For some, Nov. 1 signals the start of the Mariah Carey Christmas season. Others begin celebrating in July. But for those clutching their pumpkin spice lattes, fall is a magical time worthy of its own media to mark the season.
Whether it’s the “Harry Potter” movies or the “Twilight” soundtrack, some media just feels made for fall.
Grace Frisbee, junior chemical engineering major, associates “Gilmore Girls” with autumn. She also listens to artists like Beabadoobee and The Marías during this time. For Frisbee, fall media evokes peace and calm.
“I enjoy these because [of] the soft fall vibes and coziness and ‘Scream’ because it’s not really horror, it’s more humorous,” Frisbee said.
During the fall, Devlen Mateo, junior mechanical engineering major, enjoys watching “The Office” and listening to classic rock, which reminds him of time spent with friends.
For Mateo, it’s films reflecting seasonal change that feel most like fall.
“I think the setting and theme of the movie makes it feel like fall, like the weather being cold and leaves turning brown,” Mateo said.
Michael Eaton, professor of film studies and film production, shared insights on what makes certain movies feel like fall.
“There are of course films that use fall colors as part of the storytelling and become known as fall movies. ‘When Harry Met Sally’ and ‘Good Will Hunting’ are good examples,” Eaton said.
However, fall is often overlooked in media, with stories jumping straight to Christmas. Holidays are a selling point for films like “Elf,” which become seasonal family favorites. Fall-themed movies, however, face a unique challenge, Eaton explained.
“Fall is the season when movies that are deemed Oscar-worthy are released,” Eaton said. “That doesn’t always mean that they will have been filmed in the fall season. It might be a film that was filmed in the summer and has summer movie vibes, but if it’s an Oscar contender, it might still be released in the fall.”
The crowded window between Halloween and Christmas could explain why few films focus on the fall season.
Still, Eaton values movies that highlight the seasons.
“I grew up in Spokane, Washington, with four seasons, and the feeling of the seasons just becomes a part of who you are. I’m usually more of a fan of movies that have seasons and real places as a part of the story,” Eaton said.
Frisbee agrees fall deserves more representation in media.
“Fall deserves more recognition, but it’s hard to balance it with Christmas because in California, we only have a certain timeframe of cold weather and we don’t really have seasons,” Frisbee said.
Christmas will always arrive with its celebrations, but before the rush of the holidays, perhaps it’s worth embracing the changing season—complete with food, family, and even “Friends.”
