History of Spring Breakers in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 13, 2026

Spring Breakers follows four college girls who rob a restaurant to fund their spring break trip to Florida. Their vacation takes a dark turn when they encounter Alien, a local drug dealer and rapper. Entangled in his world of crime, the girls find themselves increasingly involved in violence, drugs, and moral decay. The film explores themes of rebellion, youthful disillusionment, and the allure of transgression, depicting a stylized and provocative descent into a hedonistic underworld. Ultimately, the spring break becomes a catalyst for their transformation and exposure to a dangerous reality far removed from their initial expectations.

1996: Matthew Bright directs cult film Freeway

In 1996, Matthew Bright directed Freeway, the cult film that would later give him the credentials to direct Spring Breakers: Salvation Mountain.

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February 15, 2012: Harmony Korine contacted Riff Raff about appearing in upcoming film

On February 15, 2012, Harmony Korine contacted rapper Riff Raff about appearing in an upcoming film that would later develop into Spring Breakers.

April 2012: Filming of Spring Breakers

In April 2012, Spring Breakers was filmed in and around St. Petersburg, Florida. Exterior and some interior shots of the college were filmed at New College of Florida. Dormitory and classroom shots were filmed at Ringling College of Art and Design.

May 2012: Spring Breakers preview released

In May 2012, a three-minute preview of Spring Breakers was released at the Cannes Film Festival.

September 4, 2012: Spring Breakers Premiered at Venice International Film Festival

On September 4, 2012, the entire film Spring Breakers premiered at the 69th Venice International Film Festival.

2012: Spring Breakers Film

In 2012, Spring Breakers, an American crime film directed by Harmony Korine and starring James Franco, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine, and Gucci Mane, was created. The film revolves around four college-aged girls who descend into a world of drugs, crime, and violence during their spring break in St. Petersburg, Florida after meeting a drug dealer.

2012: Production of Spring Breakers began

In 2012, production began on the film Spring Breakers. Harmony Korine developed the concept over several years, initially aiming for a "sensory film" with little narrative focus. After developing the story, which takes place around spring break, he wrote the screenplay in Florida.

March 6, 2013: Release of Spring Breakers in France

On March 6, 2013, Spring Breakers was released in France.

March 15, 2013: Spring Breakers Released in New York and Los Angeles

On March 15, 2013, Spring Breakers was released in New York and Los Angeles.

March 2013: Les Cahiers du cinéma featured Spring Breakers

In March 2013, French magazine Les Cahiers du cinéma featured Spring Breakers on its cover.

March 2013: Hollywood.com "For your consideration" poster for James Franco

In March 2013, Hollywood.com produced a "For your consideration" poster for James Franco in support of a nomination.

March 19, 2013: Soundtrack release of Spring Breakers

On March 19, 2013, the soundtrack to the movie Spring Breakers was released by Big Beat Records and Warner Music.

March 22, 2013: Spring Breakers Released in the US

On March 22, 2013, Spring Breakers was released in the United States by A24. It received generally positive reviews from critics for the acting and cinematography. The movie grossed $31 million worldwide and has been described as a cult classic.

April 5, 2013: Limited Release of Spring Breakers in the U.K.

On April 5, 2013, Spring Breakers had a limited release in the U.K.

June 25, 2013: Digital Release of Spring Breakers

On June 25, 2013, Spring Breakers was released digitally.

July 9, 2013: DVD and Blu-ray Release of Spring Breakers

On July 9, 2013, Spring Breakers was released on DVD and Blu-ray.

July 2013: Riff Raff announced lawsuit against Spring Breakers creators

In July 2013, Riff Raff announced that he was suing the creators of Spring Breakers for $10 million, claiming they sampled his life without permission or proper credit.

September 2013: A24 Oscar Nomination Campaign for James Franco

In September 2013, A24 started a campaign in support of a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for James Franco's performance in Spring Breakers.

September 2013: No Court Documents Found for Riff Raff Lawsuit

In September 2013, LA Weekly searched for court documents related to Riff Raff's announced lawsuit against the creators of Spring Breakers but found no findings.

December 2, 2013: A24 "Consider this Sh*t" Campaign

On December 2, 2013, A24 published a YouTube video titled "James Franco - Consider this Sh*t" and released print advertisements following the "Consider this Sh*t" theme to promote James Franco for the Oscars.

December 2013: Les Cahiers du cinéma Top Ten chart

In December 2013, the magazine Les Cahiers du cinéma placed Spring Breakers second on their Top Ten chart.

2013: Spring Breakers Appeared on Top Ten Lists

In 2013, Spring Breakers appeared on many critics' top ten lists.

2013: Plans to remix Spring Breakers film footage

In 2013, director Harmony Korine announced plans to remix unused footage and alternate takes into a new cut of Spring Breakers.

May 6, 2014: Announcement of Spring Breakers sequel

On May 6, 2014, Spring Breakers: The Second Coming, a sequel to Spring Breakers written by Irvine Welsh and directed by Jonas Åkerlund, was announced. However, Franco expressed that he had not approved the sequel.

2016: Spring Breakers ranked by Little White Lies

In 2016, British film magazine Little White Lies placed Spring Breakers at number 40 on their list of the 50 best films of the decade (so far).

2017: Shelving of sequel and a series idea

By 2017, the project Spring Breakers: The Second Coming had been shelved in favor of a digital series for Blackpills; the series never materialized, and Blackpills itself shut down after less than two years online.

2019: Spring Breakers sequel restarted

In 2019, development on Spring Breakers: The Second Coming had restarted, with Harmony Korine potentially directing and writing the sequel.

May 2025: Official announcement of Spring Breakers: Salvation Mountain

In May 2025, Spring Breakers: Salvation Mountain was officially announced, with Chris Hanley and Jordan Gertner of Muse Productions returning to produce. Matthew Bright will direct, and Bella Thorne, Ariel Martin, True Whitaker, and Grace Van Dien were announced to join the cast.