I’m going all in with a soft spring aesthetic this year, friends. I’m talking about soft spring vibes, spring fits, movies for the spring season and more. In this article, I’m discussing the movies that make me feel super spring-like and the characters that inspire my entire spring vibe; fashion, food, activities, colour palettes and movie nights galore. Things are getting fresh!

*NOTE: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS*

Contents

• Soft Spring Aesthetic
  • Little Women (2019)
  • The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
  • Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
  • Mary Poppins (1964) / Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
  • Notting Hill (1999)
  • The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
  • Emma. (2020)
  • The Sound of Music (1965)
  • Melo Movie (2025)
  • 13 Going on 30 (2004)
  • A League of Their Own (1992)
  • Big Fish (2003)
  • The Secret Garden (1993)
  • Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
  • You’ve Got Mail (1998)
  • To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
  • Matilda (1996)
  • Sense and Sensibility (1995)
  • A Bug’s Life (1998)
• Spring in the Movies

Soft Spring Aesthetic

The sun has been making a regular appearance for more than a couple of days here in England and I am SO happy about it. The daffodils are blooming, daisies are appearing and snowdrops are decorating the greener areas like beautiful drops of pure light.

I don’t know about you, but winter felt like it went on for years!? Don’t get me wrong, I love the festive time of year. BUT, there is only so much of the cold and dark that I can take.

Spring is my favourite season and the films featured in this list really help to inspire my soft spring aesthetic, including what I choose to watch during my movie nights!

We’re delving into spring fashion, food in these spring movies, seasonal activities and colour palettes through the lens. Plus, cinematography, of course.

It’s all about the spring vibes, friends. Let’s get straight into it.

Little Women (2019)

Okay, yes, we’re starting with a movie that is also listed in my Fall Movie Bucket List. Little Women is one of those films that spans across multiple seasons, so there is space to appreciate it from different seasonal perspectives.

Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s literary classic makes me feel both cosy in autumn AND fresh as a spring daisy.

A lot of the film displays the countryside in a way that celebrates elements like the soft sunshine of spring and the pastel colours of the season’s floral delights.

With shots of the March sisters running through sunlit woods, posing in pastel coloured gowns, flower arranging and creating landscape paintings outside, how could Little Women not provide for the soft spring aesthetic?

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Double Meryl Streep? Yeah, friends! That’s how I roll.

The Devil Wears Prada is ICONIC. I would shout that from the hills if I could. It’s another one that spans multiple seasons, but hear me out.

Sure, fashion shifts and changes with time, but this film still provides so much inspiration for spring fits. That brilliant scene that shows the passing of time through Andy’s outfits stands out nearly two decades later.

Basically, accessories are still the thing, match your shoes and your bag and never forget it’s not just blue, it’s cerulean.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

If anime isn’t part of your soft spring aesthetic… why the hei hei not? 

Miyazaki’s Kiki’s Delivery Service gives both spring and summer vibes. Fresh air, delightful baked goods on a warm day, pastel blue skies over lush green fields.

Need I say more?

I want to be in a meadow, eating fresh bread, with a red bow in my hair. It’s a vibe.

Anime is always the vibe for me, as you can tell from my growing collection of anime focused content!

Mary Poppins (1964) / Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

I’m including both the original 60s adaptation as well as the follow up released in 2018. Both make me feel very spring-like, especially because of the blossom trees that feature, but also because of the colour palettes and spring fits we see throughout both versions.

Pastels are an obvious choice for spring fashion, but that’s because the lighter tints of colours feel fresh!

Blossom pink, powder blue, lilac, mint green and daffodil yellow all make an annual appearance. Pattern wise, we’re talking plaid and checks, frills and florals. 

Mary actually has daisies on her hat in the 60s version.

The cuter, the better when it comes to soft spring fashion (in my opinion, of course).

Notting Hill (1999)

The 90s was a true era for movies. There are a few Julia Roberts movies that I considered for this post, but many of them feel more summer-y. 

Notting Hill, however, definitely feels more spring-like.

Flowers in bloom, flowers being given, flowers on sale in Notting Hill, pastel spring fits.

Special shoutout to the use of changing seasons as William (Hugh Grant) walks through the market to show progression of time. I do enjoy a cinematic technique that looks effortless, but creates such an impact!

The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)

More springtime anime goodness.

Flowers in bloom, characters living in harmony with nature. Glorious.

Emma. (2020)

You’ll notice that a few of my recommended movies for spring are adaptations of novels. Here’s another one! Oh, and happy World Book Day!

Everything about Emma. screams spring. Flowers in bloom, English countryside, pastel gowns, ornate home decor, and tea with cake. This film has it all. 

If you’re on the lookout for regency era decor, this one is an excellent reference for inspiration.

Best time of year to have afternoon tea, in my opinion? You guessed it: spring! Check out my Bridgerton inspired afternoon tea menu for inspiration.

The Sound of Music (1965)

Ah, Austria in the spring. The hills are alive with the sound of spring in this classic musical.

Despite the dark historical setting, this joyous musical brings all the spring-like vibes through a gently colourful palette and beautiful European landscape displaying so much natural spring beauty.

Eras of fashion often make comebacks, which is why I like to say that most styles throughout history can inspire the fashion of the current day. 

Though set in the 1930s, The Sound of Music brings inspiration for spring fits for all.

Melo Movie (2025)

Okay, this one technically isn’t a movie, but it’s a K-Drama that I’ve been watching recently and I had to include it in this post.

Melo Movie is centred around film production; the main and supporting characters are connected to filmmaking in one way or another. Most of them work in the industry, so it doesn’t deviate from the vibe I’m creating here.

Most K-Dramas will take advantage of the stunning spring blossoms that make a show during South Korea’s springtime. Pink petals blowing in the wind during a bonding moment between the two main characters? Yes please.

