disney frozen movie review

Film Review: ‘Frozen’

Chilly scenes of widescreen winter and a scene-stealing snowman are the chief assets of Disney's accomplished but formulaic 53rd animated feature.

By Scott Foundas

Scott Foundas

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Move over, Frosty. A quixotic snowman who longs to experience summer handily steals the show in “ Frozen ,” Disney ’s 53rd in-house animated feature and one of its most classical, with a Hans Christian Andersen pedigree, a full-fledged showtune score and little of the ironic humor that has become the lingua franca of most contemporary toons. But this always enjoyable tale of mysterious magic, imperiled princesses and square-jawed men of action proves longer on striking visuals than on truly engaging or memorable characters. With the family crowd pretty much to itself this holiday season, “Frozen” should generate considerable box-office heat, if not quite the same level of critical and audience affection that attended the superior “Tangled” and “Wreck-It Ralph.”

The result of a decade-long effort by the studio to fashion an animated feature from Andersen’s classic “The Snow Queen,” “Frozen” ultimately bears only the most superficial resemblance to its source, the haunting story of a young girl’s efforts to free her true love from the mind-altering effects of a cursed mirror and the icy lair of the eponymous snow spirit. Instead, writer-directors Chris Buck (a veteran Disney animator with credits dating back to “The Fox and the Hound”) and Jennifer Lee (who co-scripted “Wreck-It Ralph”) give us a more conventional tale of two sisters, younger Anna (Kristen Bell) and elder Elsa (Idina Menzel), heirs to the enchanted Scandinavian kingdom of Arendelle (also a return of sorts to Disney tradition after the dutiful PC dues-paying of “Pocahontas,” “Mulan” and “The Princess and the Frog”).

As seen in the movie’s opening moments, the girls are the closest of childhood friends, their playtime enhanced by Elsa’s unexplained ability to conjure a wonderland of ice and snow at the literal waving of her fingertips. But like Midas’ golden touch, Elsa’s powers soon seem more curse than blessing. When an errant icicle nearly proves fatal to Anna, the King and Queen seal the castle gates, while Elsa further cuts herself off from that circumscribed world, coming of age in solitude even after a shipwreck leaves her and Anna orphans.

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Only as Elsa’s coronation day draws near does she emerge from her seclusion, still uncertain as to whether or not she can control her “gift” (which, like the telekinetic rage of Stephen King’s Carrie, seems to be triggered by intense surges of emotion). Meanwhile, Anna has had all memory of her childhood trauma wiped, “Men in Black”-style, by some friendly neighborhood trolls, leaving her all the more miffed by big sis’ literal and figurative cold shoulder.

These early passages play out pleasantly enough, enhanced by nice detail work showing the bustle of daily Arendelle life and an amusing turn by Alan Tudyk (last seen as “Ralph’s” megalomaniacal Turbo) as the nosy, diminutive Duke of neighboring Weselton (which, to his great consternation, everyone mispronounces as Weaseltown). But the narrative of “Frozen” only really kicks into gear with the palace ball following the coronation, where everything seems to be going hunky-dory until Anna makes the mistake of asking her sister’s permission to marry the dashing Prince Hans of the Southern Isles (Santino Fontana) — whom, admittedly, she only met earlier that same day. To say that Elsa’s reaction puts a chill in the air would be an arctic understatement. (Think Carrie’s prom crossed with the Ice Capades.)

With her secret laid bare for all to see, a devastated Elsa flees into the surrounding mountains, enveloping all of summertime Arendelle in a thick permafrost as she does. Anna gives chase, but proves ill equipped for the rugged and frigid terrain, eventually stumbling upon a small trading post (run by a hulking Swede named Oaken, voiced by “Bolt” co-director Chris Williams) that has wasted no time in jacking up prices on its minimal supply of off-season winter provisions. It’s there that she crosses paths with Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), a flaxen-haired ice seller somewhat lacking in social graces (his best, and possibly only, friend is his trusty, sleigh-pulling reindeer, Sven). But with his own bottom line taking a sizable hit from the sudden climate change, he agrees to help Anna search for Elsa in the hope of once again bringing sunshine to the land.

Which is around the time Olaf enters the picture. An anthropomorphic snowman brought to life by Elsa’s magic, with a row of buck teeth and a few twigs of would-be hair atop his head, this irrepressible optimist (marvelously voiced by “Book of Mormon” alum Josh Gad) likes “warm hugs” and possesses a most unhealthy fascination with the summer — a season he’s never experienced, and whose dangers to his person he seems blithely unaware of. This leads to “Frozen’s” most inspired musical number, “In Summer,” as Olaf imagines himself bounding through blooming meadows, soaking up the sun and engaging in other flights of seasonal fancy, all wryly visualized by Buck and Lee and expressed in playful lyrics by the husband-and-wife songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (the latter a Tony winner for his work on “Avenue Q” and “Book of Mormon”).

The tactile, snow-capped Arendelle landscape, including Elsa’s ice-castle retreat (imagine Superman’s Fortress of Solitude with a more feminine touch), is “Frozen’s” other true marvel, enhanced by 3D and the decision to shoot in widescreen — a nod to the CinemaScope richness of “Sleeping Beauty” and “Lady and the Tramp.” That’s almost but not quite enough to make up for the somewhat slack plotting and the generic nature of the main characters. Neither princess here is a patch on “Tangled’s” babe-in-the-woods Rapunzel, while both Hans and Kristoff are cut from pretty standard-issue hero cloth until a reasonably surprising third-act twist somewhat ups the ante. Only Olaf is unimpeachable: Get this snowman a spinoff feature to call his own.

“Frozen” goes out accompanied by “Get a Horse!”, director Lauren MacMullan’s utterly dazzling five-minute short starring Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Peg-Leg Pete and other vintage Disney characters in a “Sherlock Jr.”-style adventure that finds their hand-drawn 1930s avatars bursting through a movie screen and into the 3D/CG era. Though the animation is all new (including impeccable re-creations of the black-and-white Disney/Ub Iwerks style), the sound is predominately archival, including Uncle Walt himself as the voice of his iconic alter ego.

Reviewed at AMC Empire 25, New York, October 26, 2013. MPAA Rating: PG. Running time: 102 MIN.

• Production: (Animated) A Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures release of a Walt Disney Animation Studios production. Produced by Peter Del Vecho. Executive producer, John Lasseter.
• Crew: Directed by Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee. Screenplay, Lee; story, Buck, Lee, Shane Morris, inspired by “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen. Camera (color, Deluxe prints, widescreen, 3D), Scott Beattie (layout), Mohit Kallianpur (lighting); editor, Jeff Draheim; music, Christophe Beck; songs, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez; music supervisor, Tom MacDougall; executive music producer, Chris Montan; production designer, David Womersley; art director, Michael Giaimo; visual effects supervisor, Steve Goldberg; head of story, Paul Briggs; head of animation, Lino Di Salvo; technical supervisor, Mark Hammel; character CG supervisor, Frank Hanner; modeling supervisors, Chad Stubblefield, Jon Kim Krummel II; look supervisors, Michelle Lee Robinson, Hans-Joerg E. Keim; character TD supervisors, Keith Wilson, Carlos Cabral; technical animation supervisor, Mark Empey; animation supervisors, Rebecca Wilson Bresee, Hyrum Virl Osmond, Malcon B. Pierce III, Tony Smeed, Wayne Unten; supervising sound editor/sound designer (Dolby Atmos), Odin Benitez; re-recording mixers, David E. Fluhr, Gabriel Guy; stereoscopic supervisor, Katie A. Fico; associate producer, Aimee Scribner; casting Jamie Sparer Roberts.
• With: Voices: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana, Alan Tudyk, Ciaran Hinds, Chris Williams, Stephen John Anderson, Maia Wilson, Edie McClurg, Robert Pine, Maurice Lamarche, Livvy Stubenrauch, Eva Bella, Spencer Ganus, Jesse Corti, Jeffrey Marcus, Tucker Gilmore.

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Common sense media reviewers.

Wintry Disney musical is fabulous celebration of sisterhood.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

While the movie wasn't created with educational in

Themes include compassion, courage, integrity, com

Anna is a brave, kind, and loving sister. She does

When they're young, Elsa accidentally hits Anna wi

Princess Anna thinks that she's fallen in love wit

The trolls call Kristoff a "fixer upper" and recou

Nothing in the actual movie, but there are countle

Champagne is served at a royal reception.

Parents need to know that Frozen is a Disney animated musical that's likely to appeal to families with children of all ages. As in many Disney movies, the parents die, here leaving orphaned princesses who must find a way to survive. There are a few other violent scenes that involve men with weapons, snarling…

Educational Value

While the movie wasn't created with educational intent, it offers lessons on the importance of family and loyalty, as well as the value of not jumping head first into a romantic relationship.

Positive Messages

Themes include compassion, courage, integrity, communication, and self-control. Positive messages about not being afraid of your power and talents, not letting people you love run away, and the importance of figuring out that love demands selflessness and generosity. The love and bonds of sisterhood are emphasized, and the idea of true love taking time to develop is stressed.

Positive Role Models

Anna is a brave, kind, and loving sister. She doesn't give up on her sister, even when everyone else deems her a danger to the kingdom. Elsa, in turn, finally discovers that her power doesn't have to be destructive; it can bring joy, too. Kristoff and Anna teach other that finding the person you love takes more than just one day -- it means overcoming obstacles and sticking by each other during tough times. Olaf is cheerful and loyal.

Violence & Scariness

When they're young, Elsa accidentally hits Anna with her freezing magic and ends up nearly killing her. Elsa and Anna's parents die in a shipwreck; the stormy sea/sinking boat and resulting mourning are briefly seen. Queen Elsa unleashes her magic on the kingdom and plunges it into eternal winter. Vicious wolves chase Anna and Kristoff on a sleigh. Elsa creates a very menacing snow monster and accidentally hurts Anna again. Men with guns and bows try to hurt Elsa. The queen is imprisoned and sentenced to be executed. Anna's heart begins to freeze, and it seems likely her whole body will turn to ice. A severe winter storm unleashed by Elsa's feelings could upset/alarm some younger kids.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Princess Anna thinks that she's fallen in love with Prince Hans in just a few hours (after some flirting and exchanging of favorite things) and ends up accepting his proposal. Then she spends time really getting to know Kristoff and actually falls in love. Two kisses at the end of the movie. Queen Elsa wears a tight sparkly dress with a high slit. The trolls want Anna and Kristoff to get married.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

The trolls call Kristoff a "fixer upper" and recount some of his flaws (like being "smelly" and his unnatural attachment to his reindeer). The visiting dignitaries call the Queen Elsa a "monster," an "evil sorceress," a "traitor," "murderer," etc.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Nothing in the actual movie, but there are countless merchandise tie-ins with the movie, from apparel and figurines to costumes, accessories, books, make-up, and games.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Frozen is a Disney animated musical that's likely to appeal to families with children of all ages. As in many Disney movies, the parents die, here leaving orphaned princesses who must find a way to survive. There are a few other violent scenes that involve men with weapons, snarling wolves, a scary snow monster, a severe storm, and a character who nearly freezes to death. A character falls in love -- twice -- and ends up sharing two kisses at the end of the story. Messages include unconditional love between sisters after a long estrangement, being true to yourself, recognizing your gifts, and not being afraid of your power. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Community Reviews

• Parents say (199)
• Kids say (464)

Based on 199 parent reviews

Oh, come on people

Wonderful movie, what's the story.

FROZEN very loosely borrows from the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of The Snow Queen : In a Scandinavian-like kingdom, two young princesses frolic in the first snowfall. Elder sister Elsa has the magical power to conjure ice, so she creates a winter wonderland for her adoring little sister, Anna. But when Elsa accidentally hurts Anna with her magic, their royal parents decide to shutter Elsa away from the kingdom. The sisters grow up separate from society -- and each other ... a strategy that works until the king and queen die in a shipwreck and Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel ) must be crowned the new queen. During the coronation festivities, Anna ( Kristen Bell ) falls for visiting Prince Hans (Santino Fontana) who immediately proposes. But when they ask Elsa for her blessing, she scoffs, loses control of her powers, runs up a mountain, and sends the kingdom into an eternal winter. Feeling guilty, Anna sets out to find Elsa with the help of unlikely allies -- a loner ice harvester Kristoff ( Jonathan Groff ), his loyal reindeer Sven, and a goofy, sentient snowman named Olaf ( Josh Gad ).

Is It Any Good?

