Summer is officially over, and we all know what that means: It’s time to get cozy and hunker down with a fall TV show. Of course, we all started our Gilmore Girls rewatch as soon as the temperature dropped, but there are lots of other autumnal shows available to stream — from charming small-town settings to scary Halloween vibes to characters wrapped in amazing sweaters.
Here is Entertainment Weekly’s list of the 20 best fall shows streaming right now.
Anne With an E (2017–2019)
With its beautiful autumnal landscapes of Prince Edward Island, Anne with an E lays the fall vibes down thick. Translating the classic novel Anne of Green Gables for a new generation, this Netflix series follows the titular, spunky young orphan as she tries to leave her troubled past behind.
Anne’s whimsical imagination, warm friendships, and lovely home make the show a great comfort-viewing contender, but its darker themes also elevate it into a drama. Nevertheless, our heroine’s cozy knit sweaters and hats add to the cozy, nostalgic aura of this period piece.
Where to watch Anne With an E: Netflix
EW grade: B (read the review)
Cast: Amybeth McNulty, Geraldine James, R.H. Thomson, Dalila Bela, Lucas Jade Zumann
Related content: Anne With an E creator Moira Walley-Beckett thanks fans after cancellation, teases possible ‘finale feature film’
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020)
For those seeking a satisfying mix of cozy and creepy, look no further than Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Set circa 1960 in the foggy town of Greendale, where fall is eternal, Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka) navigates high school by day and battles dark forces by night. The show is filled with atmospheric visuals — haunted houses, spell-casting in cemeteries, and vintage-inspired fashion, with Sabrina’s signature red coat standing out amid the autumnal gloom.
Where to watch Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Netflix
Cast: Kiernan Shipka, Ross Lynch, Lucy Davis, Miranda Otto, Chance Perdomo
Related content: Sabrina showrunner hints the now-canceled Part 5 would’ve been Riverdale crossover
Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003)
Sure, viewers in the late ‘90s and early aughts were watching Dawson’s Creek for the swoony-worthy romances, but we’re streaming it in 2024 for the autumnal ambiance. Although set in the waterfront town of Capeside, it never seems to be summer, with young lovers frequently gathered by the creek, at a bonfire, or on front porches. There are even entire episodes revolving around cozy premises like a B&B opening or school ski trip, and the characters are constantly wearing now-vintage flannels. Plus, Joshua Jackson.
Where to watch Dawson’s Creek: Hulu
Cast: James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson
Related content: Dawson’s Creek cast reunites for its 20th anniversary on this week’s EW cover
Everwood (2002–2006)
Although you wouldn’t be remiss to watch this Colorado-set show in winter, Everwood captures the essence of autumn with its lush landscapes, warm vests, and unabashedly sentimental family drama. After his wife’s death, Dr. Andy Brown (Treat Williams) moves his children to the picturesque mountain town of Everwood to build a new life. With its scenic backdrop of the Rockies, autumn is in full display here, and the layered relationships, especially between father and son, mirror the town’s intimate, welcoming atmosphere.
Where to watch Everwood: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Treat Williams, Gregory Smith, Emily VanCamp, Chris Pratt
Related content: Everwood: An oral history
Friday Night Lights (2006–2011)
Nothing says fall like football season. Set in small-town Texas, Friday Night Lights is centered on a high school team’s path to glory, but it’s the relationships and emotional depth that make it a seasonal favorite. The cool autumn air and Friday night games are at the heart of this beloved series, with coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and his family navigating the challenges of life in Dillon. Its themes of community, teamwork, and personal growth play up the nostalgia factor, especially this time of year. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.
Where to watch Friday Night Lights: Netflix
EW grade: N/A (read the review)
Cast: Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Aimee Teegarden, Taylor Kitsch, Zach Gilford, Jesse Plemons
Related content: Friday Night Lights series finale: Ranking the tear-inducing moments
Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)
There’s no show more synonymous with fall than Gilmore Girls. Set in the idyllic New England town of Stars Hollow, maple trees are the first thing you see in the serene credit sequence. The show’s rapid-fire dialogue, quirky characters, and small-town charm, combined with recurring scenes of local festivals, back-to-school moments, and crisp fall walks to Luke’s Diner, make it an annual fall streaming tradition for many. And don’t even get us started on Rory’s iconic poncho, which has become synonymous with cozy Y2K style. As a bonus, you can watch the 2016 revival A Year in the Life, which has a standout episode named “Fall.”
