The 10 Best Movies Set in Snow, According to Letterboxd

The weather isn't the only thing that can give you chills.

With winter on the horizon, it's impossible for most people to go all season without seeing at least a little snow. For some, it can be the playground for a fun-filled day, while for others it can be the catalyst for bad traffic. Either way, cold weather is inevitable, and movies have capitalized on snow in important ways since the dawn of cinema.

Whether a film aims to create a warm, fuzzy feel in a snowy day, like The Wonderful Life, or wants to highlight freezing conditions as a backdrop for something more sinister, like The Shining, Letterboxd ranks The best movies are set to be watched in the snow to match the frigid air outside.

'Misery' (1990)

In Stephen King's 1990 adaptation of Misery, author Paul Sheldon feels free to pity the seemingly helpful hands of Anne Wilkies after a serious car accident on a snowy Colorado road , ultimately proving that Anne Wilkies was an erratic and capricious fan of his work.

In a performance that impressed King, he created the character exclusively for Kathy Bates, Anne Wilkies The image is both harrowing and uplifting. The inevitable snowstorm brewing outside adds to Sheldon's feeling of claustrophobia trapped in bed.

'The Gold Rush' (1925)

Although his technical title in the 1925 silent comedy The Gold Rush was The Lone Prospector, seminal comedian Charlie Chaplin once again brought his iconic portrayal of the tramp to life in a film that The first time he ventured into Alaska in search of gold. The snowy setting becomes the backdrop for memorable characters and longing love.

For a silent film released nearly 100 years ago, "The Gold Rush" lives up to its title and feels rushed. The excitement and creativity behind Chaplin's every joke and physical comedy is contrasted with a strong emotional beat.

'It's A Wonderful Life' (1946)

For the uninitiated, it's a wonderful life that begins with selfless George Bailey on a troubled Christmas Eve when his small business loses everything. As the film progresses, the frustrating things are finally resolved with a new love for life and the iconic Christmas cheer sequence that makes it a favorite of many for Snowy.

There may not be a more classic Christmas movie than "It's a Wonderful Life". James Stewart's lead photo is Primarily remembered as a timeless and heartfelt display of Christmas cheer, many modern assessments explain a darker emotional resonance than remembered. It's a testament to the film's depth and staying power well beyond the typical "Christmas Movie" moniker the film so often earns.

'The Revenant' (2015)

"The Revenant" tells one of the decade's most visceral initiations, following Leonardo DiCaprio as frontiersman Hugh Glass as he avenges a man in a brutal bear beating Then leave him waiting to die.

The snowy setting is elegantly exploited here to accentuate the stark, clear and vivid imagery of the early 1800s countryside. It's no secret that DiCaprio hasn't won an Academy Award for so long in his career, and while that was certainly well-deserved before he played Hugh Glass, "The Revenant" showed him The ultimate acting ability finally allowed him to take home the Oscar Award. gold.

'Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' (1980)

Arguably the greatest of the Star Wars franchises and one of the most influential sci-fi films of all time, The Empire Strikes Back is not usually remembered as being set in the snow, but the ice planet Hoth left opening sequence Some chilly memories, as Luke Skywalker needed to hide in soup to survive the frigid conditions.

While this is revealed by the twist of Darth Vader's "No, I'm your father" to Luke in the climactic battle, the moment was already revelatory in 1980. The risks pay off, elevating the hero's journey from A New Hope to something truly memorable.

'Snowpiercer' (2013)

Set in the dystopian year 2031, Snowpiercer focuses on Earth 17 years later, which has been turned into a desolate wasteland by a disastrous attempt to stop climate change and lead the planet into a new ice age. As the class system evolves on a train where humans still exist, a group of desperate passengers rebel against better conditions.

Director Bong Joon-ho is no stranger to satirizing class differences, with his critically acclaimed film "Parasite" becoming the first non-English-language film to win the Best Picture Oscar, but his efforts in English are perhaps the most visible news transfer. The seemingly outlandish concept the film employs becomes a battleground for sharp social commentary.

'The Hateful Eight' (2015)

Trapped indoors by harsh conditions Blizzard, in The Hateful Eight, eight strangers with unknown motives and deceitful purposes feel in danger inside and out. Featuring Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Samuel L. L. L. and a motley crew of others, the plot quickly unravels under the threat of murderous intent.

Shows a gloomy air of everyone looking out for themselves, which may not be a universal favorite of Quentin Tarantino's work. However, it's his thematic dedication that sets The Hateful Eight apart from his other film work. The director's eighth film will leave audiences with plenty of twists and turns anyway, which certainly makes it a suspenseful mystery.

'The Shining' (1980)

With one of Jack Nicholson's most memorable performances in one of the most tense Stanley Kubrick films, The Shining has become a ubiquitous topic of conversation in horror movies. When Jack Torrence (Nicholson) accepts a temporary winter job at the Overlook Hotel, his isolated wife Wendy and son Danny face the dire situation created by the madness of Jack and the hotel itself.

Kubrick fans certainly have a hard time picking a definitive "best" film from his oeuvre, but The Shining consistently ranks at the top of many lists for its genuine scares, Stunning graphics, intensive drawing and attention to detail. The blizzard brewing around the Overlook Hotel simulated the harsh conditions inside, while the exterior, which ends in a hedge maze, proved to be one of Kubrick's most tense scenes.

'Fargo' (1996)

Fargo is a zany but solid crime thriller/comedy about a meek Minnesota car salesman who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife in order to get out of debt. When the plan fails, the local police chief won't let anything stop her from delivering justice in the snowy town.

The Coen Brothers were masters at escalating situations from the humblest of places, and Fargo may be the pinnacle of that. Many of the laughs in this seemingly serious situation come from the very different demeanor of Minnesota life, and the career-defining ones of Frances McDormand, William H. Macy and Steve Buscemi The acting elevates Fargo to a level that is truly special.

'The Thing' (1982)

While some may prefer the John Carpenter films starring Kurt Russell on the fun side, Snake Pupp from Escape from New York and Big Trouble in Little China respectively Lisken and Jack Burton could never handle R.J. MacReady indeed. The Thing follows MacReady and a team Research scientists in remote Antarctica come face-to-face with an incomprehensible creature that can morph into the shape of its victims.

With revolutionary practical effects, this film really highlights the isolation of winter conditions, and it's no wonder why Letterboxd named it the greatest snow movie of all time. The dreary surroundings leave the grotesque characters with nowhere to go, trapping them in unimaginable terror with no sign of escape.