Make room for two more wonderful princesses in this perfect combination of the best Disney has to offer. Frozen has catchy, show-stopping musical numbers, empowering heroines who discover the strength within themselves, stunning animated visuals, and scene-stealing sidekicks. There are worthy messages about everything from sisterly unconditional love to being true to yourself to not getting engaged to someone you literally just met. In addition to the the pithy songs like "For the First Time in Forever," "Let It Go," "In Summer," and "Fixer Upper" -- fabulously composed by couple Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez -- the sweet themes of sisterhood and self-identity make for a delightful tale.

Musical theater stars Menzel, Groff, Fontana, and Gad provide an awesome lineup of singers who make Frozen sound like it's already headed for Broadway. The always adorable Bell doesn't disappoint as the plucky and industrious Anna, who refuses to let Elsa stay away and believe herself a monster. Groff is perfectly cast as Kristoff, who challenges and surprises Anna -- and in turn is challenged and surprised by the brave princess. Their romance is a refreshing counterpoint to Anna and Hans' (which, as it turns out, isn't the swoon-worthy love-at-first-sight connection that she imagined) without taking away from the central storyline about the lovely sisters who discover their power.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about Frozen 's message. What do Anna and Elsa learn over the course of the movie? Kids: How can you apply the movie's lessons to your own life?

What do you think of the act of love that saves the kingdom?

There's more music in Frozen than in recent Disney films. How does the soundtrack compare to other Disney movies?

How do the characters in Frozen demonstrate courage , self-control , and integrity ? What about communication and compassion ? Why are these important character strengths ?

Movie Details

• In theaters : November 27, 2013
• On DVD or streaming : March 18, 2014
• Cast : Jonathan Groff , Josh Gad , Kristen Bell
• Directors : Chris Buck , Jennifer Lee
• Inclusion Information : Female directors, Gay actors, Middle Eastern/North African actors, Female actors
• Studio : Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
• Genre : Family and Kids
• Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More , Brothers and Sisters , Fairy Tales
• Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage , Integrity , Self-control
• Run time : 102 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : some action and mild rude humor
• Award : Kids' Choice Award
• Last updated : May 4, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Movie Review

From the Heat of Royal Passion, Poof! It’s Permafrost

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By Stephen Holden

• Nov. 26, 2013

A beautiful princess with magical powers that she can’t control; an adorable snowman, with buck teeth and a carrot for a nose, who longs to sunbathe because no one ever told him that heat melts ice; a picture-perfect prince who is revealed to be a scheming, opportunistic cad.

Those are among the unconventional characters in the new Disney 3-D animated movie musical, “Frozen,” very loosely based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “The Snow Queen.” They are significant departures from tradition in a film that shakes up the hyper-romantic “princess” formula that has stood Disney in good stead for decades and that has grown stale. Treacly, kissy-kissy endings are not enough anymore. Nowadays, a princess has to show her mettle and earn her happily-ever-after stripes.

Allegorically, “Frozen” lacks the purity and elemental power of a classic myth like “Beauty and the Beast,” but at least its storytelling is fairly coherent, and its gleaming dream world of snow and ice is one of the most visually captivating environments to be found in a Disney animated film. There are moments when you may feel that you are inside a giant crystal chandelier frosted with diamonds.

It all takes place in the fictional Scandinavian land of Arendelle, whose king and queen die in a shipwreck, leaving the country in the hands of Elsa (the voice of Idina Menzel), the elder of two daughters. This blond, high-strung princess has a secret problem. If she isn’t extremely careful, everything around her freezes when she takes off her protective gloves and waves her hands. Elsa’s best friend is her impulsive redheaded younger sister, Anna (Kristen Bell), whom she nearly freezes to death by accident.

The sisters become estranged when Anna falls in love at first sight with Hans (Santino Fontana), a too-good-to-be-true prince from a neighboring kingdom, and Elsa forbids them to marry. With one wave of Elsa’s hand, eternal winter descends on Arendelle. She is so horrified by her destructive gift that she retreats to a remote ice palace atop a mountain.

As Arendelle suffers through the deep freeze, the resourceful Anna, who still loves her sister, is determined to track down Elsa, who she believes can reverse the spell. Thus begin Anna’s adventures in mountain climbing. Along the way, she meets Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), a rugged ice dealer who guides a reindeer-driven sleigh. During their “Wizard of Oz”-like quest, they are joined by Olaf ( Josh Gad ), that sweet, wisecracking snowman.

“Frozen,” for all its innovations, is not fundamentally revolutionary. Its animated characters are the same familiar, blank-faced, big-eyed storybook figures. But they are a little more psychologically complex than their Disney forerunners. Its princesses may gaze at a glass ceiling, but most are not ready to shatter it.

Is it significant that Jennifer Lee, who directed “Frozen” with Chris Buck, is billed as the first female director of a Disney animated feature film? Perhaps. Ms. Lee is credited as the screenwriter of a story that she and Mr. Buck developed with Shane Morris. That screenplay cautiously incorporates some slangy contemporary argot, but its tone is never desperately hip in the manner of the “Shrek” movies. Most of what fun there is revolves around Olaf, a classic Disney sidekick.

If “Frozen” still has one foot planted in 19th-century children’s literature, good and evil are not so clear-cut. The title character of the original fairy tale was evil. Her 21st-century descendant is merely confused and scared. As always, love is the solution to everything. When nothing can thaw the icy heart of the frightened Elsa, love does the trick, but in this case it is sisterly loyalty and devotion rather than romantic attachment.

“Frozen” has eight original songs by the married team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, musical theater veterans whose blend of playful wit and sentimentality here comes closer than any score for a Disney animated film to capturing the charm of the Alan Menken-Howard Ashman collaboration in its glory days. One song, “Fixer Upper,” sung by a bunch of trolls promoting the charms of an imperfect eligible bachelor to a picky princess, is genuinely amusing:

So he’s a bit of a fixer-upper,

So he’s got a few flaws.

Like his peculiar brain-dear.

His thing with the reindeer.

That’s a little outside of nature’s laws!

It can’t be accidental that “Frozen,” with its two female leads, one voiced by the original Elphaba in “Wicked” (Ms. Menzel), has a lot in common with that Broadway juggernaut and seems ready-made for theatrical adaptation. For this journey, instead of a broomstick, take mittens, snow boots and steaming hot chocolate.

“Frozen” is rated PG (Parental guidance suggested) for some action and mild, rude humor.

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Movie Review: Frozen (2013)

• Aaron Leggo
• Movie Reviews
• 2 responses
• --> December 15, 2013

The rescue party.

In a world of ice, Disney finds great warmth. It’s the sort of cutesy irony that sounds like it should be coated in sugar, but with Frozen , Disney takes the sweet concept and transforms it into their most poignant and powerful picture in over a decade. Or nearly even two decades if you consider that the Mouse House hasn’t unleashed such gorgeous tunes and such engaging storytelling since the mid-90s portion of their beloved Renaissance period. That’s tall praise from a Disney fan, perhaps, but Frozen is the kind of whip-smart and emotionally enchanting picture that inspires such crazed, buzzing enthusiasm.

As much a tribute to the hallowed history of Disney princesses as it is a modern revision of Disney’s classic love story, Frozen conjures that special brand of studio magic and applies it to a terrific tale of sisterhood. Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel), the young heir to the throne of a quaint Scandanavian kingdom, has the power to shoot blasts of ice from her fingertips, something that delights her little sister Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell). It’s a fun power for play, but Elsa cannot control it and so her abilities are more threat than thrill. In order to protect Anna, Elsa locks herself away in her room for years and painfully — though importantly — severs her relationship with her sister.

Based loosely on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen , Frozen is about what happens when Elsa comes out of hiding and the two sisters have to interact with years of hurt and loneliness between them. This personal, dedicated conflict is delicately delivered with honest heartache and a refreshing maturity. Anna and Elsa are both partially responsible for this predicament, but they’re also victims of a dangerous power they don’t yet understand. This isn’t some contrived sibling rivalry, but an emotionally enriching spin on the philosophy that love conquers all, even when solitary isolation seems to be the only route to survival.

Anna and Elsa are trapped in a destructive maelstrom of magic and the story asks that Anna bravely trust her sister, reach out to her in order to help, while the conflict dictates that these sisters barely know each other, hardly have anything that connects them beyond the blood that runs cold in one of them. Metaphorically, thematically, dramatically, this is the most sophisticated and roundly artistic animated effort Disney has made in ages.

Both sisters have genuinely rewarding and intertwined arcs, so while Anna remains the protagonist throughout, Elsa is a key part of her sister’s growth and has her own challenges to face as well. She’s a queen and eventually an unintentional villainess, a twist of roles that respectfully references Disney’s earliest work with princess narratives, but she’s not beyond saving, not beyond love. She embraces isolation because it’s all she knows, but instead of taking this assumed fate lying down, she approaches it with a proud courage, a damn-it-all attitude that is revealed in her show-stopping number “Let It Go,” which lifts the onscreen emotions to the rafters as the animators match Elsa’s creativity by crafting a wondrous ice palace before our very eyes.

Much of the perfectly paced plot focuses on Anna, though, who is convinced that she is the only one who can help Elsa. Anna has a habit of impulsively leaping into a situation and underestimating the surrounding dangers, but Bell fills the character with such feisty, feminine smarts that we know she’s capable of making the right decision and that her headstrong stubbornness is a virtue instead of a fault. She first meets handsome Hans (voiced by Santino Fontana) and later recruits the gruff Kristoff (voiced by Jonathan Groff) on her journey to find her recently self-exiled sister. Kristoff comes with a sidekick, a friendly, carrot-chomping reindeer named Sven whose only voice is provided by Kristoff’s ventriloquist act.

Together, the group meets Olaf (voiced by Josh Gad), an obliviously optimistic snowman given life thanks to Elsa’s magic. These new additions provide plenty of comic relief and rather amazingly, the comedy sticks. Olaf is a goofy looking fellow, but Gad gives him a soft, friendly personality that is immediately infectious. He can’t help but look on the bright side of everything and his attempts to be friends with absolutely everyone are so charmingly innocent that it’s easy to enjoy the little guy’s presence. Olaf even gets his own song, all about how much he craves summer and time in the sun, unaware of that pesky melting problem caused by heat.

Reindeer comedy.

Each character is memorable and engaging, an accomplishment that has eluded Disney’s animated pictures for a very long time (entertaining, contributing sidekicks are a rarity on their own as well). There’s so much going on here, but Frozen remains focused at all times, never straying arbitrarily or letting any of the many pieces become a distraction. It’s an astonishing juggling act, so when the story introduces that classically nostalgic princess trope, the true love’s kiss, it’s forgivable in the context of something so impressive.

But screenwriter Jennifer Lee, who co-directed with Chris Buck, is actually in the midst of orchestrating her most beautiful feat yet. Where Frozen leads is a place of such moving grace and imagination that the movie simultaneously adds to the princess canon with tremendous originality and updates the concept of Disney heroines seeking love with a verve and vibrancy that is immensely inspiring. So, I gush. From the carefully conceived visuals to Christophe Beck’s wonderful score to the glorious songs courtesy of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Frozen is a genuine triumph. It’s overwhelming at times, witnessing such a remarkable return to form for the studio. Defrosting has never been so tender. Anna and Elsa haven’t just warmed my heart; they’ve set it aflame.

Tagged: fairy tale , magic , queen , sister

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'Movie Review: Frozen (2013)' have 2 comments

December 16, 2013 @ 2:56 am Rhonda

I thought Tangled was a very good movie too.

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January 28, 2014 @ 4:27 pm Nekomii

I like your reviews. I think ‘Frozen’ is the first new Disney classic I’ve seen since ‘Lion King’.

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‘Frozen’ movie review: Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel dazzle in Disney’s latest

Remember when Disney was a powerhouse of animated musicals? In the 1980s and '90s, movies such as " Beauty and the Beast " and " Pocahontas " didn't just win the box office, but songs from Disney movies stormed the Billboard charts, too. There was Elton John's " Can You Feel the Love Tonight " from " The Lion King " and " A Whole New World ," a No. 1 hit from " Aladdin ." An entire generation of youngsters tormented their parents, playing the taped soundtrack from " The Little Mermaid " on a never-ending loop.

Disney is back in the game with " Frozen ." The movie might not have potential pop hits — the songs sound much more like musical theater show tunes than Miley Cyrus auto-tuned — but the animated comedy-adventure has a sweet and very modern message, plus strong characters. More important, the movie blends the music-minded mentality of yore with the more recent ambition (thank you, Pixar) of truly appealing to all ages.

