Twenty-five years ago, on February 11, 2000, Snow Day hit theaters, bringing a flurry of winter fun, childhood nostalgia, and Nickelodeon-fueled chaos. The family-friendly comedy, directed by Chris Koch and written by Pete & Pete creators Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi, became a cult favorite for kids growing up in the early 2000s.
Set in Syracuse, New York, Snow Day follows a group of kids who seize a rare day off from school, determined to extend their winter break by stopping the dreaded Snowplow Man (Chris Elliott) from clearing the roads. Meanwhile, Hal (Mark Webber) attempts to win over his crush Claire Bonner (Emmanuelle Chriqui), while his younger sister Natalie (Zena Grey) leads the charge against the plow. The film also features Saturday Night Live legend Chevy Chase as their dad, alongside Jean Smart, Schuyler Fisk, and a scene-stealing performance from Josh Peck in his film debut.
While Snow Day wasn’t a critical hit, it resonated with a generation of kids who dreamed of that magical school-canceling snowfall. The film’s mix of slapstick humor, innocent romance, and Nickelodeon charm made it a staple of sleepovers and wintertime TV marathons. Its catchy theme song, “Another Dumb Blonde” by Hoku, remains a nostalgic earworm for those who grew up in the TRL era.
Over the years, Snow Day has maintained a special place in pop culture, enough to inspire a 2022 musical remake on Paramount+. But for many, the original film remains a time capsule of simpler days, when all that mattered was waking up to a fresh blanket of snow and the glorious announcement of a day off.
Happy 25th anniversary, Snow Day!