OR

Email Address

Password

Forgot password?

Snowfall

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 50 Critic Reviews

See All

63

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 32 Ratings

See All

8.6

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.6	Your Score
8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 32 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Snowfall

Now Playing: Snowfall

Snowfall

Series Details & Credits

FX | Release Date: July 5, 2017

Summary: The rise of the crack epidemic in Los Angeles in the 1980s is examined in this John Singleton drama series which follows a young street dealer named Franklin Saint (Damson Idris); Gustavo “El Oso” Zapata (Sergio Peris-Mencheta), a Mexican wrestler; a CIA operative Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson); and Lucia Villanueva (Emily Rios), theThe rise of the crack epidemic in Los Angeles in the 1980s is examined in this John Singleton drama series which follows a young street dealer named Franklin Saint (Damson Idris); Gustavo “El Oso” Zapata (Sergio Peris-Mencheta), a Mexican wrestler; a CIA operative Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson); and Lucia Villanueva (Emily Rios), the daughter of the head of a Mexican crime family.… Expand

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure

Watch Now

Stream On

Stream On

Recent Episodes

tbd
S6:E10. The Struggle
Air Date: April 19, 2023
tbd
S6:E9. Sacrifice
Air Date: April 12, 2023
tbd
S6:E8. Ballad of the Bear
Air Date: April 5, 2023

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

63

Positive:

29

Mixed:

20

Negative:

1

Critic Reviews

91

Collider Chase Hutchinson

Feb 21, 2023

Season 6 Review: While the particulars of the conflict matter less than the emotions and ideas underpinning them, the balance that is stuck ensures the series remains a strong one. Whenever the dust settles on this collapsing empire, both the one Franklin has built and America itself, the tragedy of Snowfall is shaping up to be as potent as the delicate craft on display from all involved. Read full review

80

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Mark Dawidziak

Jul 5, 2017

Season 1 Review: The good news is that Snowfall, the searing FX drama about the 1980s crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles, does start moving at dazzling speed after a slow, plodding start. The bad news is that this occurs somewhere about the fourth episode. Read full review

80

Decider

Johnny Loftus

Feb 25, 2022

Season 5 Review: Snowfall is full of great acting from top to bottom, with family politics, big money crime, violent disputes, and power shifting intrigue to spare. Read full review

70

Variety

Sonia Saraiya

Jul 1, 2017

Season 1 Review: Though the show is very skillfully made and impeccably performed overall, it suffers a little from the bloated storytelling issues that are currently endemic to the industry. Read full review

60

Collider Chris Cabin

Jul 5, 2017

Season 1 Review: This is all to say that Snowfall is a better written show than it is a visual show, a grand, tragic story that is admirably inclusive but struggles to reach a personal level. Read full review

50

Los Angeles Times

Lorraine Ali

Jul 5, 2017

Season 1 Review: The problem is that the series is split among three narratives, and the time spent on the other characters dilutes a story that could have been told through Franklin. They are given equal time but half the depth, and since their stories take so long to intersect, Snowfall can feel like a meandering exercise in patience. Read full review

25

Reason.com

Glenn Garvin

Jul 1, 2017

Season 1 Review: Billing itself as the story of "how crack began," Snowfall is really just a collection of cliches and set pieces you've already seen in other, much better narcodramas. Read full review

SEE ALL 50 REVIEWS

Write a Review

8.6

User Reviews

10

Veerath

Jul 19, 2023

This show was utterly brilliant from start to finish, there is very little I can actually critique about it. What's refreshing about it is that you actually feel things for certain characters, I won't give examples because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. I was surprised, shockedThis show was utterly brilliant from start to finish, there is very little I can actually critique about it. What's refreshing about it is that you actually feel things for certain characters, I won't give examples because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. I was surprised, shocked and on edge throughout the entire thing. Saddened by how evil some of the people were but somehow you understood them. What's refreshing is that when work is passed over, The late great John Singleton created this - after his passing, it didn't get worse. It somehow kept up momentum and didn't get worse which is what a lot of shows end up doing once it changes hands. They did John proud. The actors and everyone involved were absolutely incredible but what I felt most about the ending (and I hope that I don't give too much away) was that after everything, I just felt sad. Sad that certain people died and despite Franklin being a smart, charismatic, brilliant and powerful leader he ends up the way he does and it fills me with such sadness. Despite losing everything, despite his evil, he could have still come back. People still cared about him but he chooses to live the way he does and it just fills me sadness. He had so much and yet when it's over he decides to live in squaller. It's very accurate I suppose but after everything, more often than not, I just felt sad and empty and I suppose that was the intention.

