Home Activity Guide: Snow Themed Movies

As the seasons get colder, our desire to spend a cozy evening in front of a movie grows stronger. And what better way to embrace this desire than to peruse a collection of movies with the perfect blend of winter and cold, snow, ice, and spine-chilling adventures? Here are 5 movies where you can feel the cold of the snow in the warmth of your home.

The Polar Express

"The Polar Express" is a truly extraordinary cinematic experience that will transport you to a world of magic, strangeness, and wonder! The 2004 animation is based on the children's book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg. The movie takes viewers on a journey to the North Pole with the young and timid protagonist Chris, who is awakened by a mysterious train on Christmas Eve. On the train, Chris meets new friends from all walks of life, and together they embark on a journey to find the true meaning of Christmas. "The Polar Express" was the first animated film to use a new technology known at the time as performance capture, which allowed the creation of virtual characters based on the movements and expressions of human actors. This innovation in animation made the movie a groundbreaking success in the industry and helped create a truly immersive and magical experience. This is a movie that will capture your heart and inspire your imagination like so many others, with lots of snow and magic that is a must-see for families everywhere.

Elf

In the beloved Christmas classic "Elf," Santa is in the middle of delivering presents when a curious boy named Buddy hides in his backpack and ends up at the North Pole. Buddy is taken in and raised by elves and learns the finer points of living in the magical capital. But when Buddy turns thirty, he learns the truth about his past and sets his sights on reuniting with his loved ones and overcoming the big city and all its challenges. His journey takes him back to his real father, Walter Hobbs, a publishing executive, and his mother, who mysteriously disappeared years ago. As Buddy navigates the twists and turns of the real world, he discovers the power of friendship, love, and family in his quest to belong.

Frozen

"Frozen" is a 2013 American 3D computer-animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The story is based on the Danish fairy tale "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen and follows the adventures of two sisters, Elsa, who has magical powers to manipulate ice, and Anna, who overcomes her own challenges. Elsa is crowned queen of the Northern Mountains region, but soon learns that her powers, left unchecked, can cause an eternal winter. She leaves to live in isolation in an ice castle to protect her kingdom. However, her younger sister Anna embarks on an adventure with a mountain man named Kristoff, his reindeer named Sven, and a snowman named Olaf to bring Elsa back and thaw the kingdom. Throughout the movie, the characters learn the importance of love, compassion, and acceptance by interacting with various elements of the natural world such as snow, ice, and forest. The film also features a wide variety of musical numbers, from fun and upbeat melodies to tear-jerking songs, which provide a rich and emotional backdrop to the characters' journey.

The Journey Home

In this 2014 Canadian-Italian flick, Luke is a 13-year-old kid on a mission to bring back a 4-month-old polar bear cub named Nanuk. Luke is dead set on reuniting Nanuk with his mama, who got nabbed by the Devon town rangers. Luke's scheme is to sneak into the zoo and bust Nanuk out of captivity, but first, he's gotta figure out how to look after a polar bear and handle the risks of the freezing Arctic climate. As Luke and Nanuk trek through the Arctic wilderness, they face all sorts of challenges, from blizzards to hungry polar bears, and even a bunch of poachers hell-bent on nabbing Nanuk for their own selfish reasons. Despite these hurdles, Luke is hell-bent on completing the mission, no matter the cost. With a little help from some travel buddies and a few unlikely allies, Luke finally hits the zoo, rescuing Nanuk. But their troubles are far from over. On the lam from the rangers, Luke and Nanuk stumble upon a group of native Inuit who get the importance of the young bear's bond with his mama and offer their assistance. Together, they navigate the dangerous waters of the icy ocean, dead set on reuniting Nanuk with his mama for good. This heartwarming tale of friendship, courage, and a young boy's quest to right a wrong will have audiences cheering for Luke and Nanuk every step of the way.

Eight Below

In this heartwarming action-adventure "Polar Adventure," two explorers take on a daring mission to circle Antarctica in search of a meteorite that's crashed in the remote region. Unfortunately, the wildly unpredictable conditions of the snowy and icy wilderness mess up their plans, and the duo are forced to make a tough call – ditch their eight sled dogs to save themselves. Luckily, an expedition with a National Geographic reporter in tow is dispatched to hunt for the missing explorers. Guided by veteran scientist Dr. John Shepherd, the team sets out into the freezing wilds of Antarctica on a grueling journey that'll push their skills, endurance, and determination beyond anything they've ever faced. As they venture deeper into the polar region, they encounter countless obstacles, from tricky terrain to freezing temperatures and even hungry polar bears. The journey ain't a cakewalk, but the explorer squad is bound by a strong bond of friendship and a sense of purpose.