25 Must-See Films For A Spring Movie Marathon

“Lo, the Winter is past… the time of the singing of birds has come!” There is so much to love about springtime. The weather is getting warmer, and flowers are emerging. Even April showers feel more refreshing than February sleets. If you are looking for the perfect spring film, look no further. While many films take place in the springtime, the best spring movies feel like spring, whether through imagery, themes or specific plot points that connect to the season. Spring movies are often romances, comedies, family-friendly or feel-good films. However, they don’t have to be, and some great spring dramas and even horror films are out there. From rainy day watches to classic cinema, settle in and experience the best that springtime movies have to offer.

Top Spring Films

“Spring films” aren’t exactly a genre. For the purposes of this list, spring movies are generally defined as films that take place during the springtime. However, a couple of films on this list don’t necessarily take place in spring but feature spring imagery heavily, such as flowers or pastels.

Ranking on a list like this is hard. There are many different types of movies and genres included. However, this list considers the overall quality of the film as well as how much it feels like spring (but prioritizes quality more generally).

25. 22 Jump Street (2014)

22 Jump Street is not a perfect film, and like with many comedies, it doesn’t age perfectly either; however, it is a surprisingly good sequel (to 2012’s 21 Jump Street) and a fun spring break movie.

The film follows two officers who have to go undercover to infiltrate a college to stop a drug supplier. The film was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and stars Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Peter Stormare and Ice Cube. The film is stupid fun, but is carried by some great performances, especially from Tatum. Find it here.

24. Blockers (2018)

There are a lot of movies about proms (of wildly varying quality), and Blockers is amongst the best. The film follows three best friends as they make a pact to lose their virginities on prom night. However, their plans are complicated when their overprotective parents get involved.

Directed by Kay Cannon, Blockers stars Kathryn Newton, Geraldine Viswanathan, Gideon Adlon, Graham Phillips, Miles Robbins, Jimmy Bellinger, Colton Dunn, Sarayu Blue, Gary Cole, Gina Gershon, June Diane Raphael and Hannibal Buress. The film is, at its core, a teen sex comedy, but it has a nice message about feminism, the queer experience and growing up that elevates it above the typical American Pie-style film. It is available here.

23. From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

Many Studio Ghibli feel like spring. However, the only one that explicitly takes place in the springtime is probably From Up on Poppy Hill. Directed by Gorō Miyazaki, the film follows the romance between two high schoolers in the city of Yokohama in the lead-up to the 1964 Summer Olympics. It was co-written by Hayao Miyazaki and based on the 1980s manga of the same name by Tetsuo Sayama and Chizuru Takahashi.

The film beautifully mixes romance, nostalgia and an anti-war message. While it is far from the best or most popular made by Studio Ghibli, it’s a bit of an underrated gem. The dubbed version features Sarah Bolger, Anton Yelchin, Ron Howard, Jeff Dunham, Gillian Anderson, Ronan Farrow and Aubrey Plaza. The film is currently streaming here.

22. For Your Consideration (2006)

For Your Consideration is a Christopher Guest film about the cast, crew and making of a fictional film, Home for Purim. In some ways, For Your Consideration is not a spring film (much of it takes place in the lead-up to the Oscars); however, Home for Purim is a spring film (the minor Jewish holiday of Purim usually falls in March). Either way, For Your Consideration is an excellent comedy about Hollywood.

The film features a large ensemble cast including Bob Balaban, Jennifer Coolidge, Guest, John Michael Higgins, Eugene Levy (who co-wrote the movie with Guest), Jane Lynch, Michael McKean, Catherine O’Hara, Parker Posey, Harry Shearer and Fred Willard. It is available here.

21. Uncut Gems (2019)

Depending on the game, many sports movies take place in the spring. While Uncut Gems is more of a gambling movie than a sports movie, it takes place during the spring basketball season in 2012 (and also heavily features the Jewish spring holiday of Passover). The film follows a gambling addict/diamond dealer who must get himself out of a hole by securing a rare gem.

Directed by Josh and Benny Safdie, the film stars Adam Sandler, LaKeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel and real-life basketballer Kevin Garnett. Uncut Gems has the frenetic pace of a heart attack, making it uncomfortable to watch. However, it is still an impressively made and engrossing film. The movie is available here.

20. Emma (2020)

There are a couple of great film adaptations of Jane Austen’s classic novel Emma. However, Autumn de Wilde’s 2020 version is the one that most evokes the springtime. The film follows a wealthy young girl who decides to play a matchmaker in the Regency-era English countryside.

