🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Chris Koch
- Genre: Comedy, Family
- Release year: 2000
- Runtime (length): 1h 29min
- IMDb rating: 5.2/10 (14K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 20%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A weatherman, his kids, and a snowplow driver all fight for control of a single snow day, leading to chaos and questionable parenting decisions.
🍿 Snow Day: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Unexpected Snowfall
In Syracuse, New York, the Brandston family anticipates a typical, warm winter day. Tom Brandston, a local weatherman, is stuck doing gimmicky weather reports. His daughter, Natalie, longs for snow, while his son, Hal, pines after the popular Claire Bonner. Their mother, Laura, struggles with work-life balance. However, a surprise snowstorm changes everything, leading to a snow day.

Hal’s Pursuit of Claire
With school cancelled, Hal seizes the opportunity to win over Claire, who has just broken up with her boyfriend, Chuck. He enlists the help of his friend, Lane, unaware of her own feelings for him. Hal tries various grand gestures, including changing the music at the local skating rink and carving a whale—inspired by Claire’s ankle bracelet—into a snow-covered football field.

Natalie vs. The Snowplowman
Meanwhile, Natalie and her friends are determined to prevent the dreaded Snowplowman from clearing the streets, as they believe he prevents second snow days. They devise various schemes, including faking an accident and kidnapping his pet crow, Trudy. Their efforts lead to a showdown between the kids and the Snowplowman.

Tom’s Weather War
Tom faces off against Chad Symmonz, a rival weatherman who takes credit for predicting the snowstorm. Tom is determined to prove Chad is a fraud. In a climactic moment, Tom exposes Chad’s lack of meteorological knowledge during a live broadcast, reclaiming his reputation as a respected weatherman.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Hal Brandston (Mark Webber): A high schooler determined to win over his crush, Claire, during an unexpected snow day.
- Natalie Brandston (Zena Grey): Hal’s younger sister who leads the charge to stop the Snowplowman and secure a second snow day.
- Tom Brandston (Chevy Chase): The father and local weatherman who seeks to reclaim his credibility by accurately reporting the storm.
- Lane Leonard (Schuyler Fisk): Hal’s best friend who secretly harbors feelings for him and offers him advice and support.
- Snowplowman (Chris Elliott): The villainous snowplow driver who is determined to clear the streets and end the snow day fun.
- Claire Bonner (Emmanuelle Chriqui): The popular high school girl who is the object of Hal’s affection for most of the movie.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Hal Brandston: “Wasn’t it you who said that true love is all about finding someone you can stand to be around for 10 minutes at a time?” – Hal questions Lane about her definition of true love before they finally get together.
- Hal Brandston: “You got 10 minutes?” – Hal asks Lane if she’s willing to give him a chance, leading to their first kiss.
- Natalie Brandston: “It’s the magic of a snow day!” – Said by Natalie, emphasizing the special and unpredictable nature of a snow day.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $13,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $60,020,107
- Worldwide Gross: $62,464,731
💥 Snow Day Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching this movie as a kid and loving the pure chaos of a snow day! Watching it again, it’s definitely cheesy, but it still brings back that feeling of wanting to be a kid again, where snow days felt like a magical escape. The snowplow man is hilarious, and even though the plot is all over the place, I found myself smiling throughout the movie. Some scenes, like the snow fort battle, had me laughing out loud. Definitely a good movie to watch with family if you need some lighthearted fun!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Families looking for a lighthearted, nostalgic comedy”
- “Fans of Chevy Chase and Chris Elliott”
- “Those who enjoy movies about childhood adventures and snow days”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild comic mischief”
- “Some slapstick violence”
- “Brief rude humor”
Professional Reviews
- Common Sense Media: “Broad family comedy has cartoonish violence, some mild language. The movie is fun for kids and nostalgic for adults. While some scenarios and acting is exaggerated, overall experience is positive and entertaining. Not a groundbreaking piece of cinema but great for some chuckles.
- AllMovie: “Snow Day offers a few laughs but ultimately melts into a puddle of predictable, formulaic family fun. The movie follows classic childhood adventures with some corny jokes and typical resolutions. Chevy Chase is underused, overall film offers okay entertainment for a younger crowd.
Audience Reactions
The snowplow man provides lots of laughs with his over the top antics.: Viewers found Chris Elliot’s role as the snowplow man to be very entertaining even if over-the-top.
Emmanuelle Chriqui, who played Claire Bonner, was memorable.: Viewers found Emmanuelle Chriqui was refreshingly nice.
Overall Consensus: While critics find the movie formulaic, audiences appreciated the movie’s sense of nostalgia, comedy, and over-the-top scenes, making it a fun movie to watch with family.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “A real bank heist took place near the filming location. The felons drove past the set and became stuck in a fake snowdrift.”
- “The writers of ‘Snow Day’, Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi, were also the masterminds behind the Nickelodeon show ‘The Adventures of Pete & Pete’.”
🖥️ How to Watch Snow Day?
Currently, “Snow Day” (2000) is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable or streaming availability, as it may occasionally air on channels like Nickelodeon or Freeform, especially during holiday seasons. Availability may change, so be sure to confirm with your preferred service.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Snow Day, you might like these similar films:
- Cheaper by the Dozen (2003): Focuses on the comedic chaos of a large family with similar themes of family dynamics and lighthearted humor.
- School of Rock (2003): Features kids rebelling against authority and pursuing their passions, similar to the kids vs. Snowplowman plot.
- Dennis the Menace (1993): Involves a mischievous kid causing trouble for an adult neighbor.
- Good Burger (1997): Nickelodeon movie with quirky humor and a simple plot focused on kids.
🛒 Snow Day Related Products
- Snow Day [DVD]: Relive the nostalgia with the Snow Day DVD. Enjoy the movie at your convenience and share the snow day fun with family and friends.
- LEGO City Snow Groomer 60222 Building Kit, Cool Toy for Kids: LEGO City Snow Groomer, with realistic tracks and a rotating snow cannon, offers a hands-on play experience. Build it and reenact snow cleaning.
- Snowball Maker Tool Winter Snow Toys: The snowball maker allows kids to make perfectly shaped snowballs quickly and safely. Encourages outdoor activity and imaginative play. Perfect for kids to recreate the snowball wars.
- Snowflake String Lights: Creates a magical atmosphere with these snowflake string lights. Perfect for decorating rooms during winter or holiday seasons. Adds a touch of snow day magic to any space.
🎧 Soundtrack
Snow Day features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Snow Day was primarily filmed in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, providing the perfect snowy backdrop for the movie’s setting.
Snow Day is generally considered family-friendly and is rated PG. It contains some mild humor and comic mischief, but it lacks any intense or mature content, making it suitable for most children. Parental guidance is always recommended.
The character of the Snowplowman, the nemesis of the neighborhood kids, is played by comedian and actor Chris Elliott.
🔥 Bonus Content
Chris is the only one in the whole school on a snow day #movie #shotrs #viralvideo
Remember that hilarious snow day scene? Check out this clip—Chris being the only student at school is comedy gold! I still crack up every time I see it.
✨ Rate
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