The story was inspired by " The Snow Queen " by Hans Christian Andersen, although it bears little resemblance to the fairy tale. "Frozen" follows sisters Elsa and Anna, who are princesses in a Nordic region, Arendelle. Elsa has a secret power: She can fill a room with snow and ice with a few shakes of her hand. Only she hasn't mastered her ability, and one day she accidentally injures the younger Anna with a shot of ice to the head. After that, Elsa mostly hides in her room for fear of hurting people, and the girls become estranged.

But on Elsa’s coronation day, the new queen becomes frightened — one of her triggers for spontaneous ice creation — and she accidentally freezes the fjord around the castle as she sends Arendelle into an eternal winter. Elsa flees amid accusations of witchcraft, and the majority of the movie is spent with Anna, who has always adored her sister, as she sets out to find the queen, bring her home and get her to cancel the permafrost. Along for the ride are the burly Kristoff and his pet reindeer, Sven, plus one of Elsa’s creations, a talking snowman named Olaf.

Anna is much more of a contemporary rom-com heroine than an Ariel-the-mermaid type. She’s clumsy, awkward and a bit of a dork (although she does a mean robot). But, refreshingly, she’s no damsel in distress, not even during the film’s late scenes, when she finds herself in a desperate situation.

Kristen Bell, who shot to fame as the spunky detective in " Veronica Mars ," feels like the perfect pick to voice such a character. And she can sing, too, although not quite as transcendently as Broadway star Idina Menzel, who voices Elsa and has no trouble hitting the high notes in the sometimes cheesy, always soaring soundtrack . Rising star Josh Gad also does memorable voice work as Olaf, the brainless rube of a snowman who's always wanted to go to the beach.

The movie, while dazzling to look at, may be a little long for some small children. But its surprising and poignant ending, which subverts so many fairy-tale stereotypes, feels as though it cancels out the movie’s small flaws and dragging moments. “Frozen” may be a nod to the pleasures of vintage Disney and old fairy tales, but there’s nothing outdated about it.

PG. At area theaters. Contains some action and mild rude humor. 108 minutes.

Den of Geek

Disney’s Frozen review

Walt Disney Animation Studios finally - finally! - brings The Snow Queen to life. And you never dreamed it'd be this good...

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When I was 16 years old, I took my then-infant cousin to the cinema, notionally as a treat for him. The only thing available for us to see was Disney’s  Beauty And The Beast . He quite liked it, save for an insistence that he needed a toilet break at an inopportune moment. Me? It blew me away. It still does. It’s one of my favourite films of all time, the best Disney animated movie, and the film I’ve watched more than any other. It unlocked a lifelong love (quite often a tough love) of Disney animation, that’s killed my bank account ever since.

The biggest compliment I can thus give  Frozen  is this: somebody watching it is going to feel the same way about Disney’s latest that I felt over 20 years ago when I first saw  Beauty And The Beast . At its peak,  Frozen  is Walt Disney Animation Studios firing with everything, demonstrating why it’s emerged in recent years as the most interesting mainstream producers of feature animation (with terrific features such as  Wreck-It Ralph ,  Tangled ,  The Princess And The Frog  and  Winnie The Pooh ). And this is very much a Disney film, the kind you feel nobody else could make. It’s a fairytale, but co-director Jennifer Lee’s screenplay manages to modernise it, whilst never losing the feeling of tradition. There’s no cheating here – it’s the story itself that’s been made more relevant, rather than any gimmicks attached around it.

But I’m racing ahead. This is, as longtime Disney geeks (guilty as charged) will happily tell, the final realisation of the many, many attempts to bring Hans Christian Andersen’s  The Snow Queen  to the big screen in animated form. Many brilliant Disney people have tried before, most notoriously when a fascinating-looking hand-drawn venture fell apart just over a decade ago. But the team this time around, led by co-directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck ( Tarzan ), have utterly cracked it.

They’ve done it by adjusting the story, and making it the tale of two sisters, Elsa and Anna. This single switch, of making the lead two characters related, has immense pay-off. Courtesy of an excellent opening sequence, we learn that both have magical powers, but an accident puts in place what looks like a lifelong division between the pair. This is most wonderfully demonstrated by the tremendous, moving song ‘Do You Want To Build A Snowman?’ And to zoom in on that for a second, it’s that one song bundles together so much of what  Frozen  gets right.

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Firstly, it demonstrates that this is a film with personal – rather than world-ending – stakes at heart, that matter all the more as a consequence of being so contained. It’s a song ostensibly about a physical door between two sisters – giving nothing away – that symbolises them being driven apart.

It’s also a song that sees Disney heading back to Broadway – just as it did in the late 80s/early 90s – for its muscial spark. And it finds it, not least in the firm of  The Book Of Mormon  and  Avenue Q  songwriting pairing of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who penned the tunes here (backed by a gorgeous Christophe Beck score). They prove inspired choices, as does the lead voice pairing of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, with Disney’s casting department eschewing huge movie star names for absolute musical talent and appropriateness for the key roles (further examples: Alan Tudyk, Josh Gad and Jonathan Groff. There’s not a weak link in the voice cast).

It’s a big series of decisions, and pretty much every one of them is bang on. Disney ran away from songs sung by characters as a storytelling device for a while, but in  Frozen , it demonstrates that when done properly, that approach can result in something really rather special. It’s back to the old adage of economical storytelling through terrific songs. At least three of the numbers here are flat-out excellent, and one of them – ‘Let It Go’ – will be winning an Oscar next year. You can put me down for a quid or two on that.

Still, it’d be remiss not to note that there are moments in  Frozen  when you wonder if it’s veering a little bit too close to  Beauty And The Beast , or possibly taking an ingredient from one or two other features (which I won’t name for fear of spoiling the film). Furthermore, as much fun as the supporting characters are – Disney Stores will sell a lot of Olaf toys – we’re not  quite  at the level of Sebastian or Cogsworth here. That said, when the focus is firmly on Anna and Elsa, as it is for most of the film,  Frozen  is just terrific. Much will be made of the fact that we get two female leads powering a Disney movie here (heck, two female leads powering a blockbuster movie full stop), but that overlooks something even more fundamental: the two main characters are both superb creations, who you can’t help but care about and, to varying degrees, root for.

Directors Buck and Lee have clearly approached the whole project with real intelligence. They’re adept at spotting when to pull back on the songs, they put some gorgeous cinematic sequences on the big screen – the animation really is something to behold – and they generate more than one goosebump moment in the sublime telling of the story.

Furthermore – crucially – they get that it’s the small things that matter, and by getting so many of those less showy moments spot on, the big moments soar. To their further credit,  Frozen ‘s also not scared of taking a few interesting left turns, which again, we won’t spoil here. That the film’s a virtually seamless marriage of comedy, action, drama and music is some achievement as well.

It’s an almost pinch-yourself moment when you realise that  The Snow Queen  has burst out of a sustained term in development hell and ended up as good as it is. It’s not a faithful telling of the story by pretty much any measure, and if you’re a Hans Christian Andersen purist, chances are you’ll be setting up a Tumblr or Facebook protest page in the coming weeks. But as a mainstream family animated motion picture, it finds Walt Disney Animation Studios in incredible shape, the peak of a turnaround that started quietly with  Meet The Robinsons , and has been building for years.

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Frozen ‘s brilliance isn’t good news for everyone, though. Right now, if I was one of the team making Walt Disney Animation Studios’ fascinating-looking 2014 release,  Big Hero 6 , I’d be breaking out in a cold sweat at the thought of following it into cinemas. For everyone else? This is the best Walt Disney Animation Studios movie in a generation, and the best family movie – by a considerable distance – of the year. It’s an astounding piece of work, and the kind of film that we’ll still be buying on whatever’s replaced DVD in 30 years’ time.

Just wonderful. In the sage words of Marty McFly, “Your kids are gonna love it…”

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Simon Brew | @SimonBrew

Editor, author, writer, broadcaster, Costner fanatic. Now runs Film Stories Magazine.

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"Frozen II" has an autumnal palette, with russet and gold setting the stage for an unexpectedly elegiac tone in the follow-up to one of Disney's most beloved animated features. Even the irrepressibly cheerful snowman Olaf ( Josh Gad ), now permafrosted so even the warmest hugs don't melt him, is worried about change as the leaves turn orange and float down from tree branches. He is confident, though, that as soon as he gets older he will understand everything. After all, that's what he expects from Elsa ( Idina Menzel ), Anna ( Kristen Bell ), and Kristoff ( Jonathan Groff ). Anna reassures him (in song, of course) that yes, some things change, but some things are forever. She tells him that even when you don't know the answers you can always just do the next right thing, and that will help. 

"Frozen II" is funny, exciting, sad, romantic, and silly. It has great songs and a hilarious recap of the first movie, and then it is all of that all over again. Plus an extra scene ALL the way at the end of the credits. This sequel can seem overstuffed at times, and tries a bit too hard to replicate the magic of the first film, but it is impressively willing to engage with some complicated issues in a frank manner that is accessible to children and insightful even for adults. 

It throws a lot at us, like rock monsters, a cute fire salamander, and a magnificent water horse (the latter two likely to appear on holiday gift wish lists). The settings are gorgeously imagined and wonderfully inviting. Anna has a sensational new wardrobe. We learn family secrets, some comforting, some painful. Characters confront some of the most daunting human questions about loss, change, trust and how we can best heal the wounds of the past.

In a charming flashback, we see the princesses as little girls, playing together happily and being put to bed by loving parents. The king tells them a bedtime story from his own childhood about visiting an enchanted forest with his father to celebrate the completion of a dam the Arendellians built to help the indigenous people. But the gathering turned into an attack. The king was killed, and only the young prince survived, rescued by a mysterious character. Ever since, the enchanted forest has been barricaded by a powerful mist. The girls learn from their mother's lullaby that the river may hold some answers about what happened. "Dive down deep into her sound, but not too deep or you'll be drowned," the Queen sings. "When all is lost, then all is found." It's surprising how dark lullabies can get, a character points out.

In the present day, the sisters live happily in the castle, enjoying family time (Olaf is the Charades MVP) and caring for their community. But Elsa hears voices calling to her from the enchanted forest. She is afraid, but also thrilled. It is an invitation she struggles to admit that she wants to accept, leading to this film's belter ballad, "Into the Unknown." "I've had my adventure/I don't need something new ... don't you know there's part of me that loves to go into the unkn-ow-ow-own."  

And so, after a warning from Kristoff's "love expert" friend Pabbie ( Ciarán Hinds ) and Olaf's not-always-helpful fun facts commentary along the way, they reach the enchanted forest. There, they meet new characters, sing some more songs, sort out some misunderstandings and try to protect each other. They confront the consequences of bad, even tragic choices made by their family. 

Parents often ask me why children, especially preschoolers and middle-schoolers, like to watch the same movies over and over. I tell them that when everything around you seems to be drastically changing on a daily basis and you barely know yourself anymore, it can be a great comfort to have a movie friend that's the same every time. "Frozen II" is destined to be one of those movies children will want to see dozens of times. It will reward repeat viewings with both its reassuring messages about responding to change with courage and curiosity, and its challenge to understand the mistakes of the past so we can begin to work on "the next right thing" together.

Nell Minow is the Contributing Editor at RogerEbert.com.

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Film Credits

Frozen II (2019)

Rated PG for action/peril and some thematic elements.

104 minutes

Kristen Bell as Anna (voice)

Idina Menzel as Elsa (voice)

Jonathan Groff as Kristoff (voice)

Josh Gad as Olaf (voice)

Sterling K. Brown as Lieutenant Mattias (voice)

Evan Rachel Wood as Iduna (voice)

Ciarán Hinds as Pabbie (voice)

Jason Ritter as Ryder (voice)

Rachel Matthews as Honeymaren (voice)

Alfred Molina as Agnarr (voice)

Jeremy Sisto as King Runeard (voice)

• Jennifer Lee

Writer (story by)

• Kristen Anderson-Lopez
• Robert Lopez
• Jeff Draheim
• Christophe Beck

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“I Always Regretted That”: Kevin Costner Reflects On Wyatt Earp & Tombstone’s Fierce Competition 30 Years Later

Why furiosa’s cgi looks more fake than mad max fury road, why george lucas took his name off thriller directed by empire strikes back writer with 96% rt score, frozen is another fine addition to the disney animated feature pantheon, offering a witty and heartfelt princess fairly tale with creative musical elements and some visual panache..

Disney's Frozen  - a 3D animated fairy tale musical inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" - takes place in the kingdom of Arendelle, where the young princess Elsa was born with the ability to magically create ice and snow using her bare hands. When Elsa slips up and nearly kills her sister Ana by accident, the panicked king and queen decide to isolate their daughters from the outside world and push Elsa to keep her emotions in check (out of fear that she will lose control and cause serious harm to others).

Several years later, following some tragic circumstances, grown-up Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Ana (Kristen Bell) no longer share the close bond that they once did. However, upon Elsa's coronation day, people from all over flock to meet the new queen, which gives quirky Ana a chance to mingle with others - including the handsome  (and equally goofy) Prince Hans (Santino Fontana), whom Ana becomes immediately smitten with. Unfortunately, Elsa's mounting emotions start to break free, as she terrifies the locals with her powers and inadvertently starts an eternal winter upon fleeing the kingdom. Thus, it's up to Ana and the unconventional mountain man Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) to find Elsa and restore order to the land.

Walt Disney Animation Studios - a version of Walt Disney Feature Animation that was renamed and restructured by John Lasseter in 2006 - has been on a critical hot streak of late, with both its traditionally-animated offerings ( The Princess and the Frog , Winnie the Pooh ) and 3D computer-animated features ( Tangled , Wreck-It Ralph ). That winning record stays alive with Frozen , a captivating and heartstring-tugging animated musical that - similar to Princess and the Frog and Tangled - updates the well-established Disney princess fairy tale formula, with a film that has relevant themes, delightful characters, catchy musical numbers and lovely digitally-animated visuals.

Frozen is based on a screenplay by Jennifer Lee (co-writer on Wreck-It Ralph ), who co-directed the film with fellow Disney vet, Chris Buck ( Tarzan ). As you probably gathered from the synopsis, Lee's script touches on what are very much hot topics for storytellers nowadays - like the dangers of social alienation and the reality of what relationships are like - in a fairly sophisticated fashion that ought to please adult moviegoers, while also remaining accessible to the juice box crowd.

The only significant problem with the story (co-penned by Lee and Buck with relative newcomer Shane Morris) is that there are plot/character elements that feel too much like conscious attempts to "correct" the classic Disney princess fairy tale tropes; in particular, those which are now outdated ( Tangled  has the same problem). Occasionally, this ends up weakening the narrative enough so that it doesn't have quite the poignance of Pixar's best work to date (to use a fitting comparison).

This is the first animated film to have Kristen Bell voicing the protagonist, but she is able to instill Ana with infectious energy, making the character's quirks - like her tendency to wear her heart on her sleeve - all the more charming, rather than ingratiating. Similarly, Idina Menzel is pitch-perfect as 'Snow Queen' Elsa, managing to capture her emotional volatility (no pun intended), whether speaking or singing her heart out to the sky. As for the last of the film's leads: Jonathan Groff does a nice job of playing up Kristoff's oddball humor and commendable nature (note: anyone who's ever owned a pet ought to get a kick out of the way that Kristoff communicates with his reindeer, Sven).

Noteworthy supporting characters include Olaf (Josh Gad), the enchanted snowman who makes for a pleasant comic relief, even in the moments when the film doesn't seem to know what to do with him; Alan Tudyk as the Duke of Weselton (it's not pronounced like "weasel"), a dubious but amusing old fuddy-duddy; Santino Fontana as Hans, a wide-eyed prince who carries himself in an admirable fashion; and Ciarán Hinds as Pabbie, the elder leader of a group of rock-like trolls who are knowledgeable in the ways of magic (and the mysteries of the heart).

Songwriting husband-wife duo Robert and Kristen Anderson-Lopez ( Winnie the Pooh ) developed the original lyrics and music for Frozen , which often take the form of lightweight melodies that supplement the more brazen Norwegian music-inspired score by Christophe Beck ( The Muppets ). Admittedly, not all of the songs are winners (the trolls' ensemble number "Fixer Upper" is a bit on the nose), but the majority of them are enchanting. And to be frank: you might want to check your pulse if Menzel's rendition of "Let It Go" - the film's show-stopping number - doesn't stir your emotions at all (there's an obvious pun there but, moving on...).

The animation style in Frozen is the same Rococo-inspired hand-drawn/CGI hybrid technique used on Tangled (there's even a shoutout to the famous Rococo painting, "The Swing"). It compliments the fantastical and cartoony nature of the setting, making the scenery a lovely collage of sharp colors (bright in the summer, cool in the winter) and the human/animal characters quite expressive and feel alive. Overall, Frozen isn't necessarily Disney's most accomplished piece of animation (certainly not its most innovative), but there are some arresting images and sequences offered here (see: when Elsa constructs her ice palace in the mountains) that justify the higher price of admission for a 3D screening. (That said: 3D is not a necessity.)

Overall, Frozen is another fine addition to the Disney animated feature pantheon, offering a witty and heartfelt princess fairly tale with creative musical elements and some visual panache.

For additional incentive: there's a clever short film included at the beginning - a Mickey Mouse cartoon titled "Get a Horse!" - that meshes 2D/3D animation, even as it pokes fun at the occasionally ribald nature of Disney 'toons from the early 20th century (no worries parents, kids won't notice). And be sure not to leave the theater before the credits stop rolling, since there's a funny disclaimer - followed by an amusing short clip - at the very end.

In case you're still undecided, here is the trailer for Frozen :

Frozen is now playing in 2D and 3D theaters. It is 108 minutes long and Rated PG for some action and mild rude humor.

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In Theaters

• November 27, 2013
• Voices of Kristen Bell as Anna; Idina Menzel as Elsa; Jonathan Groff as Kristoff; Santino Fontana as Hans; Josh Gad as Olaf; Alan Tudyk as Duke of Weselton

Home Release Date

• March 18, 2014
• Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee

Distributor

• Walt Disney

Movie Review

Elsa is icy.

No, really. She’s not just a little standoffish (though she’s that, too). Everything she touches actually freezes solid. She merely needs to gesture to send snow and ice flying. She’s colder than a popsicle, as frigid as a football game in Barrow, Alaska. Even Narnia’s White Witch would accuse Elsa of overdoing things a little.

Not that she has a choice. From birth, she’s had this gift (or curse) of being able to conjure cold with just a touch or gesture or thought. It used to be fun, too: As a kid (and heir to the lovely, vaguely Norwegian kingdom of Arendelle) she would turn the palace ballroom into a gigantic icebox so she could play in it with her sister.

Alas, roughhousing with magic isn’t always the safest thing. When Elsa accidentally zaps Anna (she’s the sister) in the head with one of her frigid blasts—necessitating an emergency trip to some wise, old trolls—Elsa decides to keep her snowy powers bottled up. Anna is made to forget that Elsa ever had powers in the first place, but as Elsa’s now-hidden magic grows stronger and stronger, the two sisters grow ever more distant. Elsa closes herself off, both emotionally and literally, from any sort of human contact—for everyone’s good, she thinks.

But not even über-chilly princesses can fend off warmth forever. On her coronation day, tradition dictates that the palace throw open its doors and invite the kingdom in for a sumptuous ball. Elsa knows she must, so she does—taking every precaution she can to make sure she doesn’t freeze everyone out.

It’s not enough. When Anna introduces Elsa to a handsome stranger named Prince Hans, and the two ask for her blessing in marriage, Elsa—dutiful, frigid Elsa—says no. In desperation, Anna grabs Elsa’s hand and pulls off one of her protective gloves.

And the cold front sweeps in.

Elsa flees the ballroom and escapes into the wild, leaving a trail of icicles behind her. It’s an abdication, of sorts—an admission that she is a monster, unfit for human companionship. If she can just go away, she need not hurt anyone again.

There’s only one problem: She already has. Even though it’s July, Arendelle is caked in ice—the result of Elsa’s panic and fear. And Anna, feeling the whole thing’s her fault, knows she has to go after her sister and make things right.

“She’s my sister,” she says on her way out the castle door. “She would never hurt me.”

Positive Elements

Following decades of Disney tradition, Frozen is a fairy tale about true love. But this time, the prime love in play is between sisters, not a young and blushing couple: Anna loves her older sister fiercely, and for years she’s been so puzzled and hurt by Elsa’s chilly distance. Elsa loves Anna just as much—which is why she’s kept such a chilly distance. Elsa sacrificed her own happiness, in a way, to keep the people she loves safe.

When Elsa’s powers are unleashed, Anna rides to her aid, getting help from Kristoff, a wandering ice salesman, en route. She risks her life on more than one occasion for her sis, and eventually helps Elsa find a way to control her powers.

Indeed, sacrificial love abounds here. It has to: When Anna is struck with a cold shard that only sacrificial love can melt, several people seem to be good, qualified candidates to make that sacrifice. Kristoff, who’s fallen in love with Anna, takes her to fiancé Hans—hoping that “true love’s kiss” will thaw her chilly soul. A lively snowman named Olaf lights a fire and volunteers to stay with Anna, helping to keep her warm. “Some people are worth melting for,” he says. Hans, put in charge of the kingdom in Elsa and Anna’s absence, opens the castle’s doors to the country’s cold citizens, giving them warm clothing and piping hot food.

In Frozen , love not only makes everything better, it makes us better, too. As we’re told by a passel of singing trolls: “We’re only saying that love, of course, is powerful and strange/People make bad choices if they’re mad, or scared, or stressed/Throw a little love their way and you’ll bring out their best/True love brings out their best!”

In the midst of all this loving, we’re warmed up with other lessons: how we should try to accept and help people who are different from us, even if those differences can be a little scary; how bottling up emotions inside us is a recipe for disaster; how, conversely, letting all those emotions out at once can be dangerous; and why (despite what Disney sometimes says in its other bits of entertainment) it’s probably a good idea to look at love-at-first-sight with a bit of suspicion.

Spiritual Elements

Frozen is said to be loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s story of “The Snow Queen”—a tale filled with earthy demons, religious references and spiritual allusions. But, really, this isn’t so much of a retelling as a complete gut-and-remodel job. Most of the characters and all the spirituality have been neatly stripped away, leaving behind an ethical but almost wholly irreligious fable. Never mind that Elsa’s coronation takes place in a church and is presided over by what looks like an Orthodox priest.

Oh, and never mind, too, all the supernatural activity going on, most notably Elsa’s strange powers and the colony of rock-like trolls. Elsa’s abilities are wholly organic here, not spiritually derived. She has neither asked for them nor does it appear that anyone else has put a spell on her.

Sexual Content

Upon first meeting, Anna and Hans careen into the same dinghy where they share a “moment” after they fall and get tangled up together. When Anna’s quizzed about her love for Hans—a test to see how much she really knows about him—one of the questions involves Hans’ shoe size. Her response? “That doesn’t matter,” a wink-wink to adults in the audience. Couples smooch.

An odd little aside that we’ll document without comment: After the credits, a monstrous snowman (a creation of Elsa’s with a deep voice) lumbers across the screen, picks up Elsa’s discarded tiara and sticks it daintily on its head, looking quite pleased.

Violent Content

Frozen is frosted with violence meant to be humorous. Snowman Olaf, for instance, falls literally apart with the slightest provocation (and sometimes melts a little). Characters get hit and thrown and spun around and fall down and sometimes sail off a cliff (to land in a relatively soft pillow of snow).

But there is more serious peril here, too. A band of soldiers eventually goes out looking for Anna and Elsa, with two of them having been instructed to “take care of the monster” should they have opportunity. They do, and they try to kill Elsa with swords and crossbows, while Elsa tries to impale one in the face with a slowly growing icicle and pushes the other off a balcony with a wall of ice. (Hans shouts, “Don’t be the monster they fear you are!”) Later, someone nearly kills Elsa with a sword. People get punched in the face—sometimes accidentally, sometimes on purpose. Someone succumbs to a deep, magical cold. A friendly reindeer nearly drowns. Anna and Kristoff are chased and attacked by wolves. Elsa and Anna’s parents are lost at sea. (Their ship is tossed around by stormy waves, then vanishes.)

Elsa’s magic can be lethal if her blasts of icy coldness hit you in just the right spot (your heart).

Crude or Profane Language

A couple of incomplete exclamations of “What the …?” Name-calling includes “duke of Weasel Town” and a put-down that giggles over somebody being confused with a donkey.

Drug and Alcohol Content

Champagne is served at the coronation ball. Olaf is seen with a tropical drink of some sort.

Other Negative Elements

Kristoff, we’re told, doesn’t smell that good and likes to urinate in the woods. Excited about the castle opening up, Anna sings about being either “elated or gassy.” People get hit in the face with saliva. Kristoff tells Anna that all men pick their noses and eat the boogers (an assertion the credits jokingly distance the movie from). Olaf talks about “yellow snow.” A troll talks about passing a candy stone.

