The winter season is filled with movies that have reached the status of absolute classics. Films like “Home Alone” and “The Polar Express” have been viewed thousands of times, over and over in households for years. However, the season can still surprise you when a new movie catches your eye. You’ve never even heard of this film, much less seen it, and it seems like the same can be said of everyone else. You lay back, press play, and get the feeling that you’ve found a new winter hidden gem.

     Although nostalgic, the films that play during the holiday season can easily become repetitive and gradually begin to lose their special childhood charm. Rather than spending your December nights watching the same movies as the year before, venture into the winter wonderland of underrated films to experience a new variety of stories. 

Klaus 

2019

PG

5/5

      This movie falls under the genres of comedy and adventure as it features creative character expressions and design. The story of the movie “Klaus” centers around the main character, Jesper (Jason Schwartzman), a lazy and selfish rich kid. When Jesper is exiled to an isolated island to create a mailing system, his behavior and outlook on life is forever changed through unlikely friendships. The film incorporates the history of Santa Claus as a cultural figure, and alludes to stereotypes about him in a hilarious way. This movie would be an absolute blast for families, providing lessons for kids and parents alike. The film has powerful themes and great character development, with the characters learning about how kindness creates harmony. The combination of the moral of selflessness and the bittersweet ending creates a tearful closing scene that leaves the viewer torn between laughter and tears. 

While You Were Sleeping 

1995

PG

4/5

     This romantic film is about a lonely woman whose wish for a family comes true when she is taken in by a random family. After saving a man’s life, Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is mistaken for his fiancé while visiting him at the hospital. However, she does not tell the family that she is actually a stranger. Although “While You Were Sleeping”  is a comedy, a deeper meaning of the importance of honesty is present throughout the movie as Lucy struggles to deal with her new and unexpected responsibility of maintaining this lie. Bullock shines as the humorous and sarcastic Lucy, who goes from being all alone during the holidays to suddenly having a loving family who welcomed her into their lives. By not telling the truth to her newfound family, Lucy digs herself into a deeper hole through a series of comedic events, dramatic irony, and a sudden plot twist. The movie provides viewers with a satisfying ending and fans of “When Harry Met Sally” should highly consider watching “While You Were Sleeping,” as the bantering love interests and atmospheres of both movies are very similar.

The Revenant 

2015

R

5/5

     This intense western film is loosely based on the true story of the American trapper, Hugh Glass. The role of the fearless and stoic Hugh Glass is brilliantly performed by Leonardo DiCaprio as he ventures across the Northern Pacific wilderness on a mission of vengeance. The film captures the horror of desperately trying to survive the winter, wilderness, and even the violent actions of other people.  After a fellow trapper murders Glass’ son, Glass dances on the line between life and death as he fights his way back to civilization and the opportunity for revenge. The striking cinematography of the historical-fiction film effectively pulls the viewer into the scene with the up-close shots used throughout the movie. The plot unfolds with a shocking twist as it depicts the vivid trials of winter. The entire movie is a vicious balance between life and death as the main character faces a barrage of deadly challenges. “The Revenant” evokes the sensation of feeling utterly helpless, and the tribulations he goes through leave the audience wanting more. Although marvelously created, “The Revenant” is definitely not for the faint-hearted since many of the gruesome, emotional scenes can be difficult to watch.

The Day After Tomorrow 

2004

PG-13

5/5

      “The Day After Tomorrow” is an intense and disturbing story about how climate change can affect the world around us. The movie follows Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid), as he travels from D.C. to New York in order to rescue his son Sam (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his son’s friends Laura (Emmy Rossum) and Brian (Arjay Parks) from a wave of dangerous, deadly snow storms.. The movie deals with complex and difficult themes such as climate change, environmental damage, and extinction through the film’s unique plot. The movie features a variety of haunting scenes that are perfected by their excellent use of CGI. Every storm shown throughout the movie looks realistic, which only adds to the excitement and intensity of the movie. While the film was first criticized on release for not portraying a realistic threat of climate change, almost glorifying its impacts, the themes of the movie are still ultimately positive. Despite the film’s dark and spooky atmosphere, it still ends on a positive note that should give viewers a sense of happiness and hope. All in all, “The Day After Tomorrow,” even despite its few flaws, is a movie that is worth watching this winter.

The Homecoming: A Christmas Story 

1971

G

4/5

      This 1971 film, set in 1933 Virginia, depicts a close-knit family’s Christmas Eve  during the Great Depression. The charm of “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” atmosphere creates a nostalgic and cozy feeling. The film focuses on the Walton family who are waiting for their father to return on Christmas Eve. The main character, John Boy (Richard Thomas), feels the pressures of being the oldest sibling while also navigating his teenage years and establishing plans for his future. The movie is a coming of age film as the storyline shifts between the individual children at different stages of their life as they are learning how to grow up in such a difficult time period. The film also contains a contrast between the “have” and “have-nots” during the 1930s. The sweet atmosphere of the movie and the love between the characters make the film feel relaxing and heartwarming.  If you love wholesome stories and nostalgic old school films, then “The Homecoming” is the perfect movie for you.