Some post-credits scenes have simply given us a glimpse of future projects, like Ant-Man’s first look at Captain America: Civil War, while others have hinted at the danger that is still to come, like Thanos’ reveal at the end of the first Avengers movie. Then there are the scenes that jokingly tell us off for staying in our seats in the first place, like Cap’s after-school special in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Post-credits scenes are an art form, of sorts. They are notoriously difficult to get right, and lately, the MCU has been struggling to make them count, and more importantly, make them stick. Phases 4 and 5 have had a hard time with this, especially.
How many post-credits scenes have we seen that will seemingly never be addressed at all? How many have there been that will only pay off years later, when we’ve already forgotten about [insert random character here]? Perhaps the most egregious recent example of this is Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ first post-credits scene, which felt like it was tacked on by some Disney executive somewhere, against director Sam Raimi’s will. Not only did it cut down the intensity of the film’s final horrific moment, in which Stephen Strange gains his third eye, but it introduces a character that only people who have ever read the comics will know. Charlize Theron’s Clea has no meaning for anyone else outside that pool of dedicated fans, and as such, her introduction is sorely lacking.
Spoilers ahead for the Agatha All Along finale.
This is why, when the non-pretty credits began to roll on the Agatha All Along finale and I realized we hadn’t seen a single post-credits scene throughout the show’s run, I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, here was a Marvel project that knew how to stick to its ending. The final scene with Ghost Agatha and Billy leaves several potential storylines open. The hunt for Tommy, the repercussions of creating the Witches’ Road out of thin air, Death’s role in the multiverse; there’s so much to explore. Why ruin that finale with a cheap tease that may never amount to anything?
Even just a glimpse of Tommy running somewhere would have been too much. A proper post-credits scene is a promise, perhaps even more so than an open-ended finale. Including a post-credits scene that teases a future event, character, or team-up is like Marvel saying “We are definitely going to do this. This character and/or event will be important somewhere down the road.” Even though it feels like the MCU may be getting back on track with its upcoming projects, it’s always disappointing when that promise isn’t followed up on.
Would I enjoy a second season of Agatha All Along? Absolutely (though it should probably be called “Billy All Along” instead). Thankfully, the Agatha All Along finale leaves the door open for more without explicitly promising us that there will be more. At this point, the MCU is so vast and dense that any future teases will only ever make this franchise’s already complex narrative web even more complicated. With all the delays and cancelations and shuffles and casting changes that have plagued the MCU recently, not including a post-credits scene is absolutely the right choice. Hopefully, Marvel Studios will finally realize that not every project needs one, or that they should all just include our favorite heroes eating shawarma and leave it at that.
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Agatha All Along gave Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone) her story this week. When the team gets to her trial, we see her back in action with Agatha (Kathryn Hahn), Billy/William (Joe Locke), and Jennifer (Sasheer Zamata). And it was an absolutely breathtaking episode for LuPone.
**Spoilers for Agatha All Along lie ahead**
Lilia has been almost glitching throughout the season. With each episode, she shifts through time and we don’t know what is pulling her through different moments to make her say outlandish things. In episode 7 “Death’s Hand In Mine,” we get a reason for her outbursts. Lilia’s story takes us back to her life as a child in Sicily. She saw the death of her coven and couldn’t do anything about it, she knew how to fix everything but she could never be in the right time and moment to fix it.
When Jennifer and Lilia fall from the Road, Lilia knows what she has to do: She has to get back to her trial to help Billy and Agatha. The episode is split between Agatha and Billy trying to figure out the tarot trial without their tarot witch and that of Jennifer and Lilia trying to get to them. But what I loved most about it was how “Death’s Hand In Mine” gave Lilia her time to shine.
LuPone is a powerhouse of an actress, Broadway fans have known this for years. But getting to see her bring a gravitas to her performance as Lilia in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is something else. LuPone played this storyline not as a woman who has lost her mind but instead as a woman who was lost in time. Which is why the final song over the credits is one of the most heartbreaking and brilliant choices.
“I loved being a witch”
The song “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce played over the credits of Agatha All Along. With an ending that featured LuPone’s Lilia presumably falling to her death on swords (that she used to kill the Salem Seven), the cut to the trailers with Croce’s song was heart wrenching.
