🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
- Release year: 2016
- Runtime (length): 1h 54min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (123K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 20%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two ice queens fight over a magic mirror while Thor’s buddy just wants to chop some wood and maybe find a girlfriend who doesn’t have commitment issues.
🍿 The Huntsman: Winter’s War: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Tragedy of Freya
The film opens by exploring the backstory of Freya, Ravenna’s younger sister. She discovers she is pregnant but her lover, Andrew, is betrothed to another. After giving birth, Andrew murders their child. This triggers Freya’s latent ice powers, and she kills him in grief. Fueled by heartbreak, she retreats north, establishing an icy kingdom.

Freya’s Army and Forbidden Love
Freya kidnaps children, training them as Huntsmen, forbidding love. Among them are Eric and Sara, who defy her rule and fall in love. Freya discovers their affair and uses her powers to separate them, leading Eric to believe Sara is dead, and Sara believing Eric abandoned her.

The Missing Mirror
Years after Ravenna’s defeat in *Snow White and the Huntsman*, King William seeks Eric’s help. The Magic Mirror has been stolen and is causing Snow White to fall ill. Eric, accompanied by dwarfs Nion and Gryff, sets out to retrieve it, unaware that Freya is also searching for the mirror to harness its power.

Reunion and Betrayal
The trio encounters Sara, revealed to be alive. She believes Eric abandoned her. Despite their initial distrust, they join forces. They retrieve the Mirror from goblins but are ambushed by Freya. Sara appears to betray Eric, shooting him with an arrow on Freya’s command.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Eric (Chris Hemsworth): The skilled huntsman and warrior who defies Freya’s decree against love and fights to protect Sara and the kingdom.
- Sara (Jessica Chastain): A fierce warrior and Eric’s lover, raised as a huntsman under Freya, who initially appears to betray Eric but ultimately fights alongside him.
- Queen Freya (Emily Blunt): The Ice Queen who raises an army of Huntsmen and forbids love after a devastating betrayal.
- Ravenna (Charlize Theron): The evil sorceress queen whose spirit resides within the magic mirror and manipulates events to regain power.
- Nion (Nick Frost): A dwarf and loyal friend to Eric, providing comic relief and support during the quest for the magic mirror.
- Gryff (Rob Brydon): Nion’s half-brother and another dwarf who joins Eric’s quest, contributing humor and assistance.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Sara: “We blind ourselves to the truth because we are weak, because we hope. But there’s no hope for love. Love ends in betrayal. Aye and always.” – Sara expresses her hardened view on love after believing Eric betrayed her, reflecting Freya’s ideology.
- Freya: “Love is a lie.” – Freya’s mantra, encapsulating her belief that love only leads to pain and betrayal, driving her actions.
- Ravenna: “I sent my spirit into the mirror.” – Ravenna reveals her plan of immortality to her sister Freya.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $115,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $48,390,190
- Worldwide Gross: $164,989,338
💥 The Huntsman: Winter’s War Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’ll admit it, I have a soft spot for these fairytale-esque action flicks! Seeing Charlize Theron back as Ravenna was fantastic, she owns that role. And Emily Blunt as the Ice Queen? Casting perfection! While the plot gets a bit convoluted, I was mostly there for the visuals and the epic battles. Plus, the humor from the dwarves actually landed for me, which was a pleasant surprise. Overall, a fun movie to watch with friends.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of fantasy action films”
- “Viewers who enjoy visually stunning movies”
- “Those interested in dark fairy tales”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Fantasy violence”
- “Mild language”
- “Some thematic elements may be intense for younger viewers”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “A slick and enjoyable fantasy romp, let down by a muddled plot and basic dialogue. Although it’s undoubtedly a cash-grab sequel, it manages to argue its case for existing fairly well. The cast does a decent job with what they’re given, particularly Hemsworth and Theron.
- IMDb: “The Huntsman: Winter’s War fails to live up to its impressive predecessor and struggles to accommodate a burgeoning franchise as either a prequel or a sequel. Ultimately, it’s a superficial spin-off derivative of Disney’s ‘Frozen.’
