15 BEST COZY TV SHOWS + FILMS TO WATCH THIS AUTUMN

As the crisp fall weather arrives, it beckons those who enjoy staying in to snuggle up with their favorite entertainment. If you’re ready to sink into the sofa and get comfy, this list of cozy movies and TV shows is packed with familiar favorites and warm knitted sweaters! Keep reading!

A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS

Despite its name and the theme song “Look Away,” A Series of Unfortunate Events is actually a charming show filled with fall vibes. With vintage costumes, moody lighting, and themes of sadness and bad luck, this dark comedy-drama is perfect for the season. 

The story is narrated by Lemony Snicket (Patrick Warburton) and follows the adventures of the Baudelaire siblings: Violet (Malina Weissman), Klaus (Louis Hynes), and Sunny (Presley Smith). After their parents (Will Arnett and Cobie Smulders) seemingly die in a fire, Mr. Poe (K. Todd Freeman), a bank worker, takes the kids to live with their “closest” relative, Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris), who lives just three miles away. 

Unfortunately (you probably saw this coming), Count Olaf is a terrible guardian. He’s a failed actor and a greedy person who wants the Baudelaire fortune and can’t wait for Violet to grow up to get it. 

Based on the well-loved children’s book series, the show stays true to the original stories and features many amazing guest stars, including Joan Cusack, Aasif Mandvi, Alfre Woodard, Catherine O’Hara, and Tony Hale.

YOU’VE GOT MAIL

“Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” This opening line from You’ve Got Mail, where Meg Ryan talks about autumn to Tom Hanks through a charming old-fashioned email, will make you crave the fall season no matter when you watch it. As the story goes on, their unintentional love-hate relationship develops against the backdrop of competing bookstores and two beautiful Manhattan apartments. It’s one of the most comforting movies to watch!

AMATEUR

Basketball season kicks off in the fall, and it’s all 14-year-old Terron Forte (Michael Rainey Jr.) can think about. After a video of his basketball skills goes viral, Coach Gaines (Josh Charles) recruits him to a top high school and offers him a full scholarship to play on the Liberty Prep team. 

When the season starts, Terron becomes a star, and soon sponsors and the NCAA show interest, promising him a bright future filled with money. However, Terron learns that a career in amateur sports isn’t just fun and games. He has to deal with a lot of corruption, greed, and uncertainty, all while keeping up with his homework. Terron’s parents, Nia (Sharon Leal) and Vince (Brian J. White), worry about their son and suspect that Coach Gaines may care more about himself than about Terron. 

You’ll want to see how everything unfolds, both on and off the court.

ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING

Only Murders In The Building is one of the most autumn-like TV shows, making it perfect for this time of year. The series follows three quirky friends who start a podcast to solve a murder that happened in their apartment building. It features a beautiful autumn setting in New York, plenty of stylish fall outfits, and a fun (but mostly silly) murder mystery. It’s a 10/10 for cozy fall TV watching!

THE CHAIR

If we were to match seasons with school subjects, winter would be math, spring would be science, summer would be history, and fall would definitely be English. In The Chair, Professor Ji-Yoon Kim (Sandra Oh) becomes the new chairperson of a struggling English department at a small college called Pembroke University. As the first woman in this role, Ji-Yoon is determined to make things better. 

She works hard to secure tenure for her colleague, Yaz (Nana Mensah), while also dealing with the constant demands of other faculty members, Joan (Holland Taylor), Elliot (Bob Balaban), and the dean (David Morse). She tries to keep her crush on colleague Bill Dobson (Jay Duplass) a secret. 

Besides the strong academic vibes, the autumn atmosphere of this comedy-drama comes from its setting. The campus has a classic New England feel, with beautiful fall leaves, mahogany furniture, leather-bound books, and cozy fireplaces. Plus, we give Ji-Yoon’s fall-inspired work outfits a 10/10!

WHEN HARRY MET SALLY…

Here’s a younger Meg Ryan, once again embracing fall as her friendship with Billy Crystal develops over ten years. Their journey begins with a drive from Chicago to New York right after college and wraps up at a New Year’s party where they finally figure things out. The film features stunning scenes of golden leaves in New York, especially when Harry and Sally walk through Central Park discussing their dreams about love. They filmed in November, and Billy Crystal later shared that if they had waited just one more day, the leaves would have fallen after a rainstorm swept them away.

GILMORE GIRLS

No town does fall quite like the fictional wonderland of Stars Hollow. With its charming town square adorned with pumpkins for the Autumn Festival and Lorelai and Rory’s cozy sweaters, Gilmore Girls has become a favorite for many fans during the season. Binge this show if you’re in the mood for light-hearted drama, small-town charm, witty dialogue, and a never-ending love for coffee, coffee, coffee!

