There’s something about fall that makes us crave routine and nostalgia in equal measure. The sweaters come out, the cinnamon candles are lit, and suddenly we want nothing more than to curl up with the shows that feel like old friends. Comfort shows aren’t just background noise: they’re rituals. They’re the fictional hugs we reach for when the real world feels a little too loud.
And yes, Gilmore Girls sits at the very top of this list. But it’s not alone. Here are thirteen comfort shows that make fall feel like home, each one a reminder that stories—whether we’re watching them or writing them—can anchor us in the coziest way.
1. Gilmore Girls
Quirky small town? Check. Endless cups of coffee? Check. Dialogue that moves faster than you can sip your latte? Double check. Stars Hollow is basically the definition of autumnal comfort.
2. Friends
Even if you’ve seen it a hundred times, somehow Chandler’s sarcasm and Monica’s obsession with cleanliness feel like coming home. Plus, The One with the Football is essential Thanksgiving viewing.
3. Parks and Recreation
Leslie Knope’s optimism is the pumpkin spice latte of TV. It never gets old, and it makes you feel like maybe, just maybe, you too can organize the best fall festival in Pawnee.
4. The Office
Do we quote Michael Scott every year when it’s time to rake leaves? Yes, yes we do. The comfort comes not just from the jokes, but from watching people who care about each other even in their weirdest moments.
5. Downton Abbey
The drama, the costumes, the slow burn romances—this is the definition of cozy escapism. Bonus: it pairs perfectly with a cup of Earl Grey and a rainy afternoon.
6. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Okay, technically it’s a revival. But there’s something about returning to familiar characters, even when they make questionable choices (we’re looking at you, Rory), that scratches the fall comfort itch.
7. The Great British Bake Off
Cozy tents. Cakes collapsing. Paul Hollywood’s questionable stares. It’s not fall without watching strangers whisk their way through a sponge cake that looks like autumn itself.
8. Anne with an E
Whimsy, heart, and landscapes so golden you’ll want to step right through the screen. Anne’s optimism is the antidote to gray skies.
9. Stranger Things
Sometimes comfort looks like neon bikes and Demogorgons. Nostalgia with a side of adrenaline—and yes, it’s still comfort when you know every jump scare is coming.
10. Outlander
Knit yourself a scarf, pour some mulled wine, and let Claire and Jamie sweep you into their world. Historical drama meets steamy romance. (Writers, take notes.)
11. Schitt’s Creek
Nothing says “fall comfort” like watching Alexis slowly transform into the queen of our hearts. Ew, David.
12. Gossip Girl
Fall in New York. Plaid skirts, too much drama, and a soundtrack that still slaps. It’s indulgent comfort, the kind that tastes like caramel popcorn.
13. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Because nothing says “cozy fall night” like slaying demons in a leather jacket. Dark, witty, and surprisingly comforting when you know the Scooby Gang always has each other’s backs.
Why Comfort Shows Matter (Especially for Writers)
We don’t just rewatch these shows because we’re bored. We rewatch them because they remind us of who we were when we first watched them. They’re a kind of storytelling muscle memory. They show us that good stories—whether written, filmed, or whispered over coffee—never lose their spark.
As indie authors, we’re in the business of building worlds that someone might one day curl up with every fall. That’s the dream, isn’t it? To write something that becomes someone’s comfort story.
So tell me—what’s your fall comfort show? Are you a Gilmore girlie, a Schitt’s Creek loyalist, or do you secretly rewatch Stranger Things every September? Drop your answer in the comments—I want to know which story you return to when the leaves turn.
Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, Bsc 
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