Snowy and icy scenes serve as the backdrop for a surprising number of horror movies, making them essential winter viewing. The degree to which freezing weather plays a crucial role in a film's horrors varies. For horror films like Frozen and The Last Winter, the cold weather is a constant reminder of the life and death obstacles facing the film's protagonists. On the other hand, the icy location in a film like Let the right person in helps illuminate essential themes of isolation and despair.
The contrast between the winter climate and the events of horror films is also highlighted in some films. The near silence that accompanies the falling snow and the blank white canvas of freshly laid snow is strikingly opposite to the panicked screams of the protagonists and the spill of bright red blood. From classic horror films like The Shining and The thing to more recent ones like Werewolves Within, there are plenty of hair-raising films to watch on a cold winter's night.
10
The Abominable Snowman (1957)
People embark on an expedition in search of the Yeti
Nigel Kneale serves as screenwriter for The Abominable Snowmanwhich is based on his 1955 television play. Although the play received mixed reviews from critics, Kneale was determined to bring the story to life on the big screen. From Hammer Films, The Abominable Snowman sees a British scientist accompanying an American expedition in search of the famous Yeti creatures. Unlike many of the other films listed The Abominable Snowman utilizes many constructed sets and artificial snow.
While this and the film's slow pace risk alienating audiences, a well-crafted thriller keeps them hooked. There is an extremely mysterious atmosphere that lasts until the end of the film, which is largely due to the creative depiction of the Yeti. The creatures are kept off-screen for much of the film to create tension and keep the audience guessing as to what their true motives are.
9
The Last Winter (2006)
Environmentalists face an unexpected fight against nature
Social and environmental commentary in horror films is one of the best ways to add depth and reasoning behind a series of murders or acts of violence that might otherwise be a stretch. In The Last WinterA group of environmentalists and oil workers face the wrath of nature by building an ice road in the Arctic. The Last Winter It has a low budget and was originally going to be installed in an area with more trees.
This setting would give the film a claustrophobic feel, but the vast, flat landscape used draws attention to how alone and isolated the film's characters are from the rest of the world. The Last WinterDue to its solid script and impressive cast, it tells a story with a lot of tension and emotion.
8
30 Days of Night (2007)
Residents fight voracious vampires
30 days of night takes place in an Alaskan town experiencing a 30-day polar night. In the film, Sheriff Eben Oleson (Josh Hartnett) works with the town's remaining residents to stay safe from an emerging group of vampires hoping to take advantage of the phenomenon. Compared to most vampire films, 30 days of night has a relatively new premise with vampire antagonists who are unique in their abilities and terrifying design.
The vampires in 30 days of night They communicate through screams and high-pitched clicks and are equipped with soulless black eyes and sharp teeth. These vampires are a challenging opponent for Eben and the others, and the film doesn't shy away from the bloody consequences of their confrontations. The bloody mess everywhere 30 days of night it is a stark contrast to the bright white background provided by the Alaskan city.
7
The Gray (2011)
People must survive against a pack of hungry wolves
Although not strictly classified as a horror film, The graystarring Liam Neeson, it certainly has its moments of pure terror. The film follows a group of oil workers who must survive a pack of gray wolves after their plane crashes. The harsh winter, combined with the threat of dangerous animals, leads to a tense fight for survival until the last scene of the film.
The grayJohn Ottway is one of Neeson's best action characters as he is determined and willing to do whatever it takes to stay safe. Combined with The grayThe heart-pounding action scenes are quieter moments where the audience becomes familiar with the film's main group of characters. These moments allow the audience to make connections and become invested, ensuring that the tense life and death scenes are even more difficult.
6
The Shining (1980)
Strange occurrences happen in a remote hotel
Easily one of the best-known film adaptations of Stephen King's work, The Shining follows Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) during the winter as he runs the Overlook Hotel in the snowy Colorado mountains alongside his wife (Shelley Duvall) and son (Danny Lloyd). Many of The ShiningThe film's most memorable scenes take place inside the famous hotel, but it's the wintry weather outside that keeps its characters trapped indoors, which has serious effects on their minds.
Although King vehemently criticized Stanley Kubrick's interpretations, the film still presents an enduring story about isolation and the destructive behaviors that arise as a result. The film features some impressive and career-defining performances from actors like Nicholson and Duvall. The ShiningThe iconic quotes, both chilling and darkly humorous, and the use of jump scares have allowed the film to become a favorite among horror fans.
5
Werewolves Within (2021)
A group of arrested individuals suspect someone of being a werewolf
Among all the famous creatures associated with the horror genre, werewolves are the least likely to have a movie about them. So when a werewolf movie is made, and it's good, it's a big deal. One of the recent successful werewolf films is the horror-comedy hybrid Werewolves insidewhich is set in a small snowy Vermont town. The film is based on the video game of the same name and is one of the best horror films of 2021.
The premise of the film is simple and follows a group of people trapped in a snowstorm and suspecting that one of them is a werewolf. The chaos that ensues is equal parts hilarious and horrifying.. Although the characters are funny and not meant to be taken seriously, Werewolves inside it still has a large number of scares and emotional beats.
4
Frozen (2010)
Friends get stuck on a ski lift in freezing weather
Not to be confused with the Disney animated film of the same name, Adam Green's gripping horror film Frozen is one of the simplest yet effective horror films of recent years. The film follows three friends riding a ski lift for the last time before the ski resort closes for a week in response to a severe weather warning. Stuck on the cable car with no hope of getting off, Frozen explores the range of disparate behaviors and emotional reactions to life-threatening circumstances.
If it isn't the hungry pack of wolves waiting for them on the ground that will kill them, it will be the relentlessly bitter weather conditions that will. Despite the lack of CGI, menacing serial killers, or any location other than the cable car, Frozen is still highly effective at giving horror fans a shiver down their spine. The realistic setting and plausible reactions of the lost individuals allow the audience to imagine themselves in the same situation.
3
Let the Right One In (2008)
A vampire and a boy connect over their loneliness
The cold weather in Swedish film Let the right person in acts as the perfect setting for a story about isolation. Working as both a novel and a horror film, Let the right person in tells the story of two children, Oskar and Eli, who live next door to each other and form an unlikely bond. The scares throughout the film are effective but restrained and are consciously placed throughout the film to show the progression of Oskar and Eli's deadly actions.
At the heart of the film, despite the gory images and disturbing behavior of the film's main characters, is a story about connection and acting with safe methods of survival. In making the film, the screenwriter and author of the book on which the film is based, John Ajvide Lindqvist, stripped the story of many of its supporting elements, focusing primarily on Oskar and Eli's growing relationship.
2
Misery (1990)
An obsessed fan holds her favorite author hostage
Based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King Misery is a fascinating horror tale about obsession. The film chronicles the events that take place after author Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is in a car accident and is held captive by an obsessive fan, Annie Wilkes, until a blizzard passes through the area. However, Annie's intentions towards Paul change when she discovers that he is killing off her favorite character in his next novel.
The character of Annie is magnificently brought to life by Kathy Bates in an Oscar-winning performance that sees the character move quickly between caring caregiver and dangerously passionate captor. Bates is one of the most chilling villains in horror films due to her unpredictable behavior, including one of the Miserythe most brutal scenes involving a sledgehammer. However Misery is more concerned with the confines of Annie's remote home than the snow outside, the cold weather being the reason she crosses paths with Paul in the first place.
1
The Thing (1982)
Researchers find a strange and deadly creature
One of John Carpenter's best, The thing It's a horror film that never gets old. The film tells the story of a research team in Antarctica who encounter the titular antagonist. The infamous Thing is an extraterrestrial creature with shape-shifting abilities that inflicts a strong sense of paranoia on the members of the research team. The concern is whether any of the researchers could be the Thing, which results in brutal action scenes and an overall nihilistic tone throughout the film.
The cynicism and special graphic effects were panned by critics upon initial release, but The thing It has thankfully evolved into a cult classic, earning retrospective reviews that are more appreciative of these elements. While the vast landscape surrounding the research station draws attention to how isolated the crew is from othersa lot of The thing It feels claustrophobic. This feeling, accompanied by the memory of the cold weather outside, adds layers of risk to the character's fight for survival.