Frozen 2
Frozen II is a 2019 American 3D computer-animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios as the sequel to the 2013 film Frozen. Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, who co-wrote the story with Marc Smith, the film centers on sisters Elsa and Anna, along with Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven, embarking on a journey beyond Arendelle into an enchanted autumn forest to uncover the origins of Elsa's magical powers and secrets from their parents' past.[1][2] Released theatrically on November 22, 2019, Frozen II achieved substantial commercial success, grossing $1.453 billion worldwide against a production budget of $150 million, thereby surpassing the original Frozen and holding the record as the highest-grossing animated film until it was overtaken by Pixar's Inside Out 2 in 2024.[3][4] The film's soundtrack, featuring original songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez with score by Christophe Beck, contributed to its cultural impact, with the song "Into the Unknown" earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.[5] It received positive recognition for technical achievements, winning two Annie Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Animated Effects and Voice Acting.[5] While praised for expanding the franchise's lore and visual spectacle, Frozen II drew mixed responses for its denser narrative structure and thematic explorations of environmental harmony, indigenous-inspired Northuldra culture, and familial restitution, which some viewers found convoluted or ideologically laden compared to the simpler charm of the first film.[6] These elements, including a plot twist implicating Arendelle's founders in historical conflict with the Northuldra, prompted discussions on colonial themes in children's animation, though the film avoided overt political messaging and focused on personal discovery and sisterly bonds.[7]Premise and Narrative
Plot Summary
Three years after the restoration of summer in Arendelle, Queen Elsa begins hearing an ethereal voice calling to her from an unknown source, accompanied by omens such as disrupted winds and frightened animals.[2] Despite initial dismissal, the voice persists, leading Elsa, Princess Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven to evacuate Arendelle and venture into the adjacent Enchanted Forest, an autumnal realm shrouded in mist and inhabited by elemental spirits of wind, fire, water, and earth.[1] There, they encounter the Northuldra, a indigenous people allied with nature's magic, and learn from tribal leader Yelana and others that a historical conflict arose when Arendelle's forces, including a young King Agnarr, invaded the forest, prompting the spirits to encase it in an impenetrable mist as punishment.[8] Elsa demonstrates her command over the spirits, crossing a dangerous gorge with aid from the wind spirit Gale, taming the fire spirit Bruni, and befriending the water spirit Nokk, which carries her toward Ahtohallan—a glacial source of elemental memory and truth.[8] Anna, separated with Olaf and Kristoff, discovers rock giants representing the earth spirit and uncovers that the dam built by Arendelle, ostensibly as a gift to the Northuldra, actually harmed their lands by blocking a sacred river. Meanwhile, Elsa delves into Ahtohallan, reliving visions revealing Queen Iduna's Northuldra heritage and her rescue of Agnarr during the battle, establishing Elsa as the fifth spirit embodying harmony between magic and humanity.[8] Freezing upon nearing Ahtohallan's depths, Elsa sends a message via water memory to Anna, who rallies the Northuldra, Lieutenant Mattias (Agnarr's stranded guard), and the earth giants to demolish the dam, fulfilling the prophecy and lifting the mist curse.[8] Revived, Elsa returns to unite Arendelle and the Northuldra, assuming guardianship of the forest and its people, while Anna is crowned queen of a now-permanent union with the Northuldra, allowing Kristoff's proposal and Olaf's continued existence through Elsa's magic.[8]Character Arcs and Development
Elsa undergoes a profound journey of self-discovery, compelled by a mysterious voice to uncover the origins of her powers and her true purpose beyond ruling Arendelle. Directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck intended this arc to portray Elsa as a mythic figure confronting elemental forces and personal truths, evolving from a queen embracing her abilities in the first film to the fifth spirit bridging magic and humanity, ultimately choosing independence in the Enchanted Forest.[9][10] Anna's development emphasizes her transition to leadership and sacrificial decision-making, tested by separation from Elsa and the need to protect Arendelle by dismantling the dam that wronged the Northuldra people. Lee highlighted Anna's non-magical heroism in a magical context, shifting from dependency on her sister to assuming queenship while prioritizing communal justice over personal security, with stakes heightened by her restored family bonds.[11][10] Kristoff's arc delves into relational vulnerability and maturation, as he navigates insecurities amid Anna's quest, leading to repeated proposal attempts and self-reflection on love's uncertainties. Lee and Buck crafted this to deepen his character beyond comic relief, integrating emotional songs like "Get This Right" and "Lost in the Woods" to balance support for the sisters' story without dominating it, aligning with themes of enduring partnership.[12][10] Olaf exhibits growth from childlike naivety to confronting impermanence and change, questioning existence during trials like disassembly by the wind spirit. Voice actor Josh Gad described this maturity—set three years after the original—as central to Olaf's arc, mirroring universal transitions from innocence to acceptance, enhanced by songs exploring growth's discomfort.[13]Production Process
Conception and Pre-Production
The sequel to Frozen (2013) originated from creators' reflections on unanswered questions from the original film, with directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck centering the narrative around the inquiry "Why does Elsa have powers?"—a question that arose from fan interactions and internal discussions about Elsa's abilities and the sisters' future paths.[14][15] This concept emphasized character evolution, shifting focus from sibling reconciliation to individual growth and destiny, while preserving the core bond between Elsa and Anna.[14] Disney officially greenlit Frozen 2 on March 12, 2015, when CEO Bob Iger announced its development at the company's annual shareholder meeting, confirming the return of directors Buck and Lee alongside producer Peter Del Vecho from the first film.[16][17] Pre-production emphasized research into Norse mythology and indigenous cultures, including a September 2016 scouting trip to Norway, Iceland, and Finland to develop the enchanted forest setting and elemental themes.[14] Consultations with Sámi representatives ensured culturally sensitive representation of North Sámi influences in the story's magical spirits and landscapes.[18]Scriptwriting and Revisions
The screenplay for Frozen 2 was written by Jennifer Lee, who served as co-director alongside Chris Buck. The story originated from contributions by Lee, Buck, and Marc Smith.[19] In August 2018, Allison Schroeder, known for her work on Hidden Figures, was hired to contribute additional screenplay material amid ongoing development.[20] Story development for the film took approximately two to three years, focusing on themes of personal evolution and maturity for protagonists Elsa and Anna, prompted by the central question of the origin of Elsa's powers.[14] Lee conducted research trips to Norway, Finland, and Iceland to inform the narrative's connection to natural elements like glaciers and ancient myths.[21] This phase involved collaboration with songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, whose input on tracks like "Into the Unknown" influenced plot progression from an initial "secret siren" concept for Elsa's call to adventure.[21] Lee completed roughly 40 drafts of the screenplay, with revisions extending into the two-year production period.[22] A team of about 50 reviewed the script meticulously, analyzing it line by line, shot by shot, and moment by moment to ensure narrative coherence in animation's precise medium, where elements like performance cannot be improvised on set.[22] The film was storyboarded and drawn officially eight times, allowing for iterative adjustments to refine character arcs and avoid clichéd conflicts, such as pitting the sisters against each other.[22] Challenges arose from expanding the story's scope beyond Arendelle while preserving emotional depth, compounded by Lee's 2018 promotion to chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, which required her to balance leadership duