What to watch over spring break

Spring break is rapidly approaching, and the long-awaited week off often brings with it tropical vacations and fun getaways.

However, not everyone has that to look forward to. So, what should people do with this week off? My answer: movies.

Here are some of my favorite loosely spring break (or more so getaway) films to help you escape on a fun vacation right from your couch.

‘Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar’ (2021)

Anyone who has had any sort of conversation with me knows that this is, by far, my favorite film ever. However, the brilliant comedy from Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo also fits perfectly in the spring break theme. Two best friends, Barb and Star, embark on the tropical vacation adventure of a lifetime, and it's nothing short of pure excitement and fun.

‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ (2022)

This one may be a bit darker, but the hurricane party setting makes for a fun, hilarious mystery that you don’t want to miss. This A24 horror comedy follows a group of friends having the house party of a lifetime, that just so happens to be in the middle of a hurricane. Not only that, but it turns into a bloody, fun murder mystery.

‘We’re the Millers’ (2013)

OK, maybe it’s not a real family vacation to Mexico, but it’s an absolute blast nonetheless. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Emma Roberts and Will Poulter, the film follows David Clark (Sudeikis) on his journey to smuggle marijuana from Mexico. In the process, he forms a fake family to go on this “vacation,” running into fun side characters played by Kathryn Hahn and Nick Offerman along the way.

‘Barbie’ (2023)

Who wouldn’t want to take a spring break trip to Barbieland? Starring Margot Robbie, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” follows Barbie as she goes on a journey to the real world. It’s a fun, heartfelt adventure, featuring the seemingly perfect and wonderful Barbieland, and some real world beaches, too. “Barbie” is the perfect film for a fun, wild stay-at-home vacation this spring break.

‘Saltburn’ (2023)

Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter

While it’s technically about a summer vacation, “Saltburn” may not be for everyone, but for anyone who isn’t afraid to be a bit uncomfortable, it’s the perfect watch for spring break. The film follows Oliver (Barry Keoghan) and Felix (Jacob Elordi) as they spend their summer holiday at Felix’s family home. What at first seems like a fun trip quickly turns into a twisted summer to remember forever.

‘Infinity Pool’ (2023)

Another vacation gone wrong, “Infinity Pool” stars Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgård and follows a married couple as they embark on an island vacation where they make the potentially fatal mistake of leaving their resort. Things grow weirder and weirder as time progresses, until they eventually realize that something is wrong and they are far from safe.

‘Murder Mystery’ (& the sequel) (2019, 2023)

Starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler, “Murder Mystery” follows a couple on their trip to Europe that gets them tangled up in a murder mystery of their own. It’s fun and involves a yacht, what more would you want out of spring break? “Murder Mystery 2” follows the same characters, Nick and Audrey, after the events of the first film. This adventure lands them in Paris, as they once again get caught up in a whodunnit.

‘Palm Springs’ (2020)

Think “Groundhog Day,” but vacation-style. “Palm Springs” stars Andy Samberg as a guest at a wedding, fittingly located in Palm Springs. He and Sarah (Cristin Milioti) fall in love, but find themselves trapped in a time loop, stuck repeating the same day. It’s fun, tropical and the beach setting makes it the perfect escape this spring break.

‘Mamma Mia!’ (& the sequel) (2008, 2018)

Who doesn’t dream of escaping to Greece on their spring break? “Mamma Mia!” features an all-star cast, including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski and more as they venture to Kalokairi, a Greek Island, for the wedding of Sophie (Seyfried).

The fun, musical adventure features hits from ABBA as Sophie works to solve the mystery of who her dad is. The sequel features a lot of the same hits, but it stars Lily James as young Donna (originally played by Streep), as she and her friends, Rosie and Tanya, form their band. Both are so unbelievably fun that watching them just feels like a tropical, Greek island vacation party.

Who needs a real vacation this spring break when you can see the world through these films instead?

powers40@miamioh.edu