The Snowman – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Snowman

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1984

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Wordless 1980s classic where a snowman comes to life—achingly beautiful, achingly slow, and yes, he melts at the end.

8.2/10

80%

7.5

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The Snowman

movie

G, 1984

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Wordless 1980s classic where a snowman comes to life—achingly beautiful, achingly slow, and yes, he melts at the end.

8.2

80%

7.5

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8.2/10

80%

7.5

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Screenwise Verdict

The Snowman is a legitimate classic—hand-drawn, wordless, set to a gorgeous score, and genuinely moving. It's also from 1984, which means it moves at the speed of a gentle snowfall rather than a TikTok feed.

For the right kid in the right mood (cozy holiday evening, hot chocolate, dimmed lights), this is magic. For a kid expecting Frozen-level action and jokes, this will feel like watching paint dry. The ending—where the snowman inevitably melts—is sad but not traumatic, and it's actually a lovely way to talk about impermanence and appreciating fleeting joy.

The WISE score reflects that this is wholesome, safe, and imaginative, but realistically hard to recommend broadly in 2025 because most kids simply won't engage with something this slow and quiet. If your family values slow media and you're willing to set the vibe, it's worth the 25 minutes. If you're looking for something that'll reliably hold attention, this isn't it.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-8 who can handle slow pacing and a bittersweet ending. Older kids may appreciate it as a nostalgic or artistic experience, but it's definitely skewing young and mellow.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A gentle, wordless story of childhood wonder and friendship. The boy and snowman's relationship models pure joy and kindness without conflict or meanness. The pacing is slow and meditative—perfect for quiet viewing, though some modern kids may find it too mellow.

Imaginative

The premise of a snowman coming to life and flying a child to the North Pole is pure magical thinking. The wordless, hand-drawn animation invites kids to project their own narratives. However, it's a passive viewing experience—no interactive elements or prompts for creative follow-up.

Safe

Exceptionally safe. No dialogue means no inappropriate language. No violence, scares, or conflict beyond the bittersweet ending (snowman melts). The melting scene is sad but handled gently and is a natural, expected consequence that teaches about impermanence without trauma.

Enriching

The film offers a poignant lesson about appreciating fleeting moments and accepting loss with grace. The famous 'Walking in the Air' sequence is visually stunning and musically sophisticated. However, at 25 minutes with no words, the enrichment is mostly emotional/aesthetic rather than cognitive or skill-building. Entertainment value is moderate—it's a classic but moves very slowly by 2025 standards.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches kids that beautiful things can be temporary, and that's okay—a gentle introduction to loss and impermanence
The 'Walking in the Air' sequence is legitimately stunning and has become an iconic piece of animation history
Zero dialogue means it works for any language, any attention span willing to slow down, and kids who process visually
A cozy holiday tradition that rewards quiet, reflective viewing—the anti-Cocomelon

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What to Watch For

The snowman melts at the end. It's handled gently, but sensitive kids may need a heads-up or a hug
This is 1980s slow cinema—no cuts every 3 seconds, no jokes, no action. Modern kids raised on YouTube pacing may tap out in 5 minutes
It's only 25 minutes but can feel longer if your kid isn't in the right headspace

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the boy didn't try to keep the snowman in the freezer?"
"What would you do if you could fly anywhere at night?"
"How did the ending make you feel? Is it okay to be sad about something beautiful ending?"
"If you built a snowman, what would you want to do together?"

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