After we’ve binged all the best TV shows and fall movies coming to our screens, it’s time for this year’s new winter movies. When it gets cold enough, all we really want to do is curl up with a mug of tea and dive into all kinds of different stories. This winter, we’re getting everything from rom-coms to thrillers to magical musicals, so there really is something for every kind of movie lover. These cozy picks will turn into comfort movies before long, and with themes of family, friendship, and love (plus holidays — you really can’t leave out the holidays), you’ll want to watch these winter movies over and over again.
Players — Stream On Netflix
Image via Netflix
Mack (Gina Rodriguez) is a NYC sportswriter who plans out the perfect “plays” with her friends to get the perfect hook-up every time. But when she ends up falling for a target, she has to figure out how to score a long-term relationship — even if it’s not with the guy she originally expected. Tom Ellis, Joel Courtney, Damon Wayans Jr., and Liza Koshy also star.
The Sweet East — Stream On Apple TV+
Image via Utopia Pictures
Do Revenge‘s Talia Ryder, The Bear‘s Ayo Edebiri, and Priscilla‘s Jacob Elordi are back in this wacky film from Utopia Pictures. The film follows high school senior Lillian (Talia), who experiences the real world for the first time when she’s separated from her class on their Washington D.C. school trip. She soon meets a variety of different factions who are all living in their own alternate realities.
Eileen — Rent On Amazon Prime
Image via Neon
Starring Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie, this winter movie follows Eileen, who’s working at a prison in 1960s New England. When a new, glamorous counselor arrives, they become fast friends before their relationship quickly turns sinister.
Candy Cane Lane — Stream On Prime Video
Image via Prime Video
When Chris (Eddie Murphy) makes a deal with elf Pepper (Jillian Bell) to win the annual neighborhood Christmas decor contest, Pepper brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life with a single spell. Now it’s up to Chris, his wife Carol (Tracee Ellis Ross), and their kids to break the spell and save the holidays.
The Shepherd — Stream On Disney+
Image via Disney+
This short film follows Freddie, a young Royal Air Force pilot (Ben Radcliffe) who must fly across the North Sea on Christmas Eve…and ends up losing his radio and power. All looks lost until a mysterious man (John Travolta) comes to help him.
Waitress — Rent On Amazon Prime
Image via Fathom Events
Pie-maker and waitress Jenna (Sara Bareilles) is stuck in an unfulfilling marriage in a small town, but dreams of winning a baking contest that will allow her to escape to a nearby city. When she learns that she’s pregnant, Jenna has to rely on her best friends, and a handsome new town doctor, to confront her fears head-on. Watch our red carpet premiere interviews here!
Your Christmas Or Mine 2 — Stream On Prime Video
Image via Prime Video
In the follow-up to one of last year’s best Christmas movies, Your Christmas Or Mine 2 once again finds James (Asa Butterfield) and Hayley (Cora Kirk) in the middle of a *very* chaotic holiday. Their families are spending Christmas together, but after a transportation mixup, the families wind up at each other’s stays…on opposite sides of the valley.
Poor Things — Buy On Amazon Prime
Image via Searchlight Pictures
You’ve never seen Emma Stone like this before. In Poor Things, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, Emma plays Belle, who’s brought back to life by a scientist…and then decides to join a lawyer on the adventure of a lifetime. The film also stars Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, and Mark Ruffalo.
Wonka — Stream On Max
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Wonka follows the titular character as he uses his own brand of magic (and chocolate) to make the world a better place. Not only is this moving upbeat and very fun, but Timothée Chalamet‘s “I’m makin’ chocolate ‘o course” has now been immortalized on TikTok.
Cat Person — Stream On Hulu
Image via StudioCanal/Hulu
In this winter movie, Margot (Emilia Jones) is a college sophomore who’s been flirting with an older man named Robert (Nicholas Braun) over text. But when they finally meet up in person, Margot comes to the all-too-familiar conclusion that Robert is not the same guy she’s been talking to on the phone.
Drift — Stream On Roku
Image via Utopia
Wicked‘s Cynthia Erivo stars as Jacqueline, a refugee who finds herself stranded on a Greek island with nothing but memories of her past. While she fights for survival, she strikes up a friendship with a tour-guide who’s also looking to put down roots.
Meet Me In Rome — Stream On Roku
Image via Roku
Meet Me In Rome is a winter romance movie that brings together two of our favorite things: rom-coms and reality TV. Lauren Simmons, Dhruva Patel, and Christa Belle Allen will navigate love in Rome, Italy with nothing but daily scripts to guide them and I am totally here for it!
Upgraded — Stream On Prime Video
Image via Prime Video
In Upgraded, Riverdale‘s Camila Mendes plays Ana, who dreams of a thriving, notable future in the art world. For now, however, Ana works as an intern for the demanding Claire (Marisa Tomei). But when Ana is upgraded to first class on a work trip flight, she meets Will (Archie Renaux)…and tells him she has her boss’ job. All’s fair in love and art, right?
Suncoast — Stream On Hulu
Image via Searchlight Pictures
The year is 2005, and Doris (Nico Parker) is just trying to survive being a teenage girl. When her mom (Laura Linney) checks her dying brother into the same facility housing Terri Schiavo, Doris strikes up a friendship with a protestor (Woody Harrelson) dealing with his own grief. Nico Parker was a standout in The Last of Us, and she brings so much heartfelt complexity to coming-of-age drama, Suncoast.
The Tiger’s Apprentice — Stream On Paramount+
Image via Paramount+
Chinese-American teen Tom Lee (Soo Hoo) is totally not expecting to find out his family is made up of The Guardians, magical protectors that fight off evil. Now, Tom has to bring the twelve Zodiac animal warriors together and master his own powers in this film that stars Bowen Yang, Leah Lewis, Kheng Hua Tan, Sherry Cola, and Greta Lee.
Argylle — Stream On Apple TV+
Image via Universal Pictures
Argylle is exactly what we’ve been looking for when it comes to a blockbuster: it promises to be funny, heartwarming, and just sarcastic enough that it’s self-aware. Elly Conway is a reclusive espionage novel author who’s sucked into real-world spy work when a group of baddies decides her novels are not quite fictional enough. Plus, the cast (which includes Dua Lipa, Bryce Dallas Howard, and John Cena to name a few) is phenomenal.
Finestkind — Stream On Paramount+
Image via Paramount+
Two brothers reunite as adults — and in order to survive extreme circumstances, have to make a deal with a crime gang in Boston. When a young woman (played by Jenna Ortega) gets caught in the middle, it changes everything.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget — Stream On Netflix
Image via Netflix
If there’s one thing I was not expecting for 2023, it was a Chicken Run sequel. In this film — which stars The Last of Usactor Bella Ramsey, Thandiwe Newton, and Zachary Levi — Ginger is finally at peace with her family in a bird sanctuary. But when a new evil threatens their safety, Ginger and her team have to come up with a plan to get to the mainland.
Maestro — Stream On Netflix
Image via Netflix
Directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, Maestro follows the lifelong relationship between American conductor Leonard Bernstein (Bradley) and actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (Carey Mulligan). This biopic is a gripping and emotional look at art and love, and the way they intertwine.
Anyone But You — Buy On Amazon Prime
Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group
Call all rom-com watchers! If you’re an enemies-to-lovers stan, or a sucker for fake relationships, this Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney new winter movie is a must-see. Anyone But You follows two arch-nemeses who haven’t seen each other since their college graduation. But when they reunite for a destination wedding, they have to pretend to be lovers.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom — Stream On Max
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
To defeat Black Manta once and for all, Jason Mamoa’s Aquaman must team up with his brother Orm for an alliance that makes him question everything. Now, the brothers have to work together to save their family, and the world.
The Color Purple — Stream On Max
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
This classic film is getting a musical adaptation this Christmas. Featuring original music from Halle Bailey, and starring Bailey, Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Barrino, and H.E.R., The Color Purple movie revolves around Celie, who grows up in 1900s Georgia, but dreams of reuniting with her sister in Africa.
Good Grief — Stream On Netflix
Image via Netflix
In Good Grief, Daniel Levy (who also writes and directs) stars as Marc, whose world shatters after the death of his husband Oliver (Luke Evans). Reeling from the loss, Marc takes his best friends Sophie and Thomas (played by Ruth Negga and Himesh Patel, respectively) on a trip that forces them to confront the truths they’ve been running from.
Lift — Stream On Netflix
Image via Netflix
Kevin Hart’s Cyrus Whitaker leads an international heist crew given one simple task: lift $500 million in gold off a passenger plane — while it’s mid-flight. Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D’Onofrio, Úrsula Corberó, Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, Jean Reno, and Sam Worthington round out the cast.
Role Play — Stream On Prime Video
Image via Prime Video
Emma (Kaley Cuoco) loves her husband David (David Oyelowo), her kids, and her life in New Jersey’s suburbs. But when she and David decide to spice things up, her biggest secret comes out: she’s actually an assassin for hire.
Which Brings Me To You — Buy On Amazon Prime
Image via Decal Releasing
In Which Brings Me To You, a romantic winter movie, Jane (Lucy Hale) and Will (Nat Wolff) are totally burnt out on love, but when they meet each other, they can’t deny their chemistry. The 24 hours following a messy hookup are filled with honest confessions and vulnerability as they try to figure out whether they have a shot at a relationship.
