10 Frozen Horror Movies That Are Perfect For A Chilly Winter Night

Snowy, frigid scenery acts as the backdrop for a surprising number of horror films, making them essential viewing during winter. The degree to which the frosty weather plays a crucial part in the horrors of a film varies. For horror movies like Frozen and The Last Winter, the cold weather is a constant reminder of what life-or-death obstacles lie in front of the film's protagonists. On the other hand, the icy location in a film like Let the Right One In helps drive home essential themes of isolation and desperation.

The contrast between winter weather and horror film events is also highlighted in certain films. The near-silence that accompanies the snowfall and the blank, white canvas of freshly laid snow is strikingly opposite to the screams of panicked protagonists and the bright red bloodshed. From classic horror films like The Shining and The Thing to newer ones like Werewolves Within, there are plenty of hair-raising movies to watch on a chilly, winter night.

10 The Abominable Snowman (1957)

People Embark On An Expedition To Search For The Yeti

Nigel Kneale acts as the screenwriter for The Abominable Snowman, which is based on his 1955 television play. Though the play earned 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 tag along on an American expedition searching for the famous Yeti creatures. Unlike many of the other films listed, The Abominable Snowman utilizes a lot of constructed sets and artificial snow.

While this, and the film's slow pace, risks turning audiences away, a well-crafted suspense keeps them hooked. There's an overwhelmingly eerie atmosphere lingering until the end of the film, which is largely in part due to the creative depiction of the Yeti. The creatures are kept off of the screen for much of the film to build tension and keep audiences guessing what their true motives are.

9 The Last Winter (2006)

Environmentalists Face An Unexpected Fight Against Nature

Social and environmental commentary in horror movies is one of the best ways to add depth and reasoning behind a series of murders or acts of violence that can otherwise be overkill. In The Last Winter, a group of environmentalists and corporate oil workers face nature's wrath when building an ice road in the Arctic. The Last Winter has a low budget and was originally going to be set in an area with more trees.

Such scenery would provide the film with a claustrophobic feel, but the vast, flat landscape that was used instead draws attention to how alone and isolated the film's characters are from the rest of the world. The Last Winter, as a result of its solid script and impressive cast, tells a story with an effective amount of tension and thrills.

8 30 Days Of Night (2007)

Residents Fight Off Ravenous 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 keep 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 fresh premise with vampire antagonists who are unique in their abilities and terrifying design.

The vampires in 30 Days of Night communicate through high-pitched shrieking and clicks and are endowed with soulless black eyes and razor-sharp teeth. These vampires make for a challenging opponent for Eben and the others, and the film doesn't shy away from the gory aftermath of their confrontations. The bloodied mess all through 30 Days of Night is a stark contrast to the bright, white background provided by the Alaskan town.

7 The Grey (2011)

People Must Survive Against A Pack Of Hungry Wolves

Though it's not strictly categorized as a horror movie, The Grey, starring Liam Neeson, certainly has its moments of pure terror. The film follows a group of oil workers who must survive against a pack of grey wolves after their plane has crashed. The harsh winter weather, combined with the threat of the dangerous animals, leads to a fight for survival that is tense until the last scene of the film.

The Grey's John 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 Grey's heart-pounding action scenes are quieter moments where audiences get familiar with the film's core group of characters. These moments allow audiences to make connections and get invested, ensuring the tense life-or-death scenes hit that much harder.

6 The Shining (1980)

Strange Occurrences Take Place At A Remote Hotel

Easily one of the most well-known film adaptations of Stephen King's work, The Shining follows Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) during winter as he takes care of the Overlook Hotel in the snowy Colorado Mountains alongside his wife (Shelley Duvall) and son (Danny Lloyd). Many of The Shining'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 grave effects on their minds.

Though King has been vocal in his criticisms of Stanley Kubrick's interpretations, the film still presents an enduring tale about isolation and the destructive behaviors that arise as a result. The film boasts some impressive, career-defining performances from actors like Nicholson and Duvall. The Shining's iconic quotes, both chilling and grimly humorous, and its use of scares have allowed the film to become a favorite among horror fans.

5 Werewolves Within (2021)

A Group Of Trapped Individuals Suspect Someone Is A Werewolf

Among all the famous creatures associated with the horror genre, werewolves are least likely to have a film about them. Therefore, when a werewolf movie does get made, and it's good, it's a big deal. One of the recent successful werewolf movies is the horror comedy hybrid Werewolves Within, which takes place in a small, snowy Vermont town. The film is based on a video game of the same name and is one of the best horror movies of 2021.

The film's premise is simple and follows a group of people trapped in a snowstorm and suspicious that one of them is a werewolf. The chaos that ensues next is equal parts hilarious and horrifying. Though the characters are humorous and not meant to be taken seriously, Werewolves Within still has a solid number of scares and emotional beats.

4 Frozen (2010)

Friends Are Stranded In A Chairlift In Freezing Weather Conditions

Not to be confused with the animated Disney film of the same name, Adam Green's thrilling horror film Frozen is one of the simplest yet most effective horror movies in recent years. The film sees three friends make their way onto a chairlift one last time before the ski resort closes for a week in response to an incoming severe weather alert. Stuck on the chairlift with no hope of getting down, Frozen explores the range of scattered behavior and emotional reactions to their life-threatening circumstance.

If it's not the hungry pack of wolves waiting for them on the ground that'll kill them, it's the relentlessly bitter weather conditions that will. Despite its lack of CGI, menacing serial killers, or any other location aside from the chairlift, Frozen is still highly effective at giving horror fans a good chill down their spine. The realistic scenario and plausible reactions from the stranded individuals allow audiences to picture themselves in the same situation.

3 Let The Right One In (2008)

A Vampire And A Boy Connect Over Their Loneliness

The chilly climate in the Swedish film Let the Right One In acts as the perfect backdrop for a tale about isolation. Working as both a romance and a horror film, Let the Right One In tells the story of two young children, Oskar and Eli, who live next door to one another 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 center of the film, despite the bloody imagery and unsettling behavior of the film's lead characters, is a story about connection and acting on assured methods of survival. When making the film, the screenwriter and author of the book on which the film is based, John Ajvide Lindqvist, stripped the story of much 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 Stephen King's novel of the same name, Misery is a fascinating horror tale about obsession. The film lays out the events that take place after author Paul Sheldon (James Caan) gets into a car crash and is held captive by an obsessive fan, Annie Wilkes, until a blizzard passes through the area. However, Annie's intentions with Paul change when she discovers he's 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 swiftly between a nurturing caregiver and a dangerously infatuated captor. Bates makes for one of the most chilling female villains in horror movies due to her unpredictable behavior, including one of Misery's most brutal scenes involving a sledgehammer. Though Misery is more concerned with the confines of Annie's remote home than the snowy outdoors, the cold weather is the reason she crosses paths with Paul in the first place.

1 The Thing (1982)

Researchers Come Across A Strange, Deadly Creature

One of John Carpenter's best, The Thing is a horror film that never gets old. The film tells the story of a research team in Antarctica who are confronted by the titular antagonist. The infamous Thing is an extraterrestrial creature with shapeshifting abilities that inflicts a strong sense of paranoia within 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 movie.

The cynicism and graphic special effects were panned by critics upon initial release, but The Thing has luckily evolved into a cult classic, earning retrospective reviews that are more appreciative of such elements. While the vast landscape surrounding the research station draws attention to how isolated the crew is from others, much of The Thing feels claustrophobic. This feeling, accompanied by the reminder of the frigid weather outside, adds layers of stakes to the character's fight for survival.