Colorado: Jack Frost
Release Year: 1998
Directed By: Troy Miller
Starring: Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston, Henry Rollins, Mark Addy, Joseph Cross, Mika Boorem, Andrew Lawrence, Eli Marienthal, Will Rothaar, Taylor Handley, Ahmet Zappa, Paul F. Tompkins
On screen, Colorado happens to be a popular setting (and filming location) for movies, Christmas or otherwise. But beyond a Robert De Niro tearjerker and a Lacey Chabert Hallmark movie, the biggest, and perhaps most underrated, Christmas movie to take place in Colorado is the cult classic Michael Keaton starrer Jack Frost. Despite not being a hit in its time, Jack Frost has stood the test of time and benefitted from the rise in nostalgic viewing, picking up more viewers each year in repeated viewings on TV and streaming services.
Michael Keaton stars as the titular Jack Frost, the lead singer of a touring band who holds onto hope that his dreams of rock n’ roll stardom can still come true. He often chooses his musical aspirations and commitments over his family, which happens to result in his untimely death during a snowstorm. One year later, his son Charlie (Joseph Cross) plays a song on his harmonica, bringing Jack back as a snowman for a chance to make things right with his family. Although the film struggled both with critics and the box office, Jack Frost has risen once again as an annual Christmas must-watch. It’s never too soon to head to Colorado with snowman Michael Keaton.