Emma stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Josh O’Connor, Callum Turner, Mia Goth, Miranda Hart and Bill Nighy. The film leans into the comic nature of Austen satire and features beautiful pastoral imagery. It was nominated for two Oscars and a Golden Globe. Find it here.

19. The Princess and The Frog (2009)

The Princess and The Frog follows a young and ambitious chef and a party boy prince as they are turned into frogs days before the Mardi Gras parade in 1920s New Orleans. The 2-D animated Disney film stars Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Michael-Leon Wooley, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Cody, John Goodman, Keith David, Peter Bartlett, Jenifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey and Terrence Howard.

The film received some criticism for historical negationism and the fact that Disney’s first Black princess spends most of the runtime green. However, it is also a deeply sweet and delightful fairytale with some fantastic music and artistry. Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, the film was nominated for three Oscars (including two for Best Original Song). Find it here.

18. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Crazy Rich Asians follows an NYU professor who takes a spring break trip with her boyfriend back to his native Singapore for his best friend’s wedding, only to find out he’s from one of the wealthiest families in Asia. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film is based on the Kevin Kwan beach read of the same name. The film stars Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong and Michelle Yeoh.

It was a box office hit, especially in the States (though it underperformed in China). Crazy Rich Asians is a fluffy and stylish rom-com and should be taken as such. Once it is dissected for anything from capitalist glorification, specific representations of aspects of Asian culture or ethnic representation of Singapore, the film struggles. However, if you are looking for a funny and palatable modern romcom, it’s a deeply watchable film. It is available here.

17. The Prince of Egypt (1998)

The Prince of Egypt tells the Jewish story of Passover from the book of Exodus. While it may sound like just another bible retelling, it stands out not only for its lush visuals but also for its iconic soundtrack. The film has a score composed by Hans Zimmer as well as songs by Mariah Carey and Whitney Huston. It won an Oscar for Best Original Song, making it the first non-Disney/Pixar animated film to win an Academy Award.

The film stars Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, Steve Martin and Martin Short. Recently, many have revisited the film to praise its scope and animated artistry. When it comes to Passover films, The Prince of Egypt is the gold standard. The film is available here.

16. In & Out (1997)

There are a couple of great rom-coms that center on a spring wedding, and In & Out is arguably top of the list. Directed by Frank Oz and written by Paul Rudnick, In & Out follows a high school teacher who is outed by a former student in an Oscar acceptance speech in the lead-up to his wedding in small-town Indiana.

In & Out stars Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, Tom Selleck, Matt Dillon, Debbie Reynolds, Wilford Brimley and Bob Newhart. It was inspired by Tom Hanks’ Oscar acceptance for his role in Philadelphia, in which he thanked his drama teacher and a gay high school classmate. The film was nominated for one Oscar itself (for Best Supporting Actress for Cusack). It is currently streaming here.

15. The Secret Garden (1993)

The Secret Garden is a childhood classic, especially for millennials. The film follows an orphan, her cousin and a mysterious boy who work together to unlock and revive a “magical” garden. Directed by Agnieszka Holland, the film stars Kate Maberly, Heydon Prowse, Andrew Knott and Maggie Smith.

The Secret Garden is based on the 1909 Frances Hodgson Burnett novel of the same name and is a really wonderful retelling of the source material. The film balances darkness and wonder in a beautiful way. It is available to stream here.

14. Easter Parade (1948)

Like many other technicolor musicals, Easter Parade is more about Fred Astaire’s dancing than the plot. Easter Parade is also about Judy Garland’s singing and Ann Miller’s tap skills. While the plot is thin, it follows several performer’s love lives in the lead-up to New York’s Easter Parade in the early 1900s.

The film was initially supposed to star Gene Kelly, but he broke his ankle before filming. While Astaire had retired two years before, he was eager to step in for his injured friend. The film won an Oscar for Best Original Score and also features songs by Irving Berlin. While Easter Parade doesn’t actually have much to do with Easter, the first and last numbers, “Happy Easter” and “Easter Parade,” will definitely get viewers into the springtime holiday mood. Find it here.

13. But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)

While But I’m a Cheerleader only culminates in a scene set in the spring, the overall pastel aesthetic of the film gives it a very spring feel. It follows a teen girl who only realizes she is queer after being sent to a conversion therapy camp. The film is the directorial feature debut of Jamie Babbit, and stars Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Melanie Lynskey and RuPaul in a rare performance out of drag.