Where to watch Gilmore Girls: Netflix
Cast: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Scott Patterson, Kelly Bishop, Edward Herrmann
Related content: Every Gilmore Girls season, ranked
The Great British Baking Show (2010–present)
Fall is baking season, and as the days get shorter, nothing calms the mind more than watching bakers whip up comforting treats in the Great British Baking Show tent. Set against the backdrop of the English countryside, each season features fluffy pastries, spiced cakes, and wholesome competition.
The camaraderie among the contestants and the soothing atmosphere, not to mention frequent autumn-themed challenges, make this a feel-good fall show with creative front and center.
Where to watch The Great British Baking Show: Netflix
Cast: Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding, Matt Lucas
Related content: The 20 best cooking shows on Netflix
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
The first of many stellar horror series from Mike Flanagan, The Haunting of Hill House combines well-crafted scares with family trauma and an unsettling aura. It follows the Crane clan between two time periods, before and after a tragic loss changes their lives forever.
Much of the show is set during overcast days, autumn storms, and dark, candlelit interiors, but the true fall feel comes from the terrifying moments, especially flashbacks to the Crain family’s time in the sprawling, creaky old mansion.
Where to watch The Haunting of Hill House: Netflix
Cast: Victoria Pedretti, Carla Gugino, Michiel Huisman, Elizabeth Reaser, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Kate Siegel
Related content: The Haunting of Hill House creator talks putting his own stamp on a ghostly classic
Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996)
Set in the quaint town of Cabot Cove, Maine, Murder, She Wrote feels like a cozy mystery novel come to life. Despite its dark subject matter, the classic procedural is filled with charming New England scenery as author-turned-amateur detective Jessica Fletcher (the late, great Angela Lansbury) solves crimes around the cove. Like a visit to grandma’s house (if your grandma had a knack for sorting out who-dun-its), this fall show is comforting and compelling in equal measure.
Where to watch Murder, She Wrote: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Angela Lansbury, William Windom, Tom Bosley, Ron Masak, Louis Herthum
Related content: Angela Lansbury, legendary Murder She Wrote and Beauty and the Beast actress, dies at 96
Normal People (2020)
Normal People was the unofficial mascot of the touch-starved pandemic, but thanks to its lush, moody Ireland setting, it’s also perfect fall viewing. Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell’s (Paul Mescal) on-again-off-again romance is colored with a muted color palette beneath overcast skies as they float in and out of each other’s lives between secondary school, college, and beyond.
Marianne’s love of oversized sweaters only adds to the show’s understated aesthetic, while the introspective nature of the series makes it best enjoyed during quieter autumn evenings.
Where to watch Normal People: Hulu
Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul Mescal, Sarah Greene, Aislín McGuckin
Related content: How Normal People‘s intimacy coordinator made those sex scenes so sexy
Northern Exposure (1990–1995)
Set in the fictional town of Cicely, Ala., Northern Exposure concerns the quirky residents as they navigate life in a cold, secluded corner of the country. It’s there that recent medical school grad Joel (Rob Morrow) is sent to start his practice as the new town doctor.
At first, he’s dismayed to be out in the middle of nowhere, but much like us watching at home, the snow-capped mountains, cozy log cabins, and eclectic characters slowly win him over. The Emmy-winning series radiates warmth in the chilly setting, along with high doses of humor and heart.
Where to watch Northern Exposure: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Rob Morrow, Barry Corbin, Janine Turner, John Cullum, Cynthia Geary
Related content: EW Reunion: Northern Exposure
One Tree Hill (2003–2012)
Another classic WB/CW series that beckons viewers this time of year, One Tree Hill follows the lives of half-brothers Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan (James Lafferty), along with their tight-knit group of friends.
Set in the coastal town of Tree Hill, N.C., the show explores adolescent trials like having the hots for your brother’s girlfriend and battling it out on the basketball court, but as the story progresses, there are also increasingly tender family moments. You can get your fall show fix through its many bonfire scenes and seasonal fashion, notably the jeans, hoodies, and jackets that defined the early 2000s aesthetic.
Where to watch One Tree Hill: Hulu
Cast: Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Hilarie Burton Morgan, Bethany Joy Lenz, Sophia Bush
Related content: One Tree Hill revival getting closer to reality
Only Murders in the Building (2021–present)
There’s something about fall in New York that’s simply unmatched. Set in an iconic Upper West Side apartment complex, Only Murders in the Building mixes mystery and comedy with a cozy, urban flair. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez star as residents who investigate a string of murders at the Arconia for their true-crime podcast, and they do so while sporting statement coats and scarves.
The series’ quirky humor, Manhattan backdrop, and bountiful plot twists make it ideal for binge-watching, and the loaded guest star lineup offers many a-ha moments for pop culture enthusiasts.
