The 10 Best Winter Scenes throughout Pop Culture

Though the holidays draw nearer, many pop culture fans still have a great deal of winter weather to contend with before spring. Amid the snowstorms, frigid temperatures, and seemingly endless shoveling requirements, it is easy to forget that winter has its own beauty and even an important place in many of our favorite stories.

Here are 10 of our favorite iconic wintry landscapes in pop film and television.

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Hoth – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™

After visiting the dry, hot planet of Tatooine in A New Hope™, Star Wars™ fans are swept to its polar opposite planet, Hoth. Its nearly uninhabitable temperatures serve as a perfect place to hide a secret Rebel base, as no one in their right mind would choose to spend significant amounts of time on the unforgiving ice planet.

Of all the heroes contending with the challenges Hoth has to offer, Luke Skywalker has the worst luck. He is kidnapped by a fearsome wampa and only escapes becoming its next meal by using the Force to reclaim his lightsaber. Han Solo must also take desperate measures in helping Luke stay warm by ensconcing him in the entrails of a tauntaun. There is no doubt that Hoth left an impression on Luke and viewers alike.

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Deadpool Dance Off – Deadpool & Wolverine

Wade Wilson learns that his universe will cease to exist due to losing its anchor being, Logan. Never one to take no for an answer, Wade does what any unreasonable person would do and digs up Logan’s grave in hopes that he is still alive. His heart to heart with Logan’s very dead, Adamantium-coated skeletonized remains is interrupted by the Time Variance Authority arriving to arrest him.

In true Deadpool fashion, he promises not to use his weapons and instead takes out every agent that appears using Wolverine’s bones. Set to N*SYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye,” the wintry landscape paired with Deadpool’s theatrical fighting style make this one of the MCU’s most memorable scenes.

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Dalmatian Escape – 101 Dalmatians

Disney’s Perdita and Pongo receive word that their puppies can be found at Hell Hall, an old home belonging to Cruella de Vil. As they travel to the dilapidated manor, snow begins to fall. The dogs seek temporary refuge along the way in several barns and buildings but their respite at each place is short. They are consistently forced to continue their long return to London with Horace and Jasper on their trail.

Perdita, Pongo and the ninety-five Dalmatian puppies face many wintry perils in their travels. They walk into blustering winter winds, over slippery ice, and cover their paw prints in the freshly fallen snow to avoid being followed. The dogs arrive back home to their overjoyed humans just in time for Christmas.

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“Something There” – Beauty and the Beast

Snow falls at the enchanted castle just as the Beast’s icy demeanor begins to thaw in the wake of Belle’s kindness. Moved to do something kind for her in return, he notes her love of reading and gifts her his magnificent library. The two grow closer and decide to bundle up and go outdoors to enjoy the snow together.

From snowball fights to feeding the birds, the Beast and Belle see their own playfulness and gentleness mirrored in one another. Their thoughts about one another form the song “Something There,” with each noting the shifts in one another’s behavior. Belle notes the Beast’s sweetness and lack of sureness, somewhat alarmed at her own change of heart. The Beast hopefully notes Belle’s gaze and is stunned that she does not shudder when he touches her. The castle’s enchanted inhabitants hopefully observe the changing dynamics.

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Mark XLII’s Rough Landing – Iron Man 3

Still reeling from his near-death experience in space as he saved New York, Tony Stark furiously builds new suits in an effort to keep his loved ones safe from future threats. His latest, the Mark XLII, assembles around him when it is called. It is unfortunately a somewhat temperamental suit of armor. Its flaws are many, and seem to present themselves at the most inopportune times.

When the Mandarin orders an attack on Tony’s home, the Mark XLII protects both Pepper Potts and Tony. The Iron Man suit, however, launches takes Tony all the way to a crash landing in snowy Rose Hill, Tennessee. The suit is in ruins and Tony is presumed dead. Tony has no choice but to lay low in the small town as it prepares for the holiday season. With the help of a young boy named Harley, Tony learns more about the Mandarin and ultimately repairs the Mark XLII.

