 49 min; available to stream on Paramount+
Honorable Mentions:
- If fall football movies are your thing, here are a few more that are definitely worth a watch:
- If you’re looking for Halloween/spooky/mystery movies to watch with your older kids, here are a few suggestions:
- If you have older people in your home who enjoy a good rom-com or drama, these autumnal movies will fit that bill:
- Sweet Home Alabama
- The Lake House
- The Devil Wears Prada
- Pitch Perfect
- Mona Lisa Smile
- Netflix’s Persuasion
May you have many cozy nights with your family this fall!
Additional Homeschool Resources
Our Favorite Fall Books to Read
Fall Crafts and Activities for Kids
Get Writing with Fall Writing Prompts
Naomi White
Naomi White graduated with her B.S. in Christian Elementary Education and went on to earn her Early Childhood Education certification. She has taught preschool and elementary school in both Christian and public schools. She loves to read and write, is a pastor’s wife and stay-at-home mom, and is eagerly awaiting the day her son is old enough for them to start their own homeschool journey. Originally a Georgia girl, Naomi currently lives in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina with her family.
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