Five movies that will make the winter months warmer
As the days grow shorter, the air turns colder, and Christmas looms menacingly on the horizon, winter can be a tough time for some people. That’s where movies come in. The final months of the year (for those living in the Northern Hemisphere, anyway) are for staying in with a hot drink and a nice warm blanket, snuggled up to your significant other or pet, or just by yourself, with a favourite film to keep your mind off the bitter weather.
A classic Christmas film is the obvious choice for what to watch at this time of year. It’s a Wonderful Life, Love, Actually, The Muppets Christmas Carol, Elf, take your pick, they’re all good. That’s not what this list is about though, as there are ways of celebrating winter without resorting to reindeer, mistletoe, and the man in the red suit.
These films have nothing to do with Christmas (one of them does, but only tangentially) and can be enjoyed at any time of the year. However, for the most effective use of their restorative powers, it is recommended that you consume them at a time when sunlight is at a premium and seasonal depression begins to kick in.
There are hundreds of heart-warming films out there perfect for a winter watch, but these five are a sure-fire way to raise spirits.
Five movies guaranteed to warm you up:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Andrew Adamson, 2005)
Not every film on this list will have a wintery setting, but if you’re looking for something to reflect the snowy weather outside, then this adaptation of C S Lewis’ most famous work will do the trick. The first in a series of ‘Narnia’ films, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe transports the four Pevensie children, Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and Lucy (Georgie Henley) to a magical world through a strange cupboard. There, they must free the kingdom from the evil clutches of the White Witch (Tilda Swinton) with the help of a whole host of enchanted animal pals.
Though there is some peril in the first ‘Narnia’ – the scene where Aslan is brutally murdered might not appeal to everyone – most of the movie is light enough. Any film with a cameo from Santa Claus is welcome during the winter, especially one where he’s carrying a sackful of weapons. For those who don’t enjoy the snow, the scene where Narnia thaws out after the Pevensies inspire hope in the kingdom will fill you with the knowledge that summer is just around the corner.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (Dean Fleischer Camp, 2021)
With a title as whimsical as this, you know you’re in for a good time. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is about just that: a sentient shell who lives with his Italian grandmother and a pet ball of lint in an Airbnb. When a filmmaker moves in, Marcel achieves global fame after videos of his life get posted online. With his newfound celebrity status, he wonders if he can track down his long-lost family, whom he became separated from when the previous owners of the house moved out.
Easily one of the most wholesome movies, Marcel comes with an extraordinary backstory. Jenny Slate (who voices the shell) and director Dean Fleischer Camp used to be married, but divorced in 2016. They didn’t create the character until after their split, which is referenced in the film by Camp playing a fictionalised version of himself. Knowing that the power of art brought together a real former couple only serves to make this incredible story even more heart-warming – proof that a break-up doesn’t always mean the end of something special.
Whisper of the Heart (Yoshifumi Kondō, 1995)
Studio Ghibli is always a safe bet when you’re looking for a warm cinematic hug, and whilst My Neighbour Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service are both excellent choices, this entry is going to a movie that doesn’t always get the praise it deserves. Whisper of the Heart is about a young aspiring artist named Shizuku (Yōko Honna), who discovers that all of her favourite library books have also been checked out by a mysterious boy. As well as the quest to find the boy and their subsequent love story, the film is also about creativity and artistic support, as Shizuku and her new friend Seiji (Issey Takahashi) both have their hearts set on following a particular craft.
Though light on plot, Whisper of the Heart is big on warm vibes. Shizuku and Seiji have a great chemistry and they’re extremely encouraging to one another, which is ideal for anyone who has their own aspirations of a creative career. The art style is also beautiful, stunningly bold and miles ahead of anything traditional Western animators were capable at the time. If you do find that Whisper of the Heart works for you, then why not check out its spin-off, The Cat Returns, for another slice of Ghibli goodness.
The Princess Bride (Rob Reiner, 1987)
If you haven’t seen The Princess Bride, you’ll probably have heard somebody quote it. The story revolves around Wesley (Cary Elwes) and Buttercup (Robin Wright), a star-crossed couple ripped apart by an evil prince. The former stableboy transforms the fearsome Dread Pirate Rogers and, with help from a band of misfits, including a Spanish swordfighter and a giant, embarks on a journey to rescue his beloved and vanquish the Prince.
The Princess Bride is perfect for cozy Sunday viewing. The story is well-told and interesting without ever feeling too flimsy or inconsequential. The characters are numerous and highly developed, right down to the brief cameos from the likes of Peter Cook and Billy Crystal. As for the aforementioned quotes, you’ll struggle to ever get them out of your head. Alongside the swashbuckling high fantasy elements of the film, there’s also the framing device of a grandfather (Peter Falk) reading the plot’s events to his grandson (Fred Savage) as a story whilst he’s sick. For those susceptible to the flu during winter, this is a great substitute for any real bedtime story and will transport you right back to your own childhood days.
CODA (Siân Heder, 2021)
The acronym ‘CODA’ stands for ‘Child of Deaf Adults’, which should tell you everything you need to know about this brilliant coming-of-age tale. Teenage Ruby (Emilia Jones) has designs on becoming a singer, but her deaf family struggle to relate to this for obvious reasons. An outcast both at home and at school, Ruby finds comfort in eccentric music teacher Mr. V (Eugenio Derbez), who gives her the confidence to not only pursue her dreams, but also to form friendships and romances and to connect with her mother, father, and brother.
CODA sounds like it would be too mushy and too sentimental, but it’s really not. All of the characters are incredibly genuine, possibly because deaf actors play the deaf characters. This authenticity allows the film to explore the effects of hearing loss, not just on those who suffer from it, but for their loved ones, too. Jones has an amazing singing voice – her version of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Both Sides Now’ will leave you in tears – and Troy Kotsur’s performance as her father, Frank, is more than deserving of the Best Supporting Actor Oscar he won in 2021. For a pure life-affirming experience, CODA is a guaranteed hit.