SO much soft spring aesthetic joy. Including the spring showers that are often overlooked as being a positive thing in this season!

Interested in more K-Drama recommendations? Check out my K-Drama Beginners Watchlist for this year.

13 Going on 30 (2004)

SPRING OUTFITS. 

Need I say more?

A League of Their Own (1992)

When I mentioned this one to my best friend, she couldn’t get over the fact that she hadn’t seen it!

Perhaps an underrated film in a decade of hits, A League of Their Own proves that women can do and be anything we want to be. What better season to feel empowered could there be than spring?

During WWII, Tom Hanks coaches a team of professional female baseball players led by Geena Davis and Madonna. Success is… out of reach but not impossible in this fun watch.

It’s a sports comedy with plenty of sunshine and spring colours. 

Big Fish (2003)

I hear you. Tim Burton isn’t exactly the first name that springs to mind (if you’ll pardon the pun) when pondering the concept of soft spring.

However, glorious springtime scenery makes a regular appearance in Big Fish, making it a great watch for this time of year. Not to mention all the spring outfits and soft spring makeup looks. Pastels, florals, polkadots, frills.

A slight curveball from Burton, particularly if you know of his other works, but a delightful one at that.

I have three words for you: field of daffodils.

The Secret Garden (1993)

Speaking of flowers… I’ve got another book to screen adaptation for you! 

There have been a couple of screen versions of this timeless literary classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett, but the 90s adaptation is the one I grew up with.

That being said, I did find Mrs. Medlock absolutely terrifying as a kid. Dame Maggie Smith really was a true master of her craft.

This one seems pretty self explanatory, no? A garden that is secret… full of flowers and lovely garden things. There are even close-ups of lovely flora and fauna enjoying the spring weather.

If you love the English country garden aesthetic, this one is full to the brim with it. Set on a country estate, there are acres of land to explore with the characters, where flowers in bloom, centuries-old trees and rolling green hills are aplenty.

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

That’s right, folks. I couldn’t stop at just one anime. Miyazaki gets the spring vibes.

Anime as a genre is known for its beautiful visuals – particularly the backgrounds that often look like paintings in a museum – and Howl’s Moving Castle is no exception.

The colours in this movie give it such brilliant life. What season do we associate with life the most? Spring!

Rolling hills… blue skies… meadows full of flowers… I can almost breathe the fresh air just watching it. If you look closely, you can see that there’s even a tearoom on the harbour and honestly, that’s my dream. 

Running a tearoom by the sea. Brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.

Also, if you happen to be on the hunt for hat inspiration… Howl’s Moving Castle won’t let you down.

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Yes, yes. I’ve snuck in another film that I’ve already personally determined as more autumnal. 

Like Little Women and Notting Hill, You’ve Got Mail spans multiple seasons, so it can resonate with audiences during the different times of year.

The film ending with a reunion during spring, with all of the flowers in bloom and gentle sunshine reigning over, is truly poetic.

I also have to take a moment to highlight the spring fits: cute dresses, light cardigans, pastel colours and soft browns. Y E S.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

Soft spring aesthetic in all its glory in this one. In fact, this goes for all three instalments of the To All the Boys trilogy.

The colour palette for the entire film series is delightful: milky blacks with pastels and rich colours give these movies an indie film feel with an air of whimsical romance. I can’t think of a better combination for a spring movie.

The spring fits in this one are worth noting, too. As is the decor, but that’s a topic for another post, I reckon.

Lara Jean’s entire wardrobe is enviable. Cute skirts, pastels, frills, cool jackets, cardigans, pretty dresses. Her style screams spring and it isn’t all the obvious choices we usually see during the season. 

If you’re a fan of this trilogy or enjoy this genre, I say give them all – especially To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – another watch just for spring fit inspiration.

Matilda (1996)

A childhood classic for me. Danny DeVito’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s tale just hits different.

This one inspires a soft spring aesthetic in a few ways; Matilda dancing and using her powers in the living room while the sun is streaming through comes to mind.

Flowers feature consistently throughout the film. There are flowers in the Wormwood household; around Miss Honey’s family home once she’s moved back in, and on a lot of Miss Honey’s outfits. 

You can also see them in specific shots like Matilda reading outside, and when Amanda Thripp is sent flying and scoops up a nice bunch of pretty wildflowers upon landing.

Miss Honey’s cottage with the beautiful garden full of blooming wildflowers and thriving wildlife is ideal inspiration if you’re going for the cottage core, cute spring vibe.

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

I knew there was a Jane Austen adaptation that feels spring-like and it’s absolutely Sense and Sensibility.

Rolling Devonshire hills; hazy pastels and muted tones, bonnets and light dresses, ornate London during the season. There’s even a spring wedding. 

This one is a cracker if your soft spring aesthetic is inspired by the Austen era. It also offers spring wedding inspiration, if that’s your craic. The wedding cake at the end is gorgeously rustic.

A Bug’s Life (1998)

Full credit for this recommendation goes to my best friend.

It was a Disney Pixar hit and a childhood favourite for so many. In terms of connections to the brief, A Bug’s Life is a nature focused family film featuring things that we associate with spring, like flowers and insects doing their natural thing.

The colour palette brings bright feels and pops of vibrancy, which is just what spring does for us.

Spring in the Movies

I’d argue that films set during spring are rarer than films set in any of the other three seasons. This made putting together a list to inspire a soft spring aesthetic a little more difficult, but clearly not impossible!

As spring is the season for new life, pastel colours and fresh flavours, I am more than happy to delve into the realm of cinema to find inspiration for my own soft spring aesthetic.

After a season of short days and overcast weather, spring will always be welcome.

Let me know in the comments how you are celebrating the spring season coming back around!