Common Sense Media Review
By Yvonne Condes
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet tale about kids' snow battle has very sad moments.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Snowtime!
What's the Story?
In SNOWTIME!, a group of friends living in a mountain village get into an epic snowball fight to kill time during their two-week winter break from school. Luke (voiced by Angela Galuppo) and new girl in town Sophie (Lucinda Davis), both 11, lead their teams into battle: Whichever team ends up occupying the elaborate snow fort wins the war. The conflict escalates, feelings are hurt, issues are resolved, and fun is had -- until a tragic turn makes the kids realize even a snow war can have serious consequences.
Is It Any Good?
This is a lovely animated film about a group of kids who learn about the hazards of war during a drawn-out snow battle. And while Snowtime! is beautiful to look at, what makes it so special is the pacing. It's not frenetic or over the top; instead, it's sweet and full of lessons about why war is never good and friendship is always the most important. It's also funny and entertaining for both parents and kids -- although the sad twist at the end may be too much for some younger or more sensitive kids.
There's also a sweet love story (they're 11, so it's mostly flirting, with one kiss) between Luke, who's mourning the loss of his soldier father (the boy's grief comes to life when he plays "Taps" on his bugle), and his "nemesis" Sophie, a smart, independent girl who gets dragged into the fight and becomes a strong leader. Their friends/teammates are a ragtag group of funny, interesting kids that includes Frankie (Sandra Oh), a boy genius who's asked to make a snow fort but ends up creating a high-tech fortress.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the snow fight was fun at first but eventually went too far. Kids: What do you do when you feel like your friends are acting inappropriately or out of control? What message does Snowtime! send about war and violence?
How did the movie's sad moments make you feel? Do you think they were necessary to the story? How did they change the movie's tone?
How do the kids exhibit empathy and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Luke and Sophie like each other, but they have trouble expressing their feelings. Have you ever liked someone but couldn't tell the person how you felt? What happened?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 19, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : November 8, 2016
- Cast : Angela Galuppo , Mariloup Wolfe , Lucinda Davis
- Directors : Jean-Francois Pouliot , Francois Brisson
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Shout! Factory
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Teamwork
- Run time : 80 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild thematic elements and rude humor
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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