Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
CGI fairy-tale remake features the occasional fright.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Snow Queen
What's the Story?
Based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, THE SNOW QUEEN tells the story of an evil Snow Queen (Cindy Robinson) who blanketed the world in ice and froze a master glassmaker and his wife. Their young son Kay (Marianne Miller) and daughter Gerda (Jessica Straus) are left orphaned and separated. The Snow Queen captures Kay and dispatches her hench troll (Doug Erholtz) to kidnap Gerda as well. But Gerda ends up befriending the troll, and together they evade witches and pirates to try and save Kay.
Is It Any Good?
The movie's animation (from a Russian studio) is reminiscent of a direct-to-DVD production -- little attention to background details, crudely rendered animals, and uninspired landscapes. There are plenty of beautiful, entertaining foreign animated films released each year (and in some cases dubbed for English-speaking audiences), like A Cat in Paris, The Secret of Kells, and all of the Studio Ghibli releases from Japan, but The Snow Queen is not one of those memorable imports.
As for the story's plotline, it's a bit muddled and confusing, but at least Gerda the protagonist is sweet -- if not very confident. Gerda's desire to save her brother Kay is the movie's biggest redeeming factor. The troll, the witch, the pirates, they're all obstacles she has to overcome to confront the Snow Queen and rescue the only family she has left.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes a film scary. Are you more or less frightened by events in animated films or live-action films? Did you think The Snow Queen was scary?
Why are fairy tales still so popular to remake as movies and TV shows?
Does this movie make you want to see Frozen, Disney's take on the same story? Are you interested in reading Hans Christian Andersen's actual story?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 11, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : January 28, 2014
- Cast : Christopher Smith , Cindy Robinson , Jessica Straus
- Directors : Maksim Sveshnikov , Vladlen Barbe
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Vertical Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Fairy Tales )
- Run time : 80 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild action, rude humor and brief language
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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