Sensational, from start to finish.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

10

Kerplonk

Apr 22, 2021

This may be THE most compelling Series EVER assembled by ANY network. A better plot than POWER, more entertaining than OZARKS, and probably the greatest character casting of all time by a Movie or Series. This work pulls FX to the TOP of the heap!! Sorry NetFlix, Starz, HBO, CINEMAX &This may be THE most compelling Series EVER assembled by ANY network. A better plot than POWER, more entertaining than OZARKS, and probably the greatest character casting of all time by a Movie or Series. This work pulls FX to the TOP of the heap!! Sorry NetFlix, Starz, HBO, CINEMAX & Showtime, but theres a new sheriff in town. This work will probably never be rivalled, much less topped. Congrats to all at FX and this amazing cast for coming as close to perfection as is currently possible.… Expand

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

10

ganonymous

May 4, 2023

One of best shows I have seen on TV since The Wire. Great writing and memorable characters. If you are fan of any of John Singleton's previous work I think you will enjoy this show as well. And the writers kept John's legacy going after his passing. Because this show was good from beginningOne of best shows I have seen on TV since The Wire. Great writing and memorable characters. If you are fan of any of John Singleton's previous work I think you will enjoy this show as well. And the writers kept John's legacy going after his passing. Because this show was good from beginning to the end. R.I.P John Singleton… Expand

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

10

Trillcosbey

May 14, 2020

John Singletons layered take on the american nightmare that was the iran contra affair and the crack cocaine scurge that was dominate in the 80s.

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

10

Bitash

Sep 16, 2022

I never we knew the details of Iran contra, this series explains it well. And besides that, it’s an incredible series. Well written, well acted. Or a single weak link. Everyone is terrific. Who knew the actor playing Franklin is actually English. He deserves an award for this. I this theI never we knew the details of Iran contra, this series explains it well. And besides that, it’s an incredible series. Well written, well acted. Or a single weak link. Everyone is terrific. Who knew the actor playing Franklin is actually English. He deserves an award for this. I this the series deserves an award. I am hooked.… Expand

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

9

Marzanne

May 14, 2021

Jagged, fractured, raw nerves, and oversaturated torque. Compelling, painful, close tv.

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

8

WRCBSi

Oct 4, 2019

Pretty good show, showing the different sides of smuggling between cultures.

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

More From Metacritic

21 TV Shows to Watch This Summer

Get details on the top new and returning shows debuting this summer,...

What to Watch Right Now on Paramount+

Find a list of the best recent and upcoming film and TV titles added to...

What to Watch Right Now on Amazon's Prime Video

Get a list of the best movie and TV titles recently added (and coming...

What to Watch Right Now on Netflix

Get a list of the best movie and TV titles recently added (and coming...

Current TV Shows

By MetascoreBy User Score

1 92 The Pitt: Season 2

2 90 The Celebrity Traitors UK: Season 1

3 87 Hacks: Season 5

4 87 Industry: Season 4

5 87 Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal:...

6 85 The Beatles Anthology

7 85 The Traitors [UK]: Season 4

8 85 Bait: Season 1

9 84 Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!

10 83 Lord of the Flies

11 83 Riot Women: Season 1

12 83 For All Mankind: Season 5

13 81 The Muppet Show (2026)

14 80 Outlander (2014): Season 8

15 80 The Other Bennet Sister: Season 1

16 80 The Mighty Nein: Season 1

17 80 The Comeback: Season 3

18 80 The American Revolution

19 80 One Piece (2023): Season 2

20 80 Dark Winds: Season 4

SEE ALL

Seasons & Episodes

63

Series Overview
Season 6

tbd
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: February 22, 2023
- tbd
  S6:E10. The Struggle
  Air Date: April 19, 2023
- tbd
  S6:E9. Sacrifice
  Air Date: April 12, 2023
- tbd
  S6:E8. Ballad of the Bear
  Air Date: April 5, 2023
- tbd
  S6:E7. Charnel House
  Air Date: March 29, 2023
- tbd
  S6:E6. Concrete Jungle
  Air Date: March 22, 2023
- tbd
  S6:E5. Ebony and Ivory
  Air Date: March 15, 2023
- tbd
  S6:E4. Projects Boy
  Air Date: March 8, 2023
- tbd
  S6:E3. Door of No Return
  Air Date: March 1, 2023
- tbd
  S6:E2. The Sit Down
  Air Date: February 22, 2023
- tbd
  S6:E1. Fallout
  Air Date: February 22, 2023
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: February 23, 2022
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: February 24, 2021
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: July 10, 2019
Season 2

78
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: July 19, 2018
Season 1

62
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: July 5, 2017