Kissing Cancer Season goodbye, the sun now blazes into the fiery sign of Leo. Here’s what to watch between July 22 and August 22 to honor this fierce, fixed fire sign. From political thrillers to existential oddities, even to a comedy classic, there’s a movie for everyone looking to embrace their inner lion this summer.
All the President’s Men (1976)
One thing Leos will do is get to the bottom of things. No one does this better onscreen than the Leo duo of Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman in All the President’s Men. The two stars embody those frustratingly long summer days and nights when you’re trying so desperately to achieve something. There is a sweaty determination to Leos that is captured brilliantly in the infamous unraveling of the Watergate scandal.
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Dubbed the first Iranian vampire Western, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is writer-director Ana Lily Amirpour’s tried-and-true homage to the genre, putting her own spin on it. A girl rides her skateboard around in an Iranian ghost town, listening to music and biting strangers’ necks. It’s a quietly unique film full of more soul than you’d expect from a vampire.
The Lion in Winter (1968)
It wouldn’t be a Leo Season watchlist without a lion! Although this titular lion is symbolic, representing King Henry II, played by the legendary Leo Peter O’Toole, the film evokes the proud nobility of the sign. Nearing the end of his reign, King Henry II brings together his children and estranged wife at his castle on Christmas. Think of it as the original Succession (2018 – 2023). Katherine Hepburn and a very young Anthony Hopkins round out the star-studded cast of acting’s greats.
Bridesmaids (2011)
Three-fourths of the main quartet in Bridesmaids fall under the sign of Leo (Melissa McCarthy was just a week late). This bold, ruthless energy shines through in hilarious ways as Rose Byrne and Kristin Wiig fight for the attention of the bride-to-be, played by Maya Rudolph. This triple-threat fiery energy ensures the embers never fully dissipate throughout the disastrous wedding planning process, making for a modern-day comedy classic.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
With its Leo lead, Jennifer Lawrence, and two supporting stars of the same sign, Woody Harrelson and Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catching Fire is a fitting watch for this season. The district’s tributes return to the games in order to set it all on fire. The sequel has the most spunk of the franchise, just like Leo often has the most spunk of the zodiac. Give it a rewatch in preparation for the newest addition to the story, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, coming later this year.
The Deer Hunter (1978)
Another political thriller, this time mixed with the harrowing realities of war, The Deer Hunter stars Leo actor Robert De Niro. He leads this epic depiction of the Vietnam War with a vivacity seen in many of his performances. Coupled with the desperation of Christopher Walken’s bone-rattling turn and the desperation behind Meryl Streep’s pooling eyes, The Deer Hunter is driven into a new echelon of acting. The film’s trailblazing, unfiltered lens into the relentlessness of battle cemented it as one of the most influential war stories in cinema.
Waking Life (2001)
One of the most notable examples of the innovation and independence of Leo filmmakers is Richard Linklater, who has continued to push the boundaries of his work for decades. In 2001, Linklater was the first director to create an entire feature film with digital rotoscoping. Even without the mesmerizing visuals, Waking Life could have easily stood on its own legs with its thought-provoking narrative and Linklater’s signature jam-packed screenwriting on display. It’s a perfect example of the heightened spirit of Leo Season as a time to push yourself further, follow your instincts, and pave a new way.
List Courtesy of Kasey Dunifer