Dear winter, we're sooo over the whole cold and dark thing. The mob wife-inspired fits, cute winter coats, and trendy sweaters are cute and all, but the dreariness of the season can be a serious downer. Luckily, the first day of spring (ahem, March 19) brings so much more than blooming flowers—we're talking stylish spring outfits, all the cute spring decor, and, most importantly, spring movies. Even if you're not headed on a spring break, you can still bask in the glory of the new season with an easy serotonin boost, aka watching a Julia Roberts rom-com or Ryan Gosling dance in La La Land.
After all, queuing up a nice spring movie kinda sorta has the same effect as seeing sunshine after a gloomy week. You instantly feel warmer, lighter, and downright happier. Heck, even if it only lasts for the length of one movie, it's still refreshing and reinvigorating. And, if you're wondering what we consider a "spring movie," here's a simple explanation: 1) Movies set (or seemingly set) during springtime 2) Movies with heavy flower or nature vibes. (Yes, florals for spring *are* groundbreaking, Miranda), and 3) Movies about fresh starts, rebirth, personal growth, etc.
Below, we rounded up some of the best spring movies to help escape those winter blues, from classics like Pride and Prejudice and Notting Hill to newer hits like Spring Breakers and Palm Springs.
Eat, Pray, Love (2010)
Nothing screams "rebirth" quite like watching Julia Roberts travel across the globe for a moment of self-discovery. After a painful divorce, she takes the journey of a lifetime through Italy, India, and Bali (goals af) to remind herself of what's really important and ultimately step out of her comfort zone.
Big Fish (2003)
Based on the 1998 novel, this Tim Burton film may fly under the radar, but it's packed with a star-studded cast—Ewan McGregor, Jessica Lange, Danny DeVito, and a 10-year-old Miley Cyrus cameo. It follows the fantastical stories of a dying father and his son who desperately wants to understand him better. Plus, there's a whole scene where Ewan McGregor proposes to his girlfriend in a field of yellow flowers...that he planted HIMSELF! Ladies, remember, if they wanted to, they would.
Emma (1996)
Jane Austen's novels often capture the essence of spring: light, love, and the English countryside. Emma is an adaptation of Austen's classic about a young socialite in Regency-era England who entertains herself by playing matchmaker. As you'd expect, Emma's meddling gets her drawers all ruffled. Gwyneth Paltrow stars in the 1996 original, but a new version was released in 2020, with The Queen's Gambit Anya Taylor-Joy playing the titular role.
Hitch (2005)
OK, so I don't have definitive proof that this movie takes place during the spring, but it definitely has spring ~energy~. From the thrill of first dates (even when they go horribly awry) to the gloriousness that is New York City when it's actually nice out, Hitch is a classic-rom com that always delivers just the type of feel-good vibes you'll wanna channel all season long.
La La Land (2016)
Dance numbers in the middle of LA traffic, a really good original soundtrack, strolling through the city hand-in-hand with the person you're falling for... ahhh, La La Land truly has it all. And even if we don't quite get the happy ending between Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone), this film still stirs up so many warm and fuzzy feelings.
Someone Great (2019)
Springtime calls to mind fresh starts, and that's essentially the theme of this gut-wrenching romantic dramedy. It follows a career-climbing music writer who's dumped by her longtime boyfriend right before a big cross-country move. Fortunately, her two BFFs are there to provide respite and plenty of adventure. By the end, you'll def be ready for some exciting new beginnings of your own.
Palm Springs (2020)
Does anybody else remember when this movie came out in the middle of 2020? It was an oddly accurate depiction of the times. While most people were still locked in their homes because of the pandemic, Palm Springs told the story of two wedding guests who realize they're stuck in a—you guessed it—timeloop. As with any time travel movie, things get a bit kooky, but all the while, there's tons of loungin', relaxin', and general warm weather goodness.
Marie Antoinette (2006)
I mean, this movie automatically gets included for all the flowers (and floral motifs) alone. A Sofia Coppola classic, it reimagines the compelling, tragic story of the disgraced French queen, beginning with her coronation as a teen and ending as the French Revolution took hold. Not to mention, Kirsten Dunst completely shines in the titular role. 10/10, would recommend!
A Bug's Life (1998)
Let's face it: As the weather warms up and the plants and trees begin blooming, that's when those pesky lil' critters start coming out, too. Ugh! But not all bugs are terrible, which is partly why I had to include this animated comedy on the list. You just might not ever look at ants in the same way again.
