Jack Frost (1998)

16% of critics liked it
(49 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(63,029 ratings)

Michael Keaton stars in this special-effects-heavy Christmas film about a boy who discovers, after his father dies in a car accident, that his dad is still alive in the form of a snowman. Unlike the horror film of the same name, Jack Frost is a children's film designed to warm the soul during a… More Michael Keaton stars in this special-effects-heavy Christmas film about a boy who discovers, after his father dies in a car accident, that his dad is still alive in the form of a snowman. Unlike the horror film of the same name, Jack Frost is a children's film designed to warm the soul during a chilly winter season. Think of this film as a live-action version of the children's classic Frosty the Snowman. The story starts with Jack Frost (Michael Keaton), a harmonica-playing blues rocker who spends too much time pursuing his musical career, leaving little time for his wife (Kelly Preston) and son Charlie (Joseph Cross). Feeling guilty for his absence and missing his son's hockey practice, he decides to forego his big audition to spend Christmas with his family. While driving home for the holidays, however, Jack dies in a tragic auto accident. The following Christmas, Jack's son builds a snowman and decorates it with his father's old clothes. When Charlie plays his father's harmonica, Jack Frost returns home in the body of the snowman. Jack has to show Charlie how much he loves him and also has to teach him the ice hockey shot he never got around to when he was alive. Along the way there are snowball fights and sled chases, and Jack finally realizes the great times he was missing with his son. ~ Arthur Borman, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Troy Miller
Written By: Mark Steven Johnson, Jonathan Roberts, Steve Bloom, Jeff Cesario
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 11, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Nov 2, 1999
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Peter Brunette, Film.com
Let it melt!
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Now we have proof: It's possible for the Jim Henson folks and Industrial Light and Magic to put their heads together and come up with the most repulsive single creature in the history of special effects!
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle
Its sentiment is rote, its truths are culled from a trip down the aisles of a greeting-card shop.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
It's just cheerful and bogus enough to keep children reasonably entertained.
Joly Herman, Common Sense Media
Michael Keaton's frozen rocker dad makes a bad role model.
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
Every year the DVD will [be] displayed as though it's worthy of renting. But it's out because it takes place around the holidays, not because it belongs to be there.
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
It will no doubt appeal to eight-year-olds, but anyone older than that can pretty much be prepared to get to know their watchface very well.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
The novelty of the snowman effects wears thin after a while.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Directors C

I loved Jack Frost as a kid. Now I just see it as satisfactory childrens christmas entertainment. Although uninspired it did however bring a smile to my face despite there being other, better christmas films.
Alexander D

The 1998 version of JACK FROST is full of bad acting and is a waste of your precious Christmas moments.
Lucas M

Too sentimental and bad writing. Rotten.
Michael E

this movie was surprisingly good, i thought it was greatly boring during the first half an hour but after he turned into a snowman the film just became fantastic and the ending is one of the few moments to get me teary eyed in a film
KJ P

I have no idea why this movie is rated bad! To me, this is one of the most heartwarming holiday movies ever made! The cast, the emption, and the ideas flowing through this film are fantastic!
Anthony L

So so sooooo bad. Who thinks up this crap and who the fuck funds it?
Jason O

"Jack Frost" is one of the best holiday movies of the past few years. A musician (Michael Keaton) is struggling with his family because he is about to make it big in the music business and it's taking away a lot of the time spent with his family. One day after he gets… More
"Jack Frost" is one of the best holiday movies of the past few years. A musician (Michael Keaton) is struggling with his family because he is about to make it big in the music business and it's taking away a lot of the time spent with his family. One day after he gets off early and is on the way to spend some time with his wife (Kelly Preston) and his son, he has a tragic accident that kills him. However, he comes back alive as a snowman after his son calls for him. He has to prove to his son that even though he's a snowman, it's him. And he also has to keep from melting. "Jack Frost" is a good comedy/drama movie. A lot of the parts and lines in the movie are hilarious, but it also has a tender side to it. Both the comedy and drama parts in the movie are well done and well acted. I think "Jack Frost" is a good movie not only for the holidays, but for any time of the year. I recommend anybody to get it. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. Rather farfetched, the idea of coming back to life as a snowman, but it was a cute movie.
Red L

Not sure what to make of this movie. Musician dad drives off a cliff one Christmas. A year later, he comes back as a snowman??? So he has until spring to make up for all his absences. So it is sappy, I still watched it.
Curtis L

did you just say, butt dad?
Rachel F

Really cute.
xGary X

Michael Keaton haunts his son from beyond the grave as...*braces himself* a snowman. I am not going to grace this insipid tripe with another word.
Jason S

This is a kids movie but if you really think about it... it's kind of creepy. There's a horror movie of the same name.
Dillon L

Cheesy and lame.
Yinalí R

Lovely movie.
Andrew F

I loved this movie when I was little.
Sarah P

You think it's a cute movie until you really think about it... a little boy having emotional moments with a talking snowman. Weird/creepy!
Marion R

kinda dumb
Chosen 7

A Christmas Classic.
Leo L

Great movie! Very touching!