GOSSIP GIRL

If Stars Hollow isn’t serving up enough drama, Manhattan’s elite will definitely fill the void. Gossip Girl follows a group of wealthy New Yorkers navigating the ups and downs of being ultra-rich, ultra-privileged, and often misunderstood while being anonymously blogged about. This over-the-top show has a delightfully cozy early 2000s vibe. Plus, there are plenty of episodes showcasing the beauty of fall in New York City!

VIRGIN RIVER

If you enjoy classic soap operas filled with will-they-won’t-they romances, the occasional “whose baby is that?” storyline, and a charming setting, then Virgin River is perfect for you. This show fits into the appealing subgenre of “big city medic moves to small town and finds happiness” seen in American films and TV shows (think Doc Hollywood and Hart of Dixie). It follows a nurse who, after losing her husband, relocates to the remote Northern California town of Virgin River. While working for the local grumpy doctor, she unexpectedly finds love with the rugged bar owner. Filmed in British Columbia, the series features beautiful redwoods, misty mornings by the river, and cozy plaid lumberjack outfits.

CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA

You really can’t find a more gothic, autumn vibe than that of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. The teenage half-witch, half-mortal Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka), along with her aunts (Lucy Davis and Miranda Otto) and cousin Ambrose (Chance Perdomo), live in a mortuary! This supernatural horror series is a much darker take on the classic ’90s sitcom, featuring blood, satanic rituals, and haunting images. 

Set in the fictional town of Greendale, it feels like Halloween come to life, complete with mysterious woods and witchy residents. As Sabrina faces the challenges of normal life (like high school bullies) and supernatural threats (like hellish demons), her coming-of-age story—and the show’s striking, dark costumes—definitely captures the spirit of “spooky season.”

CHARMED

As Halloween approaches, shows about witches and the supernatural are perfect for getting into the spirit, and Charmed, which entertained us throughout the early 2000s, is a great example. The series follows three sisters—played by the talented trio of Alyssa Milano, Shannen Doherty, and Holly Marie Combs—who are powerful witches trying to save the world while leading relatively normal lives in modern-day San Francisco. Their magical missions often clash with everyday life, causing chaos in their romantic relationships and frequently bringing them into contact with the police. For a similar feel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a wonderfully nostalgic option!

FRIENDS

What’s cozier than spending a few episodes with your best friends? Escaping to a world where NYC apartments are huge and every problem can be solved at Central Perk is perfect for a cozy night in. The ’90s fall fashion is definitely enviable, and there are plenty of autumn-themed episodes to enjoy, like “The One With The Football” and “The One With All The Thanksgivings.”

PRACTICAL MAGIC

We could spend a long time exploring witchy films and TV shows that are perfect for October, but Practical Magic, featuring a young Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as two witches in Massachusetts, is definitely our favorite. We especially love Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing as their witch aunts who raise them. With a mix of two of our favorite plot elements—murder and magic—this film promises cozy viewing. A close second in this genre is, of course, Hocus Pocus, where Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy have an absolute blast as modern-day witches in Salem.

DEAR WHITE PEOPLE

In the fall-inspired category of “strong academia vibes,” Dear White People is a dramedy that follows Black college students at the fictional Ivy League school, Winchester University. The main characters include Sam (Logan Browning), Joelle (Ashley Blaine Featherson), Troy (Brandon P. Bell), Lionel (DeRon Horton), Coco (Antoinette Robertson), and Reggie (Marque Richardson). 

The series is based on a 2014 comic-satirical film of the same name, with the writer and director, Justin Simien, returning to write and direct several episodes. Each half-hour episode offers a different character’s perspective, showcasing some of the best seasonal fashion. While Winchester believes it is “post-racial,” the everyday experiences of the characters tell a different story. 

Dear White People addresses important issues like race relations, class hierarchy, politics, microaggressions, and unconscious biases, balancing sharp social commentary with humor and storytelling that resonates long after the episode ends.

The Half Of It

In the fictional Pacific Northwest town of Squahamish, autumn brings a chill and a comforting coziness. The atmosphere is muted and grayish, yet it radiates a quiet optimism that keeps hope alive for a happy ending, even when the narrative takes a somber turn. High school student Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) runs an essay-writing side hustle to support her widowed father (Collin Chou).

One day, she is approached by a football player named Paul (Daniel Diemer) with a unique request: he needs help writing a love letter to his dream girl, Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire). Unbeknownst to Paul, Ellie is a lesbian, and the feelings she pours into the letters to Aster aren’t entirely fabricated. While the plot may hint at familiar outcomes, the film’s true love story lies in the evolving friendship between Ellie and Paul.

They discover that truly understanding someone is a messy process, but ultimately rewarding, as what you initially see is often only half the story.

