Over the past few years, Netflix has been making significant inroads into Hallmark Channel's dominance during the holiday season. Writer Russell Hainline, well-versed in Christmas movies, has penned several titles for Hallmark, including "The Santa Summit" and "In Merry Measure". This week, he launched his first Netflix project, the amusingly titled "Hot Frosty".

Netflix's "Hot Frosty" - A Holiday Delight

The Encroachment of Netflix

In recent years, Netflix has been steadily encroaching on Hallmark Channel's holiday season hold. It's a battle for viewers' hearts during the most festive time of the year. Russell Hainline, with his experience in Christmas movies, found himself at the center of this crossover. His work for Hallmark has been well-received, but now he's making waves with his Netflix entry.This shift shows how the streaming giant is not afraid to challenge traditional holiday programming and offer something new. It's a testament to the changing landscape of entertainment during the holidays.

The Making of "Hot Frosty"

The idea for "Hot Frosty" was born out of Hainline's desire to create something that would make his friends and himself laugh. The concept of a living, hot snowman was a pitch that always got a response. However, he was worried that during the production process, the idea might be toned down. He wanted to keep the naivety and innocence of the snowman while adding a touch of sexiness.Writing "Hot Frosty" during the pandemic provided Hainline with some much-needed joy. It was a creative outlet during a difficult time. And now, years later, the movie has become a success.

The Cast and Story

The movie stars Hallmark's Lacey Chabert as Kathy, a widow and a beloved local. She wraps a magical scarf around a sculpted snowman who comes to life as a real, but very naked, man named Jack. Dustin Milligan plays Jack, a naive and good-natured character who is ogled by the local women and helps plan the high school's winter formal.The story is filled with hijinks and adventures as Jack navigates through life as a snowman and deals with the consequences of his initial display of public indecency. The film has received an overwhelmingly positive critical response and is currently at the top of Netflix's most-streamed movies in the US.

Lessons from Working in the Holiday Movie Space

Hainline has learned a lot from working in the holiday movie space. He admires the way Hallmark operates as a studio, creating its own movie stars in an old-school way. Just like in the Star Trek universe, where there are dedicated fans for the characters, Hallmark has its own devoted following.He sees the value in low-budget, character-driven movies that can touch the hearts of audiences. It's a reminder that not all movies need to be big-budget blockbusters to be successful. There is a place for sincere and heartfelt holiday movies.In conclusion, "Hot Frosty" is a testament to the changing landscape of holiday entertainment. It shows how Netflix is challenging traditional programming and how the holiday movie space continues to evolve. With its unique story and talented cast, it's a must-watch for holiday movie lovers.