Films For Your October Watchlist

October again. That time of year when the nights get shorter and the weather gets colder. The rain and wind seem to take a personal vendetta against humanity. There’s only one thing to do: hide in the house and stick on the TV. So, here are some of the films which should be on your October watchlist. Some of them are cosy. Some of them are spooky. At least one is downright upsetting. Yet they all fit with the spirit of the season. There should be something here for you. Whether you prefer horror movies that will haunt you for the rest of the week or something light.

Coraline

Starting this list strong is the 2009 stop-motion animation picture Coraline. This movie is an all-year-long favourite of mine but feels especially fitting in October. Whether it’s your first time seeing it or your thirty-first, Coraline is one of those films you’ll never tire of watching.

The dark fantasy celebrated its 15th anniversary this year. Experiencing a 3D remaster, Coraline was re-released in cinemas this past August. (Don’t worry if you haven’t managed to catch it yet, the feature film will be playing again over Halloween.) Coraline Jones is an American tween girl who moves from Michigan to Oregon with her parents, into the 'Pink Palace Apartments'. Soon she discovers a small door in her new home, locked by a button-shaped key. During the day it reveals nothing but bricks, but at nighttime Coraline discovers a world behind the doorway where life is perfect… or so it seems. Inhabited by her ‘Other Mother’ and ‘Other Father,’ they attempt to convince Coraline that here she will find everything she has ever dreamed of. A life crafted with Coraline Jones in mind. Is it all too good to be true?

The soundtrack, composed by Bruno Coulais, features orchestral banger after banger. Hauntingly beautiful songs played by the Hungarian Symphony Orchestra and sung in a made-up language by the Children’s Choir of Nice. 

The cast is littered with familiar names: Dakota Fanning, French and Saunders, and Keith David to name a few. I cannot stress enough how enjoyable of a movie this is to watch. Every single scene is a masterpiece. The storyline oozes with enough tension to keep you hooked, but not too much that the faint of heart can’t still enjoy it. I urge you to watch Coraline. 

Moonstruck

Going into this flick you’ll need to prepare yourself: in the eyes of this movie, Nicholas Cage is hot. Don't get me wrong... I’m not saying that I am attracted to Nicholas Cage, or that you have to be - but if you are then this film is 150% for you. Regardless of your opinion of Nicholas Cage, this movie wants you to think that Nicholas Cage is a stunner. In 2024, this may pose a slight challenge to narrative believability. But, in 1987, it was not such a crazy notion.

Moonstruck is Camp. Capital C. It explores, marriage, affairs, and first love - all through exaggerated Italian American accents. This movie gets bonus points in my eyes for casting Cher as the main character Loretta. Loretta is engaged to Johnny... but when he goes to visit his dying mother in Sicily, Loretta finds herself entangled with Johnny’s younger brother Ronny. Two brothers Ronny and Johnny, are in love with the same woman. See what I mean about this film being camp?

It is also a cosy watch and provides profound and wise life advice on love. This advice mostly comes from Loretta's mother, Rose. Olympia Dukakis plays Rose, another powerhouse actor in this cast. Perfect for when you want to hang with some close friends, crack open a bottle of wine, and watch a good film. There’s an entire scene dedicated to Cher getting ready for her night out, sitting by the fire with a glass of red wine. What more could you want from your autumnal flicks?

When Harry Met Sally

When Harry Met Sally is one of those movies that everyone seems to have seen. But if you haven’t watched it already, I recommend that you get on it. Harry meets Sally when (lol) she gives him a lift from Chicago to New York after they both have graduated. At the time Harry is in a relationship with a friend of Sally's. So... of course, they sleep together. Joking, once they reach their destination the pair part ways. Over the years, they bump into each other now and again. Until their eventual friendship, which kickstarts an eternal 'will they won't they.'

Girls who love dating ugly men - this one's for you! No offence to Billy Crystal, he’s a great actor and he does a great job of portraying an annoying and unlikeable romcom love interest. Harry aside, this movie is fun to watch and elicits some genuine laughs. It also features several gorgeous jumpers which always steal the scene. There's also the iconic scene in which Harry and Sally walk through Central Park - orange trees lining the path... Helping to cement it as a true autumn classic. 

Audrey Rose

Fans of horror, or anyone who checks Wikipedia before watching a film, will quickly recognise a young Anthony Hopkins among the cast of Audrey Rose. Hopkins plays Elliot Hoover, a stranger who comes into the lives of Bill and Janice Templeton. Elliot is convinced that the Templeton’s child Ivy is the reincarnated Audrey Rose - Elliot’s dead daughter.

Around the time of Ivy’s birthday each October, she begins to experience night terrors. Her night terrors turn especially dangerous as she nears her 11th birthday, and somehow Hoover is the only person who can help.

A cheerful ethereal tune, reminiscent of the work of Jon Brion, opens the film. Any optimism created in this opening sequence does not last long... as the film begins to question whether Ivy will survive her yearly period of disturbance. Whether Ivy is in fact, Audrey Rose. Spooky, and bathed in warm orange, yellow and purple light - this film should 100% find itself on your October watchlist. 

Possum

Possum is not for the faint of heart nor the arachnophobic. Beware going into this film that the themes it discusses are heavy - movie trigger warning: abuse.

The 2018 psychological horror follows Phillip, who returns home after losing his job as a puppeteer. We never learn what he did, but we know he was involved in a scandal. The reason he got dismissed from his job, is because of something shameful. Right away, there is an uncomfortable tone set. Shortly after Phillip returns to his hometown a local schoolboy goes missing from the area... The movie will have you questioning if Phillip is to blame or if he is only a hurt, but harmless, man trying to live his life. The director Matthew Holness adapted the film from a previously published short story sharing the same title. From the outset Possum wants to unnerve you; watching it invokes a similar experience for me as listening to ‘Ptolemaea’ by Ethel Cain.

Puppets occupy a central seat of the narrative and are a major contribution to the film's creepy atmosphere. Many of the scenes are quiet to the point of unsettling, staged in mostly empty, dingy rooms boxed in by browning, peeling walls. This is a horror movie that knows how to create and sustain tension. Fans of the genre should aim to watch Possum this October. 

Practical Magic

Another cosy classic to finish off the October watchlist is Practical Magic. This feels like the quintessential Halloween movie. I have such fond memories of watching this film with my best friend and flatmate Ellie. Jokingly comparing ourselves to leads Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, deciding who was most like who, and dreaming of living in a house like the one on screen someday. Bullock and Kidman play sisters Sally and Gillian Owens. Oh, and they’re also witches.

Practical Magic explores love and sisterhood, with legends such as Faith Hill, Marvin Gaye, Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Elvis Presley, Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow featuring on the soundtrack. As soon as you feel a slight October chill in the air, it’s time to play this movie. Be warned... The Owen’s house will make you green with envy and you will crave margaritas while watching (is that a bad thing though?)! I would also recommend watching with Pinterest close at hand because if you’re anything like me you will find a lot of outfit inspiration in this movie. An October icon, Practical Magic is a must-watch as we approach Halloween.

Of course, these are not the only movies you should be watching this October. I’m excited to see the recently released The Substance for one, and I’d recommend that you do some searching as well. See what new films you can discover, and challenge yourself to watch at least one new thing this month. You never know, it could become your new favourite. October is a month blessed with iconic and exciting cinema. The entire genre of horror is practically dedicated to this time of year. But, these are the movies that I would start with if you are interested in finding something good to watch this October.