Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
The Snowman and the Snowdog
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sweet holiday sequel about a boy who misses his dog.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Snowman and the Snowdog
Community Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
cute little snow doggie
Report this review
Report this review
What's the Story?
THE SNOWMAN AND THE SNOWDOG is the sequel to the 1982 adaptation of Raymond Briggs' classic holiday children's book The Snowman. The author approved of the follow-up in celebration of the original animated film's 30th anniversary. There's no dialogue in the movie; it's a simple story line about a young boy who moves to a new house and soon loses his pet dog. In an old box, he finds a photo of a boy with a snowman (along with a scarf, a hat, and a walnut shell for a nose), so, when the first snow falls, he decides to recreate the snowman with the found accessories as well as a snowdog in memory of his late pet. The next morning, the boy hears a bark, looks out the window, and sees his snowy creations move. In an exciting turn, the boy flies off with the snowman and the snowdog over London and toward a party of snowmen and even Father Christmas himself.
Is It Any Good?
At less than 30 minutes long, this heartwarming tale is a good holiday pick for preschoolers just starting to sit still for movies. The Snowman may be a national treasure in the U.K., but here in the States it's not as widely known. Those who haven't seen the original may not understand that the picture the boy finds is from the first movie or that this is a story that's as beloved to certain audiences as Frosty the Snowman and A Charlie Brown Christmas are to American viewers. Without the foundation of the original, there may be less emotional connection to the new story -- particularly since there's no dialogue.
Still, if you don't mind the minimalist plot and the lack of dialogue, The Snowman and the Snowdog is a lovely holiday tale about a boy grieving the loss of his dog. His grief leads him to make not only the snowman like the one in a photo he discovers in his new house but also a snowdog companion for the snowman, in honor of his dearly departed pet. There's a beautiful song that accompanies the most exciting part of the story, the flight the trio takes soaring above London all the way to a snowman jubilee.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Snowman and the Snowdog's exploration of friendship and holidays. How does it compare to other snowman tales?
What do you think about the snowdog addition to the original story? How does the sequel continue the story from the first film?
What are your favorite holiday movies and why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: October 1, 2013
- Director: Hilary Audus
- Studio: NCircle Entertainment
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Friendship , Holidays
- Run time: 70 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: March 3, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Best Holiday Movies for Kids
Best Holiday TV Specials
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate