Snow White, Frozen, Ice Age”¦there’s a long list of snow movies that shaped our teenage years, and they continue to hold a special place in our hearts.
In keeping up with the tradition, more snow movies are being made every year, and today, our focus will be on some of the latest releases that continue to impact teens.
You would also find some classics that have stood the test of time and continue to entertain teens today as they did years back.
If you’re also a teen or a teen parent looking for the best snow movie to bond over this festive winter season, then you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s begin.
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Best Snow Movies for Teens
1. Frozen
Frozen was an instant hit when it came out and it has broken a lot of film records over the years. It continues to be a teen favorite to this day.
This amazing snow movie depicts the voyage of two royal sisters, Elsa and Anna, from Arendelle. Elsa has a rare and occasionally uncontrollable talent: she can make ice and snow.
Then there’s Hana, the younger sister who can’t understand why her sister is so distant. So, the once-close sisters grow apart as they get older.
Frozen is more than just a fantasy story about magic and snow; it speaks to teens on several levels. Teens today can relate to themes like self-discovery, the challenges of navigating sibling bonds, and the difficult path to embracing individuality. This movie teaches young people about self-acceptance, courage, and inner strength.
You can watch Frozen on Disney+.
2. Happy Feet
This is another feel-good movie that came out a while back, which I have watched countless times.
The snowy Antarctica background combined with the charming penguin characters make this movie a very good option for teens even today, as it was back then.
The protagonist is a juvenile Emperor penguin named Mumble who can’t sing like others but can dance. But this ability makes him an outcast. Mumble decides to go on an epic journey to prove that being different is not a bad thing and can also be a gift.
Happy Feet teaches teenagers an important lesson about valuing individuality and respecting what makes each person special. Furthermore, the film explores environmental issues, urging young audiences to think about how human behavior affects the environment, especially now with wildfires popping up everywhere.
All Happy Feet titles can be streamed on Netflix
3. The Revenant
This movie is a little darker than the first two, but not something a teen can’t handle.
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this is a movie about one man’s struggles with the full force of mother nature and having to deal with backstabbing companions.
Set in the 1820s, The Revenant follows the story of Hugh Glass, who is left for dead by other members of his fur-trading expedition. This is after they’re attacked by a vicious bear that leaves him seriously disabled.
Despite his wounds, he resolves to survive to exact revenge on those who abandoned him. The Revenant is a proper ice thriller. Be ready for some nail-biting scenes involving a very dangerous bear.
How can teens relate to The Revenant? The narrative resonates with resiliency and teaches teens the importance of keeping focus even when the odds are stacked against them.
Leonardo DiCaprio also won his first Oscar for his role in this movie.
This movie is available on Prime Video.
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4. The Huntsman: Winter’s War
Although based on the Snow White fairy tale, The Huntsman: Winter’s War follows a different theme but maintains the icy cold and snowy theme associated with these movies.
A prequel to Snow White and the Huntsman, this movie is set before the time of Snow White and follows the behind-the-scenes struggles between two sisters, Queen Ravenna and Princess Freya who fight for power.
The usual elements of magic, talking mirrors, and amazing fight scenes coupled with a fairy-like love story should keep a teen hooked. It also imparts the spirit of overcoming diversity in teens, as they can learn much from Princess Freya’s struggles.
If you want to stream this movie, it’s available on Netflix and Apple TV.
5. Abominable
If I were to rank all the animation movies I’ve ever watched, Abominable would rank among the top five. It’s a gripping masterpiece that explores the famous Yeti folklore common among the mountain people in Asia.
The movie is about Yi, a very adventurous teenager who accidentally discovers a young Yeti in their apartment building. Yi gives the Yeti the name Everest and together with a bunch of friends, they set out on a long journey to reunite Everest with his family up the cold icy mountain ranges of the Himalayas.
The type of bonding and arguments these two have on the way to the mountain are very good lessons for teens on the importance of exercising patience with their friends.
Things are not always black and white, and it’s normal for friends to fall out occasionally. What matters most is the willingness to address disagreements.
You can rent or buy Abominable from Amazon or stream it directly from Netflix.
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6. Smallfoot
Smallfoot is another one of my favorite animated movies. It is very similar to Abominable in terms of the storyline, as it centers around the Bigfoot legend, only that this version is funkier with a lot of comedy and music.
It begins with a curious Yeti called Migo, who meets a human who is hell-bent on proving that these giant creatures exist.
At first, the human is biased against the Yeti, assuming they are dangerous creatures. But he slowly learns that outside their huge frames, they’re gentle giants who value their privacy.
Smallfoot is a relatable snow movie for teens because it explores themes of questioning the norms and discarding stereotypes that may affect relationships. It teaches teens to embrace diversity.
This fantastic animation is available on Netflix
7. The Penguins of Madagascar
It is another classic movie that made teens flock to theaters worldwide to watch the funny adventures of an enterprising gang of four penguins.