Characters lie and mislead at times. After trying to follow her parents’ wishes to conceal her abilities for most of her life, Elsa pushes back against their strictures, casting off their advice and creating a magical castle of ice. “No right, no wrong, no rules for me,” she sings. The moment powerfully embodies Elsa’s sense of freedom … and rebellion and isolation. (But it should be noted that it is designed to freeze, so to speak, a moment in time for Elsa, not to celebrate it or negate the more positive place where she’s heading in her journey.)

For most of my life, the only animated movies worth seeing were Disney’s.

When I was a kid, my parents would take me to re-releases of the studio’s classics: Snow White , Pinocchio , Cinderella , Fantasia . When I was in college and my early 20s, Disney flicks were all the rage: My friends would tromp off to the local theater to see The Little Mermaid or Aladdin or The Lion King .

It’s a different world today, of course. Two-dimensional animation has all but disappeared, certainly in feature films. A host of other studios are making quality computer animation. And for the last two decades, Disney has lagged behind Pixar, struggling to keep up with that studio’s steady brilliance. (Finally fully assimilating it into the Disney brand to perhaps better rub up against its cachet.)

Now, with Frozen , the wheel may be turning again.

It’s not like Disney’s breaking new ground (or ice) with this holiday flick. It has all the hallmarks of a classic Mouse House product: Music! Castles! Heroic heroes! Dastardly villains! Funny if somewhat-annoying sidekicks! Moreover, movies about princesses have always been Disney’s bread and butter, and giving us two in the same movie can feel almost cynical.

But there’s something different about these ladies—something, if I may say, special.

They inhabit a tale that’s not so much about a princess falling in love as it is about learning to love. It’s not about staying a child forever (à la Peter Pan’ s Neverland), but figuring out how to grow up. Under the veneer of traditional Disney magic, Frozen gives us a bit of the emotional depth Pixar so excelled at. It’s a movie that doesn’t just entertain. It tries to speak to us, giving us insight into the nature of family and friendship—why sometimes those we love seem to go a little crazy and what we can do to help bring them back. (Elsa’s struggles could be seen as a metaphor for adolescence in some ways.) It plays with Disney’s well-worn messages of feel-good hope (be true to yourself; follow your dreams), modifying them and molding them into something stronger and more mature.

Frozen is then, perhaps, family entertainment for a new generation. A confection sprinkled with a few suggestive asides that remains a sweet bucketful of ice cream, you might say, a smooth-textured story with quality messages mixed in.

Paul Asay has been part of the Plugged In staff since 2007, watching and reviewing roughly 15 quintillion movies and television shows. He’s written for a number of other publications, too, including Time, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. The author of several books, Paul loves to find spirituality in unexpected places, including popular entertainment, and he loves all things superhero. His vices include James Bond films, Mountain Dew and terrible B-grade movies. He’s married, has two children and a neurotic dog, runs marathons on occasion and hopes to someday own his own tuxedo. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @AsayPaul.

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Frozen Reviews

Don’t watch the trailers that reveal entirely too much. Don’t read anything about the movie. Just see it.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 22, 2023

Plays out like a decent gimmick that could have been fully explored with a 5-10 minute short film.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4.0 | Sep 8, 2020

Frozen is an expertly crafted chiller that will send a barrage of shivers up the spine.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 24, 2019

There are moments of true terror and a fair dollop of tension, but it quickly became clear that Green may be boxing far above his weight.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 5, 2018

Disney is continuing its winning streak.

Full Review | Mar 5, 2018

Frozen is a tour de force, not because of exceptional performances by the actors, but rather the outstanding directing of Adam Green, who also wrote the script. The script gave Green a limited area within which to work, and he carried it off superbly.

Full Review | Jan 13, 2018

Overall, it's a one note premise, where the characters, stuck up on a lift, have nowhere to go and quite fittingly the movie in turn, goes nowhere.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4 | Jun 14, 2016

You'll definitely recall this freezing flick the next time you go skiing. For the next 15 years or so.

Full Review | Aug 26, 2015

Reinterpretation of The Snow Queen, Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale as an animated, female empowerment musical.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Jan 19, 2014

Energy thaws kid-friendly Frozen

Full Review | Jan 2, 2014

Green avoids Hatchet's corny clichs and totally redeems himself with a harrowing portrait of humans at the mercy of the great outdoors.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 15, 2013

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 17, 2011

Characters possess serious lack of thinking ability and survival skills. Even when it comes to stuff like zipping up their coats all the way.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 4, 2011

Adam Green's fun 2006 horror film Hatchet revelled in the art of self-aware pastiche, but it is in his second major work that he has found a legitimately great concept out of which to wring more nuanced thrills.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 10, 2011

The parts of the film that work are flat-out fantastic. There just aren't enough of them.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Jan 10, 2011

Like Jack London's 'To Build a Fire,' this is an exercise in extracting suspense from the circumstances of a harsh wintry environment and a bad situation rather than imposing danger in the form of an outside (and potentially vanquishable) foe.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 9, 2010

Greens nifty framing, dawning-dread pacing, and fixation on corporeal deterioration proves sturdy.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Oct 11, 2010

The characters, situation, and dialogue are stretched a bit thin.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 8, 2010

While making the occasional narrative misstep, this is effective low-budget filmmaking, and undoubtedly a notch better than what usually passes as suspense these days.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Oct 6, 2010

The movie has a good flow, and it understands how to generate thrills, but the characters, situation and dialogue are stretched a bit thin.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Oct 1, 2010