The song says “If I could save time in a bottle the first thing that I’d like to do is to save every day ’til eternity passes away, just to spend them with you.” That song mixed with the shot of Lilia as a child getting to see her mother again was a lot to take in. But it is what made this episode so special. Yes, LuPone is brilliant but she was also given a beautiful storyline to work with.
We got another confirmed reveal that Rio (Aubrey Plaza) is actually Death, which was yet again brilliant to watch even if we all sort of figured it out. But what I loved about this episode is that it was Lilia’s. We didn’t have to worry about 20 other things happening, we just got to see Lilia remembering who she was and what that meant to her as a witch.
The part that hurts the most is that I want more time with Lilia. But, as the Croce song says, “But there never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them.” LuPone is brilliant, we know this, but her performance as Lilia is next level.
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I’m loving Agatha All Along. It’s the perfect spooky, Marvel treat, full of witches, secrets, and answers. Agatha All Along episode 6, “Familiar by Thy Side,” especially, changed our outlook on Wanda’s story in WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness entirely.
Spoilers ahead for Agatha All Along episode 6.
That’s interesting though, isn’t it? That a show supposedly focused on ancient witch Agatha Harkness would instead reveal more about Wanda’s family and her incredibly violent journey to find her sons? Now that we know the truth about Teen’s identity—he was Wanda’s son all along!—this feels more like “The Billy Kaplan/Maximoff Show” than “The Agatha Harkness Show.”
Again, Agatha All Along is genuinely enjoyable, and I look forward to new episodes every week. It feels like what all Marvel Television productions should be from now on; they should deal with the consequences of the events in Marvel Studios’ biggest stories rather than be used as a platform for introducing minor, easily overlooked characters. And yet, I can’t help but feel that Agatha herself has been pushed to the sidelines in favor of Billy Kaplan. It’s understandable, to a certain degree—if Wanda really is dead, he’s her natural magical heir in the MCU, and WandaVision was one of Marvel’s biggest Disney+ successes.
That logic doesn’t necessarily excuse the fact that, in these six episodes, we’ve learned more about Billy Kaplan and his story than about Agatha Harkness. Sure, her son was mentioned, we briefly met her ghost mom, and there’s tension between Agatha and Aubrey Plaza’s character, Rio. But in the grand scheme of things, episode 6 has turned Agatha All Along into Billy’s story. He’s the one who set everything into motion. William Kaplan’s death, the subsequent amnesia, tracking down Ralph Bohner on Reddit, breaking into Agatha’s house, releasing her from Wanda’s spell—all of that happened because of Billy. More specifically, Billy’s needs and wants. The entire show is predicated on his character’s motivations, not Agatha’s.
Sure, Agatha wants power, but she’s always wanted power. That’s nothing new. Without Billy, she wouldn’t even be on the Witches’ Road. The coven never would have found each other (and they never would have died). She’d still be stuck under Wanda’s influence, none the wiser and just as miserable. Could Rio have come for her eventually? Sure, but that would make it an entirely different show. In this version, Agatha isn’t a truly active participant in the narrative. She’s a major player in Billy’s story instead.
Of course, the show isn’t over yet. Thankfully, we’ve got three more episodes to go, and I’m really hoping we’ll find out more about Agatha and Rio’s relationship in particular. Is three episodes enough to make Agatha feel like more of a main character in a show named after her, though? Billy’s still on the hunt for Tommy, after all. Right now, he’s calling the shots, and if Agatha doesn’t get a bit more power soon, he’ll overwhelm her entirely.
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We’re back with the Westview theories, babes! Agatha All Along premiered on Disney+ and already, I need to have answers. Like who is Nicholas Scratch and why did Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) have an entire room for him when she was Agnes again?
In the first episode of the season, “Agnes” is stuck in a detective show. She does not know that she is a witch or even her real name. It takes until the end of the episode for her to remember who she really is. Agatha Harkness is so deep into Wanda’s curse that she can’t figure out she’s stuck in some television show, just like the rest of Westview in WandaVision.
But we get snippets of Agatha’s life through Agnes, and it makes me wonder: Who is Nicholas Scratch? In the context of Agatha All Along, so far, he is a character whose room makes an appearance. After a hard day as a detective, Agnes returns home and goes to look at a child’s bedroom. We don’t see him and we think he’s dead, but that’s pretty much what we know about him. So … is this another mystery for us to solve?
