Love winter (Hot chocolate! Twinkle lights! Sweaters!), but hate the temperature? We get that! But winter brings unparalleled coziness, setting the stage for the perfect night in with a blanket, hot toddy, and a good movie. If you're a movie-watching purist, the cold weather outside might inspire you to watch movies full of snowy scenes. If watching winter movies while snuggling under a blanket on a real-life cozy, cold-weather night is your vibe, then don't worry: You're not alone.
Whether you want to watch a snow-kissed romantic comedy, a drama set against the backdrop of a gorgeous winter wonder, or a terrifying horror movie in the middle of a blizzard, we feel you and your winter movie-craving vibe and are here for you. So go ahead and bookmark this page for the next time the weather outside is frightful because, below, we're rounding up the best winter-themed movies.
'Anatomy of a Fall' (2023)
A cold drama (in more ways than one!), this award-winning film centers around the mysterious death of a man (Samuel Theis) who’s found lying in the snow underneath his office window. Much of the drama takes place in a courtroom, where the man’s wife (Sandra Hüller) is on trial for his murder, and where their visually impaired son (Milo Machado-Graner) must serve as the case’s main witness.
'The Apartment' (1960)
Drop everything and ask your parents about The Apartment, considered one of the greatest movies of all time. Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine star in the classic romantic movie, set in mid-to-late-December (the film ends on New Year's Eve). Lemmon plays C. C. "Bud" Baxter, an insurance clerk with an apartment that he loans out to his bosses to have extramarital affairs in, hoping that it'll lead to a promotion for him. What actually winds up happening is he begins pursuing a relationship with Fran Kubelik (MacLaine), without knowing that she's having an affair with one of Baxter's bosses in the titular apartment. It's a classic film that no one would dare remake, it's that good. Watch this one with a warm blanket and a glass of scotch.
'Bridget Jones's Diary' (2001)
It's a rom-com classic for a reason! It made Reneé Zellweger famous for a reason, too, and that reason is effortless charm. Bridget Jones isn't just a rom-com taking inspiration from Pride & Prejudice, it's a realistic love story with humor and heart, Chaka Khan, and vodka. We adore this movie for many reasons: the soundtrack, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant at his most frustrating, and its backdrop of London at Christmastime. Watch this one with your best friends, while wearing a horrible Christmas sweater.
'Catch Me If You Can' (2002)
To all advocates of unorthodox Christmas movies, we see your Die Hard and raise you Catch Me If You Can. Yes, the Steven Spielberg film is very much a holiday classic: Though most of the action takes place at all times of the year as an FBI agent (Tom Hanks) chases down prolific con man Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) over several years, the film’s most poignant moments occur on various Christmas Eves, often as Frank is forced to reflect on his dysfunctional family and broken relationships.
'A Charlie Brown Christmas' (1965)
It's Christmas for Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang, who are shopping for Christmas trees, ice skating, and planning their holiday pageant. In between the wintry scenes, Charlie Brown wonders about the true meaning of Christmas. Required viewing for your inner child, no matter what time of year.
'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe' (2005)
Sometimes it can feel like winter weather will never end, but, in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, four children travel to a magical land where it is literally always winter (but, tragically, never Christmas), thanks to a curse from the villainous White Witch. Watch this if you need some family-friendly fantasy for your winter movie night.
'Coming to America' (1988)
Coming to America goes from the fictional country of Zamunda to the snowy streets of N.Y.C., as Prince Akeem travels to Queens to find his queen (pun absolutely intended). These days it's not just a throwback, it's also peak New York winter in the '80s.
'Cool Runnings' (1993)
Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme...Yes, this is the movie about the Jamaican bobsled team, and what's even better is that it's based on truth. When a Jamaican sprinter (Leon Robinson) is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he and a disgraced coach (John Candy) work together to form the first Jamaican Olympic Bobsled Team. It's somehow both the warmest and coldest film featured on this list, so it's great for sitting in front of a fire while drinking a cold drink, or lying on the couch, drinking hot coffee.
'The Day After Tomorrow' (2004)
This 2004 science fiction disaster film imagines a world in which the effects of environmental damage are irreversible, starting a rapid chain reaction of terrifying and lethal natural disasters, including a second Ice Age. Watch this with anyone doubting the seriousness of climate change—hey, has anyone shown this to the government yet?