While most straight reviewers gave it mixed to poor reviews, the film became an instant classic among gay audiences. While many reviewers have revisited the movie after it found cult status in the LBGTQ community, Roger Ebert somewhat presciently wrote in 2000 that it was “the kind of movie that might eventually become a regular on the midnight cult circuit.” Find it here.

12. Sense and Sensibility (1995)

There is something about Jane Austen’s adaptations that feel like spring. While 2005’s Pride and Prejudice is probably the more popular Jane Austin adaptation, Ang Lee’s 1995 take on Sense and Sensibility is a wonderfully verdant film. Sense and Sensibility stars Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson, who also wrote it.

While some characters are changed, the film captures more of the politics and societal expectations of the time than many other Austen films do. The film was nominated for seven Oscars, winning for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay). It is currently available to stream here. Find it here.

11. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935)

“The spring, the summer, The childing autumn, angry winter change.” While A Midsummer Night’s Dream might sound like it takes place in the summer, it happens in the lead-up to the midsummer solstice. Although William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been adapted into films countless times, Max Rienhardt’s 1935 film is one of, if not the best version.

The film stars James Cagney, Mickey Rooney, Anita Louise, Victor Jory, Jean Muir, Dick Powell and Olivia de Havilland in her first film. The film was banned in Germany by Nazi censor Joseph Goebbels for being “degenerate art.” It has a German Expressionist style and features music by 1800s German-Jewish composer Felix Mendelsohn. Reinhardt had fled Austria himself due to anti-Semitism, which likely contributed to the ban. A Midsummer Night’s Dream was the first and last film to be directed by Reinhardt. It is currently available here.

10. The Love Witch (2016)

The Love Witch follows a California-based witch who uses magic to make men fall in love with her to disastrous ends in the lead-up to the midsummer solstice. While it was met with almost universal acclaim after it premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, it was only given a small theatrical release (under 25 theaters). It thus feels a bit like a hidden gem.

The film is a loving tribute to 1960s horror films and has a great visual aesthetic. It was shot on 35 mm film and printed from an original cut negative, giving it an almost Technicolor look. The Love Witch stars Samatha Robinson and was written, directed and edited by Anna Biller. It is a stylish feminist film about female power and gender roles without being preachy. The acting in the movie is presentational, and The New Yorker called Robinson’s work on the film “one of the best performances of the century so far. Find it here.

9. Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar (2021)

While Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar doesn’t explicitly take place in the spring, it feels like a spring break movie. The movie follows two friends as a girls’ trip to Florida leads them to save the world.

Directed by Josh Greenbaum, it stars Jamie Dornan, Damon Wayans Jr., Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, with the latter two especially delivering a masterclass in comedy. Barb and Star has a great look that plays up the bad taste of bright colors and culottes. The film still feels like a bit of a hidden gem since it was only released on VOD after its theatrical release was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, it feels destined for a cult classic status. It is available to stream here.

8. Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

While Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing doesn’t explicitly take place in the spring, its imagery with girls in white chemises and green gardens makes it feel like a spring classic. The film follows a group of returning soldiers who become mixed up ion a matchmaking scheme while staying at a nobleman’s house.

Much Ado About Nothing features a star-studded cast with Emma Thompson, Robert Sean Leonard, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves and Kate Beckinsale. Branagh has made a lot of Shakespeare films; however, Much Ado About Nothing is easily among his best and most accessible. While some casting decisions are slightly odd (especially Reeves as the villainous Don John), Thompson is especially spellbinding as Beatrice. It is currently streaming on here.

7. Coraline (2009)

While many associate Coraline with spooky season, it actually takes place in the spring. Directed by Henry Selick, the film is a children’s horror masterpiece.

Coraline follows a young girl who discovers a sinister alternate universe behind a secret door. The film is a cult classic and is beloved for its spooky and creepy imagery through the art of stop-motion animation. The film was the first feature from Laika Studios, which has become synonymous with impressive stop motion. Coraline is available to stream here.

6. Spring in a Small Town (1948)

A lot of spring films are easy-breezy watches. Spring in a Small Town is not that. This Chinese film classic follows a newly poor married couple as the wife’s former lover visits their family compound. The film feels lonely, and with only five characters, it has a quiet desolation.