As a fan of the Marvel comics, hearing the name “Nicholas Scratch” did clue me in to something a bit darker than just Agatha making up a son for herself like Wanda did.
WandaVision and, by extension, Agatha All Along use a lot of comic nods to keep fans engaged. It is why the “Mephisto” theories were so prevalent during the WandaVision era. The Nicholas Scratch nod could have been just a little tease for fans of the comics, but there could be something more brewing.
The comic book lore of Nicholas Scratch
In Marvel comics, Nicholas Scratch is the son of Agatha Harkness. He is from New Salem, Colorado and eventually led the community after his mother left to live among regular humans. This storyline connects (heavily) to the Fantastic Four and, more specifically, Franklin Richards (a.k.a. the son of Sue Storm and Reed Richards).
I don’t think that the Fantastic Four are going to show up in Westview. Trust me, I learned my mistake after thinking Reed Richards was going to show up in WandaVision. But it would be an interesting way to tie Westview into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. Agatha’s connections to the Richards family are just as important as her connections to Wanda.
For now, we know that Nicholas Scratch was the son of Agnes in this detective reality but who knows whether or not we will see actual Nicholas Scratch make an appearance in the show.
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The instant the weather starts to turn even a little bit crisp, I hear it: the intro to “Eyes On Fire” by Blue Foundation from the Twilight soundtrack. The entire soundtrack is a masterpiece: it catapulted Paramore to mainstream success thanks to their smash hit “Decode.” And don’t forget tracks like Muse’s “Supermassive Black Hole” and Robert Pattinson’s unintelligible lyrics in his own original songs for the album.
The subsequent films had iconic soundtracks too. Bon Iver’s “Roslyn” is one of my comfort songs as much as New Moon is one of my comfort films. But nothing sounds more autumnal than Blue Foundation singing “hoa hoa hoa hoa hoa” in that song. It’s akin to sleigh bells at Christmas. “Hoa hoa hoa” is the undisputed call of the beginning of fall.
I yearn to make my apartment super hygge, light a bunch of pumpkin-scented candles, and curl up under a blanket to watch Twilight and my other favorite cozy fall films. There’s no better time to hunker down with a fine movie. But once I’ve gotten that first Twilight watch out of my system, choosing what to watch can be more challenging than deciding between a PSL and a hot apple cider.
Don’t worry, this is not another eye-roll-inducing list of basic Halloween flicks (that list will be coming in October but it will be anything but basic) and rom-coms set in New England (okay, there might be a few of these). Let us assure you that we’ve dug deeper than your average “fall vibes” playlist. As someone who lived in New England — and actual England — I’m aware that fall is a specific feeling. It’s a mindset. And rather than slogging through fallen leaves wet with rain and despairing over the cold and damp, you must curate the precise vibe.
The best fall movies feel like candlelight. The bonfires. A cross between the last bonfire of summer and the first chestnut-roasting of winter. It’s the cozy in-between time when my seasonal depression hasn’t kicked in yet and I’m thankful for a cool breeze after summer’s unrelenting heatwaves. The essence of autumn is both obvious and subtle – from the cozy sweaters and golden-hued cinematography to the themes of reflection, change, and new beginnings that mirror the season itself. If a movie doesn’t capture that, it’s not on this list.
Fall films are one of the best macro-genres. Autumn is nature’s Instagram filter, turning everything into a warm, nostalgia-tinged reverie. I’ve also been seeing videos about how — long after we’ve left the hallowed halls of academia — fall’s back-to-school energy remains. Fall feels like a time to get serious, buckle down, and start anew – or at least pretend until we hit Thanksgiving. But in between all that girlbossing, there’s nothing like curling up to watch a fall movie and realizing that things aren’t as intense as they seem.
As the temperature drops and our nesting instincts kick in, curl up with these romantic comedies that are set in quaint villages and mysterious thrillers that take place in fog-shrouded cities. Whether you’re looking for something to watch while sipping your third fall beverage of the day (I’m addicted to Blank Street’s Gingerbread Matcha), need a backdrop for your annual “friendsgiving” gathering, or just want to feel seasonally appropriate while avoiding actual outdoor activities, we have got you covered.
