The winter season brings along the perfect atmosphere to cozy up and watch a good movie. Finding time to do this in a busy schedule can be hard, but having a list of set recommendations will help to free up the stress of searching for the perfect movie. This time of the year offers a wide variety of popularized holiday movies that are always a great time, some of the best options being named in the list below. If these have become too repetitive for you over the years there are also just pure winter movies, with no sign of Santa or mistletoes. So when the time comes, snow is falling gently outside, there is a blanket nearby and a crackling fire in the room, turn to one of these movies to round out a relaxing night. 

The Holiday – 

   Amanda is having trouble handling all the things going on in her life. In search of a much-needed break, she turns to the internet where she agrees to the opportunity of a house swap with Iris. Unlucky in love, she too needs to get away for a while. With this, Amanda ends up in a story book cottage of a small English village while Iris takes on Hollywood in the mansion of her dreams. Both, in search of some alone time, find themselves meeting men who will change those plans and their lives forever. This feel good rom-com offers the perfect mix of warm winter and cozy Christmas feels. The characters are easy to fall in love with and interesting to learn about as the movie goes on. One of the best parts about the movie is the settings of each storyline. Whether in California or England, the stories offer more than just two people falling in love. 

Serendipity – 

   On a magical night in New York, Jonathan meets Sara while doing some Christmas shopping. It took them no time at all to fall for eachother but Sara, a true believer in fate, chooses to leave it up to destiny to decide if they should be together. After ten years, and 3,000 miles of distance between them, the two set out to find each other again after getting cold feet in their relationships. This unique romance movie presents love as a magical adventure, the twists and turns to finding their way back to each other. It also displays that the most beautiful quality of the holiday season is people’s ability to open their hearts and connect. It’s clear that the two are soulmates, having only met by chance, or serendipity.

Knives Out –

   Popular crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead in his estate and the circumstances surrounding the death are chilling. Renowned detective Benoit Blanc is called to the case to investigate the traces left behind in a tangled web of secrets and lies. With every twist he is met with there’s one thing he knows for certain, all the members of the unsettling Thrombey family are suspects in the crimes. As each is questioned it’s clear that each character has something to hide. Blanc doesn’t know who to trust with the truth and how to untangle the web of the case. This incredibly casted murder mystery finds a way to be equaling witty and suspenseful. Just when the pieces are starting to click together is when another plot twisting piece of information is introduced. With an unpredictable ending and a completely intriguing plot, this movie will keep you on the edge of your seat until the finality of the case is met.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower –

   15-year-old Charlie is going through his freshman year of high school. Introverted, observant and starting the year off with no one to talk to, he befriends two outgoing seniors, Sam and Patrick, who pull him along into their friend group. Through them, he starts to truly live like the teens around him, going to football games, parties, and dating a pretty girl. Though he likes this girl, the thought of Sam lingers in the back of his mind, in his eyes she’s the one. Apart from growing up, he learns to cope with his best friends suicide while dealing with his hardsome past. Holding up his walls to hide this part of him slowly starts to have its effects as people finally start to notice him. This coming of age classic shows the journey as Charlie slowly starts to blossom from being a wallflower to his own person. You’ll be met with smiles and tears but with that comes comfort.

Daddy’s Home 2 –

   After finally getting used to co-parenting together, father and step father, Dusty and Brad, are trying to make Christmas perfect for their kids. When their fathers with completely opposite personalities arrive to spend the holidays with their families, the dynamic between the dads is tested. With a change in plans, the dad’s decide to book a luxury cabin for a christmas getaway with the family. As they spend more time all together, the cast is sent on chaotic and hilarious adventures making this film the perfect addition to your list of family Christmas movies. The hilarious cast creates a dynamic that is fully entertaining, and the element of creating friendships between people with polar opposite personalities adds to this. When you’re in the mood for a movie of non stop laughs, tune into this one to see one of the most underrated christmas films out there.

The Mighty Ducks – 

   After Gordan Bombay, a self-centered young lawyer, gets arrested for drunk driving, he is forced to take his career down a different path and coach a youth hockey team to fulfill his community service. He has experience on the ice but due to experience with his former coach he is reluctant to fully enter the sport again. As he gets to know the team, he slowly starts to rediscover his love of hockey and its effects are evident. Gordon transforms this ragtag team into one that can actually win a game and together they strive for winning the PeeWee championship. This movie is the first in its franchise, captivating viewers enough to continue following along with the story. As the team grows and becomes closer, a family-like dynamic is created with each of the uniquely funny characters. The character arc that Gordon endures, growing from a distant new coach to a father figure of the players, creates a film that has been adored by fans for over 30 years.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe –

   Four siblings set off to a house in the countryside to escape the World War II bombings in London. One day, while playing a game of hide and seek with her siblings, Lucy walks through an old wardrobe and is transported to a magical world called Narnia. Along with her other siblings, they discover that the world is filled with talking animals and mythical creatures but has been taken over by an evil White Witch, putting the world in a state of perpetual winter. With guidance from a magical lion, Asian, they work together to set Narnia free. The mythical world that this movie explores is completely compelling, it’s hard not to want to escape into it. The sibling dynamic is a driving force to the love of the film as they grow and learn of the hardships of sacrifice. The interactions between all of the characters and the relationships that are built up to the very end make it a heartfelt experience, perfect to watch on a comfy night in.