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

• Fearless optimist Anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven in an epic journey to find Anna's sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.
• Fearless optimist Anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven and sets off on an epic journey to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. From the outside Elsa looks poised, regal and reserved, but in reality she lives in fear as she wrestles with a mighty secret: she was born with the power to create ice and snow. It's a beautiful ability, but also extremely dangerous. Haunted by the moment her magic nearly killed her younger sister Anna, Elsa has isolated herself, spending every waking minute trying to suppress her growing powers. Her mounting emotions trigger the magic, accidentally setting off an eternal winter that she can't stop. She fears she's becoming a monster and that no one, not even her sister, can help her. — DeAlan Wilson for ComedyE.com
• Anna, sister of the queen Elsa, sets off on a dangerous, mysterious journey to bring back Elsa, who has run off after imposing an endless winter upon her hometown. Anna must overcome challenges and meet new friends, such as Olaf, an adorable talking snowman, and face her charming boyfriend to save the kingdom from not only Hans, but from eternal winter. — Frozenfin
• When their kingdom becomes trapped in perpetual winter, fearless Anna joins forces with mountaineer Kristoff and his reindeer sidekick to find Anna's sister, Snow Queen Elsa, and break her icy spell. Although their epic journey leads them to encounters with mystical trolls, a comedic snowman, harsh conditions, and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff bravely push onward in a race to save their kingdom from winter's cold grip. — Jwelch5742
• After an inadvertent mistake, Princess Elsa of Arendelle and Anna, her younger sister, go their separate ways. As a result, Elsa, a powerful conjurer of snow and ice, holes up in her ice palace to keep her ever-growing gift, or curse, at bay. However, conflicting emotions and bottled-up feelings threaten to plunge the enchanting realm into eternal winter. Now it's up to Anna to save the day with a fearless team of unlikely allies: the kind Sámi ice-harvester Kristoff, his trusty reindeer companion Sven, and Olaf, the cheerful snowman. But love is fragile. Can things work out for the once close-knit sisters? — Nick Riganas
• The Walt Disney Pictures logo and the movie title appear to the Norwegian song "Vuelie". In a winter landscape, ice harvesters use saws and hooks to cut blocks of ice from a lake, chanting as they work about how ice is a powerful force that's both beautiful and dangerous ("Frozen Heart"). They load the ice blocks onto their sled and ride off. A young eight year old boy named Kristoff ( Jonathan Groff ) works alongside them (not very expertly), accompanied by his reindeer Sven (sounds: also Jonathan Groff ). They try to imitate the ice harvesters with a single cubical block of ice and a small child's sled, and follow them away as the Northern Lights fill the night sky. The camera follows the Northern Lights through the sky, before panning down on a stave castle, located on the shores of a Scandinavian fjord, ringed in by cliffs. That night, Princess Elsa of Arendelle ( Eva Bella ) is fast asleep when her five year old sister Princess Anna ( Livvy Stubenrauch ) tries to wake her up, wanting Elsa to play with her. Elsa playfully brushes Anna off, until Anna asks, "do you wanna build a snowman?" to which Elsa delightfully agrees. Fully awake, the two sisters run downstairs to the ballroom. At Anna's urging, Elsa waves her hands, conjuring up a snow crystal, which she then shoots into the air. It explodes, raining snow down on them. To enhance the winter playground, she then stomps her foot, covering the entire floor with ice. They create a snowman that she nicknames Olaf, who likes warm hugs. The girls play gleefully with Olaf until Anna makes a leap Elsa wasn't prepared for and the blast of power meant to create a pile of snow hits Anna in the head, knocking her out and turning several strands of her hair white. Their parents, King Agdar and Queen Idun rush in, responding to Elsa's cries of anguish. They check on Anna and find her cold to the touch. Agdar and his wife hastily load both girls onto their horses and ride at full speed into the mountains. As the royal family gallops through the forests at full speed, they pass by Kristoff, who is still being dragged on his sled by Sven. He becomes curious about the fact that one of the horses is leaving behind a trail of ice, in the middle of the summer. Kristoff and Sven follow the ice trail to an empty clearing that appears to only be populated by a large assortment of moss-covered boulders. From the edge of the clearing, Kristoff watches as Agdar asks the motionless boulders to help him. Seconds later, all the boulders roll into a large circle around Agdar, Idun, Elsa, and the unconscious Anna. The rocks uncurl, revealing themselves to be trolls. The "boulder" Kristoff and Sven are watching the event from behind is another rock troll named Bulda, who immediately decides to adopt the visitors after Sven licks her. Grand Pabbie ( Ciarán Hinds ), the leader of the trolls, shows up and asks Agdar if Elsa was born or cursed with her abilities. He observes that Anna is lucky she was hit in the head, as a hit to the heart would have been fatal. He advises the family that it might be best if Elsa doesn't use her powers around Anna. He alters Anna's memories so she has no knowledge of her sister's powers, remembering only the fun they've had (for instance, Anna will remember her indoor castle ice rink as a mundane winter day). Grand Pabbie warns Elsa that her powers will grow, and although they are beautiful, they will be a great risk to her if she cannot learn to control them, as fear will be her greatest enemy. So Agdar and Idun take measures into their own hands based on what Grand Pabbie has told them. The palace is closed to most visitors. Staffing is reduced to a minimum. Anna and Elsa are separated, and having no memory of what has occurred, Anna is unable to comprehend why Elsa is not allowed to play with her. She often comes to Elsa's closed door and tries to coax her out by asking her if she wants to build a snowman ("Do You Want to Build a Snowman?"). As a further precaution, the sisters are also kept from leaving the castle. While Anna's life is dull but normal, Elsa's powers grow stronger as she matures. Her father cautions her to wear gloves to keep her icy magic in check, and to conceal her feelings, because strong emotions seem to cause her powers to manifest in unexpected ways. Ten years after the accident, the now teenaged princesses become orphans when their parents' ship capsizes in a storm, drowning them. After the burial, Anna goes again to Elsa's door, pleading for consolation from her only remaining family member. But Elsa, though she sits sadly on the the other side of the door, refuses to communicate with Anna. Three Years Later: Elsa (now voiced by Idina Menzel ) is now 21 years old, comes of age, and the castle prepares to crown her as the kingdom's queen. Dignitaries from around Europe are coming to visit, including the Duke of Weselton ( Alan Tudyk ), who wants to run Arendelle's profits dry. Elsa is nervous about emerging from her seclusion and receiving the many guests. When Elsa gives the order to open the castle gates, Anna (now voiced by Kristen Bell ) eagerly rushes out into the city ("For the First Time In Forever"). As Anna strolls out onto the streets, she crashes into a horse belonging to a charming and handsome visitor, and falls into a rowboat. The visitor apologizes and introduces himself as Prince Hans of the Southern Isles ( Santino Fontana ), in town for Elsa's coronation. Though Anna is angered at first by Hans's clumsiness (after inadvertently falling on top of her in the rowboat due to said rowboat teetering on the side of a dock and being balanced only by a leg from Hans's horse), she seems smitten by him once she has a real good look at him. Anna runs off when she hears the church bells. Elsa remains nervous during the coronation ceremony. The bishop ( Robert Pine ) has to remind her to remove her gloves before she takes up her golden orb and scepter. Holding them, she turns to face the congregation, but almost immediately panics when she sees the gold of the orb starting to frost while the bishop is bestowing her authority on her. She returns the orb and scepter hurriedly to the bishop and puts her gloves back on. At the coronation reception a couple hours later, Kai introduces Elsa and Anna to the crowd. Anna's first friendly interaction with Elsa in years brings quite the delightful feeling to Anna, flustered at first, as well as seeing Elsa so happy instead of serious and preserved boosts Anna's confidence, prompting her to continue on with the conversation. They're interrupted afterwards by Kai introducing to them the Duke of Weselton. The Duke is a buffoon (to the point that a running gag throughout the movie is people calling his home place "Weasel Town"), but an important trading partner. Elsa politely declines his offer to dance with her, but instead playfully volunteers Anna, much to the Duke's delight nonetheless, and the two head off into a comical dance scene. Elsa can't resist chuckling seeing Anna get innocently flustered by the Duke's over-the-top (and incredibly terrible) dancing skills. This causes Anna to feel just as whimsical about the entire matter, for seeing Elsa in such a state hasn't been a sight for years. Anna returns by Elsa's side afterwards, commenting on how well things have been going through the day, and expresses her wishes to have things the way they were that night all the time. Elsa does agree, though her smile quickly fades away as memories of the night she froze Anna's head come floating back to the surface, and she reluctantly denies Anna's wishes all at once despite failing to explain why so. Anna then takes to the floor with Hans. The two of them quickly sneak off to spend the evening together, quickly realizing the mutual attraction between them. The romantic dance eventually leads to an entire date ("Love is an Open Door"), with the entire night of the young couple being spent bonding. Hans, during their time together, learns of Anna's longing of having someone special in her life, with her sister apparently developing a dislike of being around her by suddenly shutting Anna out one day when they were kids. Hans openly relates to this, only furthering Anna's connection with him. Hans then promises to never shut Anna out unlike Elsa, much to the princess' absolute joy. By the end of their tour throughout the kingdom, Hans proposes right on the spot to which Anna immediately accepts. The two head back the ballroom, where Anna asks for Elsa's blessing on the marriage. Elsa's baffled by the shocking news, but Anna and Hans couldn't appear more excited going on to ramble about the wedding arrangements. Elsa ceases the sudden rambling by denying them a marriage license, much to Anna's dismay. Elsa asks to speak to Anna alone in private, likely to finally confess her abilities and why it's not wise to marry someone she just met without causing a scene that would expose her powers, but Anna refuses any private conversation, stating whatever Elsa has to say can be said to both her and Hans. Elsa, becoming impatient and frustrated, outright refuses to let Anna marry someone she just met, indirectly telling Anna she knows nothing about true love. This causes Anna to hiss back, telling Elsa all she knows is how to shut people out. Although Elsa is visibly hurt by this, she continues to refuse, with the argument only worsening when she orders the guards to end the party early and close the gates. Unable to contain her emotions, Elsa makes a violent sweep with her left arm, causing a barrier of sharp icicles to suddenly appear around her. Shocked at the room's reaction to her powers, Elsa rushes from the room. Panicking, Elsa flees with Anna in hot pursuit. As she bolts out the door, she finds a huge crowd waiting for her in the courtyard. She hastily rushes through as men applaud her. A concerned woman asks Elsa if she's all right. She is frightened enough that she backs into an ornamental fountain and freezes it solid when she grabs it with her left hand. The Duke of Weselton comes out the same door moments later. Elsa pleads for people to step back, moments before another bolt of ice shoots from her hands, nearly hitting the Duke and his guards. She keeps running away, sprinting across the waters of the fjord, her feet forming an ice bridge, and vanishes into the forest on the other side of the fjord. Anna calls after her sister, but as she, Hans, and the other guests watch, the waters of the fjord completely ice over and the air takes on an icy chill. Moments later, snow begins to fall. The Duke of Weselton begins to panic, declaring they must take action and put an end to Elsa's curse. Anna, however, refuses and volunteers to seek out Elsa herself and make things right, feeling that it's her fault for pushing her. With Hans being left in charge of the kingdom, Anna sets out on horse to begin her search for Elsa. Meanwhile, Elsa has found her way to a high precipice on the North Mountain, many miles from civilization. It is here she realizes that far away from what she was taught, being on her own, she can begin to control her powers ("Let it Go"). She constructs an elaborate ice palace, changes her confining wardrobe into a shimmering dress, and vows to stay in seclusion, where she feels she can be herself, and harm no one else. The next morning, Anna is seen travelling slowly through knee-deep snow on horseback. Her journey is hindered when her horse is spooked by falling snow and runs off. She is forced to spend the rest of the day trudging through knee deep snow, all the while griping that she wishes Elsa had the ability to cover the fjords in a tropical paradise. She sighs with relief upon seeing a building with smoke coming from a chimney. Just then, Anna slips and falls into an ice-cold creek, which freezes her dress stiff. She staggers the rest of the way to the cabin with the chimney, a place known as Wandering Oaken's Trading Post and Sauna, run by its burly owner, Oaken ( Chris Williams ). Anna quickly staggers into Oaken's store. He doesn't have much winter gear in stock (it's supposed to be the off season), aside from one pair of boots and a single women's mink coat. Anna inquires if Elsa has visited recently, but Oaken tells her that she's the only person crazy enough to be out in a storm like this. As if on cue, Kristoff staggers in out of the storm, seeking to buy some rope, an ax, and carrots for Sven. Oaken can't help but notice that Kristoff is bundled up tightly. Kristoff replies that there's a real howler going on up on the North Mountain. As Anna waits for Oaken to return his attention to her, Kristoff argues with Oaken over the outrageous price gouging on the items he needs (due to Oaken claiming that there's a supply and demand problem since Kristoff is buying from the almost-bare shelves of the winter department), which ends with Oaken roughly throwing Kristoff out into the snow after Kristoff makes the mistake of calling him a crook. Kristoff and Sven take refuge in a barn on Oaken's property, but are soon met by Anna, who has bought Kristoff's supplies for him, on condition he take her up the North Mountain immediately. Kristoff eventually agrees. Anna and Kristoff set off into the night with Sven driving. As the discussion turns to Elsa, Anna explains about her whirlwind engagement to Hans. Kristoff is incredulous at Anna's foolhardiness in getting engaged to someone she just met that day, to the point that he quizzes her about Hans to see how little she really knows about him. Their conversation is interrupted when the sled is ambushed by a pack of wolves. Kristoff is initially reluctant to let Anna assist him, but Anna proves to be useful and manages to take out a few of the wolves by herself. There is a moment of panic when the two see a gaping ravine up ahead. Kristoff hurriedly throws Anna onto Sven's back, then, just as they reach the cliff, he uses his knife to cut Sven's harness. Anna and Sven successfully clear the chasm, and Kristoff does, just barely, but his sled falls to the bottom of the ravine and explodes. Kristoff is at first upset that his sled is gone (as he'd just paid it off), but after "arguing" with Sven (which consists of Kristoff speaking his own opinion in his own voice and then delivering Sven's "counterargument" in a goofy voice), decides to help Anna keep going, worried for her safety. Anna promises she will replace the sled. Early the next morning, Anna and Kristoff enter a frosted-over glen. They suddenly hear a new voice and meet a talking snowman named Olaf ( Josh Gad ). The introductions don't go smoothly, as Anna screams and kicks Olaf's head off upon first seeing him. Anna doesn't recognize Olaf until he gives his name and adds, "and I like warm hugs." This jogs Anna's memories and she remembers building him with Elsa when they were young. Anna and Kristoff mention that they're looking for Elsa so they can restore summertime, and Olaf suddenly grows excited; it's his dream to see what summer is like, and he fantasizes about what he wants to do in the summertime in a Busby-Berkeley dance number ("In Summer"). Anna and Kristoff choose not to reveal that he will melt in the summer heat, but follow him as he leads them to Elsa's ice palace. In the late afternoon, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf arrive at Elsa's ice palace. Sven waits at the bottom of the stairway leading up to the front doors, as his feet can't get a grip on the icy steps. Meanwhile, when they get to the front door, Anna tells Kristoff and Olaf to wait outside, warning them that the last time she introduced Elsa to a guy, she froze everything (making Elsa look like an overprotective sister). The dejected Olaf and Kristoff wait outside and start counting to 60 while Anna heads inside. Inside, Anna is stunned at the glorious interior of the palace and, even more amazed, to see the new ice dress Elsa has conjured for herself. Though Elsa is happy to see Anna and quickly forgives her for the argument that happened at the coronation party, she becomes nervous and suggests Anna leave so she can't do any harm to her. The conversation is momentarily interrupted when Olaf crashes the meeting (having taken Anna's request of "give us a minute" quite literally). Elsa is astonished to find that her powers include the ability to conjure up living snowmen. As it turns out, Elsa is surprised to learn that her entire kingdom is frozen, and Anna is surprised in turn to learn that Elsa doesn't know how to stop it. But Anna insists her sister's powers are no reason why they should be so distant. However, having seen Olaf, Elsa flashes back to accidentally hitting Anna in the head with her snow abilities and grows scared, demanding Anna leave. Elsa retreats to the upper portion of the palace, and Anna follows her, pleading with her sister that they can solve this problem together ("For the First Time In Forever (Reprise)"). But Elsa grows so upset that she unleashes an icy chill, of which a portion accidentally strikes Anna again but this time in her heart. Elsa retreats to the upper portion of the palace, and Anna follows her, pleading with her sister that they can solve this problem together ("For the First Time In Forever (Reprise)"). But Anna's promising to stand by her sister's side and help her, Elsa only grows more agitated and nervous resulting in her magic flaring. Elsa, in desperation to get her sister to safety, creates a giant snow creature (that Olaf calls "Marshmallow") to throw them out. Marshmallow deposits Anna, Kristoff and Olaf on the front steps outside the ice palace. Though he initially leaves them alone, Anna is pissed off and quickly throws a snowball at him. Marshmallow is provoked, and chases Anna and Kristoff into the woods. Marshmallow manages to corner them at the edge of a cliff, though Kristoff immediately begins digging a snow anchor by using a rope to safely guide himself and Anna down the mountain to safety. Marshmallow, however, catches up to them, though Olaf tries to stop him (to comically little success). Marshmallow, annoyed, kicks Olaf over the cliff, and continues his chase for Anna and Kristoff. He pulls them up to his face by the rope, and screams in their face "DON"T COME BACK!". Anna then grabs Kristoff's knife and cuts the rope. This sends the duo into free fall, onto a twenty foot deep pile of fresh snow. With his mission to drive them away complete, Marshmallow returns to the ice palace. As they recover from the landing, Kristoff notices that Anna's hair has started to turn white. Fearful that she may be injured, Kristoff takes her to his family...who happen to be a group of rock trolls -- the same ones that saved Anna many years before. Kristoff explains that as he had no family at a young age, the trolls took him and Sven in. The trolls are overjoyed to meet Anna, and at first they eagerly believe that she is Kristoff's steady girlfriend, so they try to marry them in a dance number ("Fixer-Upper"), and almost get all the way through the vows before being stopped by the accidental participants and Anna faints. However, he tells them that she is injured and needs their assistance. Just as he did 13 years ago, Grand Pabbie comes forward and examines Anna, but concludes that this time her sister's powers struck her in the heart. Pabbie cannot save her; Anna's heart has begun to freeze. Grand Pabbie says "an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart." Anna collapses again and her hair turns more white. She weakly tells Kristoff that Hans can surely help, and they take off for Arendelle. Meanwhile in the city, Hans has been providing shelter and help for Arendelle's people. When Anna's horse returns, riderless, Hans asks for volunteers to join him in bringing Anna back. The Duke of Weselton volunteers his two bodyguards, and secretly tells them to shoot Elsa if they should encounter her. The next morning, Hans's party arrives at Elsa's ice castle. Shortly after they arrive, Hans orders that no harm is to come to Elsa. While everyone agrees, the Duke's thugs quietly disagree, still following the Duke's orders to kill her. The moment they come close enough, Marshmallow reveals himself from the form of snow boulders piled up by the base of the stairs, and jumps right into battle. The archer immediately attack the beast with their arrows, infuriating Marshmallow and causing his ultimate form to be unleashed. Marshmallow is able to hold most of the guards off. Hans, however, proves to be a fierce warrior himself, avoiding each of Marshmallow's attacks and eventually using his sword to slice the snow monster's leg off and cause him to lose balance and begin tumbling over to a large gorge. With Marshmallow wounded, Hans begins heading inside Elsa's castle. Marshmallow, however, doesn't give up, giving one last swing in attempt to drag Hans down with him. Marshmallow fails, and plummets down into the chasm below, apparently to his death. While Hans has been battling Marshmallow, the Duke's two men have managed to use the distraction to barge up the ice steps and into the castle, where they corner Elsa. Despite her pleading for them to not shoot, they shoot at her. She quickly forms walls of ice as shields to block their shots. Eventually, she has the beardless thug pinned to a wall by several icicles and is on the verge of using a wall of ice to shove the bearded thug off the balcony. Hans and his men show up just in time and Hans pleads for her to stop, so she doesn't become the monster people accuse her of being. Elsa settles down a bit at Hans' words, realizing what she's doing. The guy pinned to the wall, still complying with the orders of the Duke, aims his crossbow at Elsa's head and prepares to shoot her. Hans suddenly runs over and deflects the bow. The arrow is released and hits the bolt attaching an icy chandelier to the ceiling, which begins to fall straight for Elsa's head. Elsa tries to run, but the falling chandelier fragments and knocks her unconscious. When Elsa wakes up, she's back at the castle in a dungeon cell, her hands chained and encased in steel mitts. As she looks out over the frozen kingdom, Hans appears, telling Elsa that Anna has not returned, and pleads with her to stop the winter. Elsa claims she can't, and must be let go to keep others from being harmed. Meanwhile, Kristoff and Sven arrive at the castle. Anna's condition has grown worse Kristoff tries to keep her warm by giving her his hat. Several of the castle staff escort her in; she looks back as Kristoff and Sven leave. Anna is brought to Hans and tells him that he has to kiss her in order to save her. The castle staff in the room quickly leave to give them privacy. She explains what happened and she collapses. Hans places Anna in a chair, leans in as if to kiss her... and says "Oh, Anna, if only there was someone here who loved you!" As Anna looks at him in shock, Hans explains that as the youngest of 13 brothers, he had no chance at claiming his family's throne, so he went looking for a royal family he could marry into. Unable to get to Elsa, he made Anna's acquaintance and played on her naivete. He intended to marry her before causing some form of "accident" for Elsa that would clear his path to the throne. However, given Anna's current condition, he plans to simply let her frozen heart overcome her, then stab Elsa, ending the eternal winter. Anna tries to stop Hans, but he extinguishes the fire in the nearby fireplace before locking her in the room. It is then that Anna collapses, her hair now completely turns white. Hans goes to speak with the duke of Weselton and several other dignitaries. He claims that Elsa has caused Anna to freeze to death, but before she died he and Anna recited their wedding vows. This apparently is enough to give him full authority to declare Elsa guilty of treason and sentence her to death. The palace guards go to Elsa's cell, but are detained when a wall of the cell collapses. While they are held up, Elsa freezes her shackles to the point that they shatter, and then breaks through the wall to the outside. Meanwhile, far from Arendelle, Kristoff and Sven are trekking away when Sven urges Kristoff to go back. Kristoff claims he has no need to, but as they look back at Arendelle, a mysterious swirling cloud of snow begins to engulf the kingdom. The two then take off towards the growing danger. Olaf has managed to find Anna in the locked room, and seeing her freezing, quickly lights a fire in the fireplace. Anna explains that Hans wasn't her true love, and that Olaf should leave or he'll melt. However, the little snowman says he will not leave her side until he finds an act of true love that can save her. As they talk, Olaf recalls how Kristoff did so much to get her back to save her, when the wind blows a window open. Olaf goes to close it, but in the distance he sees Kristoff and Sven charging towards them. This gives Anna hope. She realizes that they're in love: maybe Kristoff can save her. Olaf helps her up, but in the hallway, ice springs up to block their path. Going out a window, the two slide down the castle's steep roofs. Anna attempts to make her way across the icy fjord, with Olaf close behind. However, as the wind picks up, Olaf is blown away, and Anna finds her hands are turning to ice and her face is icy. Even so, she continues to move forward, calling out Kristoff's name. Meanwhile, Hans has found Elsa wandering the ice of the fjord. Thinking he's come for her, Elsa tells him to leave her alone, and take care of Anna. Hans lies and says that Anna was killed by Elsa's magic. The pain of this causes Elsa to collapse, the snow in tears and in the air the snowflakes are suddenly hanging in stillness. The clearing of the whiteout enables Kristoff to see Anna, and he runs to her, but as Anna looks around, she sees Hans about to stab Elsa. Even with her own life at stake, Anna rushes in front of Hans, blocking the knife. As she does so, her frozen heart finally consumes her, turning her into a statue of ice, and shattering Hans' blade. Kristoff and Sven arrive seconds later. Seeing Anna turned to ice, Elsa breaks down in tears, hugging her sister. No one is sure what to say, when Anna's icy form begins to change and gain color, and she returns to normal! Anna broke her own spell: saving Elsa was an act of true love. And her hair turns back to normal and her streak is gone. It is then that Elsa realizes what can end the winter: love. And with this realization, she dissipates the ice and snow, and summer returns to the kingdom. Olaf is found, and before he can melt, Elsa creates a perpetual snow flurry above his head, which lets him survive the summer heat. In the aftermath, Hans is taken back to his kingdom by a French ambassador, who promise to see he is punished for his attempted regicide. The duke is as hotheaded as ever and tries to play the innocent victim. But remembering that he sent two men to kill her, Elsa issues a decree to sever all trade with Weselton. To piss the duke off even further, she tells the messenger to call his duchy "Weasel Town." Meanwhile, Anna makes good on her promise and replaces Kristoff's sled. She also tells him that Elsa has appointed him the castle's official ice deliverer. Kristoff is so grateful that he kisses her. If he wonders why a queen who can conjure ice out of thin air needs ice deliveries, he keeps the question to himself. Having come to grips with her powers and learning they can be a blessing and not a curse, Elsa uses them to create a wintry spectacle in the summer sky. She also turns the castle's courtyard into an ice rink, where she informs Anna that the gates to the castle will never be closed again. With the city's people in attendance, the sisters skate around the rink, happy that they are finally together again. After the credits are over, we cut back to Elsa's ice palace, where it's revealed that Marshmallow survived the fall after Hans cut off his leg. Wandering through the empty ice palace, he finds the tiara that Elsa tossed away during "Let It Go", and puts it on his head, smiling to himself, and the spikes and fangs on his back quickly retract.