'Doubt' (2008)
Set in The Bronx in the weeks leading up to Christmas, this acclaimed drama perfectly reflects the cold grayness of winter. It stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis—all of whom were nominated for Oscars for their roles—playing, respectively, a priest suspected of inappropriate behavior with the students at his school, two nuns who teach at the school and are grappling with those accusations, and the mother of one of the priest’s suspected victims.
'Edward Scissorhands' (1990)
In classic Tim Burton fashion, Edward Scissorhands is a weird, creepy tale with a surprising amount of heart that can't overshadow its not surprising amount of eeriness. The snowy scenes in the movie (and all of Edward's ice sculptures) are hauntingly beautiful though—emphasis on the haunting.
'Eileen' (2023)
Another (extremely) not-Christmassy Christmas movie, the very dark drama of this psychological thriller peaks on Dec. 24. Based on Otessa Moshfegh’s novel of the same name, it stars Thomasin McKenzie in the titular role and Anne Hathaway as a mysterious older woman with whom Eileen becomes so infatuated that she volunteers to help her cover up a crime in hopes of running away together. You know, classic holiday film fare.
'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)
Imagine being able to erase the memories of someone causing you pain. Without question, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind wants to blow that concept out of the water. When their relationship goes down the drain, a couple (Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet) decides to undergo a medical procedure to erase each other from their memories. This one is perfect for a Saturday night, wrapped up in a blanket, having all of the feelings.
'The Family Stone' (2005)
What goes perfectly with winter? A bit of family dysfunction. An uptight businesswoman (Sarah Jessica Parker) accompanies her boyfriend (Dermot Mulroney) to his free-spirited family's annual Christmas celebration and realizes she's nothing like them and doesn't fit in. Of course, it's played for laughs, so this one's great for a family viewing.
'Fargo' (1996)
We would consider Fargo one of the coldest movies ever, in terms of general temperature and vibe. And yes, this is the same Fargo the show is based on. Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) bungles a crime he should never have been involved in, and it all falls apart...because of the midwestern niceties and persistence of Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand, in a well-deserved Oscar-winning performance). If you like the series, you'll love the movie. And if you love seeing cold imagery on screen, you'll definitely love Fargo.
'Force Majeure' (2014)
Telling the story of familial tension after the patriarch attempts to abandon them during an avalanche, this film hits hard. And for good reason, of course. Watch this Swedish film solo (and not with a partner you’ve been fighting with).
'Frozen' (2013)
Let it go, let it goooooooooooo...this is the animated film that birthed the earworm of a century. Frozen is a force, producing spin-offs and a Broadway musical, but the OG is always a great choice. Watch this one with the youngest members of your family and ask them “Do you want to build a snowman?”
'Groundhog Day' (1993)
Groundhog Day is one of those film concepts that takes an idea—inexplicably living the same day over again—and shows you what its real-life application would be like. Note: It wouldn't be fun. Bill Murray is at his comedic best, the plot is universally acclaimed, and honestly? The message at the end makes the movie. This one is meant to be enjoyed with a nice cup of tea, and without worry that Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow.
'Hanna' (2011)
16-year-old Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) was raised in the remote wilds of Finland to be an expert assassin, trained by her ex-CIA agent father (Eric Bana). Her life changes when her father sends her on a mission to kill a ruthless operative (Cate Blanchett), and Hanna learns the secrets behind her life and her father's past. If you're looking for hunting and fight training in the snowy woods, this is the film for you.
'Happiest Season' (2020)
This LGBTQ+ film is like winter bingo: Christmas, in Pittsburgh, with a sibling fight on an ice rink! This gloriously sweet movie nails the awkwardness between adult family members as they attempt (and fail) to have a drama-free holiday. It follows couple Harper (Mackenzie Davis) and Abby (Kristen Stewart) as they pretend not to be a couple while visiting over the holidays since Harper's not out to her parents. The ensuing shenanigans are even funnier and sweeter than expected.
'Happy Feet' (2006)
If you don’t find yourself charmed by the idea of a tap-dancing penguin (voiced by Elijah Wood) trying to find his heart song, this might not be for you—but then again, who wouldn't love this wholesome animated film?
The 'Harry Potter' Movies (2001–2011)
Yes, all of the Harry Potter movies qualify as great winter watches. If you’ve been living under a rock, Harry Potter is the story of the boy wizard who lived. But it’s so much more than that The snow and Christmas imagery is enough to warm the hearts of even the most warm-blooded muggle. Plus, there are enough sequels to get you through a blizzard.