Where to watch Only Murders in the Building: Hulu
EW grade: B (read the review)
Cast: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Aaron Dominguez, Amy Ryan
Related content: Jane Lynch returns for new Only Murders in the Building: ‘I’m in a lot’
Over the Garden Wall (2014)
This underrated animated gem has a loyal cult following that makes a point to watch it every fall, and it’s not hard to see why. Following two brothers lost in a mysterious forest where they encounter strange and magical creatures, the series’ artwork is rich with reds, oranges, and browns, evoking the warmth of the season, all while the charmingly odd characters give it an otherworldly feel.
With its dark fairy-tale storylines, beautiful autumnal settings, and eclectic setpieces (including a teapot hat), Over the Garden Wall is an enchanting viewing experience.
Where to watch Over the Garden Wall: Hulu
Cast: Elijah Wood, Collin Dean, Melanie Lynskey, Christopher Lloyd, Jack Jones
Related content: Over the Garden Wall is incredible, and you probably missed it
Parenthood (2010–2015)
Set in Berkeley, Calif., Parenthood radiates comfort from the Braverman family’s large, wood-paneled home, complete with cozy kitchens and backyard gatherings. The feel-good NBC drama sees three generations of Bravermans endure marital problems and growing pains, but always with an air of affection.
Scenes featuring homemade dinners, school events, and rainy afternoons evoke the essence of the season, while the sincere themes of family connection and personal growth make Parenthood feel like a warm embrace.
Where to watch Parenthood: Hulu
Cast: Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, Dax Shepard, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen
Related content: Mae Whitman welcomes first baby and names him after Parenthood costar: ‘He’s our best friend’
Pushing Daisies (2007–2009)
Another woefully underseen series, this whimsical dark comedy revolves around Ned (Lee Pace), a pie maker who can bring the dead back to life by touching them — which kills another person in the vicinity to balance things out. Oh, and if he touches the revived person again, they die. Things get even more complicated from there when he falls in love…
With its stylized sets and narration from the great Jim Dale (narrator of the Harry Potter audiobooks), this fall show inspires a sense of surreal comfort. From Ned’s quaint bakery to the bright autumn colors that fill the screen, Pushing Daisies feels like a pretty (and perverse) fairy tale.
Where to watch Pushing Daisies: Max
EW grade: B (read the review)
Cast: Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Jim Dale, Kristin Chenoweth
Related content: I’m still not over… Kristin Chenoweth in Pushing Daisies
Schitt’s Creek (2015–2020)
Set in a run-down motel, Schitt’s Creek scratches that satirical itch of seeing rich people forced to rough it like the rest of us — with ingeniously witty dialogue and top-notch character acting, of course. The Rose family’s financial fall from grace is filled with humorous and tender moments, all while the seasons subtly change in their new hometown.
The characters’ wardrobes, especially Moira’s (Catherine O’Hara) dramatic outfits, add flair to the down-to-earth setting, helping make this Emmy-winning series a feel-good fall favorite.
Where to watch Schitt’s Creek: Hulu
Cast: Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy, Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire
Related content: Catherine O’Hara comments on her Schitt’s Creek moment in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: ‘Isn’t it weird?’
Twin Peaks (1990–1991)
With its misty Pacific Northwest forests, an ethereal soundtrack from Angelo Badalamenti, and an eerie central mystery, Twin Peaks is a fall television staple serving up coziness with a side of uncanniness. What begins as a detective noir to find who killed Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) soon morphs into a dream-like hellscape, as the local authorities and residents of Twin Peaks are besieged by other-worldly occurrences.
The moody melodrama, small-town dynamics, and co-creator David Lynch’s signature surrealism culminate in a haunting yet inviting autumnal atmosphere (one best enjoyed with a slice of cherry pie from the Double R Diner).
Where to watch Twin Peaks: Paramount+
EW grade: A+ (read the review)
Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook, Richard Beymer, Sherilyn Fenn
Related content: Where was Twin Peaks filmed? The top 5 filming locations from the iconic David Lynch series
Virgin River (2019–present)
Virgin River transports viewers to a picturesque small town in northern California, where nurse practitioner Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) starts fresh after a personal tragedy. With its scenic outdoor settings — forests, flowing water, and mountain vistas galore — watching this Netflix original series feels like a nature retreat. Characters are often bundled in cozy flannel, and the blossoming romance certainly helps heat things up, too.
Where to watch Virgin River: Netflix
Cast: Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, Colin Lawrence, Lauren Hammersley, Annette O’Toole
Related content: Netflix is developing Virgin River spinoff about Mel’s parents