Discover the films that, in my opinion, resonate closely with stoic philosophy and help me survive the cold and dark winter nights here in Finland.

Introduction

When the sun sets around 4 PM and you’re living on a small island in the Baltic Sea—braving the lovely freezing winds that sometimes require you to walk sideways just to stay upright—it’s the perfect excuse to cozy up with a great movie. For those of you lounging in warmer climates—I’m totally not jealous, bro, I swear!— however these films deserve to still be enjoyed whether it’s nice outside or not.

As Seneca wisely said, “Leisure without books is death, and burial of a man alive.” I’m sure Seneca, being a great playwright himself(although critics may not have agreed, just like with my blog), would extend this to movies also.

Even stoics appreciate a bit of entertainment every now and again, as long as we’re not turning into couch potatoes. So, without further ado, here are the top five movies that help me navigate the long Finnish winters, each reflecting stoic values in their own unique way.

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

This epic saga has been a staple for me ever since I was a kid and read the books several times over. There’s something about immersing myself in Middle-earth that makes the freezing temperatures outside a little more bearable.

I love how the characters face monumental challenges beyond their or anyone else’s control. Yet even when all hope seems lost, they choose to act with courage and integrity right to the very end—just like the famous stoic Cato did by standing against Caesar.

One of my favorite exchanges from the movies that I find relevant today when the world around is getting messier by the hour:

Frodo: “I wish it need not have happened in my time.”

Gandalf: “So do I, and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

This quote could’ve been written by Seneca or Marcus Aurelius himself. Something, which is extremely similar to what they are talking about in their books.

Beyond Gandalf’s wisdom, the story focuses on the endless battle against oppressive forces—a fight that’s unfortunately still taking place today in the real world. Tolkien, having experienced the horrors of World War I, infused his work with themes opposing tyranny.

If there’s one (or three extremely long) movies I’d recommend to anyone braving the winter—or any season, really—it’s this epic saga. Plus, it’s a great way to spend a cozy evening when going outside feels like an Arctic expedition.

If you’re interested in learning more about Cato’s final stand, check out my blog post on his life and final dramatic stand against Caesar here.

Affiliate Link You can find the movies and books here :

Movies : The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Books: J.R.R. Tolkien 4-Book Boxed Set: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

2. The Star Wars Original Trilogy

Yes, I know, real original picks so far, dude. But hey, at least I didn’t list all of the movies separately and be done with the list!

Yoda, the little green sage we all know and love, often imparts wisdom that really closely mirrors what one might imagine stoics would’ve lectured about. He talks about how fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering—a notion that Seneca would definitely agree with and that is mirrored in his writings On Anger.

The theme of recognizing ones own emotions and thoughts is also very important and as Yoda says:

“The dark side clouds everything. Impossible to see the light, the future is.”

This quote is almost word for word with my favorite passages from Marcus Aurelius: “The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.”

Another aspect is the emphasis on passing knowledge to others. Yoda encourages teaching and learning, much like Seneca’s idea that “Men learn while they teach.” It’s a reminder that wisdom is meant to be shared.

Including this trilogy was a no-brainer for me. Its themes of self-control, wisdom, and acceptance are as relevant now as they were a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

Affiliate Link: You can find the Star Wars Original Trilogy here.

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3. Groundhog Day

This film is my go-to when I need a quick pick-me-up. I find it especially relevant during winter. It’s a humorous take on something that, in my opinion, is very reflective of stoic philosophy— as the famous stoic philosopher Epictetus might say, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”

One of my favorite quotes from the movie:

Phil: “When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life.”

As someone dealing with long winters myself, this resonates on a personal level. It’s a comforting thought during these cold, dark nights over here.

What I appreciate in the movie is how the main character shifts from frustration to self-improvement, eventually finding happiness not by changing his situation but by changing himself. It’s a humorous reminder that while we can’t control the weather (trust me, I’ve tried), we can control our attitude towards it.

Affiliate link: Grab your own copy of Groundhog day Here

4. The Intouchables (2011)

This feel-good movie is one I like rewatching because it lifts my mood and reminds me of the joy that can be found in unlikely friendships.

The story revolves around an aristocratic man who becomes quadriplegic after an accident and hires a caregiver from a rough neighborhood. What stands out to me is how both characters focus on enjoying life, even when external circumstances, like physical limitations, severely affect their everyday living.

Their friendship transcends social barriers, and they find humor and happiness in the present moment no matter their life’s circumstances, which in my opinion is very stoic. It’s a heartwarming tale that showcases the idea that our perspective defines our experience not so much what happens to us.

A memorable quote from the film:

’Don’t wait for things to get easier, simpler, better. Life will always be complicated.’ Learn to be happy right now. Otherwise, you’ll run out of time.

5. The Big Lebowski

As one of my favorite movies of all time, I couldn’t leave out The Big Lebowski. Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski’s attitude to life, while a caricature and a comedy character, has many stoic reflections in my opinion—especially in how he doesn’t care about how others see or think of him.

The Dude abides, after all. His laid-back approach to life’s ups and downs embodies a kind of acceptance and tranquility that in many ways resembles stoic philosophy. He lives life not caring about how others see him and that it’s okay to not let others opinions about us dictate how we approach or live our lives.

One of my favorite lines:

The Dude: “Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.”

It’s a humorous way of acknowledging that we don’t have to be affected by others’ judgments.

Affiliate link: Get your copy of The Big Lebowski Here

Bonus (Dis)Honorable Mention: Gladiator

As a Roman history enthusiast and fanboy number one of Marcus “The Man” Aurelius, I couldn’t resist including this one despite the glaring historical inaccuracies!

Let’s be honest, Gladiator takes some creative liberties that make the historian in me cringe. The portrayal of Marcus Aurelius’s death, the character of Commodus, and the absence of important figures like Faustina the Younger (who was a significant influence in Marcus’s life and an accomplished stoic herself!) are a bit hard to swallow.

But despite these flaws, the film captures the essence of stoicism through its protagonist, Maximus. He embodies virtues like honor, duty, and resilience in the face of immense suffering. Maximus focuses on his actions and maintaining his integrity, even when everything is taken from him.

A powerful quote from the film:

Maximus: I knew a man once who said, “Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back.”

So while the historian in me grumbles, I acknowledge that Gladiator has its merits and can be enjoyed for its epic storytelling and thematic depth.

Affiliate link: Grab your copy of the Gladiator Here

Conclusion

These films not only keep me company during the long, dark Finnish winters but also resonate with stoic values that I try (huge emphasis on “try”) to incorporate into my life. I’d love to hear about your favorite movies that inspire you or help you reflect. Feel free to share—they might just make my winter nights a bit brighter!

As for me, Peter Jackson’s movie adaptation of The Lord of the Rings remains a personal favorite movie of mine. It’s a faithful adaptation of stories that have shaped my perspective in life (unlike The Hobbit‘s movie adaptation, but let’s not open that can of worms!).

If you’re interested in more musings on stoicism and personal growth, check out my previous post on embracing resilience during challenging times here. Also, for a deeper dive into stoic philosophy, Seneca’s On Anger is a great read—you can find it here.

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“We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.” — Seneca

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