Spring Time - Movies to get you in the mood

 

“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"... 

 "It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...”

 ___Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

 

We have looked at Spring books and we have also taken a peek at some Spring time TV shows, to get you in the mood for the season.  Now, we turn our attention to movies, which put a huge smile on my face, because together with books I think, we have the best selection to really make you look forward to Spring time. 

 

Some of these are just plain classics that you for sure will already have watched, and didn't even realize just how Springy, they truly were. 

 

So without further ado, let's grab our cups of tea, a pencil and notebook, and make a list of the movies that will not only make us smile big, but make us want to run outside barefoot through tall green grass. 

 

Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Not just because it's Jane Austen, or because the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice is my favorite, but also because this movie, thisssss movie, just embodies Spring to me.  

The landscapes, the gorgeous costumes and the cinematography, sprawling fields and flowers, beautiful lakes and of course the most wonderful romance between Elizabeth and Darcy.  

You can watch on Peacock, or rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube and Apple TV.  

Tuck Everlasting

We're going back in time.  It's been so long, since I first watched Tuck Everlasting, but it needs to be added to this list.  The movie is about Winnie who lives a very controlled life, where she feels stifled by her mother and her controlling ways.  She dreams of freedom and being able to do what she wants, and that is exactly what happens, when one day she goes running through the woods behind her house.

She meets Tuck, who takes her back to meet his family who live a life very different to what Winnie is used to.  It's just such a sweet movie, and is filled with gorgeous scenery and beautiful moments of the two running through fields of flowers, and sitting by a river.  Just watch it, if you haven't.

Watch on Disney+ or rent from Amazon Prime.

 

 

 

This Beautiful Fantastic 

Here's a movie you may not have even heard about, and probably haven't seen.  It stars one of my favorite actresses who actually played Sybil in Downton Abbey, Jessica Brown Findley.

This movie follows Bella who again lives a life with some pretty rigid routines and schedules, she is lonely, reclusive and her only dreams are to write children's books.  She lives alone in an apartment in London and doesn't get out much.  The story kicks off when Bella meets a widower, who lives next door.  He is cranky and annoying but he is amazing with plants and flowers and gardens.  

Bella is facing eviction because her garden is completely neglected, so she hires him to help her.  I'm sure you know where this is headed.  But yes, just watch, you will love this fairy tale with a beautiful garden and stunning flowers.

Watch on Starz for free, or rent from Amazon.

Miss Potter

Ahhhhh what to even say about Miss Potter?  Who doesn't know about Beatrix Potter?  If there was to be a picture on the word Spring in the dictionary, it would have to be Beatrix Potter and her sweet critters.

 

This movie takes us on the journey of Beatrix and how she became the well known author we've all grown to love.  I actually just watched this one a few days ago.  Her parents want her to get married and they even have someone in mind already, but she is not having it.  All Beatrix wants to do is continue to draw the animals that she loves.  In the movie we follow her journey, as she tries to get someone to publish her work but she is met with resistance, over and over again.  Until she finally has an offer from a small publishing firm.

 

And the rest as they say is history, because she became one of the biggest names around.  I mean, Peter Rabbit anyone?

 

You can watch for free on Amazon Prime.

 

 

 

The Secret World of Arrietty

I am not sure if many of you are familiar with the Studio Ghibli movies, who is a Japanese animation studio most famous for Spirited Away.  I will say I don't usually watch anime of any kind, it's just not my cup of tea, but I loved Spirited Away and this one I'm about to tell you about, is absolutely beautiful and just perfect for Spring.

If you love cottages and sweet country homes, with gardens and flowers and cute little people living in the walls of houses.  Do you remember The Borrowers, or The Littles?  It's like that.

Arrietty lives with her parents inside the walls of a human family, and she has no contact with them at all because of course, she's been taught that they are dangerous.  But a chance encounter with the the human boy in the house, changes everything.

I can not tell you just how much I love this movie, I actually bought it on Amazon so I can watch it anytime I want.

Watch on Amazon Prime.

 

 

 

Peter Rabbit  

Just look at this picture and tell me this doesn't scream Spring?  How adorable is that?

Now Peter Rabbit and his family are living in the house that Mister McGregor used to own before passing away.  Unfortunately his nephew arrives to take the house, and claim the inheritance, something that Peter and his family are not happy about.  

What ensues is a funny and cute adventure as they do all sorts of things, a full out war with the nephew to see who wins the house.  Unfortunately things get out of hand, and they have to end up making peace and working together.

You can watch for free on Amazon prime.

Take Joy:  The Magical World of Tasha Tudor

Not a movie but a documentary that I think everyone who loves gardens, and loves Tasha Tudor in general, needs to watch.

Tasha Tudor is a name that is synonymous with homemaking and loving for and taking care of your home and gardens.  For the first time, Tasha allowed a crew to enter her home and follow her on a normal day.  It is a magnificent glimpse into her life, and the incredible woman that she was.  You have to watch it, it will definitely get you in the mood for the season.

You can watch it for free on Tubi.

There are so many others that I could sit here for days, just talking and sharing, but I think this list is enough to kick start you, or at the very least give you ideas of the kind of movies you could be watching at the moment.

 

A few others that I can think of right now:

 

The Secret Garden

Nanny McPhee

All of the Jane Austen Adaptations

Far from the Madding Crowd

Jane Eyre

Basically, anything with cottage vibes, picnics, beautiful country homes and luscious gardens.  

Let me know in the comments if you have a favorite movie that has all of those requirements.