Warning: this article contains mild spoilers for Hot Frosty
Netflix's Christmas romantic comedy, Hot Frosty, follows Kathy (Lacey Chabert), a grieving widow, as she accidentally brings a snowman (Dustin Milligan) to life. Much like the original Frosty the Snowman, Kathy's snowman, Jack, helps bring an air of magic and happiness to Kathy's life, allowing viewers to see her recovering from her past loss. As Hot Frosty's main characters, Kathy and Jack, grow closer, Jack also wins over the other members of Kathy's town with his friendliness and helping hand. The movie's comforting small-town setting and holiday-themed romance also help set the perfect tone to get audiences in the Christmas mood.
Hot Frosty is set in the fictional small town of Hope Springs, New York, where Kathy owns a diner. The movie creates the sense that Kathy lives in a tight-knit community who all know each other, and who come to know and love Jack too as the movie progresses. Reviews of Hot Frosty agree the movie provides sweet Christmas laughs and a heartfelt message about finding joy, and the cute quaintness of the town, which helps audiences get in the Christmas spirit, has left fans of the movie wondering where Hot Frosty was filmed.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The Canadian Capital Served As A Backdrop For the Film
Though Hot Frosty takes place in the town of Hope Springs, which is revealed to be in New York based on car license plates visible throughout the film, the movie was actually filmed entirely in Canada. The choice to use Ottawa as well as several other smaller towns in Ontario makes sense given the locations' proximity to upstate New York. Especially once snow is added, the separate locations can be easily interchanged. The Canadian capital, Ottawa, served as the filming location for many of the movie's important scenes, especially those that required indoor sets.
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Despite Jack needing to take regular breaks outside in the cold to avoid melting, much of Hot Frosty actually takes place inside, meaning that it can be difficult to truly glimpse images of Ottawa. Many of the interior scenes of the film, such as those in the doctor's office and those in the middle school, were filmed in unused school buildings in Ottawa. Additionally, brief glimpses of the city's buildings can be seen when Kathy and Jack go on their shopping spree.
Brockville, Ontario, Canada
Brockville Provided Beautiful Views For The Film's Winter Scenes
Also called the City of the Thousand Islands, Brockville was home to many scenes in Hot Frosty. Downtown Brockville is known for being very picturesque, and when covered in snow, it stood in as the perfect Christmastime Hope Springs. The real Brockville is a small city that boasts beautiful architecture and several popular tourist attractions, so it makes sense that it would also be an ideal filming location.
the annual Hope Springs Snow Sculpture competition where Kathy first sees Jack in his snowman form was filmed in downtown Brockville
Many of Hot Frosty's interior and exterior scenes were filmed in Brockville. Notably, the annual Hope Springs Snow Sculpture competition where Kathy first sees Jack in his snowman form was filmed in downtown Brockville. Audiences paying close attention can catch their first glimpses of the street's beautiful architecture and distinctive fountain in the center of the square. Likewise, Kathy's diner as well as the Reclaimed Rags store where Jack steals his clothes after turning human occupy buildings on this same street in Brockville.
Mississippi Mills, Ontario, Canada
Mississippi Mills Was The Real Location of Kathy's Home
While the majority of the outdoor scenery that can be seen in Hot Frosty is of Brockville's downtown area, Mississippi Mills, and more specifically, the small community of Pakenham was also used to stand in for some interior scenes in Hot Frosty. While Pakenham itself is quite small, it is known for ski slopes on Mount Pakenham, which is a popular tourist location, and for the Pakenham Bridge, which is the only five-arch stone bridge in North America. The unique and stunning scenery of Pakenham helped set the scene for Hope Springs in Hot Frosty, and provided extra locations for the characters to travel to.
Specifically, Kathy's home, where she and Jack first begin to bond and fall for each other, was actually located in Pakenham. Exterior shots of the house showed a more residential area away from the town's center and Kathy's diner. Since several scenes took place in Kathy's car as she commuted to town with Jack, it makes sense that Hot Frosty would create this visual separation by filming in two different areas. It also gives Hot Frosty a chance to make the town of Hope Springs feel more real and lived-in, a place where audiences themselves would want to spend the holidays.
Two years after losing her husband, Kathy magically brings a snowman to life. His innocence and charm help her reconnect with joy and love. As their bond deepens over the holiday season, a budding romance develops, but they are faced with the reality that the snowman will soon melt.
Director Jerry Ciccoritti
Writers Russell Hainline
Release Date November 13, 2024
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English (US) ·