When people sit down in front of the television during winter break, many people instantly scroll to the holiday movies, such as classics like “Home Alone,” “Christmas Vacation,” or “Elf.” However, once the holidays come to a close, the last thing you want to watch is a festive movie. Besides, watching Christmas movies over and over again can feel a bit dull considering a lot of them follow similar plot lines and have an overall feel that lacks originality and freshness. For those who agree, the perfect movie is one that not only is an exhilarating experience but also leaves the viewer wanting more (something that said viewer will be receiving soon, more on that later). The movie that I recommend to you for this winter break is “Greenland.”
“Greenland” is a PG-13 American apocalyptic thriller that follows the Garrity family as they fight for survival as a planet-destroying comet races towards Earth. The movie is relatively new, with the movie officially being released after COVID-19 delays on December 18, 2020. The movie features several celebrities, with Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin playing the parents and the legendary Scott Glenn playing Morena’s mother.
I first watched this movie in 2021 a few months after its initial release and immediately it became one of my favorite movies, a place that it still holds today. The movie, unlike similar movies in the “end of the world” genre, is very realistic and a rather darker twist on apocalyptic survival. This movie is not for the faint of heart: some scenes can be brutal not in gore but in emotional impact. However, this merely adds to not only the realism of the movie, but also expands on the viewing impact and how the movie is able to hold up.
Another vital reason to watch this movie this year is due to the fact that “Greenland: Migration,” the sequel to the film, is being released on January 9, 2026, just a couple of weeks away. So for those who enjoy the movie, they merely have to wait a short period of time to be introduced to the second in the series.
For those who enjoy action/adventure thrillers, this movie is for you. Not only is it one of my favorite movies, I revisit it on many occasions and hope that you take my advice and give this movie a try.
“Greenland” is streaming on Netflix.
[Editor’s Note: This article is one in our series of recommendations for fun activities over Winter Break.]