The picturesque city of Brockville, Ont., is basking in holiday cheer following the massive success of locally filmed Netflix movie Hot Frosty.
The movie, which debuted on Netflix earlier this month, shot to the top of the home-streaming platform’s most watched list globally, racking up more than 28 million views in its first two weeks.
“To be number one on Netflix, you know that millions and millions of people are watching it, and therefore we’re getting millions of eyes on Brockville, and that’s amazing,” said Lyndsay Bigley, digital marketing officer with Brockville Tourism.
The filming took place during the spring at locations in Ottawa and Almonte, but the majority was shot in Brockville, which Bigley says was a boost to the local economy during the shoulder tourism season.
“So they were staying at our hotels, checking out our local restaurants and bringing in those economic dollars, and it was extremely positive for the community,” she said.
Lyndsay Bigley, the digital marketing officer with Brockville Tourism, said the movie was a boost to the local economy. (Robyn Miller/CBC News)
Winter wonderland
During filming, the Keystorm Pub on Court House Avenue was transformed into Kathy’s Cafe and a sheriff’s office.
Pub owner Dan Thompson said renting out his location for the production was a great experience — and it’s also given him a new sales pitch.
“If you want to see where Hot Frosty was filmed, come on down here and have lunch,” he laughed.
Brockville resident Robyn Murray said she went down to the main street nearly every day to watch it transform into a winter wonderland.
“I’m a Christmas movie nut,” she beamed, noting her new favourite is now — no surprise — Hot Frosty.
“I actually loved the movie. Some people say it was kind of cheesy, but I thought it was awesome.”
The premise of the movie, which stars Dustin Milligan and Lacey Chabert, is simple yet magical.
A widow places a scarf around the snow sculpture of a handsome man and he comes to life, and like any good holiday movie, romance ensues.
“Apparently there is a new trend for Netflix making the typical Christmas movies into sexier ones, and I think they did that here,” said resident Sherry McMullen.
Brockville resident Robyn Murray said she made daily trips to the set while filming was happening. (Robyn Miller/CBC News)
Hot Frosty fever is spreading across the city with Richard’s Coffeehouse offering a special beverage. It’s a twist on the traditional hot chocolate that includes a scoop of ice cream.
“There was a lineup for it, yes for sure,” said owner Sam Rawas.
It’s even hit Canadian movie star Ryan Reynolds who recently used the film as inspiration for an advertisement for his gin.
Residents of Royal Brock Retirement Living in Brockville are also getting in on the action by posing for a Hot Frosty photo shoot.
Olenka and Norman McKee each donned a scarf and posed for the picture. The couple has been married 30 years but say they’ve known each other much longer.
Their review of the film is varied, but to be fair, Olenka McKee said she didn’t make it all the way through.
“I fell asleep when I was watching the movie so I never saw the ending,” she admitted, which her husband added is quite normal.
Regardless, the pair say it was great to see Brockville landmarks showcased in the film.
Norman and Olenka McKee pose for a Hot Frosty photo. (Submitted by Andrea Wolfe)
The city is encouraging residents to hold watch parties at home, as a public screening isn’t possible under Netflix’s terms of use.
There’s no shortage of other ideas to keep the Hot Frosty fever burning in Brockville.
“So in the movie Hot Frosty, there is a magical red scarf and it is gorgeous and on our website, you can actually download a knitting pattern to make your own Hot Frosty scarf at home,” Bigley said, adding Hot Frosty bingo cards are also available.
“We refer to our charming downtown as really a holiday movie set in itself, and now it actually is a holiday movie set and so that’s so cool to see it come to life,” she added.