A Movie (Or Three) For Every Season

It’s never the wrong time to watch (or re-watch) any movie, but sometimes you want a title that perfectly embodies the current season. There’s nothing like curling up by the fire in winter, but add a festive film to the agenda and your sundae’s got a cherry on top. Immersing yourself in the seasonal aesthetic is not only wonderful, it might just get you out of your comfort zone and introduce you to a new favorite. Here are twelve movie recommendations that perfectly embody their respective seasons, all of which are fantastic no matter when you decide to watch them.

Spring

Spring movies are not solely dedicated to Valentine’s day, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more than a few rom-coms on the marquee. It’s fresh and lively, and boasts verdurous landscapes, so really, it’s no wonder it’s the backdrop for so many a movie.

1. Pride And Prejudice

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that Pride and Prejudice is a classic no matter the season. That being said, the gorgeous scenery, delicate instrumentals, and overall swoony-ness make it a must-watch during Spring. I happen to be particularly fond of the 2005 adaptation starring Kiera Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen, but feel free to select your favorite.

Iconic and transitional scenes alike are enhanced by the sublime compositions of Dario Marianelli and Jean-Yves Thibaudet; Dawn, in particular, embodies the aesthetic of the film perfectly. I cannot give enough praise to this adaptation–it has all of the aspects readers appreciate, plus the added charm of the cast and an enchanting landscape.

2. Leap Year

The title certainly explains why the movie falls under the umbrella of spring, but add in the lush Irish setting and it’s guaranteed a spot. Leap Year is one of my favorite rom-coms, and it’s got a solid blend of both romance and humor.

Watching Matthew Goode and Amy Adams’ characters stumble through their impromptu Irish road trip? Hilarious. Seeing if they happen to fall in love along the way? Sign me up. Add to that the aforementioned gorgeous scenery and some unexpectedly deep character interactions, and it’s no wonder I can’t stop recommending it.

3. What A Girl Wants

There is a very good chance that I have seen this movie more than any other. But if you’ve seen it, you know exactly why. Amanda Bynes plays the American surprise-daughter to Colin Firth’s English Prime Ministerial candidate, and it only gets better from there. Bynes’ character is quirky, lovable, and fierce, which makes perfect sense given her father’s charming awkwardness and mother’s (played by the late Kelly Preston) spirited independence.

Everything about it screams early-2000s, but it holds up surprisingly well regardless. The jokes are still fantastic, if not surprising, and the nostalgia is guaranteed. Do I quote it on a daily basis? Without a doubt. It just recently became available for streaming on Netflix, so even though it’s not spring, now’s as good a time as any to give it a go.

Summer

What would summer be without sunshine, days spent lazing away, and cool water in one form or another? Thankfully, we don’t ever have to find out. But at the end of those dog days comes time to sit back and relax with classic movies and good company. These three are sure to entertain no matter how many times you’ve seen them, and each brings something different to the proverbial picnic table.

1. Jaws

The 1975 thriller Jaws is undeniably an oldie but a goodie, and it’s the movie that launched the modern shark obsession. It was wildly successful at the box-office and earned itself a spot on the United States National Film Registry for its significance to the development of modern film. Peter Benchley’s 1974 novel Jaws was the basis for the movie; though the book has no sequel, the movie has multiple, but really, you should stick to the original.

Summer may be beach-season, but that shouldn’t stop you from binge-watching all things shark. Discovery Channel’s Shark Week is one of the highlights of the season, in my opinion, so why not add the classic film Jaws to your shark-marathon? If you’re looking for some extra shark content, because one week just won’t cut it, check out Nat Geo’s five-week special, SharkFest, which premiered on July 19th.

2. Independence Day

Again with the title–of course it’s a Summer movie! The narrative coincided with the release date (July 2nd, 1996) and even though we’re past that now, there’s nothing stopping you from adding it to your watch (or rewatch, hopefully) list. It’s a sci-fi film of epic proportions with a renowned cast, and its sequel was released in 2016.

Said cast must grapple with the implications of an extraterrestrial invasion, all while banding together to defend against it. As a Hollywood blockbuster, it didn’t so much reinvent the genre as it did raise it to a much larger scale. It was wildly successful, becoming the second-highest-grossing film in history (at the time) and the highest-grossing film of 1996.

3. Grease

Where to begin — the groovy intro, clearly. The opening credits theme, Grease, written by Barry Gibbs (of the Bee Gees) and performed by Frankie Valli (of the Four Seasons), might not fit in with the late-50s/early-60s setting of the story, but it’s an iconic tune for an iconic film. Given that the movie is based on the 1971 musical of the same name, the soundtrack is predictably catchy. We all, whether we want to or not, find ourselves singing along to each track.

It might be a cheesy musical rom-com, but will that stop us from re-watching it and reciting lines with the characters? Absolutely not. It’s both goofy and charming while somehow managing to be wildly successful, and the cast–who are very obviously too old for high school, incidentally–somehow make it work. It’s a classic best watched at a drive-in, and its lighthearted feel makes it the perfect summer throwback.