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November 27, 2013

Animation, Family, Fantasy, Musical

Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio behind "Tangled" and "Wreck-It Ralph," presents "Frozen," a stunning big-screen comedy adventure. Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.

Rated: PG Runtime: 1h 42min Release Date: November 27, 2013

Directed By

• motionpictures.org
• filmratings.com

Frozen Trailer

Frozen (2013)

Discover Frozen Products at DisneyStore.com

Frozen Water Bottle

Frozen Swim Bag

$24.99 $17.49

Frozen Swimsuit for Girls

$29.99 $20.99

Frozen Supporting Cast Pin

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Frozen Swim Slides for Kids

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Frozen Snowglobe Tumbler with Straw

Frozen 2 Castle Playset

Frozen Loungefly Mini Backpack

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Frozen Rain Boots for Kids  

Frozen Fashion T-Shirt for Girls

$29.99 $17.98

Frozen Tie-Dye Dress for Girls

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All Is Found – A Frozen Anthology Book

Frozen Plush Doll Gift Set

$99.99 $59.98

Frozen PJ PALS Set for Girls

$24.99 $14.98

Elsa Nightgown for Girls – Frozen

Anna Nightgown for Girls – Frozen

Anna Ear Headband for Adults – Frozen

Frozen Bath Set

Frozen 10th Anniversary Latte Mug

$24.99 $9.98

Elsa Swimsuit Set for Girls – Frozen

$39.99 $27.99

Frozen Light-Up Wand

Elsa Ear Headband for Adults – Frozen

Frozen Classic Doll Deluxe Gift Set

$129.99 $89.98

Frozen 2 Classic Doll Gift Set

$99.99 $69.98

Frozen Tie-Dye Hooded Rain Jacket for Girls

Elsa Tiara by Arribas – Frozen

Frozen 10th Anniversary Light-Up Figurine

$229.00 $137.98

Anna Costume Jewelry Set for Kids – Frozen

Olaf Weighted Plush – Frozen – 15''

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Disney Frozen Movie Review: It’s a Must See Family Movie #DisneyFrozenEvent

Hitting theaters TODAY! Disney Frozen is a MUST SEE movie that will captivate the hearts of every child – and their parents too. Read on for my Disney Frozen Movie Review. Frozen is simply fabulous. Beautiful animation paired with a knock-out musical and a stellar storyline about the love between two sisters. When you leave the theater you won’t be able to stop thinking about FROZEN or singing the catchy tunes from the film.

Disney Frozen Movie Review

Over the last week I’ve been sharing scoop on my experience attending the “red” or “snow” carpet  Disney Frozen world premiere & my interview with Kristen Bell , who voices Anna in the movie, but now it’s time to talk about the movie. I saw the movie at the premiere and my children and husband had the opportunity to screen Frozen earlier in the month.

All of us were blown away by this fabulous Disney animation and musical. My kids, aged 5 and 7, both say Frozen is now 100% their most favorite Disney movie ever. Plus, we have been listening to the soundtrack non-stop for the past week – both at home and in the car. It’s just that good. I think for years to come children and adults will be singing this magical music and Frozen will be quick to become a Disney classic.

The music is truly so excellent. Think of the caliber of musical that is The Lion King or The Little Mermaid – and then just add FROZEN to that list.

From a character standpoint, Princess Anna is a likable, goofy, spunky, and the kind of girl who is determined to solve her own problems. Awesome!

I loved Frozen and I honestly can’t wait to see it in the theater again. I left singing the tunes and “Let It Go” is now my favorite tune. “Let it Go” is sung by Idina Menzel (Tony Award Winner for Wicked), who plays Elsa during what is one of my favorite scenes in the film. You may also have heard Let It Go on the radio as sung by Demi Lovato. A genius song that is just amazing during a gorgeous and powerful scene in Frozen.

Disney Frozen Movie Trailer

Disney frozen synopsis, disney always seems to be able to create a storyline that appeals to both children and their parents which i find makes their films so special to everyone. at it’s heart, frozen is a story about the love between two sisters..

Here’s is a brief synopsis on the storyline of Frozen from the official synopsis.

Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio behind “Tangled” and “Wreck-It Ralph,” presents “Frozen,” a stunning big-screen comedy adventure. Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf (voice of Josh Gad), Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.

On Frozen’s Olaf the Snowman – What a Sidekick!

Kids will be rejoicing about the adorable and hilarious Olaf after they watch Frozen. The little snowman Olaf will fast become one of the most favorite movie sidekicks. Here’s one more cute clip of one of Olaf’s scene stealing moments when he sings a song about loving summer. Yes, this snowman DREAMS of heat.

Run, skate, sled, or ski into theaters this weekend to see FROZEN. It’s FANTASTIC and the perfect family movie for the holidays.

Read more about Frozen here: 

Frozen Snow Carpet Experience

Kristen Bell Interview – The Voice of Anna

Behind the Scenes at Disney Animation Studios

Like FROZEN on Facebook:  https://www. facebook.com/DisneyFrozen

Tweet the official hashtag:  #DisneyFrozen

Visit the website:  http://www.disney. com/frozen

 Note: Thanks to Disney for paying our travel expenses to attend the Frozen premiere and press event. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Related posts:

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18 thoughts on “Disney Frozen Movie Review: It’s a Must See Family Movie #DisneyFrozenEvent”

Yep, you got me – we’ve been thinking about Frozen non-stop as you assumed. We loved it and I’m glad your family did too. That’s a pretty big order to fill to be their favorite Disney movie ever!

Can’t wait to take my son to see it! Your review made me really want to go~

Frozen is also my kids favorite Disney movie right now too!

We are going to see it today. I can’t wait. Estelle

We are hoping to take the boys this month…it looks like a truly special Disney experience – we have been waiting for one of those for a while!

We are SO excited to see this. The kids have been raving about it– and they’ve only seen the previews!

Can’t wait to see it! Sounds like a perfect family day out!

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very useful for me.Thanks for sharing a great information about Frozan.

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By Peter Travers

Peter Travers

In a year of weak animated features, Frozen – loosely based on "The Snow Queen" – takes the lead by default. There's not much flair in the story of princess sisters Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel), divided by Elsa's uncontrollable ability to turn things, even Anna, to ice. But the animation is pretty, the songs are tuneful, and Josh Gad gets big laughs as Olaf, a snowman with a sun fetish. It's the holidays, people, work with it.