- IMDb: “The Huntsman: Winter’s War has a well put together cast and enjoyable to watch actors. Relationships between characters are interesting, though some could be more developed. The dwarfs are definitely the lighter, comic characters.
Audience Reactions
The gorgeous visuals and costumes made this movie a feast for the eyes.: The casting of the queens was superb, and the performances were engaging.
I really enjoyed the combination of action, humour, and special effects.: Most agreed that the film improved upon the first one, with a more compelling story
Overall Consensus: A visually appealing fantasy film with strong performances, though the plot can be convoluted for some viewers. A worthy watch for fans of the genre, but not a must-see.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Frank Darabont, known for ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ and ‘The Green Mile’, was initially slated to direct but left due to creative differences.”
- “The film serves as both a prequel and a sequel to ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’, which confused some viewers.”
- “Charlize Theron reportedly refused to sign on unless she received equal pay to Chris Hemsworth, highlighting the gender pay gap in Hollywood.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Huntsman: Winter’s War?
The Huntsman: Winter’s War is available for streaming on platforms such as Peacock and FuboTV. You can also rent or purchase the movie on demand from services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Huntsman: Winter’s War, you might like these similar films:
- Maleficent (2014): Explores the backstory of a villainess with a sympathetic twist, similar to Freya’s transformation.
- Frozen (2013): Features a queen with ice powers and a kingdom plunged into eternal winter, sharing thematic elements with Freya’s storyline.
- Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013): Dark fantasy action film with monster hunters, similar to the huntsman theme.
- The Brothers Grimm (2005): Similar dark fantasy adventure with fairy tale elements and monster-hunting themes, appealing to fans of the genre.
🛒 The Huntsman: Winter’s War Related Products
- The Art and Making of The Huntsman: Winter’s War: A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, featuring concept art, costume designs, and interviews with the cast and crew. A perfect addition to any fan’s collection.
- The Huntsman: Winter’s War (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital HD): Experience the visually stunning world of The Huntsman: Winter’s War in breathtaking 4K Ultra HD. Features include behind-the-scenes documentaries and deleted scenes.
- Queen Ravenna Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure: A stylized vinyl figure of the evil Queen Ravenna from The Huntsman series. This Funko Pop! figure is a must-have for collectors and fans of the film.
- The Huntsman: Winter’s War Movie Poster: High quality print to decorate any room, media space or office. Several sizes available, including framed prints.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Huntsman: Winter’s War features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Castle (The Huntsman: Winter’s War Version)” – performed by Halsey
- “Main Titles” – performed by James Newton Howard
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
It’s both! The film begins as a prequel, exploring events before Snow White and the Huntsman, then shifts to being a sequel, following the aftermath of Ravenna’s defeat and Snow White’s reign.
Kristen Stewart, who played Snow White in the first film, does not appear in *The Huntsman: Winter’s War*. The film focuses on the Huntsman’s story and introduces new characters, shifting the narrative away from Snow White.
Freya possesses cryokinesis – the elemental control of ice. She can freeze objects and people, create ice structures, and manipulate the weather to bring about winter.
Before her death in *Snow White and the Huntsman*, Ravenna transferred her spirit into the Magic Mirror. Freya uses the mirror to resurrect Ravenna, bringing her back in a powerful, spectral form.
🔥 Bonus Content
Queen Freya || Freeze You Out
Check out this awesome fan video that explores Queen Freya’s journey in ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’. It’s a beautiful tribute to her character and the movie’s themes.
Freya (Ice Queen) – All Scenes Powers | The Huntsman: Winter’s War
If you’re a fan of Freya’s ice powers in ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’, you’ll love this video compilation that showcases all her scenes. It’s a great way to appreciate her character and abilities.
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