There’s something about fall that makes movie nights even better. Give me a cozy blanket, something good to snack on, a glass of wine, and a movie filled with changing leaves, football games, college campuses or Thanksgiving chaos, and I’m in.
So this year, I thought it would be fun to turn our fall movie watching into a little friendly competition.
I created The Ultimate Fall Movie Bracket, featuring 16 movies that capture some of the best parts of the season. We’re talking New York in the fall, New England foliage, football season, back to school nostalgia, Thanksgiving gatherings and plenty of cozy autumn scenery.
The goal? Watch, vote, and narrow down the bracket until just one movie earns the title of Ultimate Fall Movie Champion.
And yes, some of these first round matchups are intentionally difficult. When Harry Met Sally versus You’ve Got Mail might be downright cruel.
How the Fall Movie Bracket Works
The bracket starts with 16 fall movies and eight first round matchups.
Choose a winner from each matchup and move it into the next round. Keep going until you’re down to your final two movies, and ultimately, your fall movie champion!
You can fill out the bracket based entirely on your existing favorites, or turn it into a fall movie challenge and watch the movies before choosing each winner.
Better yet, get your family or friends involved and see whether you can agree on a champion!
DOWNLOAD THE FREE FALL MOVIE BRACKET
Print your copy, make your picks, and follow @letsmingleblog on Instagram to vote along and see which movie we crown the ultimate fall favorite!
The 16 Movies in Our Fall Movie Bracket
I wanted this list to go beyond movies that simply feel cozy. In order to qualify, each movie had to have some sort of connection to the season, from colorful autumn settings and New England campuses to football season, apple orchards, and Thanksgiving. I also paired similar movies together in the first round, which makes choosing between them considerably harder.
And I should mention that I’m not including anything spooky or Halloween focused yet. This one is all about peak fall vibes only.
When Harry Met Sally vs. You’ve Got Mail: New York in the Fall
We’re starting with a painful one. Both movies give us quintessential New York City autumn scenes, romance, and the kind of cozy nostalgia that practically begs for a fall rewatch.
Mona Lisa Smile vs. October Sky: Back to School Fall
School is back in session. These coming of age stories bring academia, changing seasons, and plenty of nostalgic fall atmosphere to the bracket.
Remember the Titans vs. Rudy: Football Season
It wouldn’t be fall without football. Two inspirational football favorites go head-to-head, but only one gets to advance!
Knives Out vs. Fantastic Mr. Fox: Peak Fall Aesthetic
Sweaters. Rich autumn colors. Crisp leaves. Cozy but still slightly quirky fall atmosphere. These two are very different movies, but both fully commit to the season aesthetically.
INSERT FALL MOVIE NIGHT/BRACKET LIFESTYLE PHOTO
Dead Poets Society vs. Good Will Hunting: Dark Academia
New England Schools, intellectual pursuits and moody autumn atmosphere make these two natural competitors.
Stepmom vs. Dan in Real Life: Family Fall
If your ideal fall movie involves beautiful Northeast scenery, complicated family relationships, and plenty of emotion, good luck choosing between these two.
The Cider House Rules vs. Autumn in New York: Autumn Scenery
If you’re looking for a movie that fully embraces the beauty of the season, this matchup delivers. The Cider House Rules brings apple orchards, harvest scenery, and the changing leaves of Maine, while Autumn in New York gives us romantic New York City backdrop at the height of fall. Apple orchards or autumn in the city…which fall setting will get your vote?
Home for the Holidays vs. Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Thanksgiving
And finally, Thanksgiving. One is about getting home for the holiday. The other reminds us what happens once you actually get there. If you’ve ever experienced holiday travel or a chaotic family Thanksgiving, you’ll understand.
Make It a Fall Movie Night Challenge
You don’t have to finish your bracket in one sitting (I mean, unless you want to). But, I actually think it’s more fun if you don’t.
Save the bracket and work your way through it throughout September, October, and November if spooky movies aren’t your vibe. Pick a matchup, choose a movie, add a cozy drink, and a movie night snack, and make an evening out of it.
You could even invite friends over for a few of the tougher matchups and let everyone vote on which movie advances.
A few ways to make it more fun:
- Print a bracket for everyone and compare your winners
- Pick one matchup for a weekly fall movie night
- Let each person choose a movie night snack inspired by that week’s matchup
- Host a fall movie marathon for the semi-finals
- Save the championship matchup for one final cozy movie night
And if you’ve already seen all 16? Fill the whole thing out immediately. I want to know which movie wins. Lol
Download Your Free Fall Movie Bracket
Ready to find out which movie deserves the title?
DOWNLOAD THE ULTIMATE FALL MOVIE BRACKET
Print your copy, start making your picks, and keep it somewhere you can update throughout the season.
I’ll also be sharing the matchups on @letsmingleblog so we can vote together and find out which movie we collectively crown the ultimate fall favorite.
And fair warning: I don’t expect us to all agree. š
(insert final bracket image/download graphic)
Save This Fall Movie Challenge for Later
Not ready to start your movie marathon yet? Save this post for your next fall movie night, and pin the bracket so you can come back to it throughout the season.
And if you’re filling one out, tag @letsmingleblog so I can see which movie you crowned the winner!
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