Ice Storm Thrillers: 10 Films to Chill You to the Bone

Description: This survival thriller features a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, where the characters must navigate through ice and snow to survive, with an ice storm adding to their woes.

Fact: The film was shot in Alberta, Canada, with real bears used for some scenes, adding to the authenticity of the survival narrative.

Description: Set during the Thanksgiving weekend in 1973, this film uses an ice storm as a metaphor for the emotional and relational freeze between characters, highlighting the dysfunction within suburban families.

Fact: The film was adapted from Rick Moody's novel of the same name. It was also one of the first films to explore the theme of sexual liberation in the 1970s.

Description: Although primarily about a heist during a flood, the film includes scenes where ice and freezing rain create additional hazards for the characters, adding to the tension.

Fact: The film was shot in a specially constructed water tank to simulate the flooded town, which was a massive undertaking for its time.

Description: This film captures the essence of a deadly storm at sea, where ice and freezing conditions exacerbate the already dire situation for the crew of the Andrea Gail.

Fact: The film was based on the book by Sebastian Junger, which detailed the real events of the 1991 Perfect Storm. The storm was a combination of three weather systems, making it one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic.

Description: This blockbuster disaster film showcases a sudden global weather shift that leads to an ice age in days. The ice storm sequences are not just visually stunning but pivotal to the plot, where characters must survive the freezing conditions.

Fact: The film was inspired by the book "The Coming Global Superstorm" by Art Bell and Whitley Strieber. It was also one of the first films to use real-time weather simulation software for its storm sequences.

Description: This low-budget thriller follows three skiers who are stranded on a chairlift during a snowstorm, with ice and freezing temperatures playing a central role in their survival struggle.

Fact: The film was shot in Utah, and the director Adam Green used real snow and cold temperatures to enhance the authenticity of the actors' performances.

Description: After a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, survivors must contend with freezing temperatures, ice storms, and wolves, making for a gripping tale of survival.

Fact: The film was inspired by the short story "Ghost Walker" by Ian MacKenzie Jeffers. The wolves in the film were portrayed by CGI and animatronics to avoid using real animals.

Description: While not solely about an ice storm, the film's harsh winter setting and the protagonist's survival against the elements, including freezing conditions, make it a fitting addition to this list.

Fact: The film was shot in the harsh winter conditions of Canada and Argentina, with Leonardo DiCaprio enduring real cold to capture the authenticity of his character's ordeal.

Description: While not exclusively about an ice storm, this film features a harrowing rescue mission during a severe nor'easter, where icy conditions play a critical role in the life-and-death struggle of the Coast Guard crew.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of the 1952 SS Pendleton rescue, one of the most daring small boat rescues in Coast Guard history.

Description: Set in the Arctic, this film tells the story of a pilot and an Inuit woman who must survive after a crash, dealing with ice storms and the harsh Arctic winter.

Fact: The film is based on a short story by Farley Mowat, and much of the Inuit dialogue was spoken by an Inuit actress, adding cultural authenticity to the film.