25 Winter Movies for Adults: Movie Nights in Winter

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Here are 25 winter movies for adults to watch curled up in a blanket on the couch for movie night.

Winter Movies for Adults

Are you planning a movie night during the Winter season and don’t know which movies to watch?

Well, this list is just what you need. Here are 25 hand picked winter movies to watch for a cozy movie night curled up in a blanket on the couch.

These movies evoke the feelings of the Winter season: Bone-chilling cold, cozy sweaters, the New Years and Christmas holidays, and lots and lots of snow!

No children’s animated films on this list! This is a list of winter movies for adults.

There is a FREE movie checklist you can download to keep track of what you want to see.

Links included below to the where the movies are streaming FREE (where available).

Read to the end for BONUS movies streaming FREE

winter movies for adults checklist

What information is provided about each of the Winter movies in this selection?

  • The movie title and release year of the movie
  • Image of movie
  • A list of actors in the movie
  • Link to movie on IMDb – For movie reviews, where to stream, ratings, trailers and lots more.
  • A movie summary

Cozy Up On the Couch with These 25 Winter Movies for Movie Night

1. The Thing (1982)

  • Actors: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: The Thing on IMDb

An Antarctic research team encounters a deadly, shape-shifting alien life form that can assume the identity of anyone it consumes. The relentless, frozen wilderness only heightens the isolation and fear as paranoia spreads among the team members.

2. Fargo (1996)

  • Actors: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Fargo on IMDb

A bungled kidnapping plot spirals into chaos, forcing a pregnant police chief to track down the perpetrators in her small, snow-covered town. The harsh, wintry Minnesota landscape serves as a fittingly cold backdrop to the darkly comic and violent story.

3. Wind River (2017)

  • Actors: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Gil Birmingham
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Wind River on IMDb

A tracker and an FBI agent team up to solve the murder of a young woman found on a remote Wyoming reservation. Set against the unforgiving winter wilderness, the snowbound scenery mirrors the bleak and chilling mystery at the heart of the story.

4. The Snowman (2017)

  • Actors: Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: The Snowman on IMDb

A detective investigates a series of grisly murders in Oslo, discovering that each crime is marked by a mysterious snowman left near the scene. The icy, desolate Norwegian landscape adds a chilling atmosphere that heightens the sense of dread.

5. The Grey (2011)

  • Actors: Liam Neeson, Frank Grillo, Dermot Mulroney
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: The Grey on IMDb
  • Streaming FREE on Tubi

After surviving a plane crash in Alaska, a group of oil workers must navigate harsh wilderness while being hunted by a pack of wolves. The brutal, freezing environment becomes as much of a threat as the wolves, emphasizing the raw struggle for survival.

6. Snowpiercer (2013)

  • Actors: Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Snowpiercer on IMDb
  • Streaming FREE on Tubi

In a future where Earth has frozen over, the last remnants of humanity survive on a perpetually moving train divided by class. The relentless, eternal winter outside the train reinforces the stark and oppressive conditions within.

7. The Shining (1980)

  • Actors: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: The Shining on IMDb

A family’s winter caretaking job at a remote mountain hotel turns into a nightmare as supernatural forces prey on the father’s mental state. The desolate, snowbound setting amplifies the hotel’s eerie isolation, intensifying the horror as winter traps them inside.

8. The Lodge (2019)

  • Actors: Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell, Lia McHugh
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: The Lodge on IMDb
  • Streaiming FREE on Tubi

A soon-to-be stepmother is stranded in a winter cabin with her fiancé’s two children, but eerie occurrences unravel their trust in one another. The remote, snow-covered landscape adds to the oppressive, claustrophobic atmosphere as tensions build.

9. A Simple Plan (1998)

  • Actors: Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, Bridget Fonda
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: A Simple Plan on IMDb

Two brothers and a friend stumble upon a bag of cash in the snowy Minnesota wilderness, leading to greed-fueled paranoia and betrayal. The stark, wintry surroundings reflect the chilling descent into moral compromise and desperation.

10. Arctic (2018)

  • Actors: Mads Mikkelsen, Maria Thelma Smáradóttir
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Arctic on IMDb

A man stranded in the Arctic wilderness after a plane crash must fight for survival and make hard choices in the harsh, frozen landscape. The unforgiving cold and relentless isolation of the Arctic push him to his physical and mental limits.

11. Winter’s Bone (2010)

  • Actors: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Garret Dillahunt
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Winter’s Bone on IMDb
  • Streaming FREE on Tubi

A determined young woman in the Ozarks sets out to find her missing father to protect her family from losing their home. The bleak, wintry setting underscores her relentless struggle for survival and the harsh realities of life in her rural community.

12. The Revenant (2015)

  • Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: The Revenant on IMDb

A frontiersman left for dead after a brutal bear attack battles the frozen wilderness to seek revenge on those who abandoned him. The raw, wintry landscape mirrors his fierce resilience and the primal nature of his quest for survival.

