Although summer will never lose its first-place podium in my ranking of the seasons, I try to find things that I love in every season. If I’m being honest, this practice is hardest to accomplish during the winter. I was not built for cold, dark days and long nights. Still, I have found the one thing that I absolutely adore about winter: movies. Obviously, movies exist in every season, but there are certain ones that I wholeheartedly believe can only be truly enjoyed during the wintertime. Now, some of my favorite winter movies are, obviously, Christmas movies; however, I’m pretty sure that by this point in our lives, we all are aware of what our favorite specifically holiday-themed movies are. So instead of mentioning all of those, I’m going to talk about the films that have, mostly, no connection to Christmas itself, but instead emulate the season of winter as a whole. 

If winter is good for one thing, it’s curling up in pajamas under as many blankets as possible and attempting to remain immobile until spring. What better way to entertain yourself through attempted hibernation than with movie marathons?

Harry Potter

In my opinion, the best possible situation I could find myself in over winter break would be three movies into the Harry Potter series, wrapping presents with my sister, and reminiscing about all the details of the movies we love. Almost all of the eight movies contain the perfect cozy, wintery atmosphere that makes the season feel undeniably magical. From snowball fights to hot drinks, it’s hard not to love winter when you’re watching these movies.

The Chronicles of Narnia

These movies are some of my favorites to watch during winter, mostly because they make me undeniably grateful to be surrounded by warmth and blankets instead of the raging snowstorms of an endless winter like the Pevensie children find themselves trapped in. Narnia lets me enjoy the beauty of glittering trees and snow-covered mountaintops without having to brave the frigid temperature myself. Although the first movie is the only one to truly contain the perfect winter feeling, I am unable to not continue on with the series after the first has finished, and I almost always watch them in marathon form.

Disney Movies

Although not technically a series, some of the best Disney movies have an undeniably wintery ambiance and are perfect for binge-watching on a snow day. Whether you want a movie about a literal snowstorm like Frozen and Jack Frost, or just ones like Beauty and the Beast, which is just set in winter, there are movies for any wintery occasion.

To my core, I am a rom-com girl. Almost all my favorite movies, books, TV shows, and everything in between are rom-coms, and this makes winter slightly more tolerable, as it signifies the season of some of the best rom-coms ever made. 

The Holiday (2006)

I firmly believe that The Holiday is one of the greatest movies ever made, and each annual rewatch confirms my belief even more. From the dual perspectives to exquisite comedy to adorable relationships formed, this movie is the perfect winter film. My favorite thing is that, along with being a romantic movie, the film also focuses on personal growth and deep platonic love. I would recommend watching this movie near the end of December, as it has never failed to inspire me to be a better person, get out of my shell, and live my life a little fuller as the new year approaches. 

Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001)

The lovely awkwardness of this film has inspired many a daydream about falling in love in wintertime. Bridget’s chaotic winter holds a bewitching sense of liveliness and romance that is nearly impossible to find in other movies. From Christmas parties to Thai prison, from her difficult editing job to abysmal dating life, it’s hard not to immediately fall in love with Bridget and her counterpart’s stories. 

While I generally find the most comfort in cozy rom-coms and familiar marathons, some of my favorite movies to watch during winter are of a completely different genre: action and mystery. 

Knives Out (2019)

While a more recent addition to my winter-movie watchlist, I believe that the only correct time of year to watch Knives Out is between December and February. Half of this belief comes from the snowy setting and the dark, wooded mansion where the murder takes place, and half of it comes from the wardrobe of the cast. I am a firm believer in the idea that clothing in a movie and only be appreciated to its full extent during the season for which it was made, and, oh, what clothing it is; specifically, Chris Evans’ most male-manipulator-coded sweater that he wears for parts of the movie. Every winter, I look forward not only to rewatching the plot of the movie but also to analyzing how I could be upgrading my winter wardrobe based on their outfits. 

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Yet another murder mystery, but this time, set on board a train speeding through the European mountainside. This film is best watched late on a snowy night, in order to correctly set the ambience. Although the plot of the movie is focused on the murder, I continuously find myself entranced by the beauty of the landscapes visible through the train-car windows. Everything from the videography to the coloring of the film gives it an indisputably chilling feeling that is perfectly experienced in the quiet, dark nights of winter. 

I struggled trying to find a genre that fully encompassed these movies, and I still haven’t perfected it. There is just something indescribably comforting about everything from the aesthetics to the dialogue to the tropes of these movies that I am drawn to time and time again. 

Little Women (2019)

This is one of the longest movies on my list; however, that is absolutely not a reason to skip out on watching it. Little Women is one of the most beautiful portrayals of sisterhood, family, and coming of age that I have ever experienced—both visually and artistically. Again, the wardrobe and set of the film are not only historically accurate but also stunning in a way that draws the attention of any viewer and makes me long for an ankle-length, lined coat and matching mittens with my sister to wear out into the winter cold. 

The Holdovers (2023)

Finally, this movie, though it toes the line toward Christmas movie territory, is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I watch it religiously during winter, usually multiple times a year. If there was one song to encapsulate this vibe of this movie, it would be “Merry Christmas (Please Don’t Call)” by The Bleachers. Although heartfelt and melancholy, the movie has an undertone of love, hope, and persistent joy that calls its audience to understand the existence of positivity even in a realistically solemn world. Winter is a hard time for most people, while they’re busy with work and school and haven’t seen the sun in what feels like months, and this is a perfect film that not only captures that feeling—showing the audience that they are not alone in their emotions—but also reminds them that even in the darkest of times, there is always joy to be found.