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The 40 Best Winter Movies to Prepare You for the Chilliest Season
Snow looks so much prettier in the movies
As the weather changes, so do our streaming habits. With winter’s chill finally settling in, it’s only natural to turn our attention to some wintry watches.
Whether you’re on the lookout for festive films or goosebump-raising thrillers, the below list of 40 winter-coded movies has you covered. From quintessential Christmas movies—like Love Actually and It’s a Wonderful Life—to dramas that will leave you shivering more than the cold—like Eileen and The Shining—there are plenty of options for every kind of movie lover. Keep scrolling to see them all.
Knives Out (2019)
After the sudden and mysterious death of novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) arrives to find out what really happened. This popular whodunnit has already spawned a sequel, but nothing can complete with Chris Evans' gorgeous cable knit sweaters in the first film.
Little Women (2019)
Greta Gerwig's Little Women brings together an all-star cast including Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, Laura Dern, and Timothée Chalamet. Based on Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, Gerwig's adaptation is the perfect movie to watch while it's snowing outside.
The Last Holiday (2006)
Queen Latifah stars as department store worker Georgia who gets diagnosed with an incredibly rare brain condition. After receiving the shocking news, Georgia books her dream vacation to the Czech Republic, where she tries snowboarding for the first time with hilarious results.
Hanna (2011)
Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) has been raised in the frozen wilderness by her father (Eric Bana), who has trained her to be a stealthy killer. When Hanna is sent on a mission, she travels across Europe and is stalked by a former colleague of her father's (Cate Blanchett). An epic cat-and-mouse game starts. The film has since been adapted into a three-season TV series.
Winter's Bone (2010)
Jennifer Lawrence's breakout performance in Winter's Bone earned her an Oscar nomination, and it's easy to see why. Lawrence plays Ree Dolly, a young woman living in poverty and forced to care for her sick mother and two younger siblings. To avoid eviction, she embarks on a desperate search for her missing father.
The Holiday (2006)
To escape their disastrous love lives, Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) decide to house swap for the holidays. While Amanda finds herself in the seriously snowy English countryside with Jude Law, Iris is transported to sunny California.
Groundhog Day (1993)
Bill Murray stars as a dissatisfied weatherman who is forced to cover Groundhog Day. It soon transpires that he's stuck in a time loop and he's forced to live out Groundhog Day again and again. Andie MacDowell co-stars in this heartwarming and hilarious classic.
The Shining (1980)
If you've had enough of cheesy holiday flicks, The Shining will cleanse your palate. Based on Stephen King's terrifying novel, Jack Nicholson stars as Jack Torrance, a recovering alcoholic with writer's block who takes a job as a caretaker at the Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies during off-season. Filled with supernatural occurrences and horrifying moments, all hell breaks loose when a winter storm surrounds the hotel.
The Preacher's Wife (1996)
Denzel Washington stars as an angel sent to help an inner-city pastor who is feeling disheartened by his difficult job and troubled marriage. However, the angel accidentally falls in love with the pastor's wife, Julia (Whitney Houston). Set during the winter season, this heartwarming movie features a ridiculous amount of onscreen talent.
Coming to America (1988)
In this classic comedy, Eddie Murphy stars as Akeem Joffer, the crown prince of the fictional Zamunda, who decides to search for a wife in America. While the Big Apple isn't necessarily what Akeem expected, he quickly learns that there's more to life than his regal status.
Mirror Mirror (2012)
Wintry landscapes make the best settings for whimsical fairytales. This modern retelling of Snow White follows the orphaned princess (Lily Collins) as she struggles to take back control of her kingdom, which is currently being ruled by her wicked stepmother (Julia Roberts). After escaping from her stepmother’s assassination attempt, Snow White takes refuge with a band of dwarfs, who train her in combat.
The Grey (2011)
Following a devastating plane crash caused by a storm, eight men are stranded in the wilderness. As they attempt to find civilization, the group hikes across frozen landscapes, and finds itself at the mercy of a pack of wolves. Liam Neeson stars.
Black Christmas (2019)
During Christmas break, a group of sorority sisters find themselves hunted by a mysterious killer. Women lead this Christmas horror movie remake, and 2019's Black Christmas examines the epidemic of rape culture on college campuses across the nation.
Winter's Tale (2014)
Winter's Tale is a magical story of star-crossed lovers in New York in the early 20th century. Colin Farrell stars as thief, Peter, who falls in love with Beverly, a woman he meets when he breaks into her Central Park mansion. However, she's dying of consumption, and Peter is on the run from his nemesis. Can he find a way to save her?WATCH
Cool Runnings (1993)
Cool Runnings follows a Jamaican bobsled team as they compete in the 1988 Winter Olympics, and it's loosely based on real life. When Derice finds out that he can no longer take part in the Olympics as part of the track team, he decides to form Jamaica's very first bobsleigh team. A comedy classic set in very cold climes.
Love Actually (2003)
While Love Actually might be classified as a Christmas movie, Richard Curtis' ensemble rom-com is perfect for the entire winter season. In hindsight, the film may have some major problems, but there's still something irresistible about the star-studded flick that takes place throughout the holidays.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)
As snowy landscapes in movies go, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has one of the best. Based on the classic C.S. Lewis book, the film follows a group of four children who are evacuated to the English countryside during the Blitz. There, they find a magical wardrobe which leads to the world of Narnia. Tilda Swinton and James McAvoy star.
Fargo (1996)
Frances McDormand shines as a pregnant police chief in Minnesota who's tasked with investigating a triple homicide. Directed by the Coen Brothers and starring William H. Macy and Steve Buscemi, Fargo is a twisty crime thriller that's already inspired its own TV show. Plus, there's snow aplenty.
The Family Stone (2005)
The Family Stone may take place at Christmas, but this romantic drama isn't your average holiday movie. Sarah Jessica Parker stars as an uptight businesswoman who accompanies her boyfriend home for the holidays. However, it quickly transpires that his family don't support the relationship. Much comedy, and many tears, ensue.
The Best Man Holiday (2013)
The Best Man Holiday may be a Christmas movie, but as the sequel to popular comedy The Best Man, it deserves a spot on this list. A brilliant ensemble cast featuring Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, and Melissa De Sousa makes this a must-see during the winter season.
