If you're a fan of detective stories and the icy, unforgiving landscapes, this collection is for you. These films blend the thrill of solving mysteries with the stark beauty of frozen environments, offering a unique cinematic experience. From classic whodunits to modern thrillers, each film in this list uses the icy setting to enhance the tension and intrigue, making for a captivating watch.

The Ice Harvest (2005)
Description: This dark comedy-thriller follows two friends who plan to steal money from their boss on Christmas Eve, only to find themselves entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal amidst a snowstorm. The icy setting adds to the chilling atmosphere of their misadventure.
Fact: The film was originally set to be released in 2004 but was delayed due to the bankruptcy of Focus Features.


The Big White (2005)
Description: In this dark comedy, an insurance salesman in Alaska finds a body and decides to use it to claim his missing brother's insurance. The icy setting of Alaska provides a backdrop for this quirky, snow-filled caper.
Fact: The film was shot in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which was transformed to look like Alaska.


The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)
Description: While not directly about ice, this Argentine film features scenes in a cold, desolate landscape where a retired legal counselor writes a novel about an unresolved case. The icy setting symbolizes the cold trail of the investigation.
Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in


The Iceman (2012)
Description: This biographical crime thriller about Richard Kuklinski, a notorious hitman, uses the metaphor of ice to describe his cold, emotionless nature. While not set in an icy environment, the title reflects his chilling persona.
Fact: Michael Shannon, who played Kuklinski, prepared for the role by meeting with Kuklinski's daughter.


The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Description: Although not exclusively about ice, this film features significant scenes set in the snowy Swedish countryside where a journalist and a hacker investigate a 40-year-old disappearance. The icy setting adds to the bleakness of the mystery.
Fact: The film's director, David Fincher, insisted on shooting in Sweden during winter to capture the authentic atmosphere of the novel.


The Snowman (2017)
Description: Based on Jo Nesbø's novel, this film features Detective Harry Hole investigating a series of murders in Oslo, where the killer leaves snowmen at the crime scenes. The cold Norwegian winter serves as a chilling backdrop to this psychological thriller.
Fact: The film was shot in Norway, with some scenes filmed in the actual locations described in the book.


The Frozen Ground (2013)
Description: Based on true events, this film follows an Alaska State Trooper and a young woman who escaped from a serial killer. The harsh Alaskan winter is not just a setting but an obstacle in their pursuit of justice.
Fact: The film was shot in Anchorage, Alaska, to capture the authentic feel of the story's setting.


Wind River (2017)
Description: Set in the harsh Wyoming winter, this film follows a wildlife officer and an FBI agent as they investigate a murder on a Native American reservation. The icy landscape reflects the harsh reality of the investigation and the characters' inner turmoil.
Fact: The film was inspired by real-life issues faced by Native American communities, particularly the high rate of missing and murdered indigenous women.


Cold Pursuit (2019)
Description: A snowplow driver seeks revenge against the drug dealers he believes killed his son, set against the backdrop of a Colorado ski resort. The icy environment plays a crucial role in the unfolding drama and action.
Fact: The film is a remake of the Norwegian film "In Order of Disappearance" and was adapted for an American audience.


The Snow Walker (2003)
Description: A pilot crashes in the Arctic and must survive with the help of an Inuit woman. The icy wilderness becomes both a setting and a character in this survival drama with elements of mystery.
Fact: The film was shot in Nunavut, Canada, to authentically depict the Arctic environment.
