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The 16 Best Winter Movies to Watch Right Now

Snuggle up with some hot cocoa and take in some chilly flicks

By Molly McLaughlin Molly McLaughlin Senior Editor & Content Strategist Molly K. McLaughlin has been a technology editor and writer for over a dozen years. She runs product reviews for Lifewire, overseeing the process from hands-on testing to publishing. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 8, 2021 Reviewed by Kayla Dube Reviewed by Kayla Dube J. Everette Light Career Center Kayla Dube has 4+ years' experience in videography and filmmaking. She frequently works in production with indie film companies. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Streaming TV, Movies, & More Netflix Hulu Disney+ Prime Video Apple TV+ Favorite Events Movies that take place in the winter have a certain charm and mystery. Love stories feel more romantic, and scary movies are more sinister with snow on the ground. We've compiled the best winter movies, including comedies, romances, horror films, and documentaries. Snuggle up! 01 of 16

Groundhog Day 1993 Best Takedown of a Rodent-Based Holiday

Archive Photos / Getty Images IMDb rating: 8.0 Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance Starring: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott Director: Harold Ramis Motion Picture Rating: PG Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes Groundhog Day is a movie you can watch over and over again, even though it repeats the same day ad nauseam. Bill Murray is brilliant as a grumpy reporter covering the eponymous holiday while falling in love with his producer. Will he ever wake up to anything but "I've Got You Babe" again? Watch Groundhog Day on Amazon Prime Video Now Watch Groundhog Day on YouTube Now 02 of 16

Fargo 1996 Worst Advertisement for a Woodchipper

Archive Photos / Getty Images IMDb rating: 8.1 Genre: Comedy Starring: William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi Director: Joel Coen Motion Picture Rating: R Running Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes A kidnapping goes wrong after a Minneapolis car salesperson outsources the job to two criminals based in Fargo, North Dakota. Frances McDormand is perfect as the pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson, who quickly sees through everyone's lies and paper-thin alibis and witnesses someone on the wrong end of a woodchipper (is there a right end?) with barely a blink. Watch Fargo on Amazon Prime Video Now 03 of 16

Coming to America 1988 Best Depiction of a King in Queens

GC Images / Getty Images IMDb rating: 7.0 Genre: Comedy, Romance Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones Director: John Landis Motion Picture Rating: 16+ Running Time: 1 hour, 56 minutes Where does the crown prince and future king of fictional Zamunda look for love? In Queens, of course, where he takes a job at MacDowell's fast-food restaurant (it has golden arcs, not golden arches) after meeting the owner's daughter. Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall each play four parts, including Prince Akeem, his best friend Semmi, and a slew of barbershop-based characters. Watch Coming to America on Amazon Prime Video Now Watch Coming to America on YouTube Now 04 of 16

The Shining 1980 Best Use of a Hedge Maze for Suspense

Archive Photos / Getty Images IMDb rating: 8.4 Genre: Horror, Suspense, Drama Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd Director: Stanley Kubrick Motion Picture Rating: R Running Time: 2 hours, 23 minutes A snowbound hotel with a hedge maze in the middle of a Colorado winter sets the scene for this lovely family flick. Then we find out the last caretaker didn't have such a great time, and Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance starts to go mad. (All work and no play indeed!) Watch The Shining on Amazon Prime Video Now 05 of 16

Serendipity 2001 A Romance to Melt Your Cold Cold Heart

WireImage / Getty Images IMDb rating: 6.9 Genre: Comedy, Romance Starring: John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Bridget Moynahan Director: Peter Chelsom Motion Picture Rating: PG-13 Running Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes What's not to like about an NYC love story featuring the ever-charming John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale as star-crossed lovers? After a Christmas Eve meet-cute, they decide to leave it up to fate if they meet again. A few years later, they're engaged to other people while still hanging on to hope. Come for the snowy cityscape and stay for Serendipity 3's famous hot chocolate. Watch Serendipity from Amazon Prime Video Now Watch Serendipity from YouTube Now 06 of 16

