Kick Off Springtime With These Perfectly On-Theme Movies Streaming Rn
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Sure, winter is cool for a little bit, but after the first snow, the cold, harsh, and deadness of it all can be a serious downer. Luckily, the first day of spring brings so much more than blooming flowers. Yeah, we're talking cute spring outfits, the return of outdoor activities, and maybe even a spring break vacation if you're lucky. But even if you're not headed on a spring break, you can still bask in all the glory of the new season with something very underrated (and free): spring movies.
Pause for spring-themed emoji serotonin break: 🌸🌼🌷🌻
You know those happy lamps you sit in front of during the winter to get a dose of vitamin D? Well, queuing up a nice spring movie can kinda sorta have the same effect. You instantly feel warmer, lighter, and sunnier—and even if it only lasts for the length of one movie, it's still refreshing and reinvigorating. Wondering what, exactly, qualifies as a ~spring movie~? Allow us to break down the very rigid requirements for you:
Movies set (or seemingly set) during springtime.
Movies with heavy flower or nature vibes. Yes, florals for spring *are* groundbreaking, Miranda.
Movies about fresh starts, rebirth, personal growth, etc.
So, are ya ready?! Go ahead and channel sunshine and happy vibes by streaming some of the best spring movies rn, from classics like Pride and Prejudice and Notting Hill to newer hits like Booksmart and The Prom.
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.
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)
IDK what it is about spring that makes me wanna go a shopping spree, but alas, here we are! But if you're pinching pennies and being more budget-conscious lately, step away from the Apple Pay and instead, press play on this excellent (and hilarious) movie. It's an adaptation of the same best-selling book that follows Rebecca Bloom, a shopaholic who somehow lands a job as a finance journalist. Prepare for all the laughs (and to seriously re-evaluate your spending habits).
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 to 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 Sophia 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!
Never Been Kissed (1999)
Would you go back to high school if you could? Personally, I'm good. But that's not to say it wouldn't be a highly entertaining experience. In this '90s cult classic, Drew Barrymore plays Josie Geller, a shy copy editor who winds up going undercover at a local high school for her first big writing assignment. IK, the whole plot sounds absolutely wild, but it all culminates in a big prom scene, which is obvs the most spring thing ever!
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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The Prom (2020)
Obv another movie centered on the all-important prom night, but this time in ✨musical✨ form. Starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, and Andrew Rannells, among maaaany others big names, The Prom follows four Broadway has-beens who decide to team up for a worthy cause: a small-town prom in Indiana that got cancelled because a girl wanted to bring her girlfriend as her date.
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High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
Speaking of musicals! The final chapter in the HSM trilogy follows Troy, Gabriella, and the gang as they make post-graduation plans, prepare for prom, and rehearse for the big spring ~musicale~. What more could you want from a springtime movie?
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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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Dude (2018)
Also set during senior spring, Dude follows four seniors (Lucy Hale, Kathryn Prescott, Alexandra Shipp, and Awkwafina) during their last two weeks of high school as they experience heartbreak, loss, deception, and a whoooole lot of weed.
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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 with his girlfriend, Claire, on prom night...but things get a lil complicated when Alex realizes he has a crush on a cute guy from another school. Plot twist!
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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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