These 20 films run the gamut from cult classics to hidden gems, from heartwarming to hair-raising, all guaranteed to put you in an autumnal state of mind. Just remember, if you start craving apple cider or suddenly feel the urge to go antiquing in Vermont after watching these, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
1. Twilight
Twilight isn’t just a movie; it’s a vibe. The Twilight renaissance (that RPatz himself has said he’s on board with) means I’m not ashamed to say it: Twilight, you will always be famous. None of this era’s imitation supernatural movies can compete. That’s why this is the movie I inaugurate my fall with year after year. Set in perennially gloomy Forks, Washington, there’s something undeniably autumnal about Bella Swan’s journey from Arizona sunshine to a Pacific Northwest brood-fest. The muted color palette, the endless rain, and the constipated look on Edward Cullen’s face all scream “fall mood.” And let’s not forget the iconic baseball scene — because nothing says “fall classic” like vampires playing America’s favorite pastime during a thunderstorm. Whether you’re Team Edward, Team Jacob, or Team “I’m Just Here for the Memes,” Twilight will always be a classic.
2. Pride and Prejudice
The hand scene — you know the one — has gone triple-platinum on my Netflix account. Talk about yearning! And nothing says autumn like watching the leaves change and feeling wistful. Jane Austen’s canonical tale of love, societal expectations, and really-really long strolls is one of the few instances where the movie is better than the book (don’t come for me Austen lovers). Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice walked so that Bridgerton could run. Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Bennet traipsing through misty fields in empire-waist gowns was the original Christian-Girl harvest season. The film’s autumnal aesthetic is on point, with golden-hued landscapes that’ll drive you to book a one-way ticket to Yorkshire. Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy emerging from the mist is enough to make me say: Tom Wambsgams, who?
3. Mystic Pizza
If Mystic Pizza isn’t on your fall movie radar, and your fall moodboard, you’re missing out on a big bowl of cinematic comfort food. This late 80s gem is like the perfect autumn day — a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and full of unexpected warmth. Set in the quaint coastal town of Mystic, Connecticut, this is a feast of small-town fall vibes and sentimentality. As young as she is in this early triumph, Julia Roberts is completely charming. She leads a cast of feisty young women navigating love, ambition, and the perfect pizza recipe. I describe it as Love, Actually for the girls. Or if The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was set in small-town Connecticut in the fall. Mystic Pizza is a coming-of-age classic that paved the way for Gilmore Girls.
4. Practical Magic
Wanna add a hint of the occult to your fall movie marathon without going full Halloween just yet? Look no further than Practical Magic — the witchy 90s rom-com starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the Owens sisters who live with their witchy aunts and practice small acts of magic in their everyday lives. Whether you’re in it for the magical realism, the fin de siè·cle fashion (those witch-chic outfits are totally due for a comeback), or just to watch Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman be absolutely iconic for two hours, Practical Magic is an exceptional addition to your fall watchlist. It’s like a warm, witchy hug for your soul. For bonus points, watch it on the Harvest Moon on October 2nd and really hone that magical feeling.
5. Twitches
Talk about nostalgia. It’s been almost 20 years since Twitches came out. Feel old yet? This Disney Channel Original Movie is a guilty pleasure that simply screams “fall.” Starring Tia and Tamera Mowry as long-lost twin witches (get it? Twitches?), this film is what happens when you throw The Parent Trap and Charmed into a bag of candy corn and shake vigorously. Set during Halloween, Twitches is packed with campy costume parties and spooky prophecies. Twitches is like that beloved Halloween sweater you break out every year — it might look tacky, but it’s cozy, familiar, and brings back all those warm, fuzzy feelings of falls past.
Calling all mystery lovers! The Perfect Couple is a wild ride set in Nantucket at the end of the summer season. No spoilers, but it ends with its characters contemplating what’s next for them. Well, what’s after summer but fall? This new Netflix mystery feels like the last show of summer preparing me for all the new stuff coming this fall. This Elin Hilderbrand relies on familiar enough tropes to make it comforting but with enough kick to keep you on your toes.