I.S.S. — Buy On Amazon Prime
Image via Bleecker Street
When WW3 breaks out on earth, American and Russian astronauts on the International Space Station receive the orders no one wanted to hear: take control of the ISS, no matter what. Starring Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, Pilou Asbaek, John Gallagher Jr., Costa Ronin, and Masha Mashkova, this new movie had us on the edge of our seats the whole time. Check out our interview with director Gabriela Cowperthwaite!
Miller’s Girl — In Theaters
Image via Lionsgate
In this star-studded film, Jenna Ortega plays Cairo, a gifted writer who’s assigned a tricky yet enticing project from her teacher (Martin Freeman). But as the project causes their personal lives to tangle up, Cairo and her teacher have to figure out where the boundary is between protecting what they hold closest and confronting the darkest parts of themselves. Dagmara Domińczyk, Bashir Salahuddin, and Gideon Adlon also star.
Cold Copy — In Theaters
Image via Vertical
In Cold Copy, Bel Powley stars as Mia, a journalism student desperate to impress the news reporter (Tracee Ellis Ross) who’s given her the opportunity to air a segment on television. But as time passes, Mia has to ask herself how far she’s willing to bend the truth to achieve her dream. The film also stars Jacob Tremblay and Nesta Cooper.
The Chosen Season 4 — In Theaters
Image via Angel Studios
Following the record-breaking theatrical release of their Christmas With The Chosen: The Messengers special, all episodes of The Chosen season 4 will be heading to theaters (starting with the first three, which you can watch now). As Jesus and His followers continue to draw the attention of the Romans and Jewish officials, emotions of all kinds are rising to the surface — and consequences are soon to follow.
Lisa Frankenstein — In Theaters
Image via Focus Features
Goth teen Lisa (Kathryn Newton) feels totally misunderstood by everyone around her. Until she reanimates a Victorian corpse (Cole Sprouse) and decides to turn him into the perfect man. This isn’t your average Frankenstein story, but considering it’s coming around Valentine’s Day, it is giving us major Warm Bodies vibes. Check out our interview with Cole Sprouse and Kathryn Newton!
American Fiction — In Theaters
Image via Amazon MGM Studios
Jeffrey Wright stars as novelist Monk, who’s had it with how Black communities are represented, and how the entertainment industry profits off of them. He decides to write his own book under a pen name, and ends up discovering much more about himself than he anticipated.
Memory — In Select Theaters
Image via Ketchup Entertainment
In Memory, Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard’s Sylvia and Saul are deep in love, but they must overcome past trauma as they try to strengthen their relationship. The winter movie also stars Merritt Weaver and Elsie Fisher.
All of Us Strangers — In Theaters
Image via Searchlight Pictures
Screenwriter Adam (Andrew Scott) and his neighbor Harry’s (Paul Mescal) encounter feels like fate. The closer they get to one another, the more Adam feels drawn to his childhood home where his parents appear to still be living. The only problem? They died 30 years ago.
He Went That Way — In Theaters
Image via Vertical
Jacob Elordi takes on another new role opposite Zachary Quinto in this roadtrip movie that is way more than meets the eye. When celebrity animal handler Jim Goodwin picks up 19-year-old serial killer Bobby Falls, the duo makes their way across the country, striking up a dangerous relationship that switches between trust and manipulation. The new winter movie is based on a true story and is sure to have you on the edge of your seat.
Drive Away Dolls — In Theaters Now
Image via Focus Features
Jamie (Margaret Qualley) and Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) are looking for a new start when they head out on a spontaneous Florida roadtrip. But things quickly go south (well, considering they’re already headed south, things go even *more* south) when they run into a group of criminals. This new winter movie also stars Beanie Feldstein, Matt Damon, and Pedro Pascal.
Bleeding Love — In Select Theaters Now
Image via Vertical
After a life-changing event, a young woman (played by Clara McGregor) goes on a roadtrip to New Mexico with her estranged father (Ewan McGregor) in the hope that they’ll be able to reconnect. According to People, the story actually came from Clara herself, and I *love* that this real-life father-daughter duo were able to spend so much time together!
Bob Marley: One Love — In Theaters Now
Image via Paramount
This biographical movie musical follows the life of reggae icon Bob Marley, from his rise to fame until he passed away in May of 1981. Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, Jesse Cilio, and James Norton star, while Bob’s son Ziggy is producing. We got a sneak peek at CinemaCon 2023 and the movie looks amazing.
Madame Web — In Theaters Now
Image via Sony Pictures
Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O’Connor, and Emma Roberts round out this powerhouse superhero cast. Dakota stars as Cassie Webb, a paramedic who starts getting visions of the future — both her own and three young women from her past.
Which winter movie are you excited to see? Let us know on Facebook.
Lead image via Paul Stephenson/Amazon MGM Studios.
This post has been updated.