The Penguins of Madagascar follows the antics of the lovable Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, and Private, who have a penchant for mischief and a talent for covert operations.
These four heroes join forces with the elite North Wind group to save the day when an evil octopus named Dave threatens to destroy the uniqueness of penguins worldwide. This culminates in a flurry of the funniest pranks, dangerous adventures, and loving friendships.
The Penguins of Madagascar offers young teens a chilled-out vibe that prioritizes the importance of teamwork, friendship, and appreciating the unique qualities that each person brings to the table. If you have yet to watch this masterpiece, now is the time.
The Penguins of Madagascar can be streamed on Netflix.
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8. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Kids and teens worldwide started checking their wardrobes after watching this magical movie, hoping they would be transported to another dimension. That’s how influential this movie was and how it continues to entertain teens to this day.
Narnia is set in the World War II era and it’s about the adventures of four siblings, Peter, Lucy, Edmund, and Susan, who are relocated to the countryside from London to escape the dangers of the ravaging war in the city.
As they explore their new home, they stumble upon a wardrobe that teleports them to Narnia, a magical land. However, they quickly find themselves at the center of another war to save that enchanted world from the grips of a dangerous white witch in order to reinstate the true king, who happens to be a lion.
The fantasy nature of this movie is perfect for teens as it helps them imagine a world outside the reality they’ve known all their lives. It’s a story that teaches heroism and bravery.
This is available on Disney+.
9. Snowpiercer
Snowpiercer gives a detailed look at what a future without the sun looks like – a frozen world where the last remnants of humanity are forced to live inside a constantly moving train to stay away from the deadly cold outside.
Starring Chris Evans, the movie focuses on discrimination. No matter how dire the situation may be, human beings always find a way to create classes of people, with the richest sitting comfortably at the top at the expense of the poor.
It only takes a revolution to set things right, but at the cost of many lives.
Outside the action-packed entertainment offered by Snowpiercer, the narrative in this movie challenges teens to carefully consider societal injustices around discrimination and classism, which can foster empathy and critical thinking.
You can catch this movie on Netflix or Vudu.
10. The Mountain Between Us
The Mountain Between Us is the type of movie that will keep teens on the edge of their seats as they watch two people get trapped in one of the harshest, coldest environments in the world. It has Idris Elba and Kate Winslet acting in the roles of the two main protagonists.
The two characters meet at an airport and happen to be on the same flight, which gets canceled. So they charter a small private plane to take them to their destination. But the plane crashes into a snow-covered mountain with no one around. What follows is a gripping fight for survival.
The Mountain Between Us carries some important lessons for teens: adapting to new environments can be scary, but possible.
The movie is available on Apple TV+ and Prime Video, all in 4K.
11. Let it Snow
This is the perfect teen Christmas movie that’s both lighthearted and funny.
Let it Snow is set in a small town caught in a snowstorm just before Christmas, leading to many teenagers getting their lives intertwined without expecting to.
It follows a stranded pop star, a pair of best friends unsure of where they stand with each other, a young lady uncertain of her feelings, and a lot more.
It’s a dramatic movie that would be perfect for teens who love romance movies that explore simple love themes. But most importantly, Let It Snow is a Christmas movie, and considering how we’re just a few months away from the actual festive season, it’s the perfect movie to watch right now.
The main takeaway for teens revolves around the challenges of friendship and love and what people can do to navigate the complications that arise from feelings clashing.
Catch this beautiful Christmas movie on Netflix today.
12. Red Riding Hood
Based on one of the most popular books, Red Riding Hood takes a more modern twist to the tale of the treacherous wolf that tricks a girl and her grandmother and eats them. But this time, instead of a regular wolf, it uses a werewolf, adding a supernatural element to it.
The main protagonist of this story is Valerie, played by Amanda Seyfried, a young woman in love with a woodcutter named Peter.
However, when a vicious werewolf attacks their little peaceful village, her dreams of a life with Peter are derailed. This is because Valerie learns that there is a connection between the beast and her own family.
Valerie’s struggles in having to choose between her heart and family are good lessons for teens who may find themselves at a crossroads regarding an important decision in their lives.
This is currently available on AppleTV+.
13. Last Christmas
At first glance, Last Christmas may look like a movie primarily focused on Christmas, but once you dig deeper, you realize it’s more than that. This would be the perfect movie for teens who love romantic-themed films, especially considering it stars the brilliant Emilia Clarke.
Last Christmas is about Kate, a young woman who works as an elf in a store that sells Christmas decorations. One day, Kate meets Tom, an enigmatic and kind-hearted man who seems too good to be true, and her world takes an unexpected turn.
So Kate starts discovering new things about herself and this changes her perspectives on her reality, especially the meaning of the Christmas holiday. In short, this movie is perfect for teens who may be navigating their love lives for the first time.
Wish to watch this soon? You can do so on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
14. Ice Age
Five theatrical Ice Age films have been released since 2002, and each of them has been a hit with people of all ages, especially teens. Ice Age is one of the funniest animated snow movies on this list by far, and I’ve watched it many times.
The story revolves around Diego, a cunning saber-toothed tiger portrayed by Denis Leary, Sid, a chatty and eccentric sloth spoken by John Leguizamo, and Manny, a cranky wooly mammoth voiced by Ray Romano.
These three unlikely friends decide to go on a risky journey over a freezing environment to reunite a baby human they have found with its clan. Along the way, the group faces many obstacles, including lava-spewing volcanoes, Scrat the acorn-obsessed squirrel, and betrayal from the inner circle.
While the humor in this movie is off the charts, teens can learn valuable lessons””things like teamwork and overcoming differences in friendships.
Being a Disney movie, you can watch all the releases on Disney+.
15. The Snowman
Michael Fassbender appears in this film as Detective Harry Hole, who finds himself entangled with a dangerous killer slowly prowling Oslo’s cold and snow-packed streets.
The movie is full of suspense and would be a great fit for teens who are not scared of exploring thrillers that would make anyone lose sleep at night.
Being set in a cold environment like Oslo makes the film even more surreal; anyone watching it is immediately transposed into the freezing elements, making it even more hair-raising than it already is.
The Snowman gives its teenage audience a peek into what happens when human beings are pushed to the limit. It may be bone-chilling, but peeling your eyes away from the screen is almost impossible.
Check out IMDB for more.
16. The Call of the Wild
This is another movie set in the Yukon territory’s snowy and icy environment. The Call of The Wild is set in the late 1800s and follows the story of a dog named Buck whose life is thrown into turmoil when he’s stolen from his owners and thrown into the harsh Alaskan cold.
While fighting to secure his freedom, Buck encounters all types of characters, humans and animals, that help shape and advance the story further. The movie even features the celebrated Harrison Ford, who gives a powerful performance from the moment he’s introduced.
The Call of the Wild is a very emotional movie and most teens who watch it will come out appreciating the unbreakable bonds that pets typically have with their owners. I shed a tear when watching it and almost bought a puppy for myself.
You can stream this in HD on Prime Video, and Apple TV+
17. The Ice Road
The Ice Road features everybody’s favorite father figure, Liam Neeson.
Set in frozen Northern Canada, where snow piles on roads all year round, a group of diamond miners are trapped in a mine, and with lanes closed, rescue efforts are impossible. That’s until Mike, the main character and a seasoned ice road trucker, comes through, determined to save the people by any means.
The Ice Road is about resilience in the face of impossible odds. It’s a very good lesson for teenagers who will constantly come across obstacles in their young lives that seem insurmountable. Giving up should never be an option until you try something else first.
More about The Ice Road here.
18. I’m Thinking of Ending Things
If you’re a teen who loves psychological and thought-provoking drama, then I’m Thinking of Ending Things is the snow movie you need to watch.
The film centers around a young woman named Lucy, played by Jessie Buckley, who is thinking about breaking up with her boyfriend as they visit his parents for Christmas.
However, the chat between them slowly veers into existential musings and the nature of their relationship as they move across a snow-covered countryside.
However, once they reach the boyfriend’s childhood home, the plot turns unexpectedly as reality blurs and time eludes them in ways they couldn’t imagine.
Seeing older people struggle with decisions like this is a key lesson for teens that no one has things figured out about life. I’m Thinking of Ending Things teaches teens to learn how to roll with the punches and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
This movie is on Netflix.
19. Hold the Dark
Some of the prominent names in this movie include Alexander Skarsgård, Jeffrey Wright, Riley Keough, and Anabel Kutay. Hold The Dark is a psychological thriller that will have you grabbing the railings on your seat from the first scene to the last.
Hold the Dark is about Russell Core, who is summoned to a little Alaskan community by a bereaved mother whose children were killed by a savage pack of wolves.
While this attack appears to be a case of hungry wolves going rogue, the more Russel Core digs into the mystery, the more he discovers that there’s more to the whole affair than what meets the eye.
The cold and snowy background makes this movie very scary but it’s still entertaining for teens and gives them a good look at how people and wild animals can clash when they cross paths.
This movie title is available on Netflix.
20. The Midnight Sky
Closing our list of the best teen snow movies is The Midnight Sky, which features George Clooney.
The movie is about the story of a brilliant scientist dealing with a terminal illness but discovering a mysterious phenomenon in his Arctic research station that is rendering the planet inhospitable.
This pushes him to take on a perilous journey to get the word out to other scientists through a terrain that’s very harsh and full of dangers. George Clooney, per usual, nails his role in this movie so well, and the drama coupled with the suspense offered here is what every teen needs to experience.
You can watch George Clooney try to save the world on Netflix.
Wrapping Up
Each of these movies delivers a unique form of entertainment and experience.
I suggest watching them all, one by one, preferably in the company of other teens, because nothing beats watching a movie with the people you care about.
