Cosy Autumn Films for a Movie Night That Isn't About Halloween

Halloween gets most of the attention in October, but plenty of groups have a different kind of evening in mind: blankets, something hot to drink, and a film that does not ask anyone to be brave. If that is your Sunday, here is how to pick, and four films that suit it.

What makes a film cosy?

Cosy is not the same as light. A cosy film is one the room can settle into, and it usually has three things in common:

• Low jeopardy. Things may go wrong, but you trust the film to look after you.
• A sense of place. Autumn streets, a village, a rambling house: somewhere you would not mind spending two hours.
• Warmth between the characters. People you enjoy keeping company with, even when they argue.

It also helps to agree on the evening before you choose. A film that suits a quiet Sunday afternoon is not necessarily the one for a Friday night with six people talking over it.

Four cosy films, four different evenings

Runtimes vary a little between sources and prints, so treat the figures as approximate.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), about 87 minutes

Wes Anderson's stop-motion adaptation of Roald Dahl's book, about a fox whose urge to steal one last chicken puts his whole community at risk. The autumn colours are part of the charm: it looks like a film that has been knitted.

Best for a mixed-age group or one that wants something short and funny. The tradeoff: the humour is dry and deadpan, so very young children may prefer something broader, and there is some cartoon peril. Check the classification for your household.

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989), about 103 minutes

Hayao Miyazaki's film, based on Eiko Kadono's novel, follows a young witch who spends a year away from home setting up a delivery business in a seaside town. It is one of the gentlest films you can put on, and nothing in it really threatens the mood.

Best for a calm evening, or a group that wants to unwind. The tradeoff: it is an episodic, slow-burning story, so it will not suit a room that wants to be kept guessing. Decide beforehand whether you are watching the subtitled or dubbed version.

Little Women (2019), about 135 minutes

Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel moves between two timelines in the lives of the March sisters. It is warm, funny and occasionally sad, and the cast gives the family a believable, bickering closeness. The BBFC classified it U, noting very mild threat.

Best for a longer evening with people who like character-led stories. The tradeoff: at over two hours, with two timelines to follow, it asks for attention. Plan a break around the middle, or pick something from our list of group watches under 90 minutes if the evening is short.

When Harry Met Sally… (1989), about 95 minutes

Rob Reiner directed Nora Ephron's script about two people who keep running into each other over a dozen years, with New York in autumn doing a lot of the scene-setting. It is a conversation film, which makes it good company for a group that likes to talk.

Best for adults or older teenagers, and for couples or friends who enjoy a romance that argues with itself. The tradeoff: it is an adult comedy with frank talk about sex and relationships, so it is not a family choice. Check the classification before you commit.

How to choose between them

Ask the room two questions: how long have we got, and who is watching? A short evening with children points to Mr. Fox. A calm, shared evening points to Kiki. A big, character-driven one suits Little Women, and a group of adults who like talking will do well with Harry and Sally.

If nobody can decide, that is what a shortlist is for. Our guide to building a movie shortlist your group will vote on explains how to keep it small and fair.

In MyMoviePoll, you can start a poll, add a cosy option or two alongside the usual suspects, and let the group vote.