CONCLUSION

As the leaves change color and the air begins to crisp, there’s no better time to curl up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and your favorite entertainment. Whether you’re in the mood for a heartwarming drama, a suspenseful thriller, or a lighthearted comedy, this list of top 15 cozy TV shows and films has something to offer everyone. So grab your blanket, turn off the lights, and get ready to enjoy a cozy autumn filled with laughter, tears, and unforgettable stories.

BERT KREISCHER WEIGHT LOSS: “HAD I NOT DONE THAT, I WOULD’VE BEEN A MESS”

Comedian Bert Kreischer, known for his wild stories and relatable “everyman” persona, surprised fans with a significant weight loss transformation. Shedding 45 pounds, Kreischer went from his signature “dad bod” to a noticeably trimmer physique. This shift wasn’t just for aesthetics – according to Kreischer, it was a matter of health and well-being. Let’s delve into the reasons behind Bert Kreischer’s weight loss journey and how it impacted his life.

WHO IS BERT KREISCHER?

Albert Charles Kreischer Jr is a versatile American entertainer, celebrated for his contributions as a stand-up comedian, podcaster, reality television host, and actor. In addition to his illustrious career, Kreischer’s weight loss journey and efforts to rebuild his physique have garnered significant attention from his fans.

BERT KREISCHER WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY

Comedian Bert Kreischer, known for his signature routine as the funny fat guy and often performing shirtless with his prominent beer belly, may be turning a new page in his career. At 51, Kreischer unveiled a stunning body transformation this week, signaling a potential shift in his comedic persona.

“Me at 275 vs. me at 230,” Kreischer shared before and after photos on social media, showcasing his impressive 45-pound weight loss. However, it’s not just the weight loss that’s noteworthy; the defined abdominals, arms, and shoulders reveal that the Bert the Conqueror star has also been dedicating time to the gym.

But his provocative post raises more questions than it answers. Such as:

“Was it really necessary to drop the towel to below-pubes level to show off the new physique? The picture is perilously close to unveiling the Machine.”

“What’s the story behind the new sculpted bod? A doctor recommendation? An undisclosed illness? Feeling the pressure from Matt Rife? You can’t just show us a 45-pound weight loss with no explanation, man!”

The duration of Kreischer’s weight loss and fitness journey remains ambiguous, but according to his interview with Men’s Journal, he revealed that he undertook most of his own stunts for the movie and followed a rigorous fitness regimen.

“I did, probably, I would say 95 percent of my own stunts,” Kreischer said at the time. “The only stunts I wasn’t allowed to do was go down the full flight of stairs.”

“I worked out really hard. Every morning I ran four miles and would lift weights,” he added. “Had I not done that, I would’ve been a mess.”

The image he posted on Twitter is captioned ‘Me at 275’.

The image he posted on Twitter is captioned ‘Me at 230’.

BERT KREISCHER EARLY LIFE

Born on November 3, 1972, in St. Petersburg, Florida, Albert Kreischer Jr. grew up in Tampa, where his parents worked in early childhood development and real estate law. He attended Jesuit High School of Tampa before enrolling at Florida State University (FSU), where he pursued a major in English and joined the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

During Kreischer’s sixth year at FSU in 1997, the university gained notoriety as the top-ranked “party school” in the United States by The Princeton Review. This coincided with Rolling Stone magazine featuring Kreischer in a six-page article, dubbing him “the top partyer at the Number One Party School in the country.” The article recounted his wild party antics, characterized by heavy drinking and public nudity. Subsequently, the attention garnered from the Rolling Stone piece led to director Oliver Stone optioning the film rights to Kreischer’s life. Although the development deal with Oliver Stone did not materialize, a script based on Kreischer’s experiences was eventually sold to National Lampoon, becoming the basis for the 2002 film National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, starring Ryan Reynolds.

Despite being the inspiration for the film, Kreischer claimed in a 2014 interview with the New York Post that he had never watched it and had no involvement in its production. However, on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Kreischer revealed that National Lampoon executives confirmed his influence on the film’s character. Despite this, Kreischer expressed no intention of pursuing legal action against National Lampoon for creating the movie without his direct involvement.

BERT KREISCHER CAREER

STAND-UP COMEDY

Kreischer’s journey into stand-up comedy began at Potbelly’s, a Tallahassee bar and nightclub, where he first took the stage. A tape of one of his sets caught the attention of a talent agent who invited him to New York City to experience the comedy scene firsthand. In the bustling comedy hub, Kreischer found himself working the door at the now-defunct Boston Comedy Club.

Renowned for his unique style of performing shirtless, Kreischer’s comedic prowess lies in his captivating storytelling, notably his infamous tale of earning the moniker “The Machine” after unwittingly assisting the Russian mafia in a train heist during a college trip to Russia. This narrative was adapted into a movie released in May 2023.