The show’s aesthetic is peak New England fodder — Nicole Kidman giving coastal grandmother is always a win. But don’t let the pretty scenery fool you, The Perfect Couple is dark and complex, unraveling like an intricately knit sweater, revealing layers of secrets, lies, and family drama that’ll keep you guessing until the very last moment. Think Big Little Lies mixed with Knives Out — also sensational fall watches. The ensemble cast is led by the always-fabulous Nicole Kidman with Dakota Fanning, Liev Schreiber, and Eve Hewson (latest favorite nepo baby unlocked, she’s Bono’s daughter). Whether you’re in it for the whodunit aspect, the gorgeous fall scenery, or just to watch rich people make spectacularly bad decisions, The Perfect Couple is an ideal addition to your autumn watchlist.
7. Only Murders in the Building
Selena just became a billionaire. And, honestly, I deserve a personal message of thanks from her for how many times I’ve streamed Only Murders in the Building while eagerly waiting for the next season. Set in a grand old New York apartment building (hello, fall-in-the-city vibes), the show follows an unlikely trio of true crime podcast enthusiasts turned amateur sleuths. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez have an electric and undeniable chemistry — not to mention Selena’s delish fall wardrobe. But what truly makes Only Murders a fall essential is how it captures autumnal New York. The Upper West Side is awash in golden light and crunchy leaves that make you want to book a one-way ticket to the Big Apple, Come for the clever writing, stay for the star-studded cast — the cameos are as crazy as the plot.
8. Agatha All Along
Agatha All Along aims to save the latest iteration of the Marvel Universe. After the success of WandaVision, Agatha All Along is a spinoff that follows the show’s surprising antagonist: Agatha. It’s a wild ride through small-town intrigue and witchcraft. Kathryn Hahn reprises her role as Agatha Harkness, bringing her signature blend of surprising depth and campy villainy. Agatha’s backstory unveils layers of her character that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about this wicked witch. It also stars Heartstopper’s Joe Locke, Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, and more.
9. Hocus Pocus
Hocus Pocus isn’t just for 90s kids thanks to the recent sequel. This cult classic hits the spot every single autumn. The Sanderson sisters are the OG camp girlies with quotable lines galore. Set on Halloween night in Salem — because where else? — Hocus Pocus is both creepy and sentimental. Hocus Pocus is a perennial fall favorite with its cany blend of humor and heart. Whether you’re watching it for the umpteenth time or introducing it to a new generation (you lucky soul), Hocus Pocus is best enjoyed with a side of candy corn and a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief. Let the Sanderson sisters cast their spell on you once again.
10. Remember the Titans
Maybe it’s because I was half-raised by my older brother, but something within me drives me to watch Remember the Titans come autumn. Set in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971, the movie captures that incandescent moment when summer heat gives way to crisp fall air, mirroring the changes and tension in the recently integrated T.C. Williams High School. Remember the Titans isn’t merely about pretty fall scenery and football (though there’s plenty of both). It’s a powerful story of overcoming racial prejudice and finding unity in the face of adversity — themes that are as relevant today as they were in 1971 — and when the film was released in 2000. Denzel Washington leads the cast with his signature charm and gravitas, delivering inspirational speeches to a cast that includes a young Ryan Gosling.
11. Halloweentown
Welcome to Halloweentown, where every day is October 31st. If you’re a Halloween hardo and already out there celebrating spooky season, by all means, play this on repeat until November. And the PSL flows like water. This Disney Channel classic is guaranteed to give you a sugar rush of warm fuzzy feelings. Set in a magical realm where witches, warlocks, and monsters live in harmony (sort of). Halloweentown is like if your local Spirit Halloween store came to life and lectured you on family values. So this fall, when you’re craving something that’s equal parts spooky and sweet, this is it.
12. Immaculate
Horror fans — and fans of Sydney Sweeney — unite: Immaculate is about to take you on a twisted ride. This psychological thriller premiered at SXSW 2024 and has been giving viewers the creeps since. It’s Sweeney’s turn at Midsommar. Set in an isolated Italian convent, Immaculate is pure gothic autumnal fantasy. Think misty mountains, shadowy cloisters, and enough flickering candles to make a fire marshal nervous. Sydney Sweeney stars as a young American nun who finds herself in out of her depth, bringing her A-game to a role that’s both innocent and increasingly terrified. The movie’s exploration of religious dogma, bodily autonomy, and the darker side of blind faith is as complex and layered.
