For many people, a familiar pastime in the weeks leading up to major winter holidays is gathering with family members and watching holiday movies, be they in a theater or on television. During the month of December, the Falls Free Press will return to our tradition of “The 12 Films of Christmas,” focusing on new holiday movies for the year 2024—a year that can still do with plenty of peace and joy. We will review each film, whether naughty or nice, and let you know where to watch.
Since 2019 Netflix has been gradually working its way into the Christmas movie business. Though it hasn’t overtaken the Hallmark Channel or Lifetime yet, for 2024 they knew exactly what they were doing with “sexy” holiday movies such as Meet Me Next Christmas and The Merry Gentlemen. One of these films in particular, Hot Frosty, even remained on Netflix’s most watched list for seven straight days before it was bumped by the previously mentioned Merry Gentlemen. However, though popular, there are many questions about what the producers intended with this romantic comedy involving a studly snowman.
Hot Frosty stars Dustin Milligan as Jack the snowman, a skillfully carved snowman who, after a scarf is placed on him, magically transforms into a naked human and breaks into a nearby shop for clothing. Meanwhile, Kathy (played by Lacey Chabert), who gave the snowman a scarf, goes about her day heartbroken from the loss of her late husband, only to find a quirky Jack talking to the other snowmen on the street. She ends up taking the man home to keep him safe. Jack, only a few days old, soon gains the admiration of the whole town, including Kathy: learning construction, how to cook, dance, and even law from watching YouTube videos. Ultimately, he finds a way into Kathy’s heart.
On the basis of that description, this film is no different than the hundreds of other movies released by certain cable networks; but it’s the stars that make an impact. Craig Robinson and Joe Lo Truglio have perfect banter as the sheriff and deputy, especially during the sheriff’s determined mission to find the person who streaked through town. At the same time, the deputy makes friends with and learns life skills from that same person. Despite the obvious fact that Jack is merely a toddler when Kathy finds him, Chabert plays up the bizarre plotline to prevent it from seeming creepy, focusing more on Jack as a weird person than the fact that he doesn’t understand food, clothing, or even what is television (shown in a perfectly timed Mean Girls callback with a clip of Falling for Christmas– “That is so funny. That looks just like the girl I went to high school with”).
Overall, Hot Frosty has something for all audiences, whether it’s Jack shirtless, the comedy of Craig Robinson, the small New England town, or the simple magic that brings a snowman to life who is forever forced to live like Mr. Freeze.
Hot Frosty is available to stream on Netflix.
