Top Five Films for Springtime

With the Vernal Equinox now just past us (fun fact: equinox means “equal night” and marks a day where there are an identical amount of daylight and evening hours), we thought we would share movies that are giving Spring in the best way.

The juxtaposition of Pugh’s pained expression with the beauty of the blooms is *chef’s kiss.

MIDSOMMAR (2019)

While this film doesn’t take place in Spring (it’s actually mid-Summer), the visuals of the Hungarian countryside and the set design are stunning. I know it’s overused, but the setting is almost a character unto itself; the depth of the shots (shout out to Pawel Pogorzelski, longtime Aster cinematographer) convey a both a sense of loneliness and the majesty of nature. A haunting, tragic, relatable, and beautiful film.

TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU (1999)

This film, which takes place in a Seattle high school, is a retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. It made the list not for the visuals, which are less steeped in nature than 90s fashion, but for the concept of budding romance as a rite of spring (plus, there’s a spring formal). While the plot device of the “undateable” girl (played by Julia Stiles) being wooed by the intensely handsome “bad boy” (Heath Ledger) seems a bit contrived, we love to see beautiful people be beautiful together. Plus, look at that baby JGL!

Easily the best film of the entire franchise (even if “Get to the choppah!” is the best line in the franchise).

PREY (2022)

This one I did not see coming—a reinvention of a beloved Sci Fi franchise (Predator, if you didn't know) that is not only better than the original, but is elevates the production from “movie” to “film.” Again, it’s the setting that makes this give spring; the forest and the animals get us in touch with nature. If you’re not into scary movies, give this a try anyways, you might be surprised—it has more in common with thrillers than modern horror.

If you think EPL is a joke, you haven’t been to Italy on a pilgrimage after having your heart broken.

EAT PRAY LOVE (2010)

While this might have been something of a punchline in the late 2010s—think signs with the name of the book/movie from Home Goods next to “It’s Wine-O-Clock Somewhere—it spawned a whole revolution for women looking for meaning in life after the loss of a relationship. The scenes that take place in Italy during spring are a highlight, and it includes budding romance as well, cementing this firmly in any spring film list.

As a fellow beach-shirter, I feel you, Howie.

FIRE ISLAND (2022)

If your idea of spring includes hanging with your besties in a rented beach house, Fire Island delivers on those vibes. Again, the idea of setting as a character (it’s in the name of the film!) comes into play, on the titular New York island. A reworking of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, this follows a group of friends looking for love in an echelon of class above their own, in classic Austen fashion. If you are into Queer cinema, racial or class dynamics, or are just a Bowen Yang fan, you owe it to yourself to check this out.

HONORABLE MENTION:

WHITE LOTUS (2021 - CURRENT)

Not a film, but filled with spring nonetheless. Each season is set in a beautiful tropical locale, and if you’ve ever tagged along on a trip with friends richer than you, you get the idea. When I was doing my internship in NYC, I had a friend invite me out for the weekend to her parents house—it was in the Hamptons, I ate and drank like a king, I paid for nothing, I have never felt more poor, and I had a fantastic time. So, if you’re trying to relive that type of experience, you could do much worse than a weekend binge of a season of White Lotus.