Entertainment
10 Best Winter Movies to Make You Feel All Warm and Cozy
Like it or not, winter is almost here. It's mid-November, which means temperatures are dropping, snow is coming, and it's becoming gradually more unpleasant to be outside. And since Thanksgiving hasn't even passed yet, you can't pretend that the winter is enjoyable because it gets you in the holiday spirit. It's just depressing.
Luckily, Hollywood might be able to help. There have been countless movies set in the winter that make it seem like the most beautiful, romantic, well-dressed time of the year—without being full-on Christmas movies. Between kisses in the snow, heartwarming family moments, and perfectly matched coats and hats, these winter movies can make even the gloomiest nights of winter bearable. Here are some of our favorites.
Image: Miramax
'The Holiday'
This romantic comedy has Cameron Diaz trading her Los Angeles mansion for Kate Winslet’s charming England cottage so that each can take a December vacation from their various, standard rom-com problems. Of course each meets a guy, Jude Law for Diaz and surprisingly, Jack Back for Winslet (trust me, it works), and adorableness ensues. It’s also not hard to guess which girl gets the better winter scenes, but for all of its predictability The Holiday is the perfect heartwarming winter movie for nights too cold to leave your couch.
Image: letourfaithbemorethananthems/Tumblr
'Friends with Kids'
The 2011 indie lets some of our favorite actors explore their comedic and dramatic sides, while wearing amazing fall and winter clothes. Friends with Kids stars its writer/director Jennifer Westfeldt alongside Adam Scott, Jon Hamm, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig and Chris O’Dowd and takes place over a few years in New York City. Many of its most memorable scenes occurring among beautiful changing leaves, snow-lined streets, and even a rustic ski cabin.
Image: Lionsgate
'Groundhog Day'
Basically everyone is familiar with Bill Murray’s classic comedy, which obviously takes place on Groundhog Day — over and over and over and, you get it. But I think the blizzard found early in the movie gets overlooked for doing more than trapping Murray in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, it also makes things much prettier. Even if you hate winter, Groundhog Day might convince you that six more weeks of it wouldn’t be that bad.
'Happy Feet'
Yes, it is possible for a movie set in Antarctica to make winter look appealing, especially when it’s animated and features singing and dancing penguins. It’s perfectly acceptable for an adult to watch Happy Feet , there are some themes of environmentalism thrown in there, and also, who cares? Just don’t let anyone catch you singing along and you’ll be fine.
Image: Scintillier/Tumblr
'Serendipity'
No one will ever look as perfect while ice skating as John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale in Serendipity . It’s hopelessly romantic and takes place in a New York where snow falls at exactly the right moment and you can meet your soulmate while shopping for gloves at Bloomingdale’s. It even manages to make you want frozen hot chocolate in the winter, which is basically the complete opposite of what you should want to drink.
Image: Miramax
'Planes, Trains and Automobiles'
For days when you can’t believe how cold and/or snowy it is before Thanksgiving, the Steve Martin and John Candy comedy is perfect. Unlike most winter films, which take place in the weeks leading up to Christmas when snow seems festive, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is all about getting home in time for Thanksgiving, despite severe weather. It acknowledges that winter can suck, but still manages to make you feel good.
Image: Paramount
The 'Harry Potter' Series
There’s a reason why ABC Family doubles up on its Harry Potter weekends in the winter—Hogwarts is even more amazing in the snow. It’s an actual castle filled with cozy fireplaces and floating candles where scarves are used to show school spirit and magic lets snow fall indoors, where could winter be better? Harry had such happy memories of snowy days in Hogsmeade with Ron and Hermione that he used them to fight off Voldemort. It can’t get more warm and fuzzy than that.
Image: weheartit
'Little Women'
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel that has essentially become required reading for young women, any of the Little Women movies (there have been a few versions) are great to watch in the winter. You’ll either feel like you’re alongside the March sisters as they bundle up to trek through the snow or sit around the fire, or be grateful that you’re facing winter in 2013, with things like heat and delivery, and not the Civil War.
Image: Columbia Pictures
'The Mighty Ducks'
Make your inner child happy and rewatch The Mighty Ducks this winter. You don’t have to do all three, but I think you may end up watching them all anyway after the first makes you giddy. It may even encourage you to go outside and learn how to play hockey — or go outside and randomly swing sticks around every time the ground gets a little slippery. Either way, more fun than avoiding the cold at all costs.
Image: Disney
'Bridget Jones's Diary'
Just look at that gif and try to not to wish for a snow storm. The Brits just know how to make winter appealing and put their all into Bridget Jones’s Diary . Even if you hate Renée Zellweger you’ll love Bridget Jones, and you already love Colin Firth, obviously.
Image: Our Jane
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