Ah, winter—the best time to get cozy and watch some great cinema! Here are my picks for flicks that are sure to make you yearn for cold weather, wherever you are.
#1: Frozen (2013)
The classic of all classics. If you’re like me, you probably know all the lyrics—making this the perfect winter sing along. This is also my favorite non-holiday-related choice.
Frozen tells the tale of two slightly-estranged sisters, one of which has who has ice powers, as they reunite to save their kingdom—well, queendom—from an evil but charming prince.
#2: Ice Princess (2005)
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Ice Princess is a forgotten Disney Channel Original Movie starring the late great Michelle Trachtenberg. As Casey gets ready to attend her mother’s alma mater, Harvard, she has a gut feeling that the ice rink is where she’s really meant to be. When she finds an unexpected confidant in her antagonist’s mother, a former figure skater, she realizes her dreams might really come true. You can expect romance, comedy, and loads of amazing outfits.
#3: Anastasia (1997)
My personal favorite semi-Disney movie. Anastasia was produced by Fox, which has since been acquired by “the Mouse.” The movie follows Anastasia, the daughter of the last king of Russia after being placed in an orphanage. She travels to be reunited with her grandmother again and makes friends along the way.
It’s also full of winter, coziness, and a song that made a five-year-old me start calling people “comrade.”
#4: Matilda (1996)
The comforting tale of a child genius living in what might be the quaintest town I have ever seen. Matilda lives with her pretty atrocious family and is misunderstood and mistreated. That is, until she meets her ethereally gentle teacher Ms. Honey.
Under the guidance of Ms. Honey, Matilda thrives in school and eventually is able to leave her family. Go for the vibes, stay for the narration by Danny DeVito.
#5: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
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Yeah, yeah, the first one’s great—but have you seen the sequel?! I will die on the hill that it’s superior. Join Kevin as he traverses the concrete jungle during Christmas time after inexplicably being forgotten on vacation again. Truly though, how do you forget the same kid two years in a row?
#6: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Image Credit: Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons
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If you ignore the interesting punctuation in the title, HGSC! is a classic tale of a furry little curmudgeon with a heart of coal that will warm your heart of, well, not coal. The 2000 and 2018 movies are great too, but neither holds a candle to the OG.
#7: The Fabelmans (2022)
While this isn’t a completely holiday themed movie, The Fabelmans opens during the Jewish winter holiday of Hanukkah and continues the warm and homey vibe throughout the whole movie. Plus, it’s a semi-autobiographical story of a young boy based on Steven Spielberg! Follow Gabriel Fabelman as he grows from a boy to a man and from a person to something magical—a filmmaker.
#8: Cool Runnings (1993)
This one is especially great now, in the midst of the winter Olympics. It’s a charming movie that tells the story of the real-life Jamaican bobsled team at the 1988 Winter Games. Cool is full of heart and humor that will surely leave you wanting more.
#9: Groundhog Day (1993)
Image Credit: M. Smelter on Wikimedia Commons
Another 1993 classic, Groundhog Day is about a man who has to relive the same day again and again and again. Featuring a career-prime Bill Murray, you’ll want to watch this movie again and again and again! Phil is a small-time weatherman who gets trapped in this time loop. While he’s understandably upset to begin with, he soon learns to use this situation to his advantage.
#10: Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
And finally, an easy chick-flick full of festive and warm vibes. Bridget Jones (a super cute Renee Zellweger) decides that the upcoming millennia needs a new her. So, she goes on a journey to take her life back encounters some drama on her way. Perfect to watch while cuddled up in a blizzard with a blanket and a warm drink.
Conclusion
Whether you like musicals or comedies, chick-flicks or action, there’s a cozy movie out there for you. These were some of my favorites, but feel free to leave yours below—I always want to hear them! Happy watching!