This post is all about cozy winter movies.
Winter weather can get brutal, especially paired with the lack of daylight. It’s important to do whatever you can to make life enjoyable for you. If that means “doing nothing”, then do that. Listen to yourself and indulge in that self-care, even if only for a few hours.
Besides, who doesn’t love the chance to snuggle up on a snow day and just binge-watch movies with a mug of hot chocolate?! I definitely wouldn’t pass up on that. One of my favorite things to do is watch a movie that matches the mood of that day.
To eliminate your decision fatigue, I’ve compiled these 9 cozy winter movies so you have your list all ready to go. This list is full of holiday classics, romances, animated films, and more! All you need to do now is grab your blankets, light the candles, and make your hot drink of choice!
This post is all about cozy winter movies.
Cozy Winter Movies
1) Before I Fall
Synopsis: After unexpectedly dying in a car crash, Samantha Kingston wakes up to relive her last day over and over again. Before her life abruptly ended she seemed to have it all: popularity, best friends, and a good future. Sam relives her last day and realizes how powerful our actions in even one day can truly be.
I found out about this movie originally through book club when I was in high school. As Sam solves the mystery of her death, her life turns out to not be as it seems. The way you can live one day in so many different ways, especially knowing it’s her last day, is such a cool concept to me.
Before I Fall takes place on Valentine’s Day so it’ll definitely remind you of winter. I love the change in Sam from beginning to end and the truths that reveal themselves, I end up rewatching it every winter!
Where to Watch: DVD
2) Anatasia
Synopsis: The royal Romanov family in Russia is hexed by the evil wizard Rasputin. When the palace is overrun, Anastasia becomes an orphan, separated from her family during their escape. Years later, the Grand duchess offers a reward to anyone who can reunite her with Anatasia in Paris. Planning to fool her and collect the reward, two conmen hire Anatasia, not knowing she’s the real princess.
Disney probably wishes they made this one since it’s one of the best-animated princess romances. The film has great songs like Once Upon a December and Journey to the Past, Anastasia and Dmitri have crazy chemistry, and it’s genuinely funny. I think about scenes from this movie all the time, it’s just that memorable.
This is the kind of movie I’d watch any time of year for that reason. However, it’s a great watch during a snowy season because of its setting in the snow and cold as well. At least you’ll be cozy and, trust me, the movie will warm your heart too.
Where to Watch: Disney+, DVD
3) Little Women
Synopsis: Little Women is a story chronicling the lives of a family during the years after the Civil War. The oldest is Meg who’s barely making ends meet in her new marriage. Jo is pursuing a career as a writer in New York. While studying painting in Paris, Amy runs into their childhood friend Laurie, who had proposed to Jo and was rejected. The youngest and most demure sister, Beth, is struck with an illness that brings the family together once more.
It took me a while to watch this movie and I’m not sure why! Maybe it’s because I tend to not like reading American classics, but I kept seeing clips online of the adaptation and caved. I’ve only watched the 2019 version so that’s the one I’m recommending.
The cast is full of some of my favorite actors like Florence Pugh and Timothee Chalamet and this story is timeless for a reason. I’m noticing that the best things to watch in winter are more than holiday-themed films. It’s the ones that, despite how cold it may be outside, never fail to warm your heart and comfort you. I think Little Women is one of those movies.
Where to Watch: DVD
4) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Synopsis: Four siblings move to a country house for safety during the World War II bombings of London. While exploring the house one day Lucy finds a wardrobe that brings her to the magical world of Narnia. Enchanted, she returns and brings along her brothers, Peter and Edmund, and her sister Susan. They then join up with the lion Aslan in the fight to defeat the evil witch who set an eternal winter.
The Chronicles of Narnia (2005) is probably the most perfectly balanced cozy winter movie. It’s filled with charm, nostalgia, and comfort characters. There’s not much better than immersing yourself in a magical world unlike our own. Why not then on your snow day this winter?!
Where to Watch: Disney+, DVD
5) Chalet Girl
Synopsis: To support her dad, Kim takes a job working at an exclusive ski resort. There she learns to snowboard and becomes so skilled that she’s a major contender for a high-stakes competition she enters. Things grow to be complicated, however, as she becomes closer to her unavailable boss.
If you’re looking for a light, fun snowy romance you should watch this one! It seems to have a typical plot but it’s truly inspiring and lovely. It’s a story about overcoming fears and having courage, set in a wintery place.
Where to Watch: YouTube, Tubi, DVD
6) How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Synopsis: The Grinch lives on a snowy mountain, far away from the citizens of Whoville. That’s how The Grinch prefers it, but every year around Christmas they annoy him to no end with their good cheer. This leads to the most devious plan by The Grinch. If he can’t stop their joyful singing and celebrations, he should simply steal the holiday itself.
I had to include a holiday classic, I just had to! Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, there’s something special about the original animated version of The Grinch that gives me chills every time. Plus, who doesn’t love The Grinch’s chaotic pessimism towards Christmas, it’s so entertaining.
Where to Watch: DVD
7) Cold Mountain
Synopsis: During the Civil War, W.P. Inman, a wounded Confederate soldier deserts his unit to make his way home to his young wife, Ada. The journey home is difficult and dangerous but Inman is determined. Meanwhile, Ada struggles to look after their home and farm alone.
The whole time watching this movie you’ll probably be rooting for Ada and Inman to reunite. In this, you can really see how cold and lonely winter can be yet their love and devotion give them armor and resilience.
It’s on the heavier side compared to light-hearted watches like Chalet Girl, but I’d consider it a cozy winter movie all the same. Plus, the piano scores for this film are beautiful!
Where to Watch: DVD
8) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Synopsis: After going through a hard breakup, Clementine undergoes a procedure to forget the memories of her ex-boyfriend Joel. When Joel realizes that she went to extremes to erase him, he does the same. He begins to forget the woman he once loved.
This movie is uniquely captivating in terms of the visuals, plot, characters, etc. Breakups can be painful, so much so that it seems like the wound may never heal. It’s interesting to see how complex relationships can be and how losing someone affects us.
I’m due for a rewatch of this, so it’s on my winter movie list too! Even though much time has passed, I was so struck by the story and everything intertwined that it still resonates.
Where to Watch: Prime, DVD
9) Bridget Jones’s Diary
Synopsis: Wanting change and a new life, on New Year’s Eve 32-year-old Bridget Jones decides to do just that, and start keeping a diary.
I just had to include this film from it snowing in the beginning, to Christmas parties, and Bridget (Renee Zellweger) singing “All By Myself” by Celine Dion so masterfully at the very start of the film.
By that song alone, I knew I was in for a good watch. I also feel like Bridget is one of the most realistic/relatable protagonists I’ve seen in a while on screen. It’s such a comforting movie, I felt compelled to make hot chocolate even though it was September.
I made the drink anyway– loved it, of course– and the movie too.
Where to Watch: Paramount+, DVD
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Self-care doesn’t have to be superficial, and it can most certainly be lazy and cozy. The colder the weather, the cozier you can get!
Even though it’s cold out and the dark of winter can be unbearable, stories like these give us that spark we may need to smile! I don’t know about you but I can’t wait for some winter snow and my chance to stay at home.
This post was all about cozy winter movies.
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