Fall is the perfect season for TV and movies. Whether it’s the growing chill in the air or the unique atmosphere of the season, there’s no better time to start a new show or binge-watch an old favorite. Snuggled under a warm blanket with a bowl of popcorn and a hot drink, these are the top fall TV shows you’ll want to be watching.
1. Over the Garden Wall
No fall TV show list would be complete without this beloved miniseries, available to watch on Hulu. Perfect for audiences of all ages, this show captures the autumn atmosphere like no other. From animation rich in reds, oranges, yellows, and browns to storylines that are both spooky and fun. Plus, the cast doesn’t disappoint. Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood voices one of the two brothers at the center of the story. Other notable names include Christopher Lloyd and Tim Curry.
2. Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls is another classic fall watch. Stars Hollow, Connecticut brings all the small-town vibes that you could ever want, complete with bed-and-breakfasts and cozy coffee shops. Mother-daughter pair Lorelai and Rory are the heart of this story. The show does a brilliant job of capturing all the ups and downs of familial dynamics and the conflicts between ambition and comfort. Make a batch of pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon butter and make this your next watch.
3. The Haunting of Hill House
For something with a darker feel, this adaptation of the classic Shirley Jackson novel is one of the best psychological horrors out there. The Haunting of Hill House is incredibly nuanced in its approach to horror. While the show is scary, at its core it’s a show about grief and family. We follow a group of siblings as they navigate their complex web of relationships and try to forge their own paths. Nell’s story in particular was hauntingly beautiful. The twists and turns will leave you thinking about this show far after you’ve finished it.
4. Supernatural
CW shows, though not always the most stellar in quality, are full of nostalgia and a certain campy darkness that fits in well with the fall season. Supernatural follows Sam and Dean Winchester, a pair of brothers who also happen to be a monster-hunting duo. Each episode, the pair takes on new cases, meeting a host of supernatural foes, and some friends, along the way. The range of cases they go through means you’ll never get bored. The chemistry between the actors and the humor they bring to the screen will keep you coming back for more.
5. Gravity Falls
Gravity Falls may be set in the summer but the small-town setting, cryptic mysteries, and quirky characters all make it a great fall TV show. Dipper and Mapel are sent to live with their great-uncle for a while but they soon discover that there might be more to the town of Gravity Falls than first meets the eye. This animated story combines eerieness and comedy into one neat package.
6. Stranger Things
With a fifth and final season on the horizon, now is a great time to start watching, or rewatching, Stranger Things. Supernatural horror with an 80s flair, a young cast reminiscent of It and The Goonies, and a rural small-town atmosphere are all hallmarks of this Netflix original. The friendships between the kids are what make the show stand out. Their problems are realistic even amid unrealistic scenarios. And the adults in the show, notably Winona Ryder and David Harbour, bring a maturity that adds another layer to the story.
7. Criminal Minds
The first few seasons of Criminal Minds are some of the best moments of crime TV ever. The original cast has an undeniable chemistry that is palpable through the screen. Sometimes crime TV shows can feel colder and distant, neglecting characters in favor of the criminal cases they spotlight. This show is not one of those. The characters and their relationships are as central to the story as their apprehending of unsubs. Characters like Reid and Garcia stay in the minds of audiences for all their quirks and flaws as much as their heroic actions. And the cases are just as interesting. Each episode brings thrilling new mysteries that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. Watch them one at a time or all at once.
8. Interview with the Vampire
No best TV show list of any kind would be complete without AMC’s Interview with the Vampire. This show has been heralded as one of the best-acted and produced shows on TV for good reason. Anne Rice’s lilting and hauntingly beautiful language is transferred effortlessly to the screen. Vampires are a staple in pop culture. This is a story about vampires but it is so much more. It is a story about humanity, ambition, pain, and love. Each cast member portrays their characters with intention and nuance that makes them feel all too real despite their immortality.
9. Mindhunter
Unfortunately, this take on the psychological thriller won’t be getting a third season. However, the first two seasons had audiences begging for more for good reason. Holt McCallany and Jonathan Groff head this adaptation of John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker’s novel Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit. For fans of another show on this list, Criminal Minds, this series takes viewers back to the beginning of criminal profiling as a field. The unlikely duo of FBI agents interview a range of infamous serial killers, expertly portrayed. In particular, Cameron Britton’s portrayal of Edmund Kemper was stellar. The second season takes audiences into the 80s to investigate Wayne Williams and the Atlanta murders.
10. The Fall of the House of Usher
The newest show on this list of fall TV shows is another by the mastermind that is Mike Flanagan. With works like The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and Doctor Sleep under his belt, Flanagan is no stranger to taking classic horror stories to the screen. Based on the Edgar Allan Poe story of the same name, this series captures the dark gothic feel of the original with a modern twist. Fans of Flanagan’s other shows will be glad to see familiar faces like Carla Gugino and Kate Sigel starring as well as other stellar cast members.
