Cold Hands, Warm Hearts: The Six Best Fictional Snowmen

Frosty The Snowman is about to hit the big-screen! Jason Mamoa of Aquaman and Game Of Thrones fame will voice the Christmas icon in the planned feature film.

Whether they're friendly or lean towards the abominable variety, everyone probably has a favourite snowman. So, in honour of Frosty's return, we've compiled a list of some of the greatest snowmen from the world of fiction.

1. The Bumble 'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer'

The Bumble, also known as 'The Abominable Snow Monster Of The North, made it's debut in Rankin-Bass's classic 1964 TV special Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.

For reasons never fully explained in the special, The Bumble is both drawn to, and enraged by, Rudolph's shiny nose. It captures Rudolph's parents, and love interest, Clarice, to lure the young reindeer into a final confrontation. However, The Bumble is ultimately reformed after Yukon Cornelius removes it's teeth. In the unofficial sequel, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island Of Misfit Toys, The Bumble accompanies Rudolph and his friends on a quest to rescue the Misfit Toys from the Toy Taker.

The Bumble's classic design has endured, serving as a template for many other Yetis or Abominable Snowmen that have followed him.

2. Jack Frost (Rise Of The Guardians)

While not technically a snowman as most would know them, Jack Frost, as the spirit of winter, makes it possible for snowmen as a whole to exist. While the character has been adapted for the screen many times, the version of Jack used in the Dreamworks film Rise Of The Guardians is one of the most unique and memorable incarnations.

Jack, an eternal rebellious teenager, has spent much of his time as the spirit of winter going unnoticed and unappreciated by the children for whom he creates snow every year. This begins to change when he is recruited by the Guardians Of Childhood: Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy, and The Sandman. It turns out that Jack's powers are the only thing capable of fighting the nightmares created by Pitch, the boogeyman.

While reviews for Rise Of The Guardians were mixed, many praised Jack's character. The film has since developed a cult following.

3. The Abominable Snowman (Monsters Inc)

In Monsters, Inc., The Abominable Snowman is first mentioned by Mike as he lists all the monsters who have been banished from Monstropolis.

Later, after Sulley and Mike are banished themselves, they meet The Abominable Snowman and are welcomed into his cave in the Himalayas. It turns out that he is not all that 'Abominable' at all. His overly friendly nature is hinted to be the reason for his banishment, but a later cameo in the prequel, Monsters University, reveals it was more likely to do with him looking through other monsters' mail.

Though The Abominable Snowman only appears briefly in each film, he steals the show whenever he's on screen.

4. Everest (Abominable)

Dreamworks' most recent film, Abominable, stars Everest, an adorable baby Yeti.

After escaping from a research facility in Shanghai, Everest meets and befriends Yi, a slightly troubled teenage violinist. When the young Yeti's captors come after him once again, Yi, and her friends Peng and Jin, embark on a quest to return Everest to his family, aided along the way by his mysterious magical abilities.

While critics praised the visual aspects of Everest's powers, they criticised the film for failing to better develop the character. However, Everest has proved a hit with children.

5. Olaf (Frozen)

Just about every child alive right now knows who Olaf is, and there's an equally good chance that most of them love him.

Accidentally brought to life by Queen Elsa of Arendelle in the first Frozen, Olaf joins Elsa's sister, Princess Anna, on a quest to find Elsa and free Arendelle from an eternal winter. Later, while trying to keep Anna warm after her heart has been frozen, Olaf delivers one of the most iconic lines in the film:

"Some people are worth melting for."

The sweet, funny snowman quickly became one of the franchise's breakout characters. In 2017, he starred in his own Christmas Special, Olaf's Frozen Adventure.

6. Frosty The Snowman

No list of the greatest snowmen would be complete without Frosty himself.

Frosty the Snowman has appeared in a number of animated specials over the years, but the most famous is easily the 1969 version by Rankin-Bass. After a group of children accidentally bring him to life with a magic hat, Frosty must find a way to reach the North Pole before the weather grows too warm.

The special remains a classic, having spawned two official sequels also produced by Rankin-Bass, and two unofficial sequels made by other studios.

While no release date for the new film has yet been set, Jason Mamoa's Frosty the Snowman is sure to be one to watch.