Don’t we all crave to escape the sweltering sun, crank the air conditioning and press play on a movie you already know? Well, here’s a list of movies that transport you into different eras, offer drama and are visual treats you can rewatch in the comfort of your home.

The Great Gatsby (2013)

Baz Luhrmann’s visually extravagant adaptation remains the ultimate modern blueprint for over-the-top summer hosting, high-society galas, and vintage diamond jewellery. With custom Tiffany & Co. diamond tiaras, vintage Duesenberg automobiles, and sprawling waterfront castles, The Great Gatsby is a visual treat in every frame.

Cruella (2021)

Set against the backdrop of an elite London fashion house, it offers massive architectural estates, vintage Rolls-Royces, and over-the-top red-carpet reveals. Featuring Oscar-winning costume design by Jenny Beavan, the movie turns fashion design into a high-stakes, theatrical art form

Emma. (2020)

Emma, set during the Regency period, offers a fresh, modern aesthetic take on high-society heritage and summer romance. From custom silk gowns and hand-embroidered waistcoats to pastel-hued country manors, it is a masterclass in period elegance.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)  

Set along the sun-drenched cliffs of Ischia, Procida, and Positano, Anthony Minghella’s thriller captures the hedonistic allure of European summer high society, where crisp jazz, espresso by the sea, and high-stakes drama collide.

A Bigger Splash (2015) 

Set on the remote Italian island of Pantelleria, Luca Guadagnino directs Tilda Swinton as a rock star recovering at a secluded villa. Raw, sun-baked landscape contrasts with pristine haute couture and slow, sensual summer afternoons.

Ocean’s 8 (2018)

The heist plot is set during the Met Gala inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which celebrates the single most prestigious night in high fashion, placing high jewellery and red-carpet couture front and centre. With an ensemble cast, the movie is a wildly entertaining thriller.