Last Holiday 2006 Queen Latifah at Her Most Charming

IMDb rating: 6.5 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Romance Starring: Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Timothy Hutton Director: Wayne Wang Motion Picture Rating: PG-13 Running Time: 1 hour, 52 minutes The Last Holiday is an OK premise saved by the great Queen Latifah as Georgia, who finds out she has little time to live so she quits her job and takes off to Europe. Comedy ensues. LL Cool J plays her co-worker and love interest, who follows her to the Czech Republic after finding out about her diagnoses. Watch The Last Holiday on Amazon Prime Video Now 07 of 16

The Holiday 2006 Best Ever Outcome of a House Swapping

E. Charbonneau / Staff / Getty IMDb rating: 6.9 Genre: Comedy, Romance Starring: Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law Director: Nancy Meyers Motion Picture Rating: PG-13 Running Time: 2 hours, 16 minutes Jude Law as Graham is at his most charming in this wintery house-swapping film. After ditching their "bad boyfriends," two women trade homes to get away from it all. The Holiday is full of meet-cutes and a twist or two and has a near-perfect ending. Watch The Holiday on Amazon Prime Video Now Watch The Holiday on iTunes Now 08 of 16

Planes Trains & Automobiles 1987 Best Advertisement For Staying Home For the Holidays

Paramount Pictures / Getty Images IMDb rating: 7.6 Genre: Comedy, Drama Starring: Steve Martin, John Candy, Kevin Bacon Director: John Hughes Motion Picture Rating: R Running Time: 1 hour 32 minutes If you've ever dealt with the stress of trying to get from point A to point B for the holidays, this comedy hits some of the more stressful elements. From snowstorms and canceled flights to disappearing rental cars and shabby motels, the string of events that brings Steve Martin and John Candy as Neal Page and Del Griffith together on the eve of Thanksgiving will make you glad you're watching it all from the comfort of your couch. Watch Planes, Trains & Automobiles on Amazon Prime Video Now Watch Planes, Trains & Automobiles on YouTube Now 09 of 16

The Nightmare Before Christmas 1993 Best Sandy-Claws Movie

Barry King / Contributor / Getty Images IMDb rating: 8.0 Genre: Animation, Family, Fantasy Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara Director: Henry Selick Motion Picture Rating: PG Running Time: 1 hour, 16 minutes What starts as a Halloween movie quickly morphs into a Christmas caper, though many of the details aren't quite right, including Santa Claus himself. This animated film is charming as heck despite its creepy set and cast of characters. Learn the true meaning of Halloween! Watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney Plus Now 10 of 16

The Cutting Edge 1992 Best Recurring Line Toe Pick

Archive Photos / Getty Images IMDb rating: 6.9 Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Starring: D.B. Sweeney, Moira Kelly, Roy Dotrice Director: Paul M. Glaser Motion Picture Rating: PG Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes A figure skater (Moira Kelly) needs a partner and ends up with an ex-hockey pro, who doesn't know what a toe pick is. The perfect set-up for a rom-com: egos, talent, and forced to work together. Do they win? Do they fall in love? Probably. Watch The Cutting Edge on iTunes Now Watch The Cutting Edge on Vudu Now 11 of 16

Home Alone 1990 An Epic Adventure in a Humongous House

IMDb rating: 7.6 Genre: Comedy, Kids Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern Director: Chris Columbus Motion Picture Rating: PG Running Time: 1 hour, 42 minutes This movie introduces Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an enterprising kid disenchanted with his multitude of siblings. Though he misses a trip to Paris, Kevin has adventures of his own, making a surprising new friend and protecting his home from rather stubborn, stupid would-be robbers. (Try another empty house already! Let go of that doorknob!) The movie also features Catherine O'Hara as a caring mother in stark contrast with her role on Schitt's Creek. Watch Home Alone from Amazon Prime Video Now Watch Home Alone from YouTube Now 12 of 16

