That’s right, the W Spotlight crew have curated another list, and this time, winter themed. They might not be warm and cozy themselves, or they may, but they’re films we watch in the winter that we recommend to you if you need something new, or just an idea of what to watch on a cold winter’s day.
Let’s start off with a pick that was on the majority of the W Spotlight ladies’ watchlists: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Fincher, 2011). “Your feel bad Christmas movie” is how the film was marketed before release. Directed David Fincher, Maps’ favourite director, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is an adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s bestselling novel. This film is perfect for those of you that want to watch something a little more intense this season. Mar appreciates its dark, atmospheric tone, chilling mystery, and intense performances, and believes it’s the kind of gripping thriller that feels right for cozying up on a cold night. Set during a cold Swedish winter, it’s a mystery thriller that is anything but warm and cozy. Andie believes it’s utterly gripping and appreciates Rooney Mara in one of her most iconic roles to date. This film is full of thriller, revenge and drama, just what Maps likes. It is, as Kenza and Mar would say, a quintessential winter movie, with its sinister atmosphere and aesthetic; the snowy landscapes and suspenseful plot make it ideal for those seeking a captivating and immersive experience during the winter season. It’s got *tons* of snow and just enough of warmth to keep you cozy for its 158 minutes runtime. Perfect to kick off the winter season.
Keeping it with the action film vibes, Lara R recommends Cold Pursuit (Moland, 2019). As your resident Liam Neeson girlie, she must recommend Cold Pursuit. The crazy action in the snow will soon have you forgetting it’s cold outside. The plot twists and the characters will have you hooked from minute one, and you’ll want to know who survives. It might not be your typical Winter movie, but if you’re looking to get distracted from the grey season, this is the perfect movie.
We’ve also got Maps recommending Snowpiercer (Joon-ho, 2013). Snow, a frosted earth and a non-stopping train with the last human survivors. This is the perfect movie to watch during winter, full of action and entertainment with a lot of snow.
Lara D will never get over that mama bear scene in The Revenant (Iñárritu, 2015). Thank goodness it gave Leo his Oscar!! Am I right?
Could we say another Oscar worthy performance is Maps’ suggestion of Atomic Blonde (Leitch, 2017)? Okay, all jokes aside. She's atomic and she's blonde. Oh, and there is also snow. No matter how many times I watch this film, I always get excited like it's the first time. Charlize Theron and Sofia Boutella bring an exciting chemistry on screen.
Definitely not an Oscar worthy performance in this next one, but a Charlize Theron performance it is at that. Hailey recommends The Huntsman: Winter’s War (Nicolas-Troyan, 2016). It’s got snow, and three of Hailey’s favourite actresses, what more could anyone want?
Following up on the theme of sinister films, Prisoners, directed by Denis Villeneuve, is right there and Kenza highly recommends. Add to it a mind-consuming investigation, some career-best performances, all operating on a backdrop of icy weather, of and you are set to spend a chilly afternoon hypnotized by one of the greatest thrillers in recent memory.
Let’s take a slight, slight, change and focus on Andie’s recommendation, Anatomy of a Fall (Triet, 2023). If you didn’t get around to watching Justine Triet’s Palme d’or-winning courtroom drama during last year’s awards season, now is the perfect time. With much of the film set around a snowy cabin in the French Alps, it’s a chilling (pun intended) meditation on marriage, fiction, and the artistic process.
Speaking of the Alps, Hailey recommends the Disney Channel Original movie, Cloud 9 (Hoen, 2014). It’s actually embarrassing the level of nostalgia she feels when thinking of or watching the film. Hailey can remember exactly where she was when she watched it for the first time, and it feel like such a wild ride. It’s great to remember the films that excited you as a child.
Disney Channel Original movies? What about Disney Animation films? Lara R’s top pick is Frozen (Lee & Buck, 2013). When she thinks of Winter, the first thing she hears in her mind is “The cold never bothered me anyway.” So, it makes perfect sense that Frozen is the first movie Lara R thinks of. Truthfully, she thinks she is much like Olaf, only thinking about the Summer when the Winter comes around. The cold does bother her, but it’s always nice to escape to Arendelle from the comfort of her home. Animated snow, the love between sisters, and a great soundtrack make for the perfect animated Winter movie to get you in the spirit of the season — if the cold doesn’t bother you.
Another great ‘children’s’ animated film for winter, Ice Age (Wedge, 2002). One of the first movies Lara D saw as a child. She loves the dynamic between all the characters and feels pure nostalgia when watching the film.
Our last animated film suggestion is Hailey with her suggestion of Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus (Richardson, 2005). A lot of recommendations Hailey makes involve the nostalgia that comes with them. Magic of Pegasus was a film her and her sister used to watch a lot when they’d want to watch Barbie movies (the animated ones of course) and this one just fits winter.
Keeping with the magic, Lara R recommends The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Adamson, 2005). Lara R grew up obsessed with the world of Narnia. She read all the books and watched all the movies. None of the adaptations feel like the first one does. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the perfect start to a legendary franchise. The Witch casting an eternal winter upon Narnia is quite perfect for the season, but it is even more rewarding to watch the Winter end. But above all, it is great to go back to a world that we all wanted to visit when we were young. There’s something nostalgic and familiar about Narnia; something we never want to let go of.
We’ve then got Mar recommending the Harry Potter series. The Harry Potter series is back on our list for a second season because it’s the ultimate comfort franchise! With its magical world, cozy Hogwarts setting, and heartwarming themes, it’s the perfect movie marathon to enjoy during the winter season. The enchanting atmosphere and snowy scenes make it especially ideal for cold nights.
Another semi-match from our fall watchlist is Mar’s Wes Anderson contribution, The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). It is a quintessential winter watch, brimming with Wes Anderson’s signature charm. Its whimsical storytelling, stunning visuals, and once again, snowy Alpine setting make it as perfect for winter as Fantastic Mr. Fox is for fall.
Sticking with the auteur directors, Celine Sciamma has made quite a name for herself. Giorgia recommends Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) for the winter watchlist. To her, there’s before Portrait de la Jeune Fille en Feu and after. Heart-warming in the sense that it fills your heart with love at its truest form, beauty and colours (“you showed me colours you know I can’t see with anyone else”) - and sets it on fire. Yet everything it’s handled with such an intimate care and tenderness that it’s impossible not to fall in love with it, whether it’s your first or fifth time watching.
And then, and oldie but goldie, Giorgia hits hard with her tear-jerker choices. Dead Poets Society (Weir, 1989) isan immortal classic. She has to rewatch it at least once a year when it starts getting colder outside. Giorgia doesn’t know if it’s because she likes suffering or because it brings her so much comfort to remember that all the things she cares about (“poetry, beauty, romance, love…”) are still there and with nowhere to go – it’s probably both.
By now, you know W Spotlight girls LOVE classics and old cinema. Andie brings us another good choice, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Demy, 1964). This entirely musical love story from Jacques Demy is one of her all-time favourites, and a certified winter classic. Bursting with beautiful bright colours in every scene (not to mention the iconic outfits worn by Catherine Deneuve in her breakout role) there’s not a moment you won’t be captivated by this bittersweet romance.
Mar adds to the musical oldies with her choice of The Sound of Music (Wise, 1965). The Sound of Music is a wintertime classic, offering warmth and nostalgia through its heartwarming story, stunning Alpine scenery, and timeless songs like “My Favorite Things.” With themes of family, love, and resilience, it’s a cozy, comforting watch that feels just like a holiday tradition.
Then, back to more recent years, recent for sure as this next choice has not released everywhere just yet but add it to your list for future watches. Giorgia recommends Vermiglio (Delpero, 2024). Vermiglio is a new entry between her winter favourites. 1944, a remote mountain village in northern Italy and a family. a quite space of time where nothing and everything happens together. a movie that feels so much real in its way of describing life and the world it takes place in. breathtaking photography, too.
A hit with Andie last year, and Hailey too, she recommends Eileen (Oldroyd, 2023). When Andie saw Eileen in theatres last year, she knew immediately it would be one of her go-to winter watches in years to come. As someone obsessed with the original novel by Ottessa Moshfegh, this checks off so many of her favourite things: a cold and gritty 1960s setting, a female protagonist who’s kind of a loser, and Anne Hathaway as a blonde femme fatale. Just watch it already, please.
A movie that feels like a warm cup of coffee on a cold and snowy winter day - so cold, so warm at the same time. Giorgia’s last recommendation for your winter watchlist is Moonlit Winter (Dae-hyung, 2019). A cup of coffee that is full of dreams, love letters, memories and the passing of time. The film is a gem that’s been hiding under the snow - literally - and truly needs to be re-discovered.
Let’s end the winter watchlist with one that, could also be considered Christmas-y, is a fan favourite and one that’s always on the TV this time of year. Lara D recommends The Holiday (Meyers, 2006). This movie is like a cozy blanket and a warm cup of hot chocolate and there’s nothing else to it.
As always, let us know if you've watched any of the films or if you have your own suggestions for a winter watchlist, we love adding to ours! Enjoy the season and stay tuned for our Christmas films coming up!
Poster credits to IMDb, Wikipedia and Mashable India.