Santa vs. the Snowman 3D (2002)

81% of critics liked it
(26 reviews)
48% of users liked it
(1,819 ratings)

From the Academy Award nominated team that brought you Jimmy Neutron, comes the first-ever 3D holiday IMAX film, Santa Vs. The Snowman. Santa vs. The Snowman tells the story of a lonely Snowman who at first is swept away by the magical wonders of Santa's Village, only to ultimately wage war on Santa… More From the Academy Award nominated team that brought you Jimmy Neutron, comes the first-ever 3D holiday IMAX film, Santa Vs. The Snowman. Santa vs. The Snowman tells the story of a lonely Snowman who at first is swept away by the magical wonders of Santa's Village, only to ultimately wage war on Santa because he's jealous of all the attention Santa gets during Christmas time. An epic-scale polar war develops. The hilarious battle features such holiday defence mechanisms as hot chocolate squirt guns, giant Igloo Robot Walkers and even a 50-foot tall toy soldier manned by Santa himself. -- © IMAX Corporation

Rating, Runtime: G, 32 min.
Directed By: John A. Davis
Written By: John A. Davis, Steve Oedekerk
Genres: Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 1, 2002 Limited
On DVD: Oct 12, 2004
Studio: IMAX

Critic Reviews

Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Sweet-natured fun for the very young.
Catherine Foster, Boston Globe
Oedekerk ... and his team have taken the traditional animation techniques to another level -- creating snowflakes that seem to fall into the audience -- and they pull the viewers into the film.
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Harmless entertainment for kids and just smart enough to appeal to parents.
Matt Weitz, Dallas Morning News
The action sequences are fun and reminiscent of combat scenes from the Star Wars series.
Donald Liebenson, Chicago Tribune
The movie has an avalanche of eye-popping visual effects.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
It is best appreciated as an immersion in a three-dimensional toyland outfitted with enough whimsical gadgetry to fill a thousand playrooms.
Natasha Aitken, Empire Magazine
A bit of kid friendly seasonal cheer that is refreshingly without the usual lashings of schmaltz.
Arthur Salm, San Diego Union-Tribune
Fluffy, schizophrenic (there's liberal borrowing from both Care Bears and The Empire Strikes Back) and oddly annoying.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
A mildly diverting seasonal entry that should amuse the small fry while giving their parents a couple of chuckles and a few perplexing moments.
Willie Waffle, WaffleMovies.com
one twisted, hilarious and visually stunning IMAX 3D short film that could stand toe-to-toe with the wackiest episode of South Park (minus the vulgarity)
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
Odds are that your family will enjoy "Santa vs. the Snowman," an oddball animated Christmas tale in IMAX.
Vince Koehler, Entertainment Spectrum
This film is a tongue-in-cheek story about a nameless Snowman at the North Pole who declares war on Santa because of jealousy.
Jill Jess-Cahir, Sacramento Bee
A fun piece of on-the-edge filmmaking.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
An entertaining kids' diversion.
Shlomo Schwartzberg, Boxoffice Magazine
Lacks ambition and wit.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
The film has a few cute ideas and several modest chuckles but it isn't exactly kiddie-friendly... Alas, Santa is more ho-hum than ho-ho-ho and the Snowman (who never gets to play that flute) has all the charm of a meltdown.
Ross Anthony, Hollywood Report Card
Despite lacking any truly breath-taking 3-D imagery, the film still looks good and has a good sense of humor.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bently L

Christmas Movie Review Mania Episode #4: Santa Vs. the Snowman 3D This is a very funny and energetic Yuletide short film. It just what you would expect from the creators of "Jimmy Neutron". The 3D aspect of the short is pretty good. It does rip off "The Nightmare… More
Christmas Movie Review Mania Episode #4: Santa Vs. the Snowman 3D This is a very funny and energetic Yuletide short film. It just what you would expect from the creators of "Jimmy Neutron". The 3D aspect of the short is pretty good. It does rip off "The Nightmare Before Christmas" a little but that shouldn't offend. Check it out! It could be playing at an IMAX theater near you this season! "The Easter bunny is gonna have a hard time believing this one."
Sarah P

Maybe really young children would like this, but I can't see anyone over the age of 4 enjoying it. The 3-D graphics weren't even that good...the snow was the only cool part!