Winter Media List

As snow piles up and temperatures drop, most find themselves stuck inside, wondering what to do next. Why not pick up a book, watch a movie or TV show, or maybe play a video game? Rather than scrolling through content to find your best selection, cozy up and read through our perfect winter reading/watching/playing list that features up and coming releases and classics!  

Movies: 

1. The Thing (1982) 

John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982) is one of the most iconic sci-fi horror films ever made—claustrophobic, paranoid, and bleak in the best possible way. Set in a remote American research station in Antarctica, the movie follows a team of scientists who encounter an alien organism capable of perfectly imitating any living creature. Not too scary, yet perfecting thrilling, this classic film is perfect for those looking to bring some excitement to their snowy day. 

2. Avatar: Fire and Ash (Pending Release- December 19^th, 2025) 

Winter often brings shorter days and long nights — a great time to get lost in vivid, fantasy worlds. Fire and Ash is arguably one of the most visually ambitious films of the year, with majestic landscapes, aerial travel, exotic wildlife, and an alien ecosystem. While the real world goes grey and cold for the winter season, Fire and Ash can take you away to a magical world.  

3. Wuthering Heights (Pending Release – February 13^th, 2026) 

In winter, when real-world days are short and nature feels dormant, that sense of moody romantic tension feels especially fitting. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Emerald Fennell, this new version promises a “visually stunning and emotionally powerful epic,” (Harper's Bazaar, 2025). Although some controversies are buzzing around how accurate the film will be to the novel, it is still sure to entertain whether you watch it for spite or for a romantic getaway.  

TV Shows:  

1. Fallout Season 2 (Pending Release - December 17^th, 2025) 

Fallout is a post-apocalyptic action-drama on Amazon Prime. Based on the video game, the show follows several different characters and their journey of surviving their dangerous world while adding a comedic twist. There’s something especially satisfying about watching a gritty, atmospheric show like Fallout when the nights are long and the weather outside is bleak. A perfect distraction from the chill outside, binge season one and settle in for when season two airs.  

2. Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake Season 2 

If there's one thing winter brings, it's a feeling of nostalgia. For those who grew up watching Adventure Time or for those who watched as adults and were reminded of younger days, tune into the cartoon spin off, Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake. Found on Amazon  Prime, season one is already out and waiting to be watched. Starting in late fall, season two is already half through, so now is the perfect time to grab a blanket, tune in, and catch up with this lighthearted and humorous adult animation.  

3. The Haunting of Hill House 

For horror fans, The Haunting of Hill House is a classic you don’t want to miss. Aired on Netflix in 2018, this show blends the emotional depth of grief, family, and healing with eerily hallways, shadows in the corners, and haunting tales. Mimicking the feeling of being snowed in, the siblings of The Haunting of Hill House find themselves back in their haunted childhood home. Whether you’re cozied up with a loved one, or brave enough to do it alone, this show is sure to cure winter boredom.  

Books: 

1. The Storm by Rachel Hawkins (Pending Release – January 6^th, 2026) 

Set in the tense heat of the Gulf Coast but built on secrets, storms, and a murky past, The Storm offers a kind of atmospheric escapism that pairs beautifully with cold winter nights. The dark suspense surrounding a decades-old murder tied to a hurricane—set in a century-old inn on the verge of collapse—creates a strong feeling of suspense and thrill. This novel is perfect for those looking to settle in and tear through before the day ends.  

2. Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden (Pending Release – January 26^th, 2026) 

With a lost job, strange daughters, and a secretive husband, Debbie’s life begins to crumble around her. As Debbie turns to her own sources of strength, a vengeful plan for revenge and justice takes over. McFadden is known for delivering twisty plots and compelling pages that keep you turning. For a cold winter weekend — or a few late winter nights — Dear Debbie offers the kind of page-turner that’s easy to dive into and hard to put down. 

3. The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden 

You won’t find a better novel for winter than The Bear and The Nightingale. Set in a remote, snow‑covered corner of medieval northern Russia, where winter lasts almost all year and snowdrifts grow taller than houses, readers are plunged into frozen forests, icy winds, and long winter nights. Blending folklore, magic, and real human-struggle, the main character, Vasya, is put through trials that test her independent strength, honor to traditions, and family relationships.  

Video Games: 

1. Light Up the Town [Steam, PC]  

Released on November 28^th, 2025, Light Up the Town follows a young ferret, Bean, and his father as they prepare for their town’s annual Winter Festival. Players get to decorate sleeping homes and businesses as they please. This indie game brings simple joy with its Christmas setting, creative plot, and cozy feeling.  

2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons [Switch 2 Edition], (Pending Release – January 15^th, 2026) 

Animal Crossing has always been a go-to for gamers looking for a comforting and creative experience. Launching with a big free “3.0” update (on the same day as the Switch 2 Edition release) — the game adds new content like a resort‑hotel you can decorate, expanded storage, better crafting, and a “Slumber Island” creative mode that lets you build custom islands and invite friends (Romano, 2025). Escape to tropical settings this winter with Animal Crossing: New Horizons! 

3. Resident Evil: Requiem [PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, PC], (Pending Release - February 27^th, 2026) 

From one of the most popular horror video game series, Resident Evil: Requiem is the 9^th game to be released in the story. Horror games tend to shine when nights are long, and real life feels quiet and still — and Requiem seems built for exactly that kind of atmosphere. Fill your cold nights playing as FBI analyst, Grace Ashcroft, following several gruesome deaths tied to an infectious disease and a harrowing family connection.  

Citations 

A Guide to Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering heights” Film Adaptation. Harper’s Bazaar. (n.d.). https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a65971760/wuthering-heights-news-cast-spoilers-date/ 

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden. Publishers Weekly. (n.d.). https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781464249624?.com 

IMDb.com (2018, October 12). The Haunting of Hill House. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6763664/ 

The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden. She Reads Novels. (2017, February 3). https://shereadsnovels.com/2017/02/02/the-bear-and-the-nightingale-by-katherine-arden/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

The Storm. Macmillan Publishers. (n.d.). https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250341891/thestorm/ 

Romano, S. (2025, October 31). Animal Crossing: New Horizons Version 3.0 Update and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Announced. Gematsu. https://www.gematsu.com/2025/10/animal-crossing-new-horizons-version-3-0-update-and-nintendo-switch-2-edition-announced?utm_source=chatgpt.com