10 winter films that have nothing to do with Christmas

Although December brings plenty of activities we can enjoy outdoors, such as visiting Advent markets or going skiing, winter is by far the best season for curling up under a blanket and diving into film marathons with good food and a warm drink. Many people use these moments to slip into the holiday spirit by watching their favorite Christmas and New Year films.

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However, even though the holiday season has its charms, sometimes we need a break from the lights and Christmas songs that seem to follow us everywhere from late November. If you want to enjoy the beauty of winter without the holiday focus, here is a selection of 10 winter films that have nothing to do with Christmas yet feel just as magical.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Wes Anderson is known for his enchanting cinematography, which shines in The Grand Budapest Hotel. His storytelling is highly specific and playful, adding a touch of surrealism to his work. This is a charming and fast paced comedy that follows a hotel concierge in the fictional land of Zubrowka, Mr. Gustave, who is devoted to the hotel and its guests. When one of the regular guests dies under mysterious circumstances, Gustave becomes entangled in a series of unfortunate events as he tries to uncover the truth behind her death. The film is light, charming and very entertaining, set in a cold snow covered land that proves winter can feel warm and comforting.

© 2014 – Fox Searchlight Pictures

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming of age film beloved by teenagers and adults alike. Based on Stephen Chbosky’s novel, which sat on the shelves of every indie teen and became a key element of the tumblr aesthetic, the film is just as brilliant and resonates with audiences as strongly as it did on the first day. Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, the story follows fifteen year old Charlie, an outsider struggling with past trauma, shyness and loneliness. When he accidentally finds himself in the company of the bold Sam and Patrick, Charlie finally begins to feel a sense of belonging. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is not a typical high school film, as it deals with themes that people of all ages can relate to, including violence, solitude, mental health and relationships. Although it contains winter elements and even a Christmas party, it is far from holiday cheer and warmth. At times it is heavy and sad but absolutely worth watching.

© 2011 – Summit Entertainment, LLC.

La sociedad de la nieve (2023)

La sociedad de la nieve is another dramatic story of survival in the winter wilderness, based on true events. In 1972 a tragedy occurred in the Andes when a group of Uruguayan rugby players, along with family members and friends, found themselves stranded after a plane crash that left them stuck in the icy mountains far from civilization. The film explores moral dilemmas and the psychological limits of people facing death. Shot in stunning snowy landscapes, it is filled with tension. Through the hardships the characters endure, La sociedad de la nieve portrays human strength, solidarity and the darker reality of the decisions they are forced to make on the edge of life and death. The excellent cast includes Enzo Vogrinčić, an actor of Slovenian origin.

© 2022 Netflix, Inc.

The Shining (1980)

One of the horror films I could probably watch a million times is The Shining, adapted from Stephen King’s novel of the same name. This cult classic perfectly depicts a harsh winter that isolates people, creating a cold and unsettling atmosphere ideal for stories that send chills down your spine. What makes The Shining so compelling is that it scares not through monsters and jump scares but through the human psyche and the feeling of isolation and loneliness. It poses the question of how far the human mind can go without connection to the outside world. Although that slow descent into madness is portrayed more thoroughly in the novel, The Shining is just as powerful on screen and offers the perfect amount of snow for all winter lovers.

© 1980 Courtesy Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.

If I Stay (2014)

If I Stay is another adaptation of a novel, although interestingly the film received better reviews. The narrative moves between past and present, making the story at times endlessly warm and beautiful and at others absolutely heartbreaking. Mia is a talented cellist with a bright future at Juilliard, but after her family is involved in a car accident that leaves her in a coma, she experiences a painful out of body state. She must decide whether it is worth continuing a life that will be entirely different from the one she has loved so far.

© 2014 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Metro-Goldwin-Mayer Picture inc.

Celebration (2024)

Celebration is the debut film by Bruno Anković, which premiered in Karlovy Vary and went on to win several awards at the Pula Film Festival, including Best Film. Based on the novel by Damir Karakaš, it takes the viewer on a journey through the harsh reality of war, scarcity and political turmoil between 1926 and 1945. Through a retrospective narrative we witness three pivotal moments in the life of soldier Mijo, traumatic experiences that shaped his extremist beliefs. It is one of the darker films on this list but it will not leave you indifferent.

A Man Named Otto (2022)

A Man Named Otto is an adaptation of the bestselling novel by Fredrik Backman, known for writing touching and humorous stories about human relationships. Set in cold Sweden, the film follows an equally cold and grumpy man whose neighbors avoid him. He prefers it that way because he genuinely cannot stand inconsiderate people or people who run. But not everything is as it seems. We soon learn that Otto, known as Ove in the original novel, is not only harsh and cynical but also a man whose tender side quickly won over many viewers and readers. With the charming Tom Hanks in the role, it is nearly impossible to watch this film without a smile.

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Anatomie d’une chute (2023)

Anatomie d’une chute is a tense and emotional drama about a successful writer who faces the tragic death of her husband. Although everything suggests the death was an accident, the circumstances of his fall are suspicious and raise the question of whether Sandra herself is responsible. The film examines family relationships, while moral dilemmas and emotional battles intersect with the issue of personal responsibility. As Sandra tries to prove her innocence, her actions, her relationship with her son and the mystery surrounding her husband’s death reveal the complexity of human emotion and raise the question of what it means to be guilty or innocent. The film focuses on psychological development, and the truth is gradually revealed through the trial, making the drama even more gripping.

Neon

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

A beach covered in snow becomes a place in Joel’s subconscious in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The film can be described as a romantic winter story, although unlike typical romantic comedies it explores the other side of love such as pain, sadness and loneliness. When Joel learns that his ex girlfriend Clementine erased him from her memory with the help of a team of doctors who offer forgetfulness as a cure for heartbreak, he decides to do the same. The result is a sad yet beautiful story about the power of love and the healing of broken hearts.

Focus Features

I, Tonya (2017)

I, Tonya is a dynamic biographical drama that follows the life of Tonya Harding, an American Olympic skater known not only for her talent but also for the controversies that surrounded her. Although a sports drama, the film delves into themes of violence and public perception and shows how easy it is to become a victim of your own ambitions. Margot Robbie received an Oscar nomination for her performance, and Harding herself said that the resemblance between them was remarkable. I, Tonya is a film about how the media and society shape people’s lives, often without understanding all the factors that influence their decisions, and it aims to present the truthful story of Tonya Harding after all these years.

© 2017 – NEON