There’s something about autumn that makes us crave familiar stories, gentle chills, and shows that feel like comfort food for the soul. As the air gets cooler and the days shorter, it’s the perfect season to revisit old favorites or discover new ones that capture that cozy-spooky balance. From animated classics and eerie anthologies to supernatural dramas and fall-set mysteries, these TV shows and movies deliver peak autumn atmosphere. Whether you want light scares or emotional depth, this list has something to match every fall mood.
16. The Tigger Movie
The Tigger Movie is pure comfort viewing, radiating warmth and softness from start to finish. Though it made its way to theaters, it feels tailor-made for quiet afternoons wrapped up in a blanket, thanks to its gentle pacing and familiar characters.
Set among golden leaves in the Hundred Acre Wood, the story follows Tigger as he searches for a sense of belonging before winter arrives. Its themes of friendship and found family make it surprisingly emotional, and for many viewers, it’s a nostalgic tearjerker that hits harder with age.
15. Danny Phantom
Danny Phantom blends superhero antics with spooky teen drama, following a regular kid who accidentally becomes half-ghost. Balancing school life with supernatural responsibilities, Danny’s double identity fuels both humor and action.
The show shines thanks to its memorable cast and monster-of-the-week storytelling. With just enough creepiness and a heavy dose of early-2000s charm, it’s a nostalgic autumn binge that still holds up.
14. What’s New, Scooby-Doo?
What’s New, Scooby-Doo? modernized the classic mystery formula while keeping its core intact. The iconic gang still chases down spooky villains, pulling masks off “ghosts” and uncovering the truth behind haunted locations.
Its upbeat energy, catchy theme song, and short episodes make it endlessly watchable. Perfect for fall mornings or late-night nostalgia, it’s a reminder that Scooby-Doo never really goes out of season.
13. Courage the Cowardly Dog
Courage the Cowardly Dog is deceptively unsettling, blending surreal horror with heartfelt storytelling. Set in the middle of nowhere, the series throws its timid hero into absurdly terrifying situations regularly.
Despite the nightmare imagery, the show’s emotional core is strong. Courage’s devotion to Muriel transforms fear into bravery, making the series both disturbing and oddly comforting for autumn viewing.
12. Goosebumps
Goosebumps introduced a generation to horror without crossing into true terror. Each episode adapts a different R.L. Stine story, offering haunted objects, cursed locations, and creepy twists.
Its dated effects and campy tone only enhance the nostalgic appeal. Whether you’re revisiting childhood favorites or discovering them for the first time, Goosebumps remains perfect for spooky-season marathons.
11. The Fall of the House of Usher
This gothic horror series weaves together multiple Edgar Allan Poe stories into one grim, modern tragedy. Centered on a powerful family facing poetic consequences, the show is relentless in its darkness.
Visually rich and emotionally brutal, it thrives on themes of greed and corruption. It’s an intense watch, but ideal for viewers craving something atmospheric and unsettling during fall evenings.
10. Midnight Mass
Midnight Mass explores faith, belief, and morality through a quiet island community shaken by strange miracles. What begins as a reflective drama slowly morphs into something deeply disturbing.
Its strength lies in patient storytelling and philosophical weight rather than jump scares. The series lingers in your mind, making it one of the most haunting autumn watches available.
9. The Haunting of Bly Manor
The Haunting of Bly Manor leans more romantic than terrifying, framing its ghost story around love and loss. Set in the English countryside, it’s drenched in melancholy and atmosphere.
While it has its scary moments, the emotional impact is what truly resonates. It’s ideal for viewers who want something spooky but tender as the nights grow colder.
8. The Haunting of Hill House
Hill House is a deeply emotional horror series that intertwines family trauma with supernatural terror. The fractured timelines slowly reveal how the past continues to haunt the present.
Its chilling visuals are matched by heartfelt storytelling, making the fear feel earned. This is horror at its most human—and perfect for immersive fall viewing.
7. Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is an eerie blend of murder mystery, soap opera, and surreal horror. Set in a perpetually foggy town, it follows an investigation that spirals into something far stranger.
The show’s offbeat humor and unsettling tone create a hypnotic atmosphere. It’s slow, weird, and unforgettable—an autumn essential for fans of moody storytelling.
6. Stranger Things (Seasons 1 & 2)
The first two seasons of Stranger Things capture lightning in a bottle, mixing supernatural horror with childhood friendship. Set during fall, the show’s seasonal vibe is baked into its DNA.
Retro aesthetics, emotional stakes, and memorable characters make these seasons especially rewatchable. They remain the coziest and most nostalgic chapters of the series.
5. Only Murders in the Building
This cozy mystery follows three neighbors bonded by their obsession with true crime. As they investigate a murder in their apartment complex, humor and heart take center stage.
Set against an autumnal New York backdrop, the show’s warm visuals and witty dialogue make it perfect for fall nights. It’s clever, comforting, and endlessly charming.
4. The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone remains one of television’s most influential anthology series. Each episode delivers a strange scenario paired with a moral lesson or philosophical question.
Its black-and-white aesthetic and eerie storytelling feel timeless. For viewers craving thoughtful chills and classic suspense, it’s an unbeatable autumn companion.
3. How to Get Away With Murder
This high-stakes legal drama thrives on twists, secrets, and moral ambiguity. Set on a college campus, the show uses flashbacks and fast pacing to keep viewers hooked.
The fall setting, layered characters, and intense performances make it ideal for binge-watching. It’s dramatic, addictive, and perfectly moody for the season.
2. Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction?
Beyond Belief is peak ‘90s camp, presenting bizarre stories and asking viewers to decide what’s real. Hosted with dramatic flair, it embraces the strange and unexplained.
Its over-the-top storytelling makes it fun rather than frightening. Ideal for late-night autumn viewing, it’s a nostalgic trip into television weirdness.
1. The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries blends romance, horror, and small-town secrets into one addictive package. Set in the perpetually haunted Mystic Falls, it thrives on supernatural lore and emotional drama.
The early seasons especially capture autumn vibes with their moody visuals and intense relationships. Often underestimated, the show delivers comfort, chaos, and cozy spookiness in equal measure. Autumn is the perfect excuse to slow down, light a candle, and revisit stories that feel familiar yet magical. Whether you’re chasing childhood nostalgia, gentle scares, or emotionally rich dramas, these picks capture the essence of fall.