The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Cozy Family Movie Night With a Fall Twist

Fall is right around the corner, which means only one thing. It's time to start planning all of those fun autumn activities! Apple picking, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and backyard football games are calling your name. Before you get too overwhelmed, wondering exactly what to add to your fall to-do list, let me suggest something a little lower maintenance.

For this activity, all you need is a television, a streaming service, and a cozy blanket. Of course, you can take it up a notch with cute fall decorations and yummy treats. How far you take your family movie night traditions is really up to you! Take a look at these simple ideas to help you plan a cozy family movie night with a fall twist.

Movie Night Can Be a Fun Tradition to Start with Your Kids

When it comes to family traditions, movie night is a classic. Starting a tradition of movie night with your kids can be fun and easy to implement, no matter your child's age. There's a movie for pretty much every interest. A fun twist is to let each child take turns every week picking out the next movie.

How to Plan a Cozy Family Night with a Fall Twist

Movie night doesn't have to be complicated. All you need to do to create a fall-themed movie night is pick a movie with an autumn backdrop. There are so many of these movies out there! However, if you want to take it a step further, check out these fun movie, snack, and decoration ideas that will not disappoint!

Add an Element of Coziness With Seasonal Themes

When the seasons change, switching up the themes of your movies can add a fun element to these traditions. With fall right around the corner, now is a great time to start planning the movies, snacks, and decorations for your upcoming movie nights. Don't know where to get started? Don't worry, we have you covered. From age-appropriate movie choices to yummy snack ideas, planning your cozy family movie night will be a breeze.

Start With Fall-Themed Movie Picks

Whether you are the one choosing the movies or you let your child do the picking, there's a wide range of options that give fall vibes. The first thing to do is think about the age range of your child. Are you looking for toddler-geared movies that give a cozy vibe? Is your child a teenager and starting to get into the movies that give a creepy vibe? Take a look at some of the more popular fall movie picks for each age range.

Fall Movies for Young Kids

If your child is on the younger side, going with a cute and sweet movie is always a good choice. These movies are typically on the shorter side, have autumn as the backdrop or as a smaller theme, and give off cozy vibes.

• It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Halloweentown
• Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie
• Room on the Broom
• The Gruffalo
• Matilda
• Hotel Transylvania
• Charlotte's Web
• A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
• Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest

Fall Picks for Older Kids

At this age, your child may be ready for movies that are a bit longer and spookier. The movies below are always hits with older kids.

• Coco
• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Casper
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
• Soul
• Twitches
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
• Fantastic Mr. Fox
• Hocus Pocus
• Enchanted

Pre-Teen Fall Movies

If your child is a pre-teen, you may notice their taste in movies has changed slightly. They can sit through longer movies and understand underlying themes more deeply. A few of these movies are a little on the scary side, such as “The Goonies” and “Goosebumps.” Use your discretion on whether or not your child can handle a little more spookiness.

• The Goonies
• Rudy
• Bridge to Terabithia
• The BFG
• Remember the Titans
• Little Women
• Paddington
• The Princess Bride
• ParaNorman
• Goosebumps

Fall Movies to Watch with Your Teenagers

Movie night with teenagers can be such a fun step up from when they were toddlers. Now you can share some of your favorite movies with them and enjoy a wide range of genres together. Some movies on this list are sweet with the backdrop of fall, while others are a little on the scary or spooky side.

• You've Got Mail
• The Addams Family
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• October Sky
• Knives Out
• Dead Poets Society
• Bettlejuice
• Good Will Hunting
• Silver Linings Playbook
• Ghostbusters
• Practical Magic
• Edward Scissorhands

Fall Snack Ideas to Enjoy

Movie night isn't complete without some type of snack. You can grab a bag of popcorn and call it a day. Or you can plan some cute fall snack ideas that your whole family will enjoy. If you want to step up your movie night, take a look at these adorable fall snack ideas.

Turkey Snack Bags

Use a clear, food-grade glove and fill the four fingers with colorful goldfish, the thumb and hand part with popcorn, and tie it off. To make it look more like a turkey, create the beak and gobbler out of construction paper and add a googly eye. So cute!

Lollipop Ghosts

Place a tissue over a lollipop, draw a ghost face, and tie it on with an orange and black ribbon or white pipe cleaner.

Candy Corn Rice Krispies Treats

Use orange food coloring when making Rice Krispies treats. Press into a round tin, let cool, and then cut slices to look like candy corn (or a pie slice). Then dip the small end into white chocolate and the larger end into dark chocolate. The three levels should make it look like a candy corn!

Witches' Hats

All you need to make this yummy treat are Hershey's kisses, chocolate-covered cookies, and a tube of orange icing. Flip the cookie upside down, place a Hershey's kiss in the center, and secure it together with the orange icing. So cute!

Pumpkin Oranges

Peel a small clementine or orange. Leave it whole and stick a small celery stick into the middle. Now, it looks like a whole pumpkin!

Fall Snack Mix

This is fully adaptable to fit any taste. However, one of the easiest ways to make a fall snack mix is by adding Chex, candy corn, mini marshmallows, pretzels, and chocolate chips. Mix and enjoy!

Ghost Bananas

Cut a banana in half, and add black raisins or chocolate chips for eyes. Stick it on a popsicle stick for an easy grip.

Pumpkin Charcuterie Board

Create a fun charcuterie board with a variety of yummy treats, but make it look like a pumpkin!

Caramel Apples

Is it even fall if you don't have caramel apples? Make them easier to eat by slicing the apples and drizzling the caramel over them.

Rice Krispies Treat Mummies

Take a rectangle Rice Krispies treat and place edible googly eyes in the center. Drizzle white icing to look like the mummy wrap. Easy Peasy!

Bring it all Together With Cozy Autumn Decorations

Most people will decorate their homes for the fall season. If this is you, chances are you may not need any decorations to add a cozy element to your themed family movie nights. However, if you are a parent who loves to go all out (like me!), then you can use some of these fun, cozy autumn decoration ideas:

• Place gourds and pumpkins around the television.
• Make sure there are plenty of cozy pillows and blankets around.
• Add hay bales for decorations or to sit on.
• Warm lighting, scented candles, and fall florals can add to the cozy vibe.
• Twinkle lights are fun for kids and can give warm lighting.
• Let your kids create blanket forts before the movie starts.
• Set out fall-themed temporary tattoos for the kiddos (and you!)
• Create a fall tree (like a Christmas tree but with fall decorations).
• Find frugal decorations for movie-specific decorations. For example, for “Hocus Pocus,” scatter around brooms and witches' hats, or for “Winnie the Pooh,” place honey pots around the television.

Create a Cozy Movie Night Tradition With Your Children This Year

This year, you can go all in while creating a cozy family movie night tradition with your children. The snacks and decorations do not have to be elaborate. Kids get excited about the simple things! Add in a couple of cute decorations and some tasty treats, pop in a fall-themed movie, and you will have a tradition your kids will never forget.

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