Winter movies to hibernate with

When winter tightens its grip on Kingston, these four films are here to help you embrace the snow.

With winter well underway, it can start to feel like the weather is running the show. Between unplowed sidewalks and early mornings that require braving –20 degrees Celsius temperatures just to get to class, the season has a way of shrinking daily life to the indoors. When leaving the house feels optional at best, there’s no better time to settle in with hot chocolate, a blanket, and a movie that embraces winter rather than fighting it.

Fargo (1996)

Few films use snow as effectively as Fargo. Set across the frozen landscapes of Minnesota and North Dakota, the Coen brothers’ crime classic follows Jerry Lundegaard, a financially desperate car salesman who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife in hopes of extorting ransom money from his wealthy father-in-law. The plan quickly collapses, leaving behind a trail of increasingly senseless violence that draws the attention of Marge Gunderson, a soft-spoken but sharp police chief investigating the case.

The vast, snow-covered setting heightens the film’s sense of isolation, emphasizing the characters’ smallness against an indifferent Midwestern landscape. Despite its grim subject matter, Fargo balances cruelty with dark humour and humanity, anchored by Frances McDormand’s warm, unassuming performance as Marge.

The Thing (1982)

For viewers drawn to winter’s more unsettling side, The Thing turns isolation into pure dread. John Carpenter’s sci-fi horror classic is set at an Antarctic research station, where a shape-shifting alien infiltrates a small team of scientists, perfectly imitating its victims. As paranoia spreads, the group is forced to confront the terrifying possibility that anyone among them could be the creature in disguise.

The frozen setting amplifies every moment of tension. With the station completely cut off from the outside world, there is no escape, no rescue, and no certainty. The relentless cold traps the characters indoors, where close quarters and mistrust push paranoia to a breaking point. The Thing is a chilling masterclass in suspense, best watched on the darkest nights of the season.

The Holdovers (2023)

In contrast, The Holdovers presents winter as a time of reflection rather than fear. Set during a snowbound holiday break at a New England boarding school, the film follows a curmudgeonly teacher, a troubled student, and a grieving cook who are left behind when the campus empties out for the holidays.

Shot with a distinct ’70s aesthetic, winter feels gentle and nostalgic here. The Holdovers captures the emotional stillness of the season, proving that even when the world is at its coldest, warmth can always be found through connection.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel offers a more whimsical winter escape. Set in a fictional alpine country, the film follows the adventures of a devoted hotel concierge and his protégé as they navigate theft, imprisonment, and political upheaval. Snow-covered mountains, pastel palettes, and meticulous symmetry create a storybook version of winter.

While the narrative moves briskly, Anderson’s distinctive style uses winter as a backdrop for deep themes of friendship as well as fascism. It’s a visually rich choice for those dim evenings when what you really need is a bit of brightness.

Winter can feel harsh, cozy, whimsical, and isolating all at once. Together, these films reflect the many moods the season can occupy, making them ideal companions for winter’s long nights indoors, no matter what kind of cold you’re settling into.