“I’m always a sucker for a love story.” – Sofia Coppola

Sofia Coppola is one of the most on-trend and in-demand directors of this generation. And rightfully so, due to her distinct and vivid storytelling abilities that take us through warm cinematic adventures. You might already have a favorite Sofia Coppola film, perhaps the luminous and elegant Marie Antoinette or her more recent romantic and riveting take on Priscilla. But you might be intrigued to know the films that have been in her mind as sources of inspiration. Lucky for us, she has so kindly shared her all-time favorite movies and we are definitely adding all of these to our watchlist as we speak!

In The Mood For Love (2000)

In 1962, journalist Chow Mo-wan and his wife move into a Hong Kong apartment, but Chow’s spouse is often away on business. Before long, the lonely Chow makes the acquaintance of the alluring Su Li-zhen, whose own significant other also seems preoccupied with work. As the two friends realize their respective partners are cheating on them, they begin to fall for one another; however, neither wants to stoop to the level of the unfaithful spouses.

Available to watch on HBO MAX and Amazon Prime.

A Place in the Sun (1951)

In this classic version of Theodore Dreiser’s novel “An American Tragedy” directed by George Stevens, George Eastman, the nephew of a wealthy industrialist, is excluded from high society and given a blue-collar job at his uncle’s factory. While ascending the ranks of the company, George becomes romantically involved with co-worker Alice Tripp. However, when he is introduced to socialite Angela Vickers, he quickly falls for her, leading to a tragic love triangle.

Available to watch for free on Pluto TV or with a Hulu subscription.

The Heartbreak Kid (1972)

After Lenny marries Lila, the needy and unrefined side of her personality begins to emerge, and he becomes increasingly uncertain about his decision to marry her. During their honeymoon in Miami, Lenny meets beautiful and sophisticated Kelly. Every chance he gets, Lenny sneaks away from Lila to be with Kelly, and the more he gets to know her, the more he falls in love. Problems arise when the two women learn about each another. romantic black comedy.

available to watch on

Rumble Fish (1983)

Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Rusty James (Matt Dillon) is restless and itching for a fight. Abandoned by his mother and living with his alcoholic father (Dennis Hopper), he hangs out with his girlfriend, Patty and his similarly aimless friends Midget, Smokey (Nicolas Cage) and B.J. Jackson (Christopher Penn). When his brother, the Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke), returns to town, Rusty hopes to gain guidance and wisdom from someone most people think is crazy. Directed by none other than her own father, Francis Ford Coppola.

Available to watch for rent on Apple TV or Amazon Prime.

Uncut Gems (2019)

“I totally believed he was that guy and you felt his heart underneath all the hectic energy”

In this A24 film directed by Benny and Josh Safdie, A charismatic jeweller named Howard (Adam Sandler) in New York City’s Diamond District, makes a high-stakes bet that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. In a precarious high-wire act, he must balance business, family and adversaries on all sides in pursuit of the ultimate win.

Available to watch on HBO Max or Hulu.

The Piano (1993)

After a long voyage from Scotland, pianist Ada McGrath and her young daughter, Flora, are left with all their belongings, including a piano, on a beach in New Zealand. Ada, who has been mute since childhood, has been sold into marriage to a local man named Alisdair Stewart. Making little attempt to warm up to Alisdair, Ada soon becomes intrigued by his Maori-friendly acquaintance, George Baines, leading to tense, life-altering conflicts. A historical romantic drama musical directed by the brilliant Jane Campion.

Available to watch for rent on Apple TV.

La Notte (1961)

Director Michelangelo Antonioni sets the mood in this critically acclaimed romantic Italian drama. In Milan, Lidia storms out of a posh gathering held to honor her husband, Giovanni, who has just written a new novel. Distressed at the news that her friend Tommaso has a terminal illness, Lidia begins roaming the streets of the city, questioning her marriage to Giovanni. Meanwhile, Giovanni, seemingly oblivious to his crumbling relationship with Lidia, attempts to seduce beautiful ingénue Valentina.

Available to watch on HBO MAX and Amazon Prime.

