6 Cozy Movies to Enjoy this Winter Break

Writer: Ainsley Nichols
Editor: Natasha Hachinski

As winter break approaches, treating yourself for the holidays is essential. The holidays are a time to love your family and friends and, most importantly, an opportunity to reflect and reward yourself for all the excellent work you have done. My favourite way to do this is to get comfortable with a hot chocolate, a blanket, and a warm fire to enjoy a fantastic holiday movie. With that, the film you choose to cozy up to is essential. Hating the movie you just spent hours watching is the worst. In this article, I will give you the six best movies to satisfy different needs, going from classic to comedy to heartfelt films you're guaranteed to love if you don’t already.

1: Harry Potter 1-8

This list begins with a worldwide favourite that is surprisingly still overlooked or addressed as just a child movie. Harry Potter movies can be watched or rewatched and enjoyed in all seasons by all ages, but they are best appreciated in the wintertime. From holidays in Godric’s Hollow to Slughorn's Christmas party, Hogwarts is a beautiful place to get a break and escape into the magical school, and all eight Harry Potters add their bit of holiday joy. As each movie is nearly three hours, it's understandable that you might need to go out of your way to make time to watch just one, let alone all eight movies. With that, they make my top six list because I want to assure you all eight are worth every second, every spell, and every crazy plot twist. When is a better time to binge a series like this than this winter break?  

2: Home Alone 1-2

Next is one of the comedies of the list and, in my opinion, of the season. Home Alone is a two-part movie, featuring the humorous character, Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, who is stuck home alone (and in New York) for Christmas. Throughout these movies, you watch him grow and try to survive being alone with two hilarious criminals, Mark and Rob, who are attempting to rob him. These movies - perfect for watching alone or with family and friends - include traps and pranks guaranteed to make you laugh. Even with all of the laugh-out-loud scenes, the story still includes heartfelt scenes and other characters, making the film humourous and heartwarming around the holidays. 

3: Love Actually

Love Actually is one of the more bittersweet and romantic films about love, actually (pun intended). It is known to be a beloved holiday classic with a fantastic cast, intertwining storylines, a perfect touch of humour, as well as beautiful scenes. This film celebrates the vulnerability and emotion that love requires by incorporating festivities. Love Actually perfectly embraces the multiple kinds of love in different lives. The movie reminds us of the importance of all types of connections, especially during the holidays. This movie is the perfect way to embrace love and cherish relationships around wintertime, no matter how small. 

4: Elf

Another classic and favourite is Elf, another comedy on this list, thatis known for the beloved character Buddy, played by the well-loved actor Will Ferrell. This movie features magic and a world where Santa and his elves share their home with Buddy, who unlike the elves, is in fact, human. Buddy not being a real elf comes with him growing out of Santa’s Workshop and needing to visit the real world to find out who he really is. Buddy then goes on an adventure to New York City, interacting with humans who don’t know what he knows about Santa and who overall deem him psycho. This film is guaranteed to make you laugh and find comfort in all of the humorous and nostalgic details portrayed in the movie, along with the romantic aspects. This movie is another holiday must-watch, especially if you want some excellent holiday laughs.

5: A Charlie Brown Christmas
This classic movie is iconic because of its timeless themes, memorable characters, and fantastic music. A Charlie Brown Christmas centers around a group of friends, including Charlie, who feels frustrated with consumerism this winter season. Determined to find the true meaning of Christmas, he sets out on an adventure with friends to discover the importance of giving and sharing during the holidays. This film is filled with heartfelt messages, resonating with everyone while capturing the essence and importance of coming together through love. A Charlie Brown Christmas will surely bring you a warm, nostalgic feeling that is especially appreciated around the holidays. 

6: Little Women (2019)
I saved the best for last because Little Women is my favourite movie. Little Women is a beloved classic that embraces family, love, and growth, especially during winter. This film is based on a book that follows the lives of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, and their challenges in navigating through womanhood and growing up. While in my top six, Little Women may not commonly be associated with the holiday genre. However, not only do the characters celebrate the holidays in more than one instance, but the movie is also mainly set during wintertime. Additionally, the film is set during the Civil War, and its themes, such as togetherness, and growth, are most important during the holidays and New Year. Little Women is a reminder of the warmth and love that can be found and cozied up to in the winter, making it a perfect movie to watch this break.