The best winter films to cosy up with this festive period
As the weather changes, so do our streaming habits. With winter’s chill finally settling in, and January on the horizon, it’s only natural that we will feel the need to eschew any party plans, light up a scented candle and cosy up indoors under a thick, warm blanket.
Whether you’re on the lookout for festive films or goosebump-raising thrillers, the below list of 40 wintry 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 film fan...
Knives Out (2019)
After the sudden and mysterious death of the 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' excellent cable knit jumpers 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 Christmas films, 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 fairy-tales. 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 civilisation, the group hikes across frozen landscapes, and finds itself at the mercy of a pack of wolves. Liam Neeson stars.
Black Christmas (2019)
During their 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 university campuses across America.
A Winter's Tale (2014)
A Winter's Tale is a magical story of star-crossed lovers in New York in the early 20th century. Colin Farrell stars as a 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. 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.
The Holdovers (2022)
The Holdovers is the movie to watch if you’re looking for something cosy and sentimental. Over the holiday season in 1970, classics professor Paul Dunham (Paul Giamatti) is forced to babysit the students who aren’t going home for winter break at the New England school he works at. He finds himself in the company of Angus (Dominic Tessa), an intelligent but unruly teen, and Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), the school’s cafeteria manager who is grieving the loss of her son who recently died in the Vietnam War. Together, the trio find an unexpected sense of belonging and understanding.
The Revenant (2015)
Leonardo DiCaprio finally won his first Oscar for his performance as Frontiersman and fur trapper Hugh Glass, who's left for dead in a bleak winter landscape. Following a terrifying bear attack, Glass is driven to stay alive in order to exact revenge against those who wronged him.
Eileen (2023)
Based off of Ottessa Moshfegh’s novel of the same name, this psychological thriller follows secretary Eileen Dunlop (Thomasin McKenzie) after she develops a fascination with psychologist Rebecca Saint John (Anne Hathaway). The two first meet as coworkers at a boys’ correction facility in Massachusetts. When Rebecca invites Eileen to go out to a local bar with her, Eileen—looking for an escape from her violent drunkard father—becomes immediately enamored with the older woman’s seeming glamour and confidence.
Serendipity (2001)
After a chance meeting while glove-shopping, Sara and Jonathan decide to leave their romance to fate. While Jonathan writes his number on a five dollar bill, Sara writes her details in her copy of Love in the Time of Cholera, which she sells. Years later, the pair is still thinking about their encounter, but will fate bring them together in the end?
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
One of the most beloved movies of all time, It's a Wonderful Life tells the story of George Bailey, a businessman on the brink of bankruptcy and considering suicide. Enter angel Clarence who reveals what would've happened to everyone George loves had he not been alive.
Frozen (2013)
Frozen needs zero introduction, but it's literally the perfect winter movie. Princess Anna embarks upon a quest to find her sister, Elsa, to save their kingdom from an eternal winter. Elsa's special powers allow her to freeze everything around her, and create the most beautiful ice sculptures imaginable. And as you already know, the soundtrack is incomparable.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Bill Crystal and Meg Ryan sparkle in this classic rom-com about two individuals who can't seem to figure out they're meant to be together. Throughout multiple time jumps, Harry and Sally become platonic best friends who are terrified to cross the line into romance. New Year's Eve has never looked so iconic on film. Carrie Fisher co-stars.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
During a Chicago winter, transit worker Lucy (Sandra Bullock) saves her crush Peter (Peter Gallagher) from an oncoming train, and is soon mistaken for his fiancée. While Peter remains in a coma, Lucy spends time with his family, and finds an unexpected connection with his brother, Jack (Bill Pullman).
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
As romantic comedies go, Sleepless in Seattle remains one of the best. Tom Hanks stars as a widow and single dad whose son wants him to start dating again. Meg Ryan plays a woman who hears his story on the radio and begins to fall in love with a stranger.
Eclipse (2010)
While any of the Twilight movies could work as a perfect winter watch (it‘s always cold in Washington!), Eclipse surely leads the pack. The third installment of the vampire romance series continues the love triangle between Bella (Kristen Stewart), Edward (Robert Pattinson), and Jacob (Taylor Lautner). Tensions boil over when Victoria, a vampire from Bella’s past, returns with a quest for vengeance—and, this time, she’s coming prepared with her own newborn vampire army.
Black Nativity (2013)
This musical follows teenager Langston, who spends the holidays with some estranged relatives in New York City, but struggles to follow their strict and imposing rules. Instead, he embarks on a journey home to his mom, who is played by Jennifer Hudson. Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett star.
Snowpiercer (2014)
The earth has frozen over following a failed attempt to correct climate change. Now, a small group of survivors travel the world on board a train, and a rebellion breaks out between the lower and upper class carriages. Chris Evans, Octavia Spencer, and Jamie Bell star.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Wes Anderson's dreamy film takes place at a popular ski resort in Europe in the 1930s. Ralph Fiennes plays the concierge, Gustave, who takes a lobby boy called Zero under his wing. But when Gustave is framed for the murder of a wealthy visitor, he must embark on a quest to find the truth. The jaw-dropping cast includes Tilda Swinton, Owen Wilson, and Saoirse Ronan.
The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016)
A war erupts between Freya (Emily Blunt) and her evil sister, Ravenna (Charlize Theron). Freya gathers a group of huntsman for protection, including the dashing Eric (Chris Hemsworth). Freya has the ability to control ice and snow, which she can use as a weapon.
Wind River (2017)
Jeremy Renner stars as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agent who discovers a murdered 18-year-old woman on Wyoming's Wind River Indian Reservation. Elisabeth Olsen plays an FBI Agent who joins the investigation for the murderer, which takes place in fraught and freezing conditions.
The Mountain Between Us (2017)
Kate Winslet and Idris Elba co-star as two strangers who are stranded in terrifying conditions following a plane crash. With no help on the way, the pair realise that they must travel through the snow and work together to survive.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Part sci-fi, part romance, this 2004 flick explores the risks and consequences of genuine human connection. After a painful breakup, Joel (Jim Carrey) finds out that his ex-girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet), underwent a procedure that completely wiped out all memories of him. He decides to undergo the same procedure, but the process of removing Clementine from his life proves to be easier said than done.
The Snowman (2017)
Don't let the title fool you, as The Snowman is anything but cute. Michael Fassbender stars a detective who's on the hunt for a serial killer. Based on Jo Nesbø's dark thriller of the same name, The Snowman follows a homicide detective searching for a missing woman whose scarf is found wrapped around an ominous looking snowman.
Hold the Dark (2018)
Jeffrey Wright, Alexander Skarsgård, and Riley Keough star in this thriller about a woman who believes wolves are responsible for the disappearances of her three children. Wright plays a wolf behavior expert who starts investigating the mystery, which takes place in snowy Alaska.
Abominable (2019)
The adorable Dreamworks animation Abominable follows teenager Yi and her friends as they attempt to reunite a Yeti with his family. After escaping from a scientific compound in Shanghai, "Everest" is terrified, but Yi accompanies him on a long journey to find his home.
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