Purple Rain (1984)

A romantic rock musical drama film scored by and starring Prince in the acting debut of his life story. A victim of his own anger, the Kid (Prince) is a Minneapolis musician on the rise with his band, the Revolution, escaping a tumultuous home life through music. While trying to avoid making the same mistakes as his truculent father, the Kid navigates the club scene and a rocky relationship with a captivating singer, Apollonia. But another musician, Morris, looks to steal the Kid’s spotlight — and his girl.

Available to watch for free on Pluto TV!

Lost in America (1985)

After being snubbed at his advertising job, Los Angeles yuppie David Howard convinces his wife, Linda, to quit her job and join him on a cross-country road trip. The two liquidate their assets and leave the West Coast in a Winnebago, intent on finding themselves and discovering America. But during a stop in Las Vegas, the couple loses their savings at a roulette wheel and begins to see that their idealized notion of the American experience is terribly misguided.

Available to watch for rent on Apple TV or Amazon Prime.

Seven Samurai (1954)

In this action adventure film directed by Akira Kurosawa, a samurai answers a village’s request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food. But all is tested when 40 bandits attack the village causing a massive battle.

Available to watch on Hulu, HBO MAX, or Amazon Prime.

Bugsy Malone (1976)

In 1929 New York, a war rages between two rival gangsters, Fat Sam and Dandy Dan. Meanwhile, an all-round nice guy, Bugsy Malone, falls for a singer at Fat Sam’s speakeasy. A gangster musical comedy brought to life by director Alan Parker in his directorial debut, loosely based on events in New York and Chicago during the Prohibition era.

Available to watch for free on Pluto TV!

Let The Right One In (2008)

A horror romance film directed by Tomas Alfredson. Oskar, a sensitive, bullied 12-year-old boy living with his mother in suburban Sweden, meets his new neighbor, the mysterious and moody Eli, they strike up a friendship. Initially reserved with each other, Oskar and Eli slowly form a close bond, but it soon becomes apparent that she is no ordinary young girl. Eventually, Eli shares her dark, macabre secret with Oskar, revealing her connection to a string of bloody local murders.

Available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Tootsie (1982)

In this romantic comedy film directed by Sydney Pollack, New York actor Michael Dorsey is a talented perfectionist who is so hard on himself and others that his agent can no longer find work for him. After a soap opera audition goes poorly, Michael reinvents himself as actress Dorothy Michaels and wins the part. What was supposed to be a short-lived role turns into a long-term contract, but when Michael falls for his castmate Julie, complications develop that could wreck everything.

Available to watch for rent on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.

Head-On (2004)

Cahit stumbles from bar to bar in Hamburg, Germany, lost in an alcoholic haze. The drunk Turkish immigrant crashes his car into a wall, which lands him in a mental institution. There he meets the suicidal Sibel. She convinces him to marry her, because otherwise her family will arrange her marriage to a Turkish man of their choosing. She proposes a deal to Cahit: She will cook and clean for him and they can see other people. Thus begins their strange romance. An unlikely film written and directed by Fatih Akın.

Available to watch only on Amazon Prime.

Breathless (1960)

An iconic French New Wave crime drama film written and directed by Jean-Luc Godard. Michel is a petty thug who considers himself a suave bad guy in the manner of Humphrey Bogart, but panics and impulsively kills a policeman while driving a stolen car. On the lam, he turns to his aspiring journalist girlfriend, Patricia, hiding out in her Paris apartment while he tries to pull together enough money to get the pair to Italy. But when Patricia learns that her boyfriend is being investigated for murder, she begins to question her loyalties.

Available to watch on HBO Max or Amazon Prime.

The Savages (2007)

Wendy Savage, a struggling playwright, has little to do with her brother, Jon (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a college professor and author. However, the siblings must find a way to work together when their father, Lenny (Philip Bosco), slides into senility and must be placed in a nursing home. A comedy drama directed by Tamara Jenkins.

Available to watch for rent on Amazon Prime or Apple TV. 

Sixteen Candles (1984)

“That was one of my favorite films growing up, and I’ll still watch it every time it’s on,”

With the occasion all but overshadowed by her sister’s upcoming wedding, angst-ridden Samantha (Molly Ringwald) faces her 16th birthday with typical adolescent dread. Samantha pines for studly older boy Jake, but worries that her chastity will be a turnoff for the popular senior. Meanwhile, Samantha must constantly rebuff the affections of nerdy Ted, the only boy in the school, unfortunately, who seems to take an interest in her.

Available to watch on Amazon Prime. 

The White Ribbon (2009)

“I love ‘White Ribbon’ for its [black-and-white] photography; it felt so real to the period.”

A haunting mystery film written and directed by Michael Haneke. Using their social status and harsh punishments, a baron, a doctor and a pastor rule over a small German village. One day, the doctor falls off his horse after it trips over a wire strung between two trees. More pranks follow, seemingly without reason, all directed at the village’s upper class and growing increasingly more brutal with time. There are no suspects, but a local schoolteacher has his suspicions.

Available to watch for rent on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.

Lolita (1962)

“I love Kubrick. I love the way he put that film together, the way it’s filmed,”

With a screenplay penned by the author himself, Stanley Kubrick brings Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial tale of forbidden love to the screen. Humbert is a European professor who relocates to an American suburb, renting a room from lonely widow Charlotte. Humbert marries Charlotte, but only to nurture his obsession with her attractive teenage daughter, Lolita. After Charlotte’s sudden death, Humbert has Lolita all to himself. Or does he?

Available to watch for free on Tubi!

The Last Picture Show (1971) 

In this heartfelt film directed by Peter Bogdanovich, high school seniors and best friends, Sonny and Duane, live in a dying Texas town. The handsome Duane is dating local beauty, Jacy, while Sonny is having an affair with the coach’s wife, Ruth. As graduation nears, both boys contemplate their futures. While Duane eyes the army and Sonny takes over a local business, each boy struggles to figure out if he can escape this dead-end town and build a better life somewhere else.

Available to watch for rent on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.

Daddy’s Home (2015)

“The only film my kids and I equally enjoy together! I love Will Ferrell, and this movie is sweet and fun to watch with cracking-up kids.”

Brad Whitaker (Will Ferrell) is a kindhearted radio executive who wants to be the best possible stepfather to his wife’s two children. When her freewheeling ex-husband, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg), arrives back in town, Brad’s feeling of insecurity quickly develops into an inferiority complex. As Dusty shows off his flair for athletics, home repair and bad-boy charisma, Whitaker finds himself in a battle to one-up his rival and win the approval of his family.

Available to watch on Amazon Prime Video and Paramount+.

Force Majeure (2014)

“Great acting. I loved the little moments, the details that said so much,”

In this Swedish black comedy film written and directed by Ruben Östlund, a man’s selfish reaction to the danger posed by an avalanche in the French Alps causes cracks in his marriage and his relationships with his children.

Available to watch for free on Peacock!

Under the Skin (2013)

“It was so weird and innovative the way they shot it and incorporated real people. I thought that movie should have gotten more recognition,”

In this otherworldly A24 film directed by Jonathan Glazer and starring Scarlett Johansson, an extraterrestrial being drives around Scotland disguised as a human female, attempting to lure unsuspecting men into her van. Once there, she seduces and sends them into another dimension where they are nothing more than meat.

Available to watch on HBO Max, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.

Fish Tank (2009)

In this British indie drama film written and directed by Andrea Arnold, Mia is a rebellious teenager on the verge of being kicked out of school. Her partying mother, Joanne, neglects Mia’s welfare in favor of her own, and her younger sister hangs out with a much older crowd. Sparks fly between Mia and Connor, Joanne’s new boyfriend, and he encourages Mia to pursue her interest in dance. As the boundaries of the relationships become blurred, Mia and Joanne compete for Connor’s affection.

Available to watch on Amazon Prime. 

Darling (1965)

In this British romantic drama film directed by John Schlesinger, beautiful but easily bored Diana Scott (Julie Christie) becomes a popular model and actress in London in the 1960s while toying with the affections of two older men, married television newsman Robert Gold and public relations mastermind Miles Brand. Although Diana is the toast of swinging London, the dark side of fame and fortune begins to take its toll, but it proves harder to escape the mod scene than she expects.

Available to watch on Amazon Prime.

So…do you think you’ll be watching any of these? Comment below which movie you’ll be seeing! ♡