'The Holdovers' (2023)
For a thoughtful and deeply moving spin on the classic holiday movie genre, look no further than The Holdovers, which sees a particularly motley crew of stragglers become something of a family when left behind over the holidays. It stars Paul Giamatti as a teacher forced to stay at the boarding school where he teaches over the Christmas break, Dominic Sessa as one of the students he’s tasked with chaperoning, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as the school’s cafeteria manager, all of whom start wary but ultimately grow to respect and support one another.
'The Holiday' (2006)
Kate Winslet. Cameron Diaz. Jude Law. Jack Black. It’s a powerhouse of romantic comedy greatness, and it’ll make you want to look into a house swap, pronto. The Holiday isn’t just your basic romantic comedy, though—it’s a showcase for some of the most gorgeous houses you’ve ever seen and truly funny.
'Home Alone' (1990)
Ah, Home Alone: The movie that taught a generation of kids that, if you find yourself home without any adult supervision and something scary happens, calling the cops is a terrible idea, and setting deadly murder traps all over your house is a great idea—including icing every concrete step on your property.
'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' (2000)
We as a society have lots to learn from the Grinch’s approach to the holiday season: He’s unapologetic in refusing to give in to the pressure to be perfect and happy all the time, he knows the value of a nice bit of alone time, and he has much to teach us about the dangers of capitalistic greed. Next time you’re overwhelmed by the holidays, take a break and stream this '00s classic, and prepare to be thoroughly inspired by everyone’s favorite seasonal Dr. Seuss character.
'I, Tonya' (2017)
Whatever you think you know about the Tonya Harding story, I, Tonya will make you question it and (believe it or not) feel, if not sorry for her, at least some solid empathy for her. And, since a significant portion of the movie takes place on ice skating rinks, it's perfect winter watching.
'I'm Thinking of Ending Things' (2020)
In this Charlie Kaufman film, based on Ian Reid's novel, a new couple (Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons) drives towards his family's remote house in the middle of a winter storm. But also, none of that might be true. The snowy setting makes the film's unsettling tone that much more isolating; watching this movie will make you feel better about being warm and toasty inside (and not being, you know, a character in a Charlie Kaufman film).
'Ice Age' (2002)
There are five films in the Ice Age universe, and they're all pretty great. But the OG makes this list because it's the one that started it all: Manny, a wooly mammoth, meets Sid, a talkative ground sloth, and together, they find a human baby they must set out to return.
'Ice Princess' (2005)
A veritable who's who of Hollywood in 2005—Michelle Trachtenberg, Kim Cattrall, Joan Cusack, and Hayden Panettiere—Ice Princess is the delightful and suitably wintry story of a girl with a dream to figure skate.
'Into the Wild' (2007)
Based on a true story, Into the Wild follows Christopher McCandless (played in the film by Emile Hirsch) as he turns down a lucrative post-grad life to donate everything he has to charity and embark on a journey into the Alaskan wilderness.
'Just Friends' (2005)
After confessing his love to his best friend (Amy Smart) in high school and getting told she wants them to be "just friends," Chris Brander (Ryan Reynolds) grows into a successful and attractive record producer who still pines for his high school best friend, and returns to his hometown to try to win her heart. It's a funny movie, and it'll make you a little bit nostalgic.
'Knives Out' (2019)
There’s not much cozier in the colder months than curling up on the couch with a good whodunit. Not only does Knives Out offer a particularly twisty mystery, but it also features plenty of enviable knitwear that’ll inspire your winter wardrobe. Chris Evans' character especially gives a masterclass on cold-weather layering.
'Last Holiday' (2006)
After discovering that she only has a few weeks to live, a department store employee cashes out on her savings and makes her fantasy vacation in the snowy mountains of the Czech Republic a reality. Starring Queen Latifah and LL Cool J, The Last Holiday is perfect for a snow day; you may not be able to go skiing in this blizzard, but at least you get to watch the Queen have a good time on the slopes!
'Leap Year' (2010)
When February rolls around and the weather still hasn’t warmed up, cheer yourself up with this highly underrated rom-com. In it, Amy Adams plays a woman determined to partake in the Irish tradition of Bachelor’s Day, in which women propose to their boyfriends on Feb. 29. However, her plans are repeatedly derailed by bad weather, roadside thieves, and a delightfully grouchy local (played by Matthew Goode).