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The Battle of Winterfell – Game of Thrones

There are only two seasons in Game of Thrones‘ Westeros: winter and summer. No one ever knows how long each will last, but everyone knows the tales of the Long Night. According to legend, it was a time of great darkness and a brutal, long winter brought on by supernatural forces. Legend becomes reality when the Night King breaches the Wall and defeats the forces of the Night’s Watch with his army of the dead.

Winterfell is the northernmost stronghold in Westeros, and the Night King’s next target. Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and their allies face the hordes of the dead as they arrive on a dark winter night. Many friends and allies fall, and much to the horror of those who survive, rise up again as servants of the Night King. The Night King closes in on Bran as the strength of all those remaining begins to fail. Arya Stark, a trained assassin, arrives just in time. She drives her Valyrian steel blade into the Night King and ultimately eradicates his entire army in one move.

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Lucy’s Arrival in Narnia – The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Lucy Pevensie and her three siblings decide to pass the time in the Professor’s large home by playing hide and seek. Lucy notices an intricately carved wardrobe and selects this as her hiding spot. As she slowly backs in to hide behind the fur coats, she finds herself brushing against snow-covered trees. She turns around, and her face lights up with wonder as she finds herself in a forest blanketed in untouched snow.

Her curiosity and courage push her forward, and she finds herself in a clearing, staring up at a lamppost. It is here that she meets the faun Mr. Tumnus, who would grow to become one of her fiercest allies and friends. The presence of a magical creature, the snowy landscape, and iconic lamppost create a sense of childlike wonderment that few fans of Narnia will ever forget.

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Tree Lighting Ceremony – Batman Returns

Batman Returns takes place in the winter and is brimming with snowy scenes. The movie sets the scene early on during Gotham’s annual tree lighting ceremony. It takes a turn from festive to frightening thanks to The Penguin and his minions. Bruce Wayne sees the Bat-signal light up the sky from Wayne Manor and jumps into action.

As Penguin’s circus friends wreak havoc in Gotham above ground, Penguin takes to the sewers. Batman, meanwhile, uses his Batmobile and various gadgets to great effect to put an end to the chaos in the city. He even saves Selina Kyle from one of the evil clowns, allowing her to live to see another day and eventually become Catwoman.

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Caradhras – The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The Fellowship of the Ring departs Rivendell and makes their way for Mordor on their intended route. Their plans are foiled, however, when Saruman’s crows soar overhead, looking for signs of their traveling party. Gandalf recognizes that the passage south is no longer an option. He decides that they will try to take the mountain pass over Caradhras.

With snow that would be considered deep for Men and almost impassible for Hobbits, plus forceful winds, the path was treacherous in and of itself. As Legolas traverses ahead on his nimble feet, he notes that he hears a voice. Gandalf recognizes that it is Saruman, who is trying to force the Fellowship to take the path through Moria. Despite being buried in an avalanche, Gandalf still hesitates to take any other way. He ultimately allows Frodo as the Ringbearer to decide. Frodo recognizes the futility of taking the mountain pass, and decides that they will have to brave Moria.

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Hedwig’s Flight – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft of Wizardry get to experience three beautiful seasons when school is in session. No season lends itself to the beauty of the castle quite so well as winter. While audiences enjoy seeing how Harry and Ron spend the holiday season with the castle bedecked for Christmas, no winter scene in Harry Potter is as iconic as Hedwig’s flight in the courtyard.

During his first year at Hogwarts, Harry dresses in his winter robe and long Gryffindor scarf to allow his snowy owl, Hedwig, a chance to enjoy the snowy weather. It is a brief scene, but Harry’s delight as he watches his beloved owl soar over the place he now views as home paired with John Williams’ stirring music perfectly captures the magic of Harry Potter.

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Whether it is triumphing over harsh conditions or basking in the beauty of winter, many of fans’ favorite stories would not be the same without the presence of winter. From brutal places like Hoth and Caradhras to places of winter wonderment like Hogwarts and Narnia, iconic moments and even plot lines would be entirely different without the wintery landscapes in which they are set.

What are your favorite pop culture winter scenes? Join the conversation with other pop culture fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!