Fall

Fall is the embodiment of all things cozy and spooky and, while I shy away from spooky, I could not be more in support of coziness. There are dozens upon dozens of strict Halloween films, but what about the rest of the season? That’s where the following titles come in, to fill the void of September and November which are equally deserving of hosting movie-marathons.

1. Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

There is never a bad time to watch one of the eight Harry Potter movies, or, frankly, the entire series. Released in 2001–and yes, the twentieth anniversary is somehow next year–the first installment in the film franchise introduced viewers to the magical English wizarding world and beloved Hogwarts itself. It has been one of the most successful movie and book franchises of all time, which should come as no surprise.

I, myself, am particularly attached to this series–it has complex and incredible characters, a (literally and figuratively) magical setting, and an insanely creative fandom–and I’m certainly not the only one. The first film is perfect to snuggle up and watch during a cozy fall night-in, but once you get started you’ll be hard-pressed to stop at just one. Hogwarts truly is always there to welcome you home.

2. Dead Poets Society

Though theatrically interesting in its own right, Dead Poets Society is undoubtedly a movie filled with life-lessons and philosophical predicaments just beneath the surface. The coming-of-age narratives overlap and provide numerous unconventional viewpoints that encourage viewers to stop and assess their own feelings on the various predicaments.

It’s set to take place at a Vermont boarding school in the fall of 1959–need I detail this quintessential fall aesthetic any further? The deeply autumnal atmosphere combined with the unorthodox yet impassioned teachings of Mr. Keating (Robin Williams) creates what feels like a snow-globe of back-to-school season. You’ll wish you had had an enthusiastic teacher like him in school to impart true life-lessons, challenge your perceptions, and encourage you to form a secret society. Say it with me–‘carpe diem‘!

3. The Lake House

I’m a sucker for rom-coms (clearly), so when I found one I hadn’t seen before, I had to watch it immediately. The Lake House is streaming on Netflix and has the perfect blend of mystery and romance to make it the perfect rainy-day feature. Set against the backdrop of Chicago, it has the appeal of a locale with seasonal variations, especially where the one-of-a-kind Lake House is concerned.

Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves — what a pair. For ultimately having little screen time together, they made a convincing and charming couple that you can’t help but root for. Just when you think you know which direction the story is moving in, it doubles back and manages to exceed your expectations–and if you’re not in tears by the end, I’d be surprised.

Winter

Winter is, in fact, the most wonderful time of the year (for some reasons, at least). Twinkly lights, roaring fireplaces, hot beverages, and layers upon layers–just to name a few of my favorites. It’s undeniably made for lazy afternoons on the couch under your most-loved quilt, add to that any of these next three movies and you’ve got yourself a perfect winter’s day.

1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

The intro? Festive and indicative of the movie that follows. The shenanigans? Spit-out-your-eggnog-hilarious from start to finish. The family? Why the Griswolds, of course. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is another installment in the series and by far the best; it is the Christmas movie. It’s full of subtle (and not-so-subtle) humor, wacky family dynamics, and classic Christmas cheer.

This might just be the funniest movie I have ever seen–and it never gets old. This plays on a loop for most of December if I have anything to say about it, and I don’t imagine that will ever change. About a quarter of my vocabulary is made up of recitations from this holiday gem, and I don’t mind in the least. What do we want? A fun, old-fashioned, family Christmas! When do we want it? Preferably now, but December will have to do.

2. Little Women

Little Women will never cease to be relevant; it’s a classic that is truly deserving of the descriptor. Each of the March sisters has their own distinct personality and dreams, and viewers are likely to see themselves in one or more of them. Somehow or another, I arrived late to the world of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. I first saw Great Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation and was completely blown away; from the stunning costumes to the heartbreaking narrative and the flawed but entirely relatable characters, everything is simply perfect.

There are multiple on-screen adaptations of the iconic novel, the PBS Masterpiece series being tied for first, in my book. If you’re looking to do some self-reflection while enjoying a phenomenal period-drama, this is your go-to. It is a timeless piece filled with life lessons for all ages, and each adaptation is so beautifully crafted that you should watch them all and decide for yourself.

3. The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

For generally being considered a children’s movie, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe showcases a number of theological and philosophical concepts that will appeal to viewers of any age. Its creators did a phenomenal job of bringing the world within the wardrobe to life, and each cast member embodies their relative characters superbly. Since being released 15 years ago, its CGI has done remarkably well and lends authenticity to its many non-human characters.

The overwhelming nostalgia this film invokes is almost unparalleled. You can’t help but feel like you, too, are experiencing the magical world of Narnia for the first time along with the Pevensie siblings. Everything about this makes me want to curl up by the fire with hot cocoa — sans Turkish delight, thank you very much. It has two wonderful sequels (but really, how can you beat the original?) and a book-counterpart that is part of a larger series by C.S. Lewis, so you never truly have to leave Narnia.

Wrapping Up

All of those titles should put you off to a great start, but of course, feel free to add in some of your own seasonal favorites. If you’re a sucker for rom-coms, the Hallmark channel has you covered with year-round events, summer classics can always be found at local drive-ins, and most networks have movie marathons in the fall and winter. In any case, don’t let the season stop you from watching your favorite Christmas movie in July or Halloween movie in March!