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Disney’s Frozen Movie Review

I have eagerly been anticipating the release of Disney’s Frozen. The little girl in me was excited to meet another Disney Princess. Disney did not disappoint. Disney’s Frozen is a masterpiece from the beginning short to the very last second of the movie. The characters, setting, 3d animation, music, and story were amazing! This is one movie you will NOT want to miss.

An excellent short starts off the movie. At first, you think Disney is bringing an old-school black-and-white short back from the archives to introduce it to a new audience. The short is called Get a Horse and the main stars are Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Clarabelle, and Pete. It is pretty amazing what they do with this short. This part alone makes seeing the 3d version of the movie worth the money. It was so funny and amazing! It got the crowd laughing so much! My husband and I researched the short after getting out of the movie and the short is in fact new, not a revised old-school short.  The animators used special effects to make it look older. They did an excellent job!

The characters are so well developed and each character ties into the story so well. I especially loved seeing how Olaf was introduced and then brought back into the story later. He is very funny and provides much of the comedy in the movie. The character you learn the most about is Anna . I do wish I would have learned a little more about Elsa. Anna is sweet, talkative, fun, and a little awkward. Elsa is caring and afraid. She has a natural-born power that she doesn’t know how to control. I found myself crying for her in a couple of scenes as she felt hopeless and alone as their parents kept Elsa’s power a secret from Anna.

The scenery in the movie is breathtaking! Beautiful snowy mountains, crystal clear ice designs, and very detailed landscapes make the movie amazing. The 3d animation added so much. I felt like I was there, and it was snowing in the theater.

Disney’s Frozen is a musical. Almost every scene has a song in it. My favorites were the beginning scene song and Elsa’s song Let It Go. Olaf’s Summer song was hilarious. My least favorite song was the song that Anna and Hans sing together, it seemed a little cheesy to me. The music tells the story so beautifully. You could almost “watch” the movie by listening to the movie.

The story is really good. It is a loose, very loose, interpretation of Han Christian Anderson’s A Snow Queen. It is a story about two sisters finding each other when circumstances pulled them apart.

Though there is a romance in the movie it is not the main focus. The romance you do see is more of a plot twist than anything. I am not giving the plot away, but at one point I felt so shocked at the turn of events and was crying. Frozen is not a typical Disney princess movie where a man comes to the rescue and saves the princess, though at one point it does look like that will happen. If I had to pick a theme for the movie it would be love.

Be sure to stay until the VERY END , past all the credits for a final scene that ties up some loose ends of the story.

Disclaimer: I received complimentary movie passes to Disney’s Frozen for review purposes. 

Thank You for Spreading the Pixie Dust!

Teresa McCluskey

Tuesday 3rd of December 2013

frozen sounds like a really good movie for my kids... okay I think I would like it just as much!

I want to see this :) The animation looks like the same as Tangled.

Melanie Roberts

This looks like soo much fun and I can't wait to see it.. been counting down the days till the weekend when I finally get to go..heard soo many good things about it...

I am not a big animated film person but this looks cute.

GrowingUpMadison

I wish I could have gone to our movie screening but it was almost 2 hours away. I plan on taking my son to see it when I have some time and because I promised. I also want to see it as well. It really does seem like a great movie. :)

Frozen 3: Everything We Know So Far About The Disney Movie

Disney's frozen 3 is happening, but when.

In 2013, Frozen captivated audiences worldwide with a modern take on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. The original film tells the story of Anna as she teams up with iceman Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and summer-obsessed snowman Olaf to find her sister Elsa, who inadvertently plunged the kingdom of Arendelle into eternal winter. The popularity of the films lies in the theme of sisterhood, its Academy Award-winning anthem “Let It Go,” an adorable snowman, and chilled Disney’s archaic princess standards of needing a prince – or a king, for that matter. 

Frozen’s popularity snowstorm has raged on for 10 years, spawning a sequel, Disney Park rides, and getting featured in Kingdom Hearts 3, complete with the obligatory “Let It Go” scene. On February 8, 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that Frozen 3 is in the works , along with Toy Story 5 and Zootopia 2. While news of a third Frozen film was a welcome one, we have yet to hear more details about the movie or see a trailer. Here’s everything we know about Frozen 3.

• Potential Release Date
• Potential Cast
• Potential Story Details

Frozen 3 Release Date

Frozen and Frozen 2 were released within six years of each other, with the latter film releasing in theaters in 2019. Frozen 3 is breaking that pattern by one year, coming out in 2026.

During Disney's Q1 2024 earnings call in February, CEO Bob Iger revealed that the threequel was given a 2026 release window alongside Toy Story 5, the latter of which was later assigned a June 19, 2026 release date. Considering that the first two Frozen films were released around Thanksgiving in November, chances are Frozen 3 will release on November 25, 2026.

Frozen 3 Cast

Josh Gad confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter , that he will reprise his role of Olaf in Frozen 3 two days after Iger announced the sequel was being developed, saying “Excited to head back… into the Unknown.” 

Idina Menzel confirmed her return to the film as Elsa in an interview with Billboard , stopping short of giving story and script details. “I don't know a lot. To be completely honest, they teased it to us, and I have no idea,” she said at the time. “They don't show you a script. They don't show you anything. All I know is, yeah we are gonna make one, and that's it. So, I'm like cool I will be able to pay my bills.”

Kristen Bell announced last year on The Jimmy Fallon Show that Frozen 3 was in the works “with no authority,” but has yet to confirm whether she’ll reprise her role as Anna.

Frozen 3 Potential Story

Story details about Frozen 3 have been scarce since its announcement. However, the events of Frozen 2 could clue us in on the plot of the upcoming sequel.

In Frozen 2, three years after becoming Queen of Arendelle and fully embracing her cryogenic powers, Elsa sets out to discover the origin of her powers after hearing a siren’s voice calling out to her. When she, Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf journey to the Enchanted Forest and encounter the Northuldra tribe and Arendellian troops, Elsa learns that she is the embodiment of the fifth spirit because she’s able to tame the spirits of the other four elements — water, earth, fire, and air — and that her powers were a gift from nature as a result of her and Anna’s mother, Queen Iduna saving the young King Agnarr’s life during a conflict between the Northuldrans, which the former was a member of, and the Arendellians. Being the fifth spirit meant Elsa will serve as a bridge between people and the magic spirits.

Since Frozen and its spin-offs explored much of Arendelle, Frozen 3 may dive deeper into the lore of the Enchanted Forest and the Northuldra tribe. It may also explore Elsa’s life in the Enchanted Forest after peace was restored between Northuldra and Arendelle.

Where Frozen 2 Left Off

Since learning she’s the fifth spirit bridging the gap between people and magic, Elsa has abdicated the throne in Arendelle to become the protector of the Enchanted Forest. Meanwhile, Anna has been crowned Queen of Arendelle and got engaged to Kristoff after accepting his marriage proposal. Elsa makes it a point to visit her sister in Arendelle as often as possible since peace was restored between the two kingdoms.

The Frozen Podcast

Outside of the movies and specials, Disney has also launched a Frozen podcast that takes place after the events of Frozen 2 . Titled 'Forces of Nature', the podcast introduces 4 new characters: Queen Disa, Lord Wolfgang, and two magpies called Astrid and Magnus. The series will only be 12 episodes long, but could potentially give away hints about what to expect from Frozen 3.

Looking for info on more upcoming Disney movies ? See everything we know about Inside Out 2 and Toy Story 5 .

Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. She has contributed her work to various publications, including Digital Trends, TheGamer, Twinfinite, Mega Visions, and The Escapist. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.

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Frozen 3: Everything We Know So Far About The Disney Movie

Disney's frozen 3 is happening, but when.

In 2013, Frozen captivated audiences worldwide with a modern take on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. The original film tells the story of Anna as she teams up with iceman Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and summer-obsessed snowman Olaf to find her sister Elsa, who inadvertently plunged the kingdom of Arendelle into eternal winter. The popularity of the films lies in the theme of sisterhood, its Academy Award-winning anthem “Let It Go,” an adorable snowman, and chilled Disney’s archaic princess standards of needing a prince – or a king, for that matter. 

Frozen’s popularity snowstorm has raged on for 10 years, spawning a sequel, Disney Park rides, and getting featured in Kingdom Hearts 3, complete with the obligatory “Let It Go” scene. On February 8, 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that Frozen 3 is in the works , along with Toy Story 5 and Zootopia 2. While news of a third Frozen film was a welcome one, we have yet to hear more details about the movie or see a trailer. Here’s everything we know about Frozen 3.

• Potential Release Date
• Potential Cast
• Potential Story Details

Frozen 3 Release Date

Frozen and Frozen 2 were released within six years of each other, with the latter film releasing in theaters in 2019. Frozen 3 is breaking that pattern by one year, coming out in 2026.

During Disney's Q1 2024 earnings call in February, CEO Bob Iger revealed that the threequel was given a 2026 release window alongside Toy Story 5, the latter of which was later assigned a June 19, 2026 release date. Considering that the first two Frozen films were released around Thanksgiving in November, chances are Frozen 3 will release on November 25, 2026.

Frozen 3 Cast

Josh Gad confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter , that he will reprise his role of Olaf in Frozen 3 two days after Iger announced the sequel was being developed, saying “Excited to head back… into the Unknown.” 

Idina Menzel confirmed her return to the film as Elsa in an interview with Billboard , stopping short of giving story and script details. “I don't know a lot. To be completely honest, they teased it to us, and I have no idea,” she said at the time. “They don't show you a script. They don't show you anything. All I know is, yeah we are gonna make one, and that's it. So, I'm like cool I will be able to pay my bills.”

Kristen Bell announced last year on The Jimmy Fallon Show that Frozen 3 was in the works “with no authority,” but has yet to confirm whether she’ll reprise her role as Anna.

Frozen 3 Potential Story

Story details about Frozen 3 have been scarce since its announcement. However, the events of Frozen 2 could clue us in on the plot of the upcoming sequel.

In Frozen 2, three years after becoming Queen of Arendelle and fully embracing her cryogenic powers, Elsa sets out to discover the origin of her powers after hearing a siren’s voice calling out to her. When she, Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf journey to the Enchanted Forest and encounter the Northuldra tribe and Arendellian troops, Elsa learns that she is the embodiment of the fifth spirit because she’s able to tame the spirits of the other four elements — water, earth, fire, and air — and that her powers were a gift from nature as a result of her and Anna’s mother, Queen Iduna saving the young King Agnarr’s life during a conflict between the Northuldrans, which the former was a member of, and the Arendellians. Being the fifth spirit meant Elsa will serve as a bridge between people and the magic spirits.

Since Frozen and its spin-offs explored much of Arendelle, Frozen 3 may dive deeper into the lore of the Enchanted Forest and the Northuldra tribe. It may also explore Elsa’s life in the Enchanted Forest after peace was restored between Northuldra and Arendelle.

Where Frozen 2 Left Off

Since learning she’s the fifth spirit bridging the gap between people and magic, Elsa has abdicated the throne in Arendelle to become the protector of the Enchanted Forest. Meanwhile, Anna has been crowned Queen of Arendelle and got engaged to Kristoff after accepting his marriage proposal. Elsa makes it a point to visit her sister in Arendelle as often as possible since peace was restored between the two kingdoms.

The Frozen Podcast

Outside of the movies and specials, Disney has also launched a Frozen podcast that takes place after the events of Frozen 2 . Titled 'Forces of Nature', the podcast introduces 4 new characters: Queen Disa, Lord Wolfgang, and two magpies called Astrid and Magnus. The series will only be 12 episodes long, but could potentially give away hints about what to expect from Frozen 3.

Looking for info on more upcoming Disney movies ? See everything we know about Inside Out 2 and Toy Story 5 .

Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. She has contributed her work to various publications, including Digital Trends, TheGamer, Twinfinite, Mega Visions, and The Escapist. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.

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15 Disney's Frozen Movie Fun Facts You Didn't KnowDisney's "Frozen" became a cultural phenomenon upon its release, captivating audiences with its memorable characters, stunning animation, and unforgettable songs. While many fans are familiar with the story of Elsa and Anna, there are numerous behind-the-scenes details and interesting trivia that even the most devoted fans might not know. Here are 20 fun facts about Disney's "Frozen" that will surprise you:

Posted: May 23, 2024 | Last updated: May 23, 2024

Snow Queen Connection

Elsa's Ice Palace:

Multiple Language Versions

Broadway Adaptation:

Breaking Records:

Hans' Deception:

Voice of Sven

Animators' Challenges:

Kristoff's Outfit

Hidden Mickeys

Sami Influence

Elsa Was Almost a Villain:

Rapunzel and Flynn Rider Cameo:

Record-Breaking Song: "Let It Go,"

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen: "Frozen"

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