Ahhh, it’s FINALLY that time of year again. You wake up to a crisp autumn breeze, grab a pumpkin spice latte after your morning walk, and make a Target run to add yet another (very necessary) scented candle to your infinitely growing collection. At the end of this perfect fall day, you cozy up by the fireplace with your favorite blanket and turn on… uh oh. You don’t know what to turn on!
Don’t fret, you’ve come to the right place! I have all your fall show recommendations right here. In fact, I’ll even go as far as suggesting the perfect times to watch them.
Ok, ok, I know you’re all very eager to get binging, so I’ll jump right in. It’s September, the transition season, so we will need something to get us through until the heart of fall hits.
Since I’m on this journey with you all, I just started Yellowstone, which is great if you love action and family drama. It follows the Dutton family’s fight to keep their generational wealth, which is in the form of their hundreds of acres of land. Everyone is their enemy and wants the land, but John Dutton is a powerful and influential man whose stubbornness wins the battle every time. Think, cowboy mafia.
It gets very violent at times, but you’ll fall in love with the characters and their stories immediately. Taylor Sheridan is the writer and director, and he’s known for his breathtaking cinematography and use of natural landscapes to really pull you into the show. Not to mention, his storytelling is unmatched.
If you like that, you’ll also love the show Justified, starring Timothy Olyphant. This is one of my favorite shows; it has action, mystery, humor, and an amazing storyline. It follows a Miami U.S. Marshal who was sent back to his hometown in Kentucky and is faced with his past. He has to choose whether to uphold the law or go back to his old life.
If you don’t necessarily love action, that’s okay too! These next shows could be right for you. We need to really get into the fall spirit. September goes by in a flash between school, work, and whatever else seems to be popping up when we try to wind down. This show, without fail, gets me in the fall spirit year after year; it seems to be everyone’s tried and true. I think we all know what I’m going to say… Gilmore Girls.
Come on, you didn’t think I’d have a fall show list without including the gold standard. Whether you’re rewatching or a first-time viewer, Lorelai and Rory will capture your heart with their witty banter, coffee obsession, and heartwarming mother-daughter bond. I put this in September because we need to start with a bang.
Other September shows include Smallville, which follows a young Clark Kent discovering himself and his abilities before becoming the Man of Steel. It has a similar feel to Gilmore Girls in terms of a small-town feel, high school romances, and being created in the same era. Along with that, One Tree Hill would also fall into that category.
Spooky season is approaching; September is turning to October, and you’re ready for some hardcore fall. Obviously, we have to start with The Vampire Diaries. I rewatch it every year, and it will definitely get you in the Halloween spirit. This show follows Elena Gilbert, a high schooler who falls in love with a Vampire. That is the very bare bones of the show, no spoilers.
If you like that show, your next move will probably want to be Supernatural, a pair of ghost-hunting brothers. Spoiler alert: you might see a familiar face (Dean from Gilmore Girls).
Another great eerie show that gives a similar feel is Pretty Little Liars and Teen Wolf.
Looking for comedy? I have a few of those too! You might want to check out Based on a True Story, Only Murders in the Building, and Santa Clarita Diet. Honorable Mention would have to be all of the Dexter spin-offs. This is a great October show, but it could arguably be watched during the colder months.
Now, another transition would be mid-November. Around this time, it’s getting colder, and we all have a nagging sensation that Mariah Carey is slowly defrosting. With much consideration, including a very intense conversation with a dear friend, we both decided the perfect November show to start is Gossip Girl.
“You have a lot of fall moments with the students going back to school and everything, but there’s also a lot of Christmas episodes. I think it’s a great November show,” said Ava McGinty, a junior communication major.
With all that being said, feel free to switch things up or disagree. This is merely an outline of a ton of incredible shows out there. However, if you like what you see, here’s a reference list for you. Happy watching!