13. Little Women
Grab your coziest blanket and a mug of something warm, because Little Women is about to wrap you in a big, comforting hug. From Lady Bird to Barbie, anything by Greta Gerwig is an affirming celebration of girlhood. But nothing will hit harder this fall than Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation of this classic tale. Set in Civil War-era Massachusetts, the film is like a New England tourism board commercial.
Maybe it’s because I went to school where this was filmed (thinking of Timothee Chalamet driving past my high school truly makes me cringe), but nothing is more nostalgic than Little Women. During their childhood scenes, the cinematography is intentionally orangey and warm, but even their more stark adulthood scenes are tinged with joy. The March sisters — Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy — navigate love, loss, and sisterhood as 19th-century women. Saoirse Ronan’s Jo March is the ultimate fall mood — passionate, creative, and not afraid to get a little messy (emotionally and literally — girl’s got ink stains for days). It’s giving dark academia in the best way. And I love seeing Timothée Chalamet’s hair flop about in the autumn wind while I head up to the attic to work on my first novel.
14. When Harry Met Sally
You probably wondered when this would hit the list. The godmother of all fall-friendly love stories is undoubtedly When Harry Met Sally. This Nora Ephron classic is like a piercing autumn day. Set in New York City through the changing seasons, this film’s most luminous scenes take place in fall. From long strolls through Central Park to cozy, sweater-clad conversations in dimly lit cafes, each scene is a visual love letter to autumn in the Big Apple.
Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan’s Harry and Sally are the original “will they, won’t they” couple, and the ultimate outfit inspo for fall. The film’s exploration of friendship, love, and the blurry line between the two is as layered and complicated as the fashion combos — think high-waisted jeans and really good jackets. Harry and Sally’s decades-long dance will warm your cynical heart. Just remember — I’ll have what she’s having.
15. You’ve Got Mail
Okay, now we’re deep in the rom-com world. Another classic: You’ve Got Mail is one more Meg Ryan fall classic. Nora Ephron doesn’t miss. This comedy is set in the Upper West Side of New York — where else to set a rom-com about books? — and follows Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox, two rival booksellers who unknowingly fall in love over email. Soooo 90s coded. From Meg Ryan’s enviable autumn wardrobe to the leaf-strewn streets of Manhattan, Nora Ephron is at her apex. And let’s not forget the charm offensive that is Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
So this fall, when you’re in the mood for something that’ll make you believe in the power of love, books, and a really good email subject line, give You’ve Got Mail a watch.
16. One Fine Day
This is a criminally underrated knock-em-out-of-the-park 90s rom-coms. It has everything: Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney, 90s haircuts, and the cutest kids ever. One Fine Day is a 1996 gem about two frazzled single parents whose paths cross on the most chaotic day of their lives. It’s like if Mr. Mom and Working Girl had a baby, and that baby was really into missed connections and fall fashion. Set in Manhattan over the course of a single day, the film starts on a crisp morning when both parents miss the ferry for their kids’ school trip and have to swap childcare all day. A magical premise for a romantic comedy. Pfeiffer and Clooney dash about the city, juggling lost children, missed deadlines, and falling in love. One Fine Day will instantly become your new fall favorite.
17. Brown Sugar
The 90s was the heyday of Black romantic films and Brown Sugar deserves all the flowers. Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs star as Sidney and Dre — childhood friends whose shared love of hip-hop (and each other) takes them on a journey that explores love and work — simmering with years of unresolved tension and shared history. But what really makes “Brown Sugar” a quintessential fall watch is its terrific blend of music, romance, and cultural commentary. Sanaa’s brown-tinged work outfits are also giving major corporate hottie aesthetic.
This 2002 gem is like the R&B slow jam of movies: familiar, comforting, but with enough soul to make you actually feel things. Set in the world of hip-hop journalism and music production, Brown Sugar makes me miss growing up in Harlem. It also features a cameo from one of my favorite rap actors, Mos Def.
