Your new Fall Binge is here!
Happy fall, Panthers! Although the weather is still making it feel like summer, as of September 22nd, we have officially entered the fall season! There is something in the air that just makes settling into the fall so fun. Whether it’s cozy nights and seasonal treats, or pulling out your favorite pair of Uggs, fall creates the perfect atmosphere for relaxing and enjoying a good and bingeable show. After a long day, there is no better feeling than lighting a candle, getting a snack, and bundling up for a night of watching TV.
Beyond being a way to relax, film and television is one of the biggest industries within the CCIs. All of our favorite shows have been brought together by a crew of professional creatives who can turn one small idea into such a big story that gives audiences an experience to enjoy. When these shows gain massive viewership and popularity across generations, they become staples of pop culture, influencing conversations, fashion, music, social trends, and social culture.
However, with various streaming platforms and endless options, choosing what show to watch can put you in a real dilemma. With so many shows becoming part of our seasonal routines and social culture, the fall is the perfect time to discover your next binge-worthy series. Whether you’re here to find characters to emotionally invest yourselves into or are here for the fall and spooky vibes to immerse yourself in, here is a list that highlights some of the most well-known fall shows that will make your next night-in a bit more cozy.
POV: I love small town fall vibe <3
Gilmore Girls (2000) - Hulu, Disney +, & Prime Video
A true fall classic! Most people have watched Gilmore Girls, but it is definitely one to rewatch every year. The perfect show to get you right into fall, set in the cutest small town of Stars Hollow. The show follows a mother and daughter, Loralei and Rory Gilmore, as they navigate life together. As you go through 7 seasons with them, you get to grow closer to the duo, their found family in Stars Hollow, and even Rory’s life as she goes through high school, college, and young adulthood.
But the Gilmore Girls experience goes beyond simply watching the show. The series has generated a strong fan culture that has turned Stars Hollow into a recognizable part of popular culture. Fans can even immerse themselves in the Gilmore Girls Holiday experience at the Warner Bros Studio Tour. You’re able to walk through Stars Hollow, decorated for the holidays, while also getting to visit some of the most beloved sets. The show also continues to inspire themed merchandise, events, and fan experiences, showing how a series goes just beyond our screens.
One Tree Hill (2003) - Hulu, Disney+, & HBO Max
Yes, another classic teen drama show in a small town. What can I say- it really does hit for the fall time! Set in the town of Tree Hill, North Carolina, the show follows a group of friends who grow close into a found family, as they navigate life in high school all the way into adulthood. The story follows multiple plots as they face challenges regarding romance, family, friend groups, sports, etc. The series starts off with two estranged half-brothers, Lucas Scott and Nathan Scott, as they navigate their enemy-first relationship through high school and social circles, and soon, we are introduced to friends Peyton Sawyer, Brooke Davis, and Haley James.
Although the city of Tree Hill is fictional, Wilmington, North Carolina, where the show was filmed, is a real city you can visit! Fans can visit many filming locations featured on the show. You can visit Brooke Davis’s house, famous for the red front door, and even the Wilmington Riverwalk, where the “Naley bench” is- where characters Haley James and Nathan Scott started their romance in the first season. The fans have helped turn Wilmington into a destination for One Tree Hill fans, allowing viewers to be more connected with their favorite characters, just like in Gilmore Girls.
Spooky and Supernatural
The Vampire Diaries (2009) - Peacock, HBO Max, & Hulu
One of the OG teen-drama supernatural shows that everyone still talks about! The Vampire Diaries follows 17-year-old Elena Gilbert in the small town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, where she ends up in an 8 season love triangle between two vampire brothers, Damon and Stefan Salvatore. Within the series, you get to meet the rest of Elena’s friends who go through a journey about the town’s deep and hidden history. They uncover secrets about supernatural and mythical creatures, as well as discovering dark witch magic. This show has all the best spooky and fall vibes that will leave you attached to the characters and their stories.
Similar to OTH, The Vampire Diaries is also set in a fictional town, this one named Mystic Falls. Though the show was filmed in Covington, Georgia, which has become another destination spot for fans of TVD. In previous years, some of the actors have even hosted events in Covington for the fans, still connecting with them years later. You can even book a tour with the Mystic Fall Tours (https://www.mysticfallstours.com/tours), a family-owned business that takes you to the real filming locations of fan-favorite scenes and sets.
Stranger Things (2016) - Netflix
As some might say, a Chapman Dodge classic; thanks Duffer Brothers! With the ending of Stranger Things just releasing last Christmas, I think it’s definitely time for a revisit, especially that first season; all the nostalgic fall vibes are there. Set in the 1980s, Stranger Things follows a group of young friends in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, who begin to face terrifying supernatural forces after their friend Will Byers goes missing following a night of Dungeons & Dragons. With the Halloween and autumn energy throughout the run of the show, Stranger Things follows these friends through five thrilling seasons. As the increasingly crazy supernatural plot continues, we grow more and more emotionally attached to these characters. #Lumaxforever
Over the years, Stranger Things has become a cultural phenomenon. From the show to clothing, collectibles, games, and a full immersive experience, fans have been able to keep the cultural brand alive. Even now, at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios, there is a new haunted house based on the 5th season. You get to walk through sets like the Hawkins Lab, Wheeler house, and MAC-Z military base, all while trying to save Hawkins.
Nova Scotia/Northeast Island vibe
Anne with an E (2017) - Netflix
The fall vibe is incomplete without female empowerment, young romance, and family drama. Set during the era of colonization of Indigenous peoples, we are in the town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island, Canada. This sweet coming-of-age drama follows a young orphaned girl named Anne, who brings us along on her adventures as she finds friendships and identity while trying to find her place in a mundane town. Anne is definitely a character we all want to embody, a strong female character who sheds light on topics and issues relevant to current society. With the show taking place in the fall and winter, this nostalgic watch will definitely have you feeling all the cozy, sappy, and butterfly feelings while rooting for Anne and her story.
But Anne With an E isn't the first time audiences have fallen in love with these characters and the quaint seaside setting. Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery published the source novel, Anne of Green Gables, in 1908, and it was such a success that it spawned several other books featuring those characters and the setting. As any student of CCI knows, successful literature is a rich and fertile ground from which film and television often pulls from, and this story was no different. In the late 1980s, Canadian Television produced a two-part made-for-television film that was so popular it led to several sequel films and a spin-off series. And Anne with an E has continued to introduce new audiences to these heartwarming characters. Prince Edward Island, Canada, has leaned into this cultural tourism, and you can visit it with an eye to visiting some of the classic spots from the novels and shows.
If you are in the mood for more Northeastern coastal / Island content, but with a spookier take, check out Widows Bay on Apple TV. I haven't seen it yet, so I haven't included it on this list, but it has gotten some great reviews and several Emmy wins this year, so it might be fun to check out!
And there you have it, a list of my top 5 true fall classic TV shows to help you get into the fall season! Though many of these shows are popular, and most people have seen them, there is nothing wrong with a good rewatch. Especially in the midst of midterms and as the semester progresses, sometimes a feel-good show with your favorite characters is just what you need to unwind and relax. If you’ve seen any of the shows above, let me know your thoughts and your favorite characters or ships. If you have more recommendations for fall shows, please let us know in the comments below or on our Instagram, @ccichapmann! Until then, happy watching, catch you all in the next one.
-Ashley😊
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