wintry backdrop

Movies with wintry vibe

Cold Pursuit

1. Cold Pursuit

Crime Action Narcotics Crime One-Person Army
6.2
20191h 59min

Overview

The quiet family life of Nels Coxman, a snowplow driver, is upended after his son's murder. Nels begins a vengeful hunt for Viking, the drug lord he holds responsible for the killing, eliminating Viking's associates one by one. As Nels draws closer to Viking, his actions bring even more unexpected and violent consequences, as he proves that revenge is all in the execution.

Themes

Deception as leverage, Justice under pressure, Loyalty and betrayal dynamics, Family disruption by crime, Revenge through violence, Escalation of gang conflict

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Peacock Premium
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The 12th Man

2. The 12th Man

War Drama World War II Historical Drama
7.3
20172h 16min

Overview

After a failed anti-Nazi sabotage mission leaves his eleven comrades dead, a Norwegian resistance fighter finds himself fleeing the Gestapo through the snowbound reaches of Scandinavia.

Themes

Survival under pressure, War resilience under occupation, Deception under occupation, Collective loyalty under duress, Aid under risk

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Wind River

3. Wind River

Crime Mystery Drama Police Procedural Investigation Mystery
7.7
20171h 47min

Overview

An FBI agent teams with the town's veteran game tracker to investigate a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation.

Themes

Violence against women, Grief and intergenerational loss, Missing indigenous women crisis, Interagency tension and limits, Trauma and resilience in communities, Justice under resource constraints

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Captain Fantastic

4. Captain Fantastic

Adventure Drama Coming-of-Age Adventure Family Drama
7.8
20161h 58min

Overview

Deep in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a father devoted to raising his six kids with a rigorous physical and intellectual education is forced to leave his paradise and enter the world, beginning a journey that challenges his idea of what it means to be a parent.

Themes

Grief and memory, Education vs isolation, Parent child autonomy, Custody and legal pressure, Nontraditional family bonds, Ideology versus pragmatism

Available on

Google Play Movies
YouTube
Kanopy
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Eddie the Eagle

5. Eddie the Eagle

Comedy Drama History Adventure Underdog Sports
7.3
20161h 46min

Overview

The feel-good story of Michael 'Eddie' Edwards, an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself—even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach, Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

Themes

Underdog perseverance, Self-trained breakthrough, Institutional resistance to outsiders, Unorthodox coaching methods, National pride and recognition, Time pressure to qualify

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

A Most Violent Year

6. A Most Violent Year

Crime Drama Thriller Organized Crime Cover-Up Thriller
6.9
20142h 4min

Overview

A thriller set in New York City during the winter of 1981, statistically one of the most violent years in the city's history, and centered on the lives of an immigrant and his family trying to expand their business and capitalize on opportunities as the rampant violence, decay, and corruption of the day drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built.

Themes

Immigrant ambition vs exploitation, Capitalism and corruption, American dream under pressure, Financial leverage and ethics, Risk management and deception, Law and business tension

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter

7. Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter

Drama Everyday Life Drama
6.6
20141h 44min

Overview

Frustrated with her mundane life, a Tokyo office worker becomes obsessed with a fictional movie that she mistakes for a documentary. Fixating on a scene where stolen cash is buried in North Dakota, she travels to America to find it.

Themes

Alienation in modern life, Pursuit of illusory wealth, Language barrier and miscommunication, Cross-cultural displacement, Obsession with media, Solitary quest and resilience

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Frozen

8. Frozen

Animation Family Adventure Fantasy Animated Fantasy Adventure
7.4
20131h 42min

Overview

Young princess Anna of Arendelle dreams about finding true love at her sister Elsa’s coronation. Fate takes her on a dangerous journey in an attempt to end the eternal winter that has fallen over the kingdom. She's accompanied by ice delivery man Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and snowman Olaf. On an adventure where she will find out what friendship, courage, family, and true love really means.

Themes

Duty vs desire, Betrayal and manipulation, Public scrutiny and rumor, Isolation and kinship, Power as peril, Sibling bonds under pressure

Available on

Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Frozen Ground

9. The Frozen Ground

Thriller Crime Serial Killer Crime Investigation Suspense
6.4
20131h 45min

Overview

An Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events.

Themes

Police doubt of victims, Gendered violence risk, Pattern based investigation, Serial killer pursuit, Crime and trauma aftermath, Ambiguous justice and accountability

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Rise of the Guardians

10. Rise of the Guardians

Animation Family Fantasy Action Adventure
7.2
20121h 37min

Overview

When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world.

Themes

Memory shaping identity, Fear and resilience, Maintaining childhood wonder, Belief and imagination, Collective guardianship and trust, Amnesia and self-discovery

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.