Pumpkin Spice Is Out — Here’s What Gen Z and Millennials Are Choosing Instead This Fall
A new survey reveals what young Americans really reach for when the weather cools down.
When it comes to the NFL, fans spend months debating which athletes deserve the top draft picks. But what if Americans got to draft their ultimate fall comforts the same way?
In a new Fall Comfort Draft from BetMGM Casino, Gen Z and Millennials picked their seasonal MVPs, and pumpkin spice lattes didn’t even make the roster.
The survey asked 1,500 Americans aged 18 to 34 to “draft” their top picks across seven cozy categories, from drinks to aesthetics. Here’s how the season is shaping up.
Fall’s MVP: Celebrity
It’s official — Taylor Swift has entered her cozy season era (and her engagement era, check out her beautiful ring!). With 33 percent of respondents choosing her as the celebrity who best embodies fall, she’s clearly the face of sweater weather. Between the folklore vibes, red scarves, and small-town football scenes in her music videos, it makes sense she snagged the top spot.
Top picks:
- Taylor Swift (33%)
- Lana Del Rey
- Harry Styles
- Daniel Radcliffe
Least votes:
- Meg Ryan (5%) — despite starring in one of the most iconic fall films ever, “You’ve Got Mail.” It seems younger voters are trading New York rom-com nostalgia for modern playlists and pumpkin patches.
Favorite Fall Drink
Hot chocolate might feel old school, but it’s holding strong as this year’s drink of choice. More than half of voters chose it as their favorite fall sip, leaving pumpkin spice lattes trailing in second place. Maybe the pendulum is swinging back toward classic comfort over seasonal hype. Even the viral maple latte (the latest TikTok darling) barely registered with 3 percent.
Top picks:
- Hot chocolate (53%)
- Pumpkin spice latte
- Chai latte
Least votes:
- Maple latte (3%) — sweet, but apparently too niche to replace cocoa.
Favorite Fall Tradition
Forget the corn maze and crowded hayrides. This generation is curling up at home. A cozy night in with a movie topped the list with 23 percent of the vote, proving comfort and streaming are the new cornerstones of fall. (These are some great horror movies to watch during spooky season!) Visiting a pumpkin patch and football Sundays followed close behind — a nod that even though tastes evolve, some traditions never fade completely.
Top picks:
- Movie night at home (23%)
- Visiting a pumpkin patch
- Football Sundays
Least votes:
- Corn mazes (3%) — fun, but maybe too much effort for the chill-at-home crowd.
Fall Aesthetic
Fall 2025 is all about softness and simplicity. Cozy sweaters dominated with more than half of respondents picking them as their defining fall look. (I love Marie Oliver for sweaters, pictured above.) Earthy tones like browns and burgundy came next, with cowboy-inspired “coastal cowgirl” styles rounding out the list. Flashy prints, though? Not so much. Leopard print landed at the bottom, suggesting quiet comfort is beating out statement-making layers this season.
Top picks:
- Cozy sweaters (56%)
- Browns and burgundy
- Cowboy-inspired looks
Least votes:
- Leopard print (6%) — the animal print moment may be hibernating this fall.
Favorite Fall Scent
When it comes to scents, cinnamon and apple blends are the clear crowd-pleasers. More comforting than bonfire smoke and more universal than pumpkin spice, this nostalgic fragrance combination took 29 percent of the vote. It’s the scent of fresh cider and homemade pie — even if most people are probably lighting it, not baking it.
Top picks:
- Cinnamon/apple (29%)
- Pumpkin spice
- Bonfire smoke
Least votes:
- Baked pastries (13%) — surprisingly low, considering how many fall candles feature this scent.
Must-Watch Fall Movie
The ultimate fall rewatch? Harry Potter. More than 30 percent of respondents said it’s their go-to for cozy nights in, with its Hogwarts vibes and timeless soundtrack making it the perfect autumn backdrop. Hocus Pocus and Twilight followed, while “You’ve Got Mail” — a film practically synonymous with falling leaves — barely made the list. Gen Z and Millennials seem to favor fantasy and nostalgia over rom-com realism.
Top picks:
- Harry Potter (32%)
- Hocus Pocus
- Twilight
Least votes:
- You’ve Got Mail (3%) — a quiet classic, but not a crowd favorite among younger viewers.
If you’re building your own cozy lineup, don’t miss these comfort movies that will fix any bad day — the perfect watchlist for curling up under a blanket this fall.
