‘Hot Frosty’ (2024) Netflix Movie Review - Sweet But Forgettable

As we get closer to Christmas, the surge of holiday-themed movies is in full swing, and Hot Frosty is the latest to join the festive lineup. In Hot Frosty, we follow the life of Kathy who runs a small-town diner. Kathy's life has been quiet and lonely ever since her husband passed away several years ago. She spends her days in a repetitive routine—getting out of bed, heading to work, and coming back to a house that’s slowly falling apart. The roof leaks, the staircase is creaky and in need of repair, and the overall atmosphere of her life reflects the emotional void she’s been living with.

It’s the holiday season, but for Kathy, Christmas hasn’t felt magical in a long time. That changes when she receives an unexpected gift—a beautiful scarf from Theo’s wife.  She recounts the night she first met her husband, attributing their meeting to a bit of Christmas magic, and insists that Kathy take the scarf, hinting that it might bring her a similar kind of magic. Kathy, who has long given up on finding love, reluctantly accepts the scarf, though deep down she still harbors a secret hope for companionship.

On her way home from the diner, Kathy passes by a park where a snow sculpture competition takes place later in the day. One snowman, in particular, catches her eye—it looks strangely lifelike, almost resembling a Greek sculpture with its perfectly chiseled features. In a whimsical moment, Kathy wraps the scarf around the snowman’s neck, snaps a picture on her phone, and walks away, chuckling at her own silliness.

Unbeknownst to her, that very night, something extraordinary happens. The snowman comes to life! Confused and shivering in the cold, the snowman, who calls himself Jack, finds himself lost in the human world. He stumbles through the quiet streets and accidentally breaks into Theo’s store in search of warmth, taking clothes and boots to cover his frosty figure. Not knowing how to navigate the human world, Jack wanders aimlessly until he crosses paths with Kathy the next morning.

When Kathy first encounters Jack, she’s baffled by his strange behavior and his insistence that he somehow knows her. He claims he’s been watching her for years—watching over her like a guardian in the cold. Kathy, of course, dismisses this as nonsense, thinking Jack is just another town oddball, but soon, strange coincidences begin to happen. Jack seems to know things about Kathy’s life that no one else could, and his childlike innocence and charm slowly begin to melt her cold exterior.

Meanwhile, the town sheriff is on a mission to find the person who broke into Theo’s store the night before. As rumors spread of a mysterious stranger in town, suspicion begins to fall on Jack. Kathy finds herself in a dilemma—does she protect Jack and risk exposing his secret, or does she turn him in, not fully understanding the magic that has brought him to life?

Hot Frosty is a heartwarming Christmas tale about second chances, the magic of the holiday season, and the unexpected ways love and companionship can find us—even in the coldest of times. However, the plot fails to create the magic you expect to see. It is for sure a feel-good movie. One of the most memorable moments is a cameo by Lindsay Lohan, a befitting tribute to Mean Girls. However, this movie doesn’t aim to be a standout hit—it’s more of a light-hearted, feel-good film made purely for fun. There’s no grand ambition to deliver a ground-breaking story or intense drama here. Instead, Hot Frosty embraces the charm of simple holiday entertainment, offering a cozy, one-time watch that's perfect for unwinding during the season. It’s the kind of movie that provides comfort without asking too much of its audience.

Final Score- [5/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times