The 12 best films with an autumnal atmosphere

1. «Practical Magic» (1998)

A classic about two witch sisters, the Owens family curse and the «midnight daisies» — a scene that is still referenced today, despite the film’s mixed reception. The story follows the sisters as they learn to embrace their nature and fight the family curse together.

Pumpkins, an old house haunted by family history, and everyday magic — you couldn’t find a more autumnal film. Incidentally, the long-awaited sequel, «Practical Magic 2», is due for release in September 2026, with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprising their roles as the Owens sisters. So watching the original this autumn is also a great way to get ready for the premiere.

2. «Mona Lisa Smile» (2003)

Julia Roberts plays an art history lecturer at a conservative women’s college in the 1950s, who tries to encourage her students to think beyond simply «marrying well». Her unconventional teaching methods immediately meet with resistance — both from the college administration and from the students themselves, who have grown up with clear ideas about their own futures.

The film is about a quiet rebellion against society’s expectations, without any unnecessary melodrama or a preachy tone. The autumnal campus, the jumpers and the discussions about art create precisely the intimate, intellectual atmosphere that makes this film well worth watching.

3. «Pride and Prejudice» (2005)

This classic film adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel, starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet, tells the story of the complex relationship between a proud young woman from a modest background and the wealthy — though, at first glance, arrogant — Mr Darcy.

English country estates, mist-shrouded fields, hidden feelings concealed behind a façade of polite manners — all the elements that make this film a favourite with so many viewers. The film is particularly renowned for its cinematography: some of the shots look like paintings.

4. «The Lake House» (2006)

A romantic drama about a man and a woman who exchange letters via the letterbox of the same house — though they live in different years. They gradually fall in love with one another, without ever being able to meet in person.

The film strikes a delicate balance between fantasy and genuine emotion, so logical questions about time paradoxes quickly fade into the background. It is a story about how a true connection between people is sometimes stronger than any circumstances.

5. «My Blueberry Nights» (2007)

Wong Kar-wai’s first English-language film tells the story of a young woman who, after a broken heart, sets off on a journey across America, meeting various people along the way and re-evaluating her own life.

The film is fluid and visually rich, with a jazz soundtrack and a sense of travelling to nowhere. This is not a film for those expecting a clear plot — rather, it is for those who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere and spend some time alone with their own thoughts.

6. «An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving» (2008)

A romantic comedy in the vein of «everyone’s gathered for the festivities, and nothing goes to plan»: the story intertwines the lives of several couples in the run-up to Thanksgiving in New York, showing how the hustle and bustle of the festive season brings together people who are completely different.

A light-hearted, festive film with a star-studded cast — the perfect choice for an evening when you fancy something light and easy, but with an autumnal, festive atmosphere.

7. «Love and Other Impossible Pursuits» (2009)

A comedy-drama about a young woman who falls in love with a man twice her age, and how both she and her mother come to rethink what true intimacy means and whether there is ever a «right time» for love.

Meryl Streep is, as always, flawless here — it is thanks to her that the film avoids excessive sentimentality. This is a story about how feelings are rarely convenient or timely, and that is precisely why they are genuine.

8. «Mr. Morgan’s Last Love» (2013)

Michael Caine plays an elderly widower in Paris who, following the loss of his wife, gradually forms an unexpected friendship with a young woman who helps him rediscover his zest for life.

A quiet, sad yet uplifting story about loneliness, loss and the fact that closeness does not always mean romance. This film isn’t one to watch in a hurry — it’s better suited to an evening spent alone with a cup of tea.

9. «The Grand Budapest Hotel» (2014)

Wes Anderson’s eccentric comedy tells the story of a concierge at a luxury hotel in a fictional European country between the two world wars and his young assistant, who find themselves accidentally drawn into a tale of a stolen work of art, an inheritance and a family conspiracy.

Every frame here is like a postcard: symmetrical compositions, pastel colours, vintage trains and a slightly nostalgic atmosphere of a bygone era. The film reminds us that even in the most chaotic of times, it is possible to remain true to one’s style, friendships and personal principles.

10. «October Kiss» (2015)

The title itself hints at why the film has made it into this selection. The story is about a man who, following a divorce, finds solace in travelling and a new encounter that changes his outlook on his own life.

An intimate, warm and unpretentious film about finding a new lease of life — just what you need when the leaves are falling outside and you’re in the mood for something calm yet inspiring.

11. «Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them» (2016)

This spin-off from the Harry Potter universe takes us to 1920s New York, where British magizoologist Newt Scamander accidentally causes chaos in the city after losing several of his charges.

It has everything we love about this genre: magic, enchanting creatures, the atmosphere of a retro autumnal metropolis and the franchise’s trademark humour. The film is perfect both for adult fans of the universe and for family viewing with children.

12. «Little Women» (2019)

The story of the four March sisters as they come of age during and after the American Civil War. This film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel interweaves the past and the present in such a way that you sometimes lose track of exactly which stage of the sisters’ lives you are in.

The film is about ambition, creativity and the difficulties of being a woman who wants more than her era has to offer. It reminds us that family ties and the support of loved ones are more important than any societal expectations.

A good autumn film deserves not to «freeze» in the middle of a scene or lose picture clarity at the wrong moment. If this is what’s stopping you from enjoying the film, it may well be down to your Internet speed. Maxnet offers packages with sufficient speed for comfortable streaming in HD and 4K without buffering — so you can enjoy watching at any time of year.