The Best Movies to Get You Hyped (or Relaxed) for Every Spring Break Vibe

Spring break is almost here, and whether you’re gearing up for a sequence of wild, sleepless nights, a chill, restorative getaway, or just bed rotting in your dorm, the right movie can help set the tone for your entire break. So, before you pack your bags — or your one overweight carry-on bag — queue up one of these films with your friends to get into the spring break state of mind.

If You’re Going For The Typical College Spring Break: “Spring Breakers” (2012) — Dir. Harmony Korine

Neon bikinis, crime sprees, and James Franco with cornrows. Harmony Korine’s “Spring Breakers” is the ultimate fever dream of a film, depicting a group of college students — played by Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, and Rachel Korine — who rob a diner to fund their Miami getaway. What starts as a typical early 2000s spring break quickly spirals into a haze of crime and violence. With its hypnotic cinematography and a pulsating soundtrack creating a dreamy, almost surreal atmosphere, “Spring Breakers” represents the highs and lows of reckless youth in a way that’s both intoxicating and unsettling. It’s all about excess, reckless abandon and partying with just a hint of existential dread. If your spring break involves the beach, red party cups, and questionable decision-making, this is the pick for you.

If You’re Planning For One Wild Night Out: “The Hangover” (2009) — Dir. Todd Phillips

If you’re not much of a party person but are thinking of letting loose this spring break — maybe you’re a senior and this is your last hurrah, or maybe you applied for an interhouse transfer and haven’t quite figured out how to break the news to your roommates yet — then “The Hangover” is the perfect film for you. This comedy classic follows a group of friends who wake up after a tumultuous bachelor party in a completely trashed Las Vegas hotel suite, complete with a missing groom, a random baby, and a tiger in the bathroom, but no memory of how any of it happened. What comes after is a ludicrously chaotic journey through the city as they scramble to piece together their night and track down the groom before his wedding. With absurdly hilarious twists and an amazing balance of heedless debauchery and missing teeth, “The Hangover” is the ultimate pregame for anyone planning a night they might regret — and might also forget. If you go on a trip like this, make sure to set an alarm, keep your phone on you, and double-check that your friends don’t accidentally steal anything from Mike Tyson.

If You’re Traveling With Rich Friends: “Bodies Bodies Bodies” (2022) — Dir. Halina Reijn

What starts as a fun party game quickly turns into a full-blown paranoia-fueled thriller. If one of your friends just happens to have a mansion, timeshare, or access to a “family friend’s” beach house, “Bodies Bodies Bodies” is both entertainment and a poignant reminder that being cooped up in a house with people — especially ones you might not know as well as you think — can get awfully messy. The film centers around a group of people in their 20s — varying in wealth but all equally insufferable — who choose to ride out a hurricane in cocky friend David’s (Pete Davidson) lavish mansion. To pass the time, they play a game called “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” but, when an actual dead body turns up, paranoia and chaos take over. Accusations like Rachel Sennott’s character’s exemplary delivery of “Your parents are Upper. Middle. Class.” fly, long-buried resentments surface, and friendships unravel at breakneck speed against the backdrop of David’s haunting, glowstick-lit abode. With its razor-sharp satire, biting dialogue, and a cast of characters that feel almost too real, “Bodies Bodies Bodies” is the right watch if your spring break entails a group trip, rich friends, and at least one person who you’re not entirely sure you still like. Just remember: Vacationing together can be a test of friendship. If the power goes out, be careful about who you’re with.

If Your Post-Grad Spring Break is a Girls’ Trip: “Rought Night” (2017) — Dir. Lucia Aniello

Think “The Hangover,” but make it about female friendship — or “Bridesmaids” after dark. “Rough Night” is a dark comedy about four college best friends who reunite for a bachelorette weekend in Miami, ready to relive their bygone party days. Things spiral out of control when a night of partying ends with the accidental death of the stripper hired for the bride, forcing the women to go to dizzyingly comical lengths to keep their weekend — and their lives — from completely unraveling. With an all-star cast of Scarlett Johansson, Zoë Kravitz, Ilana Glazer, Kate McKinnon, and Jillian Bell, “Rough Night” deftly portrays the pandemonium, humor, and deep-rooted bonds of longtime friendships navigating absurd cover-ups and unexpected run-ins. Surprisingly lighthearted, yet unsurprisingly stomach-clutchingly funny, “Rough Night” is the right pick if your spring break plans involve reuniting with old friends and attempting to recapture the magic of your college nights out — or if you’re simply looking forward to reminiscing about them in the future.

If You’re in the LGBTQ+ Community: “Fire Island” (2022) — Dir. Andrew Ahn

Sun, sand, and an LGBTQ+ “Pride and Prejudice” reimagination, “Fire Island” has it all. Though it’s a phenomenal watch anytime, it’s an especially great choice for the quintessential queer spring break movie. This modern-day take on a Jane Austen classic focuses on a tight-knit group of friends embarking on their annual trip to iconic LGBTQ+ vacation spot Fire Island — only to find that this will be their last summer in their beloved vacation house before it is sold. Between sun-drenched beach parties, blossoming romances, and plenty of heartfelt moments, the film beautifully captures the joy and excitement of queer friendships. Written by and starring Joel Kim Booster as Noah and featuring an unforgettably relatable performance from Bowen Yang as Howie, “Fire Island” blends comedy with profoundly sentimental moments, exploring themes of class, race, body image, and chosen family. If your spring break plans include queer beach parties, queer chaos, or queerness in general, “Fire Island” is a must-watch.

If You’re Staying In and Feeling Deeply Introspective: “The Holdovers” (2023) — Dir. Alexander Payne

Not every spring break is about crazy nights out or tropical getaways; sometimes, it’s just a quiet campus, an empty calendar, and ample time to reflect. “The Holdovers” captures the feeling of being left behind while everyone leaves for vacation. Set in a New England boarding school in the 1970s, the film follows a grumpy history teacher (Paul Giamatti) who must stay on campus over winter break to look after a handful of students who don’t have anywhere else to go. As the days pass, an unlikely connection forms between him, a rebellious student (Dominic Sessa), and the school’s head cook (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), all of whom are dealing with their own personal losses and uncertainties about the future. Though the movie displays the snowy landscapes of Northeastern winter, it’s the perfect movie to snuggle up and watch on a cloudy or rainy day. At its core, “The Holdovers” is about unexpected alliances and finding warmth in the unlikeliest of places — a great watch for a relaxing spring break spent brooding, recharging, and enjoying the quiet of a campus — or hometown — emptied for the week. For those whose break involves a lot of solitude, introspection, and takeout from the one restaurant open after midnight in Harvard Square, this film will feel like a hug from an old friend.

—Staff writer Jorden S. Wallican-Okyere can be reached at jorden.wallicanokyere@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X @jordensanyyy.