Lady Bird (2017)

The pops of pink that catch your eye through the entirety of Lady Bird screams spring time. The film being about trying to find your way as an adolescent in high school and going off to college is a theme that I feel represents the spring season. At least that’s my feeling. I remember as a senior getting out of school and coming home looking for acceptance letters and hopping I could go to certain schools. That’s what Christine McPherson Lady Bird is going through. That and navigating a rocky relationship with her mom and trying to find love.

Frances Ha (2012)

Back-to-back Greta Gerwig. Lady Bird flaunted Gerwig’s excellence behind the camera. Frances Ha shows how great she is when she’s in front of the camera acting. This is another tale about navigating life, but certain moments make me think of spring in Frances Ha. None more than the minute long montage of Gerwig running through New York while David Bowie’s Modern Love blares. It’s a jovial scene and honestly, when you get that first feeling of nice spring weather, you feel the same way that you just want to run with joyful reckless abandon while listening to David Bowie.

Big Fish (2003)

Tim Burton’s unbelievable visuals of vibrant yellow flower fields radiates the pure feeling of spring in the most perfect way possible. That alone should draw you in, but if you want something past stunning visuals, then the cast of Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Albert Finney, Jessica Lange, and Helena Bonham Carter should sell you. Along with those attributes of Big Fish, you’ll find yourself rehashing old, buried grief and possibly reconcile with it. Or you’ll just be blown away by flower fields. Either way, it’s worth watching.

Moneyball (2011)

Baseball and spring are synonymous with one another so why not watch the best baseball movie of all time. Even if you don’t care about the nitty gritty numbers of the sport, it’s always enjoyable to see Brad Pitt be charming and watch an underdog story unfold. The script’s great and watching Moneyball will only get you more excited for baseball season. Maybe you can even drop some newfound knowledge on your friends when you’re watching games.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is set in the spring in Chicago and is about cutting class. This might be the ultimate spring film if we’re being honest. You see a kid live out the day doing whatever he wants with his friends and at times when watching, you kind of wish you were Ferris Bueller cutting class. Even as a 22 year-old college student, I wish I was a high schooler cutting class to goto an art gallery. So my message to the high schoolers out there is to cut class once this spring. I never did it and I regret not having a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off type of day. Worry about what your parents will say later.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is the first of two Wes Anderson movies to make the list. I couldn’t resist putting just one on here. Maybe the funniest film Anderson has ever made is The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. It’s raunchy in its comedic elements, but doesn’t go over the top to force jokes which is key. So, if you want to watch a stylish and colorful comedy with Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Cate Blanchett, and Owen Wilson that feels like spring, look no further than The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

Paddington 2 (2017)

Yeah, the first Paddington film is good, but Paddington 2 is great. While there isn’t a real spring element in the Paul King directed flick, the spring is about coming out of your winter shell and feeling vital. What’s better to raise your spirits than a cute talking bear who loves marmalade? Nothing. Nothing is better than a cute talking bear who loves marmalade. I’m also a big fan of Brendan Gleeson and he’s in this as one of Paddington’s close confidants while he’s in prison.

Risky Business (1983)

A lot like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Risky Business feels like spring because it’s about a teen just having fun. And before we get any further, I did recommend kids cutting school in the Ferris Bueller’s Day Off part, but I do not recommend you getting a prostitute when your parents are out of town. Throw a little party and dance around in your boxers. But don’t get a prostitute. Nevertheless, Risky Business is a chill movie about having fun — sometimes with friends, sometimes alone. Watch it and bring in spring with some Old Time Rock & Roll.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

I mentioned with Moneyball how everyone loves a good underdog story. Well, you won’t find one better than Little Miss Sunshine. In Little Miss Sunshine, it’s not just one person, but the whole family battling their own issues. From depression to failure to delusion, every family member is battling something that’s eventually defeated due to a long road trip in a bright yellow van and an awesome ending that brings everyone together. Grab the tissues because you might find yourself crying. I did when I watched this — both tears of sadness and joy.

Midnight In Paris (2011)

Woody Allen’s Midnight In Paris possesses an academic elegance that’d serve as a nice spring watch when you’re taking a break from school work. At least that’s when I’ve watched it. You’re transported from beautiful modern day Paris into the attractive night time of 1920s, Lost Generation Paris, that’s filled with esteemed writers I’d love to speak to. Allen assembled a bodacious cast of Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Léa Seydoux, Tom Hiddleston, Kathy Bates, and Corey Stoll for this project and it works on so many levels. Especially when you want to usher in the spring season.

Asteroid City (2023)

While I love the crass humor of Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, I like Asteroid City for its subtle pretension. It’s a movie about a play, but you don’t know fully when you’re in and out of the confines of the plays direction which is lovely. Where I get the spring vibes from Asteroid City is the bright teal color scape that each character seems to flaunt at some point. This is a film that’s grown on me immensely since my first watch, and in true Anderson form, he never fails to have fun.