Kreischer’s comedic talents have garnered him various platforms, including appearances on late-night talk shows such as Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Conan, along with regular guest spots on Rachael Ray from 2011 to 2015. His comedic repertoire expanded with his first comedy special, “Bert Kreischer: Comfortably Dumb,” airing on Comedy Central in 2009. He returned to the network in 2015 for the storytelling series “This Is Not Happening,” where he shared his experience wrestling a bear.

Showtime featured Kreischer in “Bert Kreischer: The Machine” in 2016, further solidifying his status as a comedic force. Netflix has since been a significant platform for Kreischer, releasing three of his comedy specials: “Bert Kreischer: Secret Time” filmed in Philadelphia (August 2018), “Bert Kreischer: Hey Big Boy” filmed in Cleveland (March 2020), and “Bert Kreischer: Razzle Dazzle” filmed in Omaha (March 2023).

PODCASTING

In addition to his stand-up comedy career, Kreischer is heavily involved in podcasting and television hosting. He produces and hosts the podcasts Bertcast and Open Tabs, as well as the cooking show Something’s Burning. The Bertcast, which debuted in 2012, was initially recorded from his specially built Man Cave, constructed for an episode of the home improvement reality TV show Man Caves.

Kreischer also co-hosts the popular podcast 2 Bears 1 Cave with fellow comedian Tom Segura. Beyond his own podcasts, Kreischer has made appearances on various other podcasts including WTF with Marc Maron, Doug Benson’s Doug Loves Movies, H3 Podcast, Your Mom’s House, and The Joe Rogan Experience.

OTHER MEDIA

Shortly after relocating to New York City to pursue a career in comedy, Will Smith’s production company extended a sitcom deal to Kreischer within just five months. His television career took off with appearances on Bert the Conqueror, where he embarked on adrenaline-pumping adventures at amusement parks and entertainment venues across the nation. Despite his fear of heights, Kreischer fearlessly tackled roller coasters and other thrilling rides, even taking on daring feats like leaping off the Stratosphere tower in Las Vegas and experiencing the intensity of a human slingshot launch.

During his time in New York, Kreischer frequented open mic nights organized by TV producer DJ Nash, attended by notable comedians like Demetri Martin, Bobby Kelly, and Jim Norton. In 2001, Kreischer ventured into television pilot territory, starring in “Life With David J,” a show based on Nash’s life.

BERT KREISCHER FILMOGRAPHY

Throughout his career, Bert Kreischer has ventured into various television roles, showcasing his versatility as both a host and an actor. In 2001, he made his acting debut in the CBS pilot “Life With David J,” where he starred alongside Elliott Gould and Peter Jacobson, portraying himself in a show based on the life of TV producer DJ Nash. That same year, Kreischer took on hosting duties for the variety show “The X Show,” which ran until 2002.

In 2004, Kreischer appeared in a minor role as Alfred in an episode of the police TV drama “The Shield.” He also hosted the FX series “Hurt Bert,” where he performed various dangerous stunts, building on a segment from “The X Show.”

Kreischer’s hosting career flourished with shows like “Bert the Conqueror” and “Trip Flip,” both aired on the Travel Channel. “Bert the Conqueror,” which ran from 2010 to 2011 and returned for a third season in 2016, followed Kreischer as he embarked on adrenaline-fueled adventures at amusement parks and other entertainment venues across the country. Meanwhile, “Trip Flip,” which aired from 2012 to 2015, featured Kreischer surprising unsuspecting individuals with impromptu vacations of his choosing.

In 2017, Kreischer lent his voice to the animated series “The Loud House,” voicing the character Rip Hardcore in the episode “Mall of Duty.” More recently, in 2020, he starred in “The Cabin with Bert Kreischer,” a show where he heads to the woods for a detox experience with friends.

Looking ahead, Kreischer’s television presence continues to expand, with the upcoming release of “The Machine,” a show based on his special of the same name, slated for 2023.

FAQ

1. How much weight has Bert lost?

45-pounds.

2. Does Bert have OCD?

Bert’s diverse range of compulsions and fixations, from his dedication to exercise to his peculiar habits like collecting paper clips and fascination with the letter W, suggest a potential diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

3. Does Bert have a unibrow?

Bert is a foam and plastic “hand rod puppet,” operated by a puppeteer who controls the mouth with their right arm inserted into Bert’s head while manipulating the arms using rods with their left hand. Sporting a distinctive unibrow, Bert’s appearance is characterized by a single large eyebrow.

4. How much is Bert Kreischer net worth?

 $14 million.

CONCLUSION

Bert Kreischer’s dedication to fitness wasn’t just for aesthetics, it was about his overall well-being. By prioritizing his health, he was able to not only achieve a significant weight loss but also maintain a demanding physical routine for his movie. His comments suggest that this lifestyle change was necessary for him to feel his best.