Autumn has arrived and Halloween is coming which means the holiday season is right around the corner. If you're a movie aficionado like me, then you probably look forward to the movies this time of year. The action packed summer blockbusters (and superhero movies) have winded down, replaced by more fulfilling stories and artful awards contenders. Snowden and Sully already arrived in September with warm reception. Now the major fall film festivals have showcased Oscar contending films and are coming to a close ready to kickoff awards season and Oscar predictions. Luckily, the next destination for these films are theaters for you and me to escape the cold weather and disappear into another place and time. Here are my 13 must-see fall releases, ranging from indies to Star Wars.

1. The Birth of a Nation (Out Now)

This may have "Best Picture" in front of it come February. Nation sold for $17.5 million at the Sundance Film Festival in January, the highest in Sundance history. It was received with a standing ovation for its important and intense depiction of Nat Turner's slave rebellion in 1831. Be prepared going into this one.

2. Hacksaw Ridge (11/4)

A World War 2 army medic who refuses to kill people? Yes. Andrew Garfield with a southern accent? Heck yes. Mel Gibson is back? I don't know but his new movie looks dang good.

3. Loving (11/4)

This movie, for me, is a personal must-see because Jeff Nichols is my favorite director working today. The developing auteur behind Take Shelter, Mud, and Midnight Special brings his unique style to the true story of Richard and Mildred Loving and the Supreme Court case of 1967 deciding the Virginia law that prohibited interracial marriage.

4. Arrival (11/11)

This wins for best trailer of 2016 and Amy Adams may win Best Actress. Also, aliens.

5. Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (11/11)

Life of Pi director Ang Lee is back with this adaptation of the novel with the same name by Ben Fountain. Just like Pi, it looks like a dramatic tearjerker.

6. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (11/18)

Harry Potter spinoff? Um, yes. This is for all the Harry Potter fans and if you aren't a Harry Potter, I'm sorry. It's the second greatest story ever told, behind only the gospel. The wizarding community comes to America following Newt Scamander and his chest of magical creatures. With Deathly Hallows director David Yates at the helm, Eddie Redmayne in the lead, and J.K. Rowling behind the screenplay you can catch me flying my broom straight to Alamo Drafthouse.

7. Manchester by the Sea (11/18)

This sucker looks sad but amazing. Probably the best reviewed movie out of Sundance and a major awards contender. This is also for the people who think Casey Affleck is a better actor than brother Ben. Yeah, I think that too.

8. Nocturnal Animals (11/18)

As a fan of dark movies, this is another highly anticipated movie for me. Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams, and Michael Shannon round out the all-star cast in this dark thriller.

9. La La Land (12/2)

Now lets lighten up a bit with this beautiful musical reuniting Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone once again in La La Land. Damien Chazelle is back after his Sundance breakout, the brilliant Whiplash. If you haven't seen that I recommend you check it out then head to theaters in December to catch La La Land.

10. Jackie (12/2)

Never mind. Natalie Portman will probably will holding that Best Actress trophy. This Jackie Kennedy biopic looks incredible.

11. Fences (12/16)

Denzel Washington directs this tense family drama and Viola Davis looks like she wants an Oscar.

12. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (12/16)

Yes, this is the grandaddy of them all. I'm sure, for most of you, the rest of the movies on this list are irrelevant. Felicity Jones (not to brag or anything, but I knew about her before she joined the Star Wars Universe) joins the rebellion to stop Darth Vader and the Empire's plans to build the Death Star. It's a spinoff taking place just before the events of A New Hope and as the title entails, it's definitely a Star Wars story and just may be the best one yet if the trailer (so many amazing shots) is any evidence at all. Ben Mendelsohn and Forest Whitaker also star.

13. Passengers (12/21)

So Hollywood was like "let's take probably the two biggest names working today, put them in the same movie, alone in space, and falling in love" hence, Passengers starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, alone in space, falling in love. Does it get any better than that? I mean yeah it does, Star Wars will be in theaters too. But hey, don't miss this one. That robotic bartender looks questionable... but who cares? Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt are making out!

So there you go, my 13 must see movies this fall. However, those aren't the only movies coming out this season. You can also catch my honorable mentions including Doctor Strange (11/4) if you need your Marvel superhero fix this fall, Marky Mark Wahlberg in Boston Marathon bombing movie Patriots Day (12/25), Christine (out now) starring Rebecca Hall based on the TV host who committedsuicide on live television, Miles Teller boxing biopic Bleed for This (11/4), Brad Pitt WW2 romantic spy thriller Allied (11/23), The Founder (12/16) starring Michael Keaton about the founder of McDonald's, Collateral Beauty (12/16) with Will Smith leading an all-star cast, the Matthew McConaughey starring Gold (12/25), Assassin's Creed (12/21) if you're into that kind of thing, Jessica Chastain in political thriller Miss Sloane (12/9), and Martin Scorcese's Silence (12/23) for all you cinephiles. Enjoy this stacked movie season and remember, most of them will be available on home streaming platforms in February during the depressing,dog days of summer as well. Happy moviegoing!