Leaves are falling hard; trees are looking stick-lier and pricklier than ever. But that’s all groovy — nature occasionally has to go into stand-by mode. Your TV, laptop, or tablet don’t, however. Some amazing autumn TV shows can make being wrapped up in a blankie head-to-toe and blinking once an episode perfectly reasonable.
So, what shows are we covering in this article? Before you scroll down to find out, we promise you a bunch of fun binge-watching them. Runny nose or not, into spooky scenes or drama, you will not be let down. Now, tuck yourself in and break the play button!
1. Sex Education
Sex Education is wholesome beyond all means. The topics it covers don’t strictly revolve around the essence of autumn, but it has much to say about self-exploration, relationships, and life in general. If you aren’t familiar with it, its plot goes somewhat like this: the main protagonist, Otis Milburn, is a self-conscious, personality-wise brilliant teen who, like his Moordale High peers, expands his understanding of love and sexuality as a high school student.
The show’s comedic and insightful take on issues young people experience is super engaging. Kudos to its team of creators — they made a masterpiece that delivers the depths of a discourse that can easily fall into the realm of tackiness. This clever 32-episode series will inspire you to think, feel, and empathize. It’s not your regular high school Halloween drama — it’s more than that.
2. Stranger Things
Are you feeling the urge to “eerie” it up this fall, but not with a Halloween movie? In that case, you could give a chance to Stranger Things. Inspired by everything typical for the ‘80s, this show lets you spend quality time with a great group of monsters. There also seems to be a pleasing throwback to The Goonies, so there’s no real excuse — other than being faint of heart — to miss out on it.
Much like the heavy autumn fog, this show can be gloomy and unpredictable. Also, its first two seasons begin in fall, so it fits the autumn atmosphere much to the joy of breeze lovers. It’s a series about a bunch of middle schoolers on the search for a missing friend, and it’ll get you hooked.
3. October Road
You can’t talk about fall TV shows without mentioning October Road – the name says it all. It’s one of those autumn TV series that let you experience all the season’s delights without suffering from finger frostbite. And, of course, Laura Prepon and Bryan Greenberg know what they’re doing. That said, it’s a pity that it didn’t last for more than two seasons, as it’s such a cozy pastime.
But regardless of its short on-screen lifetime, October Road still lives in the hearts of fans crazy about Nick Garret and the fall. The whole story unwraps when the talented author and screenwriter decides to go back to Knights Ridge, his hometown, after a decade of not living in it. His decision marks his attempt at reconnecting with his roots and the life he once left behind.
4. Dawson’s Creek
Dawson’s Creek is the right show for you if you don’t want to spend your fall weekends — or Halloween — solving unsolvable, Inception-level mysteries. There’s something deeply comforting about it. Plus, the main protagonist won’t rock your world, which is not a trope many shows fiddle with. Dawson (that’s his name) is rather dull, or at least his repetitive character arc is. However, the things Pacey, Jen, and Joey go through will genuinely boost your attachment to these fictive personalities.
This show is big on details. That said, no matter how many times you end up watching it, you’ll always discover something new. Isn’t a series that can keep things fresh even after you’ve binge-watched it for the seventh time a rare gem in the treasure box of fantastic fall watchables?
5. Gilmore Girls
One of the best fall TV shows ever, Gilmore Girls surely deserves to be on this list. Everything that makes this series what it is, from the soundtrack to the plotline, alludes to fall. In fact, it’s so comforting that you’ll want to spend an eternity under your blankie watching it! Rory and Lorelai’s adventures are reason enough to feel fantastic when it’s chilly outside.
The vibrancy of the show’s homey atmosphere feels like laying on a soft cushion. And by the way, that’s a perfectly viable way to binge-watch it episode by episode, discovering the charm of small towns. As the two main protagonists — who are, for the record, mother and daughter — search for love and make mistakes in life, you can’t help but feel the power of a plotline infused with fall magic. Moreover, supporting characters like Luke and Miss Patty add even more to the show’s colorfulness.
6. Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is a super remarkable show. More precisely, it’s a cult series and the favorite of many. However, much to the surprise of surreal horror mixed with a bunch of drama, the show was canceled after just two seasons. Unfortunately, it ran for just a second in the ‘90s (more specifically, 1990-1991), and that was it. However, it remains one of the best TV dramas ever, which proves its cultural significance.
Long story short, Twin Peaks is a fictional place home to the weird and unusual. Naturally, one of the characters wants to understand what’s happening and solve the supernatural mysteries that no one can explain — spooky, like Halloween. His name is Dale Cooper, and he’s an FBI agent. The show is a hyperrealistic work of art, but it still feels nice and cozy, just like a cup of warm tea on a cold fall day.
7. The Haunting of Hill House
Who doesn’t like ghosts on TV? If you’re a horror genre fan, you’re probably familiar with the haunted house motif. And that same motif is the basis of the storyline in The Haunted Hill House. The show flashes the creepy experiences of a family whose home is possessed by demons right in front of your eyes. It’s the Crane family, and the series alternates between their past and present.
If you thought all fall TV series felt like a gentle stroke on your face, it’s time for a ghostly reality check. This show is eerie, so prepare for some involuntary startles (hint: give it a go this Halloween)! And, if being afraid makes you feel splendid, you could also check out its 2020 sequel, The Haunting of Bly Manor. Hopefully, nature doesn’t call out of the blue this fall!
8. Friday Night Lights
Have you ever seen a fabulous fall backdrop placed on a theater’s stage to make a play more immersive? If so, the scenery in Friday Night Lights feels equally as engaging, complementing the show’s storyline perfectly. From episode to episode, you get to experience the beauty of the small-town vibe and football. Therefore, if you’re a fan of this sport, you’re in for a treat!
All events occur during the high school football season in Dillon, Texas. The show follows a team of players and their coach, Eric Taylor, who enjoy great popularity and respect from everyone there. It’s full of easy-to-like protagonists, and everything happens from September to December, hence the series’ back-to-school character. Plus, the entire story feels super realistic.
9. The Twilight Zone
Are you stoked about Halloween, looking into costumes to freak everyone out? In that case, you should check out The Twilight Zone. Rod Serling narrates the show, and boy, are the stories he tells creepy. In brief, you’ll enjoy many eerie, sci-fi plot twists of the Black Mirror caliber. However, they’re all laced with the trademark momentum of the ‘50s and ‘60s — perfect for when nostalgia kicks in.
Among the show’s writers are iconic names like Lucile Fletcher, Jerome Bixby, and Ray Bradbury. Moreover, apart from the original five seasons, the series has been revived thrice! That said, you can count on plenty of content to cheer you up as the fall temperatures drop! And one more thing — the show’s been named fifth best of all time by TV Guide, which is huge.
10. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Last on our list of best autumn TV shows is Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. This fall show is CW Riverdale‘s freakier sister (if you haven’t seen this series, you have some work to do!). Both shows take place in the same universe. However, Sabrina guides you through the horrors of disturbing imagery and many satanic rituals unseen in Riverdale. Sounds quite creepy, right?
You’re wrong if you think this show is a revival of the ‘90s favorite, Sabrina The Teenage Witch. This show is dark. Yes, it has some twisted humor to brag about; however, unlike the fantastic sitcom, it’s not your usual haha-hehe pastime. Therefore, if you’re into horror and want to pamper yourself this fall season, you should consider giving it a chance.
It’s Showtime, Fall Time, and Pawns Time!
Autumn walks are fantastic. But when the night falls, and it gets chillier than chili peppers, you only want to turn up the heater and relax with a fall-themed TV series or two. Binge-watching autumn TV shows is quite the way to unwind when the air outside is cooler than the coolest of icicles. Of course, this is also a great time to make extra coffee money.
If you are interested in the latter, you should check out the Pawns.app. Taking surveys and sharing your unused bandwidth is easy and can boost your profits! So, consider trying this application whenever you feel like your eyes are getting sore from eyeing scenes like there’s no tomorrow. Taking a break from a break is a thing, you know!