13. Transsiberian (2008)

  • Actors: Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer, Ben Kingsley
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Transsiberian on IMDb
  • Streaming FREE on Tubi

A couple’s train journey across Siberia takes a dark turn when they encounter shady travelers and get pulled into a dangerous plot. The snow-laden landscapes of Russia add to the tension, creating an atmosphere of isolation and suspense.

14. Snow Day (2000)

  • Actors: Chevy Chase, Chris Elliott, Mark Webber
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Snow Day on IMDb

A surprise snowstorm grants a group of kids a day off school, leading to adventures, rivalry, and a chance for a boy to win over his crush. The blanket of snow transforms the neighborhood into a playful winter wonderland, capturing the joy and freedom of an unexpected day off.

15. Just Friends (2005)

  • Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, Anna Faris
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Just Friends on IMDb

A successful music executive returns to his snowy hometown for the holidays and reconnects with his high school crush, rekindling old feelings and hilarious mishaps. The festive, wintry setting adds to the cozy holiday charm as romance and comedy ensue.

16. Hanna (2011)

  • Actors: Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Hanna on IMDb

A teenage girl, raised as an assassin in a remote snowy forest, embarks on a dangerous mission across Europe while evading relentless government agents. The icy, isolated landscapes serve as a fitting backdrop to her intense journey of survival and self-discovery.

17. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

A struggling folk musician navigates a harsh New York winter as he faces the bleak reality of his stalled career and broken relationships. The cold, gray atmosphere mirrors his internal struggles, lending a melancholy tone to his journey through the city.

18. Snow Falling on Cedars (1999)

A journalist covering a murder trial in a Pacific Northwest fishing community uncovers secrets tied to love, loss, and prejudice. The snow-covered landscape adds a haunting, quiet beauty, reflecting the emotional depth and tension of the story.

19. 30 Days of Night (2007)

A remote Alaskan town faces a month of darkness during winter, which becomes a feeding ground for a group of vampires. The perpetual night and frigid, snow-covered setting create a terrifyingly bleak atmosphere perfect for horror.

20. Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

Four friends are transported back to the 1980s after a hot tub mishap during a ski trip, giving them a second chance to relive their youth. The snowy, retro ski resort adds a nostalgic and humorous backdrop to their wild time-traveling adventure.

21. Doctor Zhivago (1965)

  • Actors: Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Doctor Zhivago on IMDb
  • Streaming FREE on Tubi

Set against the Russian Revolution, a doctor and poet is torn between his family and a passionate love affair with a political activist. The expansive, wintry Russian landscapes enhance the film’s epic romance and historical scope, mirroring the characters’ intense emotions.

22. Serendipity (2001)

  • Actors: John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Jeremy Piven
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Serendipity on IMDb

Two strangers meet during a magical New York City winter and leave their potential relationship to fate, crossing paths again years later. The festive, snowy Manhattan setting adds to the movie’s romantic charm, making the idea of destiny feel even more enchanting.

23. Dead Snow (2009)

  • Actors: Vegar Hoel, Stig Frode Henriksen, Charlotte Frogner
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Dead Snow on IMDb

A group of friends on a skiing trip in Norway accidentally awaken a battalion of Nazi zombies buried in the snow. The remote, icy landscape turns into a terrifying battleground, blending horror and dark comedy amid the desolate winter scenery.

24. Into the Wild (2007)

  • Actors: Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • Link to movie on IMDb: Into the Wild on IMDb

A young man abandons society to explore the Alaskan wilderness, seeking freedom and a deeper connection with nature. The stunning yet unforgiving snowy landscapes of Alaska underscore both the beauty and danger of his solitary journey.

25. The Cutting Edge (1992)

An unlikely pairing between a former hockey player and a figure skater leads to a rocky but romantic road to the Olympics. The icy rinks and winter training scenes add to the movie’s competitive spirit and charm, setting the stage for romance on and off the ice.

BONUS Winter Movies Streaming FREE on Tubi

Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)
Nothing Like the Holidays (2008)
Winter Wedding (2017)
Winter Solstice (2003)
2307: Winter’s Dream (2016)
Snow Falls (2023)
Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead (2014)
Arctic Void (2022)
Dead of Winter (2014)
The Cutting Edge: Going For The Gold (2006)


Thanks for reading this article for inspiration on the best Winter Movies to Watch on movie night !

Checkout these listicles for more movie night suggestions
20 Family Thanksgiving Movies for Kids of All Ages
25 Best Country Music Movies for Country Western Fans
The Ultimate List of Romantic Comedy Movies

Need a movie to watch with the family for the Christmas Season?
A List of 50 Kids Christmas Movies the Whole Family Can Enjoy

Looking for a movie to watch for New Years?
40 Best Movies to Watch New Years Eve or New Year Day

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winter movies for adults

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