Winter Horror Movies

'Til the season to be frightened.

The snowy, chilly, wintry and even Christmas-y season is upon us. At least here in the Great White North (a.k.a. Canada, eh). I'm no fan of this frostbite-inducing time of the year, but when I'm cozy in my darkened TV room, I often gravitate to horror films set in a similar teeth-chattering environment. There's something about a snowstorm and snowdrifts that paints a picture of isolation and fear, especially for the poor (fictional) victims of a mad killer or a bloodthirsty monster. Not only are the people involved dealing with an evil being or force, but they must also face nature's wrath. The weather is more than just the setting; it often plays an important role as the story's characters fight to survive. Gotta keep warm!

Kurt Russell's lookin' a might bit chilly there

(The Thing, 1982)

I love a good horror movie, and it's an added bonus when one is set in winter-time. Done properly, a film can put you right there in the biting cold alongside the protagonists. I've compiled a little list of the most notable scary movies that I enjoy. Most of my favourites are older movies, and there's a reason for that: in decades past, film-makers tended to focus on quality... a good story and good acting... those could buoy even a low-budget production. So we got more solid movies back then. There are exceptions to the rule, though, and we do get the odd modern gem. Now bundle up, and read on... then check out these must-see cold-weather horrors:

The Thing From Another World (1951): the unknown was never so terrifying... a classic!
The Thing (1982): as creepy as the original '51 flick was, JC kicked it up a few notches here
The Shining (1980): the original, not the underwhelming TV remake. Here's Johnny....
Let The Right One In (2008): Sweden's stark cold sets the stage for a tender vampire tale
30 Days of Night (2007): surprisingly good for a modern horror - bloody, freaky monsters!
Black Christmas (1974): ignore the remake; this Canadian shocker kicked off the slasher genre
Silent Night Deadly Night (1984): gruesome and disturbing, a frightful Santa slay-ride
Ghost Story (1981): the all-star cast did their best with a flawed script... still, some scares
The Abominable Snowman (1957): great Peter Cushing mystery/horror from Hammer studios
Snowbeast (1977): a childhood favourite that I watched every time it aired on TV. Cheesy today, but still...