It’s mid-February, and the Canadian winter has finally caught up to us. If you don’t feel like going outside in the bitter cold, why not cozy up to some great winter-themed movies? They can remind you of how fun winter can be, or that it could always be worse. Here is a list of my favorite snowy day flicks. Not all of them are ranked fresh on rotten tomatoes, but hopefully this list covers whatever you’re in the mood for: something silly, scary, moving or musical!
1. Frozen (2013): All the ingredients needed for a snowy day film. An icy-cool queen, an eternal winter, a talking snowman, a song about building a snowman, an ice palace, and a reindeer.
2. Force Majeure (2014): If you are in the mood for a sophisticated, foreign film, this Swedish drama is an excellent choice. The film pairs gorgeous imagery of the French Alps with a thought-provoking story about a father’s reaction to an avalanche, and the unravelling effect it has on the family dynamic.
3. Score: A Hockey Musical (2010): An endearing genre hybrid that’s 100% Canadian! The singing-as-talking format is quite cheesy, but that’s what makes it fun! It’s pleasing to see movie that was not only filmed in Canada, but actually takes place in Canada, combines our national sport with song and dance numbers, and features some great Canadian celeb cameos.
4. Happy Feet (2006): Cute penguins singing and dancing to popular songs. What more could you ask for?
5. Breakaway (2011): Yes, another Canadian film about hockey! The film’s focus on a Sikh-Canadian hockey team trying to make it big is a wonderful representation of our country’s multiculturalism. And while the story doesn’t actually take place during the winter, the Bollywood inspired figure skating scene in front of the Taj Mahal is pretty cool!
6. Edward Scissorhands (1990): One of the best Burton/Depp collaborations, the film is told as a bedtime story explaining where snow comes from. Watching Edward carve his ice sculptures makes you feel as whimsical as Kim does dancing under the falling ice shavings. Plus, any reason to watch this classic film is a good one.
7. The Shining (1980): Seeing Jack Nicolson go crazy with cabin fever in the dead of winter will hopefully prevent you from going crazy yourself. At the very least, someone is hating the cold more than you are.
8. Ice Age (2002): The perfect film to cheer yourself up after realizing it’s way too cold to leave your house. It’s fun, it’s light, and has a touching story. And who can forget Scrat, the loveable squirrel who just wants his acorn? That never gets old.
9. Snow Day (2000): Every kid’s dream: school is cancelled, it’s a snow day! This film is fun to watch because it reminds you of the advantages of growing up in Canada: getting that precious day off because of the snow. An Added bonus: this movie was filmed in Alberta and features Canadian actress Emmanuelle Chriqui!
10. Blades of Glory (2007): A great film to laugh the winter blues away: Will Ferrell and Jon Hader figure skating together. It’s your typical over-the-top Will Ferrell movie, but it’s hilarious and perfect for winding down after trudging through the snow to and from school or work.
I hope these films inspire you to have some winter-time fun, or give you something to do while you stay nice and cozy indoors!
-Julia
1. Frozen (2013): All the ingredients needed for a snowy day film. An icy-cool queen, an eternal winter, a talking snowman, a song about building a snowman, an ice palace, and a reindeer.
2. Force Majeure (2014): If you are in the mood for a sophisticated, foreign film, this Swedish drama is an excellent choice. The film pairs gorgeous imagery of the French Alps with a thought-provoking story about a father’s reaction to an avalanche, and the unravelling effect it has on the family dynamic.
3. Score: A Hockey Musical (2010): An endearing genre hybrid that’s 100% Canadian! The singing-as-talking format is quite cheesy, but that’s what makes it fun! It’s pleasing to see movie that was not only filmed in Canada, but actually takes place in Canada, combines our national sport with song and dance numbers, and features some great Canadian celeb cameos.
4. Happy Feet (2006): Cute penguins singing and dancing to popular songs. What more could you ask for?
5. Breakaway (2011): Yes, another Canadian film about hockey! The film’s focus on a Sikh-Canadian hockey team trying to make it big is a wonderful representation of our country’s multiculturalism. And while the story doesn’t actually take place during the winter, the Bollywood inspired figure skating scene in front of the Taj Mahal is pretty cool!
6. Edward Scissorhands (1990): One of the best Burton/Depp collaborations, the film is told as a bedtime story explaining where snow comes from. Watching Edward carve his ice sculptures makes you feel as whimsical as Kim does dancing under the falling ice shavings. Plus, any reason to watch this classic film is a good one.
7. The Shining (1980): Seeing Jack Nicolson go crazy with cabin fever in the dead of winter will hopefully prevent you from going crazy yourself. At the very least, someone is hating the cold more than you are.
8. Ice Age (2002): The perfect film to cheer yourself up after realizing it’s way too cold to leave your house. It’s fun, it’s light, and has a touching story. And who can forget Scrat, the loveable squirrel who just wants his acorn? That never gets old.
9. Snow Day (2000): Every kid’s dream: school is cancelled, it’s a snow day! This film is fun to watch because it reminds you of the advantages of growing up in Canada: getting that precious day off because of the snow. An Added bonus: this movie was filmed in Alberta and features Canadian actress Emmanuelle Chriqui!
10. Blades of Glory (2007): A great film to laugh the winter blues away: Will Ferrell and Jon Hader figure skating together. It’s your typical over-the-top Will Ferrell movie, but it’s hilarious and perfect for winding down after trudging through the snow to and from school or work.
I hope these films inspire you to have some winter-time fun, or give you something to do while you stay nice and cozy indoors!
-Julia
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