Fall is in the air, which means it’s time to curl up on the couch and watch (or rewatch) some especially cozy fall shows. In this post, I’ve listed 16 of the best TV shows to watch during the fall season.
From Stars Hollow to Virgin River and all the way down to football-obsessed Dillon, there’s just something about a small-town setting that makes a TV show perfect for fall viewing. That’s why there are a lot of small-town shows featured on this list, along with some others perfect for spooky season and some classic comfort shows.
Now that I’ve given you a little preview, let’s actually get into this list of fall TV series, shall we?
The Best Fall Shows
1. Gilmore Girls (2000 – 2007)
Would this be a respectable fall TV show guide without Gilmore Girls being featured at the top of the list? I think not.
If you don’t already know, Gilmore Girls follows mother-daughter duo Lorelai and Rory as they navigate love, family issues, school, and life in the fictional small town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. This show has the best small-town cozy fall vibes and there are a ton of great autumnal episodes- so many, in fact that I made an entire post listing them, which you can read here.
Watch Gilmore Girls on Netflix.
2. Virgin River (2019 – Present)
Mel Monroe is a midwife and nurse practitioner looking for a fresh start when she moves to the small, remote Northern California town of Virgin River to work at the local clinic. Jack, an ex-Marine and owner of the local bar/restaurant, quickly falls for Mel but their relationship faces numerous obstacles before it can even begin.
This one is perfect for fall- Virgin River is quaint and cozy, the scenery is beautiful, the townspeople are quirky and fun, and there’s the perfect amount of romance and drama to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Watch Virgin River on Netflix.
3. Friday Night Lights (2006 – 2011)
Fall and football= the perfect pair.
In this series, Coach Eric Taylor tries to lead the Dillon Panthers high school football team to the state championship under intense pressure and scrutiny from the community. Through its unique documentary-style filming, the show offers a look into the lives of the players in the fictional Texas town, showcasing some of the struggles of life in rural America.
Watch Friday Night Lights on Netflix.
4. Good Witch (2015 – 2021)
This Hallmark original series is a continuation of “The Good Witch” made-for-TV movie franchise. The show centers around widowed witch Cassie Nightingale and her teenage daughter, who has inherited her mother’s magical abilities. When grumpy Dr. Sam Radford and his son move in next door, they are immediately charmed by the mother-daughter duo.
5. Heartland (2007 – Present)
This beloved long-running drama follows Amy Fleming and her older sister Lou as they help run their family ranch in Alberta, Canada. There are plenty of seasons to catch up on if you’re new to the show, plus there will be new episodes coming sometime soon as season 18 of the Canadian series was announced in May 2024.
6. Hart of Dixie (2011 – 2015)
When her big city career plans don’t work out as she had hoped, Zoe Hart moves to the small Alabama town of Bluebell to work in the medical practice she has inherited. Very quickly she finds herself embroiled in a love triangle (Team Wade!!) and slowly falling in love with the town she thought she would want to leave as soon as possible.
If you love the small-town vibe of Gilmore Girls, I think you’ll like this one. If you look closely, you’ll even notice that the two shows used the same set.
Watch Hart of Dixie on Prime Video.
7. Sweet Magnolias (2020 – Present)
Here’s another cozy small-town series for you to watch this fall. Based on Sherryl Woods’ book series, Sweet Magnolias centers around best friends Dana Sue, Helen, and Maddie who lean on their friendship as they try to juggle their families, careers, and all the things that life throws at them in the little town of Serenity.
Watch Sweet Magnolias on Netflix.
8. The Vampire Diaries (2009 – 2017)
This supernatural drama centers around Elena Gilbert, a teenage girl who finds herself caught between the Salvatore brothers- Damon and Stefan, who happen to be vampires. Turns out the town of Mystic Falls is full of supernatural beings, including vampires, werewolves, witches, and more, leading to various alliances and plenty of drama.
Watch The Vampire Diaries on Hulu.
9. One Tree Hill (2003 – 2012)
Set in the fictional South Carolina town of Tree Hill, this series follows the dramatic and eventful lives of high schoolers, specifically focusing on the relationship between half-brothers Nathan and Lucas Scott. Netflix recently announced that a revival series of One Tree Hill is in the works, so now’s the time to watch the original series.
10. Anne with an E (2017 – 2019)
Loosely based on L.M. Montgomery’s classic books, Anne with an E is Netflix’s take on the story of Anne Shirley, an orphan girl adopted by the Cuthbert siblings. As Anne adjusts to life at Green Gables and in Avonlea, she makes new friends, has new adventures, and eventually falls in love.
Watch Anne with an E on Netflix.
11. Charmed (1998 – 2006)
Three sisters discover they are witches who are destined to fight evil. To anyone else, they look like normal women with normal lives, jobs, and relationships. However, they each have a special power and when they band together they become even stronger, using “The Power of Three” to protect innocent people.
12. Friends (1994 – 2004)
Fall is a great time to rewatch your favorite comfort show and for many that is Friends, the classic sitcom following friends Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler, and Joey. Check out my favorite fall episodes of Friends here– there are some really good ones!
13. This Is Us (2016 – 2022)
Touching and deeply emotional, This Is Us tells the story of the Pearson family over decades, flashing back and forth from past to present. Make sure you grab your Kleenex before diving into this one!
14. Nancy Drew (2019 – 2023)
If you, like me, read all of Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew mystery books growing up, you’ll appreciate this series inspired by them.
After her mother’s passing, 18-year-old Nancy Drew swears off crime-solving… until a socialite is murdered and Nancy finds herself a prime suspect in the case. She, along with a group of teens also present at the scene of the crime, must work to clear their names while solving other mysteries that pop up in their hometown of Horseshoe Bay.
15. Only Murders in the Building (2021 – Present)
Three strangers living in The Arconia, an exclusive apartment building on the Upper West Side of New York City, share an interest in a popular true-crime podcast and are suddenly entangled in a true crime of their own. After a murder takes place in the building, they must team up and race to figure out who the killer is before they become their next target.
Watch Only Murders in the Building on Hulu.
16. Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 – 2003)
Sabrina is a totally typical high schooler- except for the fact that she’s a witch! Under the guidance of her two quirky witch aunts and her talking black cat Salem, Sabrina must navigate the challenges of high school while also trying to master her magical abilities.
Watch Sabrina the Teenage Witch on Hulu.
That’s all for this list of fall TV series!
There are so many great options listed above, from supernatural dramas perfect for Halloween time to shows with the coziest small-town feel to them. What’s your favorite on the list? Let me know down below.
If you’re looking for more shows and movies to add to your fall watch list, check out some of my other posts:
- The Best Cozy Fall Movies
- 11 Non-Scary Shows and Movies To Watch This Fall
- Every Gilmore Girls Episode You Should Watch This Fall
- The Best Episodes of Friends to Watch This Fall
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