Ahh the storms of late January are upon us in most of the nation, and we are not in the grips of the post Christmas grey bucket of suck that comes with cancelled plans and icy driveways.
This is the perfect time to watch some old school and recent horror films, many of which were set in the winter time. Here are five to catch up on:
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein
Del Toro has been wanting give his dark, detailed brand to the granddaddy of gothic horror novels for a long time, and he did a fantastic job, from the costuming to the cinematography to the sets. And it is cold. Just like the novel it starts in extreme snowy conditions where the final confrontations are set. If you haven’t seen one yet, don’t shun it because it is new. It is probably one of the best big screen movie to come out of 2025.
John Carpenter’s The Thing
You can’t get colder than Antarctica, and any cooler that a movie with Kurt Russell and Keith David. Disturbing, and gross, this is 80s sci-fi horror at its drive-in best. There are some classic WTF scenes, jump scares and badass practical effects, all set on the oppressively chilling backdrop of South Pole lab. You’ll never look at a sled dog the same way.
Man is the warmest place to hide.
By the way…the original 1951 Howard Hawks film is less gruesome, but still very cold watch to check out.
The Shining
Of course you gotta watch Stanley Kubrick’s horror masterpiece, based on the Stephen King book. Jack Nicholson’s descent into madness in a remote, isolated, lonely setting of the Overlook Hotel…and its ghosts from the past is still peak acting. I read somewhere Kubrick was so over-the-top with this film he would call King at weird hours with even weirder questions. One time he called and asked King “do you believe in God?” King said, “yes.” and Kubrick answered “I knew it!” and hung up. I haven’t been able to confirm that, but I hope it’s true. I do know this is one scary winter film.
30 Days of Night
It’s nice to see vampires that aren’t sparkly, but just horrifying murder machines. We all know they do their best work in the dark. And, when a remote Alaskan town in the wintertime experiences its “30 days of night”, they come out to play in the dark, cold town. This one you could watch in the middle of summer, and it will still make you feel cold. Also, if find the Steve Niles graphic novel on which it’s based, it’s a good and creepy read as well.
Yes, winter can be a fun, magical place filled with sparkly vistas and sleddin’ hills. But if you don’t have that luxury right now, stay by the fireplace and watch some horror films.
