Summer just can't seem to let it go here, and I think I speak for everyone when I say the heat and humidity can take a hike.
Sometimes it seems like winter will never arrive, and the heat will melt everything. But these movies remind us that sooner or later the snow will fall again.
1. Frozen
Let's get this one out of the way first. While many may be sick of it, there's no denying that the snow animation is beautifully done. When I first watched the movie in theaters, I felt the chill of Elsa's ice. The atmosphere of this movie is well done, and it's a shame that this aspect of the movie is so overlooked.
2. Frozen Planet
This documentary series by the same people who made "Planet Earth" takes you to the Arctic to follow the journeys of several animals. The stunning cinematography and narration make it easy to transport oneself into the frozen tundra.
3. The Shining
For horror fans or even average film buffs, this one is a classic. The chill of winter isolates a family from the rest of the world, forcing them to take shelter in an empty hotel. Cabin fever is taken to the extreme – possibly with supernatural aid.
4. Ice Age
Not a great movie, but one that was a childhood staple for many people and has plenty of meme-able material. If nothing else, you can laugh at how bad it is. However, to me at least, there are some genuinely nice moments that make it worth the watch if you're really bored or with small children.
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Every time is the right time to watch this movie, and it combines both of the cold seasons together: fall and winter. While I tried to avoid Christmas movies while making this list, this movie's chilly atmosphere makes it a perfect watch if you need a reminder that the seasons will be changing.
6. Balto
The inspiring story about a husky-wolf's determination to get lifesaving medicine to an isolated Alaskan town is heartwarming (even if warmth is the last thing you need). And the environment as well as the characters are beautifully animated.
7. Over the Garden Wall
I'm cheating again because most of this series takes place in autumn (though the coming winter is a constant threat) and it's a series, but all 10 episodes combined are about the length of a movie. Also, more people need to know about this charmingly unsettling series. If you're a fan of "Gravity Falls" you'll probably enjoy it.
8. The Chronicles of Narnia
Though winter is the villain here, the snowy setting of Narnia looks like something out of a Victorian postcard and the viewer can't help but feel Lucy's joy at seeing it for the first time. It's shown in an epic scale that is very reminiscent of "Lord of the Rings" (and not just because they're both filmed in New Zealand)
9. The Polar Express
Again, I tried to avoid putting Christmas movies on this list, but I also wanted to include movies that have a great winter atmosphere. "The Polar Express" fits the bill. The motion capture is reminiscent of video game cutscenes, but the surroundings and the soundtrack draw you in anyways. At least, they draw me in.
10. Happy Feet
Not particularly atmospheric, but a fun, lighthearted watch that takes place mostly in the Arctic. I always find myself unintentionally tapping my feet along with this movie.