Peter Rabbit (2018)
Beatrix Potter fans, unite! The quintessential spring animal is a rabbit, so of course ya gotta watch Peter Rabbit as he sneaks into a farmer's vegetable garden. He makes a lot of friends along the way and stirs up a fair amount of trouble, too. Plus, this movie is always a solid choice if there are kiddos around.
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Spring is a bare-faced Keira Knightley strolling through tall grass in the English countryside while a golden hue settles on the fields and a smoldering Mr. Darcy gallops towards her. Wrap yourself in the warm embrace of spring (also love, desire, lust) in the movie adaptation of Jane Austen's iconic romance novel.
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Prom (2011)
No event marks spring in a teenager's life quite like prom. This cute flick follows a group of high schoolers as they prepare for the seminal event and it's full of feel-good vibes (plus a young Nicholas Braun, aka Cousin Greg).
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Fever Pitch (2005)
If you're an MLB fan, then spring = baseball season, bb. In Fever Pitch, a successful boss lady (Drew Barrymore) falls for a middle school teacher (Jimmy Fallon) only to discover—once baseball season begins—that he has a secret: He's totally, 100 percent o-b-s-e-s-s-e-d with the Boston Red Sox.
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A League of Their Own (1992)
More baseball!! This fictionalized retelling of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League has a legendary cast and is sure to make you lol (especially when Tom Hanks delivers his iconic "There's no crying in baseball" line).
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Field of Dreams (1989)
FYI, this Best Picture-winner starring Kevin Costner is SO much more than just a Baseball Movie, and if you don't believe us, then you'll just have to watch it yourself. Get ready for the ultimate springtime fantasy flick (with a side of the legendary James Earl Jones).
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The Sound of Music (1965)
BRB while we channel our inner Maria and frolic through the hills, twirl among the roses, and sing our lil hearts out. If you somehow made it through your childhood without ever watching this bona fide classic (how?!), just know that it won Best Picture and Best Director, and was nominated for a slew of other awards. Side note: Can we talk about how Mr. von Trapp was actually pretty hot?!
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Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
When that first b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l spring day hits, you simply *cannot* go about your life like it's an ordinary day. And that's exactly what the titular Ferris (Matthew Broderick) decides when he's struck with a case of spring fever/senioritis and decides to ditch high school for one epic afternoon.
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Spring Breakers (2012)
Sprang breaaaaak (IYKYK) is a magical, wonderful week of pure relaxation that marks the beginning of a new season—except for in this movie. This crew (which features Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Benson, among others) wants the classic party-hardy spring break experience (à la blacking out on the beach at noon) but instead they end up getting caught in some pretty sketchy business. If you're aching for wild spring break plans, this movie will snap you right out of it.
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10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Spring sports, prom, and Heath Ledger? We're feeling revitalized already. One of the finest movies to come out of the '90s, this Shakespeare-inspired rom-com is like a who's-who of your favorite stars from your teenage years. In addition to Mr. Ledger, you've got Julia Stiles, Gabrielle Union, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. You'll almost wish you were back in high school again. Almost.
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Booksmart (2019)
Ah, senior spring—that period of blissful, carefree joy when you've made it through the hard stuff of SAT prep and AP courses and can enjoy the last moments before college with your BFFs. Amy and Molly, who spent all of high school focused exclusively on academics, need to cram in years-worth of fun into one night—the night before graduation, to be exact. By the way, this is Olivia Wilde's directorial debut, NBD.
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Alex Strangelove (2018)
K, last senior spring movie pick, promise. In this rom-com, a popular high schooler makes a plan to lose his virginity to his girlfriend, Claire, on prom night...but things get a little complicated when Alex realizes he has a crush on a cute guy from another school. Plot twist!
Notting Hill (1999)
For a town notorious for its soggy weather, London is positively charming in this O.G. rom-com with power duo Julia Roberts (Anna) and Hugh Grant (Will). Featuring spots like Rosemead Gardens, where Will and Anna do some late-night trespassing (and where Hugh Grant utters his famously cute "whoopsie daisies" line) and the illustrious Hampstead Heath, where Anna films a Henry James' period piece (a film within a film), Notting Hill is the very best of an English spring.
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The Secret Garden (1993)
If you haven't already seen this classic about the orphan and the magical garden she discovers, then now's the time to watch, 'cause it's got florals on florals on florals. And just like Emma, this drama was given the Hollywood treatment with a new remake starring Colin Firth in 2020, so you can add that to your watch list as well.
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