10 Spine-Chilling Winter Horror Movies
3. The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick’s cinematic masterpiece of terror known only as The Shining is frequently hailed as one of the best horror films of all time. And thanks to its suffocating winter setting, it’s the ideal contender for this list.
Adapted from Stephen King’s seminal novel of the same name, the film sees Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) relocate his family to the scenic Overlook Hotel, located in the Rocky Mountains. He wants some time to work on his manuscript, so the winter caretaker job is the opportunity he’s been hoping for.
However, as treacherous weather conditions snow the family in, the evil presence that resides in the hotel begins to sink its claws into Jack, driving him to murderous insanity.
Building the tension one frame at a time, Kubrick transforms the grandeur of the Overlook into a claustrophobic nightmare until it explodes in a nerve-wracking climax. Never has snow looked more intimidating or hauntingly atmospheric than during the maze chase sequence, imagery that’s since become iconic.
More than just a plot device to keep the Torrances in one location, the blizzard weather conditions were a warning of the terrifying storm that was to come.