While it isn’t the typical spring-y romcom, it is a beautiful work of feminist and mainland Chinese cinema. The film was named the best Chinese film ever made by the Hong Kong Film Awards in 2005. Directed by Fei Mu, the film starts with an iconic elongated narration from actress Wei Wei as Zhou Yuwen. While the film was rejected by the Communist Party (which would come to power the following year in 1949), it was rediscovered when the China Film Archive released a new print of the film in the 1980s. Spring in a Small Town is in the public domain in the U.S. and is available here.

5. Late Spring (1949)

Late Spring is the first film in director Yasujirō Ozu’s iconic “Noriko trilogy,” with 1951’s Early Summer and 1953’s Tokyo Story. While the three films are unconnected in plot, they each feature actress Setsuko Hara as an unmarried woman named Noriko and the theme of women’s lives in postwar Japan.

Late Spring follows a woman and her widowed father as her aunt hatches a match-making plot. It is part of the Japanese film genre of shomin-geki, or films that follow the ordinary lives of ordinary people. It is a quiet and heartbreaking film. Roger Ebert said of the film in 2005, “Late Spring tells a story that becomes sadder the more you think about it. There is a tension in the film between Noriko’s smile and her feelings.” The film is currently streaming here.

4. Sholay (1975)

There are a lot of spring holidays: easter, Passover, May Day and, of course, Holi. There are a lot of great Bollywood scenes that happen on Holi, including ones from Mohabbatein, Kati Patang and Mother India. However, arguably, the best film with a depiction of Holi is 1975’s Sholay, which is a great introduction to classic Bollywood cinema as well.

Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay follows a police chief who hires two criminals to help him bring in a dangerous bandit. The film stars Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri and Amjad Khan. The film is a Dacoit Western (sometimes also called Masala Western), which is a genre that combines tropes from Westerns with the musical numbers and comedy often seen in Bollywood films. This film has a bit of everything: twists, romance, friendship, shootouts and more. In 2024, Time Out ranked Sholay first in its list of 100 Best Bollywood Films. Sholay is available here.

3. The Wicker Man (1973)

The Wicker Man follows a police officer who must travel to a remote Scottish Isle on the search for a missing girl during the lead-up to a May Day celebration. There are a couple of good horror films that take place in the spring (Midsommar and Carrie especially come to mind), however, the 1973 version of The Wicker Man is arguably the best. Directed by Robin Hardy, the film stars Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt and Christopher Lee.

The film has been recut several times, and for many years, part of the film had been lost. Lee said of the movie in 2005, “I’ve always said it’s the best film I’ve ever made, even in its butchered form, which it is. Even the DVD is butchered. What happened to that film, I still don’t know. The negative disappeared from that day to this.” StudioCanal launched a Facebook campaign in 2013 to find the missing original. Through the campaign, a 92-minute 35 mm print was found at the Harvard Film Archive, which was later released on DVD as The Wicker Man: The Final Cut. Find it here.

2. A League of Their Own (1992)

“There’s no crying in baseball!” All baseball movies feel like spring movies (even if half of the season is in summer), and A League of Their Own is easily one of the best baseball movies ever made. It is loosely based on the true story of the All-American Girls League and follows a fictionalized women’s baseball team, The Rockford Peaches, as World War II shuts down men’s major league baseball.

Directed by Penny Marshall, the film stars Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna, Lori Petty, Rosie O’Donnell, Jon Lovitz, Garry Marshall and Bill Pullman. Every woman who auditioned for the film had to be able to play baseball, and many of the plays weren’t faked (Davis even actually caught a ball while doing the splits). In 2012, A League of Their Own was chosen for preservation in the National Film Registry. It is still the highest-grossing baseball movie of all time, beating out the Jackie Robinson biopic, 42. It is currently streaming here.

1. Big Fish (2003)

Big Fish just feels like a spring movie. While it doesn’t explicitly take place in the spring, its use of florals and pastels makes it visually feel like spring. The film follows a man who tells tall tales about his extraordinary life and a son who no longer finds his stories amusing.

Directed by Tim Burton, the film is based on the 1998 novel Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Daniel Wallace. It stars Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, Alison Lohman, Robert Guillaume, Marion Cotillard, Steve Buscemi and Danny DeVito. The film is a whimsical, charming and heartbreaking look at fatherhood and a life well lived. It is available to stream here.

Bottom Line

Spring is in the air, and these films are a great way to celebrate the season, especially if you get stuck at home during some April showers!