18. The Devil Wears Prada
Girlbosses, this one’s for you! This list would be void if I were to omit The Devil Wears Prada. This 2006 classic never gets old. Anne Hathaway? Meryl Streep? The dream of working in a fashion magazine and being able to afford a life? Set in the high-stakes world of New York fashion magazines, this film is half plot and half Pinterest board dedicated to sweater weather. Anne Hathaway‘s Andy Sachs is the epitome of the fall transformation story — going from frumpy grad to chic fashion insider faster than you can say “cerulean.” But the real star of this show is Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly and all those icy glares and cutting remarks. It might be as predictable as florals for spring but it works. I can’t wait for the sequel.
19. The Notebook
Like I said, fall is about yearning. So of course, I must mention The Notebook. This adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ eponymous novel is synonymous with romance movies. And for a good reason: young Ryan Gosling. But don’t count out young James Marsden, either. Set in 1940s South Carolina, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams star as Noah and Allie, the star-crossed lovers whose chemistry is so electric it makes someone as skeptical as me believe in the kind of love that spans decades and defies all odds.
20. Knives Out
One more New England movie, this film satirizes the rich New England families and cultures that some of the others romanticize. Yet it still causes me to savor the fall. Set in a Massachusetts mansion full of mahogany interiors and book-lined rooms, this leafy, murderous paradise is home to the Thrombey family. This dysfunctional brood has gathered to celebrate — or mourn, depending on who you ask — the passing of their patriarch, mystery novelist Harlan Thrombey. Enter Benoit Blanc, a private detective with a Southern drawl played by Daniel Craig. Knives Out’s clever blend of classic mystery tropes and modern sensibility is an exploration of wealth, privilege, and immigration. Talk about timely. And the subtle politics are ripe for this fall since we’re in an election year. Godspeed to all of us.
Agatha All Along, the upcoming Disney+ series spinoff of yet another Disney+ series (WandaVision) which was a spin-off of Marvel’s Avengers movies, premieres September 18 on the streaming service. The show will follow the titular character Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) who is trying to restore her witch powers after losing a magical battle with Wanda Maximoff. In her attempts to regain her magical abilities, Agatha creates her own coven of witches, composed of actors like Patti Lupone, Aubrey Plaza, Sasheer Zamata, and Debra Jo Rupp. During the red carpet premiere of Agatha All Along, we learned that there may be some extracurricular coven activities going on—namely, a queer romance.
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During the premiere, Variety red carpet correspondent Marc Malkin told Plaza he’d heard that Agatha All Along was the “gayest Marvel project yet.”
“It better be, because that’s what I signed up for,” Plaza quipped after sassily rolling her neck.
In the show, Plaza plays a green witch (who are typically herbalists and healers) named Rio Vidal, who has quite the history with Agatha. It’s clear from the teaser trailer that there’s some magic between the two, and Malkin describes their chemistry as “Law And Order meets Basic Instinct meets Bound.” “You’re speaking my language,” Plaza responded. “All of that, yes. More, more, more.” Malkin then asks if the show gets gayer and gayer as it goes on, to which Plaza replies with, “Yes, darling, but I can’t tell you how. I can’t tell you anything. But yes, it will be a gay explosion.”
Plaza is notoriously playful in interviews, so it’s possible she’s exaggerating the series’ queerness—but I’m hoping she’s not! Witches have long been a persecuted people cast out from society for their otherness (or femmes wrongfully accused of witchcraft for daring to buck societal norms), so there has always been a clear cultural overlap between conjurers and the queer community. Modern practicing witches see their craft as a reclamation of power, something that the LGBTQIA+ can appreciate.
Plus, Plaza and Hahn are both hilarious, hot, talented women—why not give us a little lesbian love affair between two of the funniest contemporary actors? I’m incredibly here for it.
Agatha All Along’s first two episodes premiereon Disney+ on September 18 at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET. Then the series will release one episode per week until Halloween week, when the final two will drop back-to-back. It’s spooky season, bitches.
Spooky season is upon us! I’m entirely too excited to meet Agatha All Along’s new witches and witness the return of Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness. There’s little I love more than the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s paranormal corner, after all. Bring on the magic!
I’m sure, like any MCU show, Agatha All Along will be chock-full of cameos, references, and Marvel Easter eggs, and we’ll all have a grand old time dissecting each and every one, hoping for a glimpse of what’s to come. There is, however, one spell caster I don’t want to see turn up on the Witches’ Road. I’m talking, of course, about the MCU’s original witch—the Scarlet Witch.
RIP, Wanda Maximoff
(Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
We all know what happened in WandaVision. Overcome with grief, Wanda Maximoff took an unsuspecting town hostage to play out her sitcom-inspired fantasy life with Vision and her imaginary twin children by her side. WandaVision was a story of loss, mourning, love, hope, and making amends, one that ended with an overwhelming MCU fight against the one and only Agatha Harkness. Wanda blocked Agatha’s memories to punish her, but neither Wanda’s nor Agatha’s story was over just yet.
Then, of course, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness came along, and everything changed. Rather than making amends and meditating on her mistakes, Wanda instead became terrifyingly enamored with the Darkhold, a magical book containing the universe’s darkest secrets and spells. She used the Darkhold to traverse the multiverse in search of her children, leaving death and destruction in her wake. Many, myself included, were surprised by the turn Wanda’s story took, and though the execution definitely wasn’t flawless, we could at least console ourselves with the fact that she remembered who she was before the end, sacrificing herself to get rid of the Darkhold in every universe and dying a hero’s death.
Or did she?
The thing is, we don’t know. Multiverse of Madness’ ending was ambiguous. Wanda is the Scarlet Witch! We never even saw her body! Neither Elizabeth Olsen nor Marvel Studios’ overlords have ever truly confirmed whether or not she was dead, and let’s be honest, this is still a comic book-inspired universe. Anything can happen. The multiverse’s most powerful witch being resurrected isn’t beyond the realm of possibility.
Agatha All Along knows this, of course, and has toyed with our emotions relentlessly throughout its promotional campaign. The trailers seem to suggest that Wanda truly is dead, but then again, at the same time, Elizabeth Olsen has been teasing a possible return, too, stating during a radio interview in Dublin that “if there’s a good way to use [Wanda], I’m always happy to come back, however they can make that make sense.” By now, though, we know that (most) Marvel actors are pros at keeping their roles a secret—I’m looking at you, Andrew Garfield. Who knows? Maybe Wanda, or a version of her, at least, really will turn up in Agatha All Along.
The thing is, I don’t want her to.
Wanda’s resurrection is worthy of a movie
Wanda died in a movie, and she should be brought back in a movie. Hell, she debuted in a movie! This isn’t a knock on WandaVision, which is still, to this day, my favorite MCU show, or a dig at Agatha All Along, which looks to be a fun, inventive, and horror-filled project. At this point, though, when the Marvel fatigue is affecting the general audience, this character’s resurrection deserves to be seen on the big screen, not in a show that some people might not watch simply because they don’t have the time to.
It’s not just that, though. A character as major as Wanda coming back in a show about witches will overshadow every other witch that we’re introduced to. I want to know more about Agatha and I want to know more about Aubrey Plaza’s character. I want to understand the inner workings of the Witches’ Road, and the scope of the coven’s magical power, and see how far the MCU is willing to push the envelope in the horror genre. As soon as Wanda or some alternate reality version of Wanda shows up, that all goes out the window. She’ll become the sole focus, and as much as I love her and want to see her again, she already has her own show. If anything, she should now be getting her own movie.
Cameos and resurrections are fun. Yay! Who doesn’t love to watch their favorite character rise from the dead? In this case, though, I think Wanda Maximoff deserves a bit more rest, and Agatha Harkness deserves her time in the spotlight.
Agatha All Along premieres with two episodes on September 18. New episodes will drop weekly on Wednesdays, only on Disney+.
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Marvel fans got their first tease of witchy WandaVision spin-off Agatha All Alongin July, and now there’s an even better look at Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) and her chaotic coven. Now that Halloween season is starting in the summer, it feels like the perfect moment to learn more about the spooky show, and of course, there’s no better place than D23’s Disney Entertainment Showcase.
Alongside Hahn as Harkness, Agatha All Along—part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s current Phase Five—stars Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Patti LuPone, Debra Jo Rupp, Emma Caulfield Ford, and Aubrey Plaza. The series was created by Jac Schaeffer, whose previous Marvel credits include WandaVision and Black Widow.
Agatha All Along will run a total of nine episodes; it’ll have a two-episode premiere September 18 on Disney+.