'Little Women' (2019)
Greta Gerwig's book-to-movie adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's iconic novel is like hot cocoa in movie form. The best time of year is Christmas at the March household—sometimes festive, sometimes heartbreaking, always beautiful. Your heart will be seriously warmed when Saoirse Ronan's character Jo wakes up to see a white blanket of snow out the window and says, "Merry Christmas, world."
'The Lodge' (2019)
A man (Richard Armitage) leaves his new girlfriend (Riley Keough) with his two children (Jaeden Martell and Lia McHugh) in a remote house, only for a snowstorm to trap the three of them inside. Terrifying things start to happen. You'll change your mind about snagging that isolated, winter-wonderland Airbnb you've been eyeing.
'Love Actually' (2003)
An anthology film covering the lives and ordeals of couples during the Christmas season? Sign us up! This movie is known for being the "Andrew Lincoln With Cue Cards" movie, but it deserves more than that. Settle in for a long night—the film runs 2 hours, 15 minutes—but you might believe in the end that love, actually is...all around.
'March of the Penguins' (2005)
March of the Penguins follows the emperor penguins through the South Pole on their journey to their traditional breeding grounds during their mating rituals. Who doesn't love penguins?
'Misery' (1990)
What did winter do to hurt Stephen King? In Misery, also based on a book by the horror master himself, a famed novelist (James Caan) gets into a car accident in a remote town and is saved by his biggest fan (Kathy Bates). Unfortunately, said fan proceeds to hold the author hostage and force him to write her dream fan fiction and be her captive BFF—in an or else kind of way.
'The Mountain Between Us' (2017)
Idris Elba and Kate Winslet get stranded in the bitingly cold wilderness of Utah and have to put their differences aside to survive a deadly snowstorm. Seeing them put their survival skills to the test will keep you at the edge of your seat—but, let's be real, who wouldn't mind being stuck with Elba?
'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)
An autumnal-wintery hybrid and movie-musical classic! The king of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, discovers Christmas Town and wants to bring the holiday back home to Halloween Town, but no one is having it, and they're very confused.
'Planes, Trains & Automobiles' (1987)
Steve Martin? John Candy? A road trip comedy? Perfection. What's the movie about, you ask? Steve Martin plays Neal Page, an advertising executive on a trip to New York trying to return to Chicago to be with his family on Thanksgiving. He meets Del Griffith (Candy), a traveling salesman, when Griffith steals his cab, and the two wind up on the same plane to Chicago, which is diverted to Wichita. They decide to try to get to Chicago by train, but that doesn't work out either. What's the last choice, you wonder?
'Rent' (2005)
Rent gets the anti-holiday sentiment correctly. Based on Jonathan Larson's 1996 Broadway musical (itself inspired by the opera La bohème), the N.Y.C.-set drama follows a group of friends and artists struggling to get by amid the AIDS crisis. There's a lot of tragedy here, but also hope; "Seasons of Love" is bound to make you feel cozy, even if the temps are frigid and you're feeling down.
'The Revenant' (2015)
It’s not just Leonardo DiCaprio fighting with a bear, it’s also a freezing-cold tale of the lengths man will go to get vengeance for someone he loves. DiCaprio won an Oscar for this performance, but it’s more notable that everyone in the cast basically got hypothermia. Now that’s method acting!
'Serendipity' (2001)
Serendipity features one of the cutest of meet-cutes and the whole thing feels like falling in love in the middle of a snow globe. Pure rom-com magic.
'The Shining' (1980)
Does winter weather make you wish you could retreat to a place in the woods and/or mountains to think and work until the world warms up? Do yourself a favor and watch The Shining, based on the Stephen King bestseller of the same name, again before you go through with that plan.
'Silver Linings Playbook' (2012)
The climax of Silver Linings Playbook takes place around Christmas—with the requisite grand gesture confession of love taking place on a twinkle-light-lined street—but even without that, it would still make for a perfect winter movie. It’s funny, smart, moving, and full of powerhouse performances—in short, exactly what you need to distract you from realizing just how long you’ve been in hibernation mode.
'Snowpiercer' (2013)
Does it get colder than a "global freezing extinction event?" A train circles the globe at top speed so that the rest of humanity doesn't freeze to death. Even though it's not exactly a horror movie, the setting is so claustrophobic it'll make you rethink ever getting in a small space again. Plus, director Bong Joon-ho never lets us forget how deadly the frigid temps can be.
