The first week back to work and school in January 2026 has been plunged into disarray across the United Kingdom. Heavy snowfall and treacherous icy roads have rendered commutes and the school run impossible for countless households, turning the anticipated return to post-festive normality into anything but.
With sub-zero temperatures gripping the nation, many find themselves unexpectedly working from home or with a day of forced leisure. This presents a perfect opportunity to tackle that ever-growing watchlist, a chance for more screen time after the Christmas break. While some may brave the cold for snowmen and sledging, a cosy alternative awaits: wrapping up in a blanket and diving into a streaming service for some heartwarming cinematic comfort.
Your Ultimate Snow Day Watchlist
If you've exhausted your supply of Christmas classics and are searching for something new, we have curated a list of seven perfectly cosy films ideal for a snowy day. All are available to stream right now in the UK.
Feel-Good Favourites & Frosty Classics
Bridget Jones's Diary offers unparalleled feel-good comfort. This beloved 2001 romantic comedy, starring Renée Zellweger as the delightfully chaotic Bridget, follows her as she documents her life's aspirations while tangled between two very different men: her roguish boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and the seemingly stuffy Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). It's available on BBC iPlayer, NOW TV, and Sky.
Groundhog Day (1993) is not only set against a snowy backdrop but is thematically perfect for a day stuck in a loop. Bill Murray stars as cynical weatherman Phil Connors, who finds himself reliving the same day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Directed by Harold Ramis, the film is a hilarious and poignant lesson in self-improvement. Stream it on NOW TV and Sky.
Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands is a poignant fairy tale often associated with the festive spirit. Johnny Depp plays the gentle, unfinished creation with scissors for hands, who is taken in by a kind suburban family led by Dianne Wiest. Its melancholic beauty is ideal for a reflective snow day. Find it on ITVX and Disney+.
Chilling Thrills & Heartwarming Tales
The Oscar-winning Fargo (1996) presents stark, beautiful snowy landscapes of Minnesota that will make you grateful for your central heating. The Coen Brothers' masterpiece follows a desperate car salesman (William H. Macy) whose kidnapping plot goes horrifically wrong, investigated by the brilliantly pragmatic pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand). It's currently on Netflix.
For heartfelt warmth, Gillian Armstrong's 1994 adaptation of Little Women is a superb choice. Following the March sisters—Jo (Winona Ryder), Meg (Trini Alvarado), Beth (Claire Danes), and Amy (Samantha Mathis and Kirsten Dunst)—through love, loss, and ambition in Civil War-era America, it's a timeless story of family. Watch it on Channel 4, NOW TV, and Sky.
John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) might be a unconventional 'cosy' pick, but horror aficionados know a snow-bound thriller can be perfect for the weather. This sci-fi horror classic pits a group of Antarctic researchers against a shape-shifting alien, breeding intense paranoia. It's available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Arrow, Rakuten TV, and Sky.
Finally, if children are home due to school closures, the animated adventure Ice Age (2002) is a fantastic family option. Follow Manny the mammoth (Ray Romano), Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo), and Diego the sabre-tooth tiger (Denis Leary) as they try to return a human baby to its tribe during the Pleistocene era. Stream it on Disney+.
So, as the UK weather continues to cause disruption, take the chance to stay indoors, keep warm, and lose yourself in one of these seven excellent films perfect for a snow day.
