Hot Frosty is a 2024 American Christmas romantic comedy film directed by Jerry Ciccoritti, written by Russell Hainline, and starring Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Katy Mixon Greer, Lauren Holly, Chrishell Stause, Joe Lo Truglio, and Craig Robinson.
| Hot Frosty | |
|---|---|
 Release poster | |
| Directed by | Jerry Ciccoritti |
| Written by | Russell Hainline |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Éric Cayla |
| Edited by | Julia Blua |
| Music by | Ari Posner |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
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Running time | 92 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
A widow counters her loneliness with a magical snowman brought to life.[2]
The film was released on Netflix on November 13, 2024.
Plot
editKathy Barrett runs Kathy's Kafé in downtown Hope Springs, NY. Her late husband was a handyman, now her heat is out, the roof leaks, and a step is broken.
Kathy takes lunch to her friends Theo and Mel at their clothing shop "Reclaimed Rags". They give her a red scarf 'destined' for her, encouraging her to seek happiness after her bereavement. On her way home she sees a snow sculpture competition, and places the scarf on a muscular snowman and takes a picture.
Later that night, the snowman comes to life. As he runs from an elderly couple and their dogs he accidentally falls through the clothing shop window. He grabs overalls and galoshes from the shop to wear. In the morning Kathy finds him talking to the other snowmen and invites him into her diner for a bite to eat. She assumes the "Jack" on the overalls is the newly human snowman's name, and asks what his first memory is. He replies it is of her placing the scarf on him, then the camera flash. The sheriff investigates the perceived clothing shop break in and vows to find the perpetrator.
Jack is freezing to the touch so Kathy takes him to the doctor who confirms Jack's temperature to be below freezing. Kathy takes him home.
When Kathy arrives home that evening, Jack surprises her with homemade pizza, which he learned to make watching a cooking show. They see a TV commercial about Hawaii; Jack wants to go there but Kathy explains it is too warm and expensive for Jack. She is uncomfortable with Jack's constant hugs and expressions of love for her.
As Jack is fixing the roof Kathy's neighbor drives into a snowbank, distracted at the sight of the shirtless man. Jack pushes her car out and she asks him to do some handywork in her house. She invites friends over to watch.
One of them asks Jack to aid her son, a short-staffed middle school principal, to prepare for an imminent dance. They bring him to Kathy's diner, where he and Kathy are approached by the sheriff. She reminds Jack that he needs to be more discreet.
Jack helps decorate the school hall, and overhears a student invite another to the dance. Inspired, Jack invites Kathy to be his date. She accepts and takes him clothes shopping. Jack gives Kathy a silver snowflake necklace. At the dance Kathy sees Jack is overheating, so takes him outside to cool down. They almost kiss, but Jack fears Kathy might be hurt when he melts away.
On Christmas Eve, the town gathers at the diner. Kathy's speech is interrupted when the sheriff arrests Jack, to everyone's disapproval. The doctor explains that Jack is a snowman, and everyone agrees that Christmas is a time for such magic. Sheriff Nate demands $2,000 bail for Jack's release.
Kathy empties the diner's safe and everyone from the diner donates, but it is still short. The sheriff's son offers to contribute the remaining amount. Nate backs down and returns the bail money. Kathy takes Jack outside, but he no longer moves. Assuming he is dead, she kisses him, takes the red scarf and starts to leave. Jack comes back to life, shivering and functioning like a real human. They finally kiss.
Continuing to live together, Kathy and Jack exchange presents. He gives her a home repair book and Kathy gets them plane tickets to Hawaii. They head off there together.
Cast
edit- Lacey Chabert as Kathy Barrett
- Dustin Milligan as Jack Snowman
- Craig Robinson as Sheriff Nathaniel Hunter
- Joe Lo Truglio as Deputy Sheriff Ed Schatz
- Katy Mixon Greer as Dottie
- Lauren Holly as Jane Miller
- Chrishell Stause as Jan
- Sherry Miller as Mel
- Dan Lett as Theo
- Allan Royal as Mortimer
Production
editThe film is directed by Jerry Ciccoritti and written by Russell Hainline. Joel S. Rice and Michael Barbuto produced for Muse Entertainment.[3] The lead cast includes Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Katy Mixon Greer, Lauren Holly, Chrishell Stause, Joe Lo Truglio, and Craig Robinson[4] Filming took place in Canada in April and May 2024, with filming locations including Ottawa, Brockville and Pakenham, Ontario.[5][6]
Release
editThe film was released on Netflix on November 13, 2024.[7][8]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 82% of 22 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.9/10.[9] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 52 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Hot Frosty (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ "'Hot Frosty', Netflix holiday rom-com casts Lacey Chabert in lead". The News. May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (May 13, 2024). "Lacey Chabert To Topline Netflix Holiday Rom-Com 'Hot Frosty'; Dustin Milligan, Joe Lo Truglio & Craig Robinson Among Others Set". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Baalla, Sara (May 14, 2024). "Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause lands Netflix movie role". Digital Spy. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Elliott, Dale C. (May 14, 2024). "Movie Filmed in Brockville a Netflix Holiday Rom-Com, 'Hot Frosty'". Hometowntv12.ca. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Kumar Jha, Ranjeet (May 15, 2024). "Lacey Chabert Brings Magic to Life in 'Hot Frosty' in 2024". Postforall. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Stephan, Katcy (May 13, 2024). "Lacey Chabert to Lead Netflix Holiday Rom-Com 'Hot Frosty'". Variety. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Schimautz, Julia (August 28, 2024). "The New Netflix Movies You Can Watch This Fall". Netflix. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ "Hot Frosty". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ "Hot Frosty". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
External links
edit- Hot Frosty on Netflix
- Hot Frosty at IMDb