'Snow White and the Huntsman' (2012)
In this fairy tale reimagining, Kristen Stewart's Snow White runs into the dark forest to escape her stepmother, a youth-sucking Queen, played by Charlize Theron. The Queen sends The Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) to bring her back, but instead, he decides to help her take back the kingdom. There are many barren trees and wintry medieval vibes in this flick, and if you want more, check out the aptly-named prequel The Huntsman: Winter's War.
'Society of the Snow' (2023)
Next time you’re feeling bummed about being snowed in with nowhere to go this winter, put things in perspective by tuning in to this Oscar-nominated drama. It tells the true story of the Uruguayan rugby players who were forced to survive in the snowy Andes for several weeks in 1972 after their plane crashed on the way to a game in Chile. With disturbingly accurate frostbite makeup and plenty of (reluctant) cannibalism to go around, it’s certainly not for the faint of heart, but the incredibly moving story of survival will leave you unable to look away.
'Sunshine' (2007)
Granted, a good chunk of the movie takes place on a spaceship headed straight to the Sun, but it's because Earth is trapped in a constant solar winter. A team of astronauts has been tasked with "restarting" the Sun before everyone back on Earth freezes to death. So, you know, low stakes!
'The Thing' (1982)
A lot of the best (read: scariest) horror movies of all time involve a group of people, helplessly trapped somewhere remote with a terrifying monster/demon/alien/Scary Bad Thing hellbent on murdering them all. The Thing is one of these movies and its remote, you-can't-escape-the-terror locale is Antarctica, where no one can help you because no one else is there.
'Trading Places' (1983)
Trading Places is perfect for a Friday night in with your friends when you want to laugh at everything. Starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Ackroyd, and Jamie Lee Curtis, Trading Places is a modern take on Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper. Ackroyd and Murphy play an upper-class commodities broker and a homeless street hustler who has been unknowingly pitted against each other in an elaborate bet. It's guaranteed to make you laugh hysterically.
'What Happens Later' (2023)
Winter weather is notorious for ruining travel plans, and that’s the starting point for this sweet 2023 rom-com directed by and starring genre queen Meg Ryan. Yet another highly underrated film set on Leap Day, it sees Ryan’s Willa and David Duchovny’s Bill—long-ago exes, of course—run into each other in a tiny airport where they’ve both just been stranded. There’s a touch of magical realism and plenty of very cute, classic rom-com moments that’ll surely have you giggling, kicking your feet, and maybe even romanticizing your life when your flight is inevitably delayed by a snowstorm this winter.
'When Harry Met Sally...' (1989)
It'd be a shocker if this didn't make the list, right? When Harry Met Sally... is one of the most classic rom-coms. The film spans 10 years, revisiting the titular characters every five, and centering on Harry and Sally's differing views on relationships. Every New Year's Eve you've ever had pales in comparison. Put on a sweater, put the scissors away (you won't look like Meg Ryan with bangs, sorry), and enjoy this film with a loved one.
'While You Were Sleeping' (1995)
Any movie set in Chicago is bound to take advantage of how cold it gets there, and While You Were Sleeping is a great example of that—and Chicago itself is a character in the movie. After an unlucky streak in love, a hopelessly romantic Chicago Transit Authority worker Lucy (Sandra Bullock) saves her long-time crush, Peter from being hit by an oncoming train and doctors say he's in a coma. One misinterpreted comment later and Peter's family assumes that Lucy is his fiancée (even though she and Peter have never spoken), and they welcome her into their world with open arms. Only problem? She starts to develop feelings for Peter's brother (Bill Pullman). Take in all the winter greatness here in this classic romantic comedy.
'White Christmas' (1954)
In this Irving Berlin musical, a male song-and-dance duo (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) team up with two singing sisters (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to save their ex-general's winter lodge. If the Vermont winter and the classic Christmas carol aren't enough to get you in the winter mood, there's also a lovely song all about snow.
'Winter's Bone' (2010)
The movie that launched Jennifer Lawrence’s career, Winter’s Bone is a rough watch in terms of sentiment, but not quality. Lawrence stars as a teenage girl in the rural Ozarks of Missouri who must locate her missing criminal father to protect her family from eviction. The feelings are real and rough.
'Winter Sleep' (2014)
This slow-burn Turkish drama clocks in at about three hours, but it barely feels like it—and the setting, a mountaintop in Cappadocia, Turkey, is basically its own character. The locals respond to the deepening winter and the loneliness it brings in different ways, as this Palme d'Or winner has a lot to say about cabin fever bringing out the worst in all of us.
