Winter Horror Movies

Updated May 1, 2024

Thinking about Winter Horror Movies, there is no limit to the movies exploring this feeling. We gathered 19 of the top ones.

The Shining (1980)

★★★★

3.4 out of 4 stars

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Rated R

The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson. The film follows Jack Torrance and his family as they stay at the isolated Overlook Hotel, where Jack is hired to work as the winter caretaker. Initially, Jack hopes that the job will help him reconnect with his family and get his writing career back on track. However, once they arrive at the hotel, supernatural forces begin to take control of Jack, driving him to madness and violence as he attempts to murder his wife and son. As the winter progresses, the supernatural forces of the hotel become more and more powerful, leading to a terrifying climax.

The Thing (1982)

★★★★

3.3 out of 4 stars

From John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Richard Masur
Rated R

The Thing is a 1982 science fiction horror film by director John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell as a helicopter pilot and R.J. MacReady. The film is set in Antarctica, where a group of American researchers discovers an alien lifeform capable of assimilating and mimicking any other lifeform, and decides to contain it. However, the creature breaks free and starts terrorizing the research station as it assimilates other members of the team. As the situation worsens and tensions between the survivors mount, MacReady must unravel the mystery and save the day before the creature can escape and spread its terror to the rest of the world.

Let the Right One In (2008)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Tomas Alfredson, starring Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl
Rated R

Let the Right One In is a 2008 Swedish romantic horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson and based on the novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist. The film tells the story of a 12-year-old boy named Oskar who meets and falls in love with his mysterious new neighbor, Eli, who moves in next door. Oskar soon discovers that Eli is a vampire, but this does not stop them from forming a strong bond. The film follows their relationship as they battle both their feelings and their outside enemies. In addition to the romantic story, the film also touches upon themes of friendship, loyalty, and the horrors of growing up.

Misery (1990)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Rob Reiner, starring James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen
Rated R

Misery is a psychological horror film written by Stephen King, directed by Rob Reiner, and starring James Caan and Kathy Bates. The film follows novelist Paul Sheldon (Caan) who, following a car accident, is rescued by his biggest fan Annie Wilkes (Bates). Wilkes, a former nurse, takes him to her remote cabin to nurse him back to health. As Paul recovers, he realizes that Wilkes is mentally unstable, and is determined to keep him captive in order to keep him from leaving and publishing a book that she disagrees with. Paul struggles to find a way to escape Wilkes' grip, before she snaps completely and kills him.