Cool Runnings 1993 One of the Best Sports Underdog Stories

IMDb rating: 7.0 Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family Starring: John Candy, Leon, Doug E. Doug Director: Jon Turteltaub Motion Picture Rating: PG Running Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes A Jamaican bobsleigh team? This movie, loosely based on a true story, tells the tale of determined athletes who make it to the 1988 Winter Olympics after facing various challenges, including a home country bereft of snow (or even cold weather). Watch Cool Runnings on Disney Plus Now 13 of 16

Winter' s Bone 2010 One of Jennifer Lawrence' s Best Performances

Alexandra Wyman / Staff / Getty IMDb rating: 7.2 Genre: Drama, Mystery Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Garret Dillahunt Director: Debra Granik Motion Picture Rating: R Running Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes This movie, set in the Ozarks in the dead of winter, will make you feel cold if you aren't already. Jennifer Lawrence plays Ree Dolly, whose father skipped bail after putting up the family house as part of the bond. She needs to save their home before the bondsman seizes it while caring for her mother and siblings. It's a riveting film. Watch Winter's Bone on Cinemax Go Now 14 of 16

Encounters at the End of the World 2007 See Antarctica Without Actually Going There

Scott Gries / Getty Images IMDb rating: 7.7 Genre: Documentary Starring: Werner Herzog (voiceover) Director: Werner Herzog Motion Picture Rating: G Running Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes Visit Antarctica to the lovely sounds of Werner Herzog's voice as he settles at McMurdo Station to learn more about the continent. He interviews scientists, artists, travelers, and kitchen staff who feed them, sometimes even with fresh vegetables. Herzog's friend, a scuba diver, takes us underwater to see what's happening beneath the ice. Watch Encounters at the End of the World on Sundance Now (Now) 15 of 16

The Sweet Hereafter 1997 An Excellent Depiction That Life Is Fleeting

IMDb rating: 7.5 Genre: Drama Starring: Ian Holm, Sarah Polley, Bruce Greenwood Director: Atom Egoyan Motion Picture Rating: R Running Time: 1 hour, 52 minutes After a school bus accident in a small town in British Columbia, an out of town lawyer convinces bereaved parents and survivors to join a class-action lawsuit against the town and bus company. We get to know the children on the bus that day as they grapple with what caused the crash. Watch The Sweet Hereafter on Criterion Channel Now 16 of 16

It s a Wonderful Life 1946 A Charming Small Town Flick

Movie Poster Image Art / Getty Images IMDb rating: 8.6 Genre: Drama, Fantasy Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore Director: Frank Capra Motion Picture Rating: 13+ Running Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes The first time you watch It's a Wonderful Life, you'll wonder how it lives up to its title. As George Bailey, James Stewart runs on many hard times, including many missed opportunities to leave his hometown and a punch in the face. Watch all the way through, and you just might see an angel get their wings. Watch It's a Wonderful Life on Amazon Prime Video Now Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The 10 Best 90s Movies to Watch Right Now The Best Romantic Movies on Netflix Right Now (September 2022) The 10 Best 80s Movies to Watch Right Now The 22 Best Christmas Movies on Netflix (2022) The Best Movies on Hulu Right Now (September 2022) The 10 Best Sports Movies to Watch Right Now The 10 Best Movies of the 2010s to Watch Right Now The Best Disney Plus Movies Right Now (October 2022) The Best Action Movies to Watch Right Now The 15 Best Inspirational Movies of 2022 The Best Movies on HBO Right Now (October 2022) The Best Netflix Thrillers to Watch Tonight Best Free Movies on YouTube (September 2022) The Best Teen Movies on Netflix (September 2022) The Best LGBT Movies on Netflix Right Now (October 2022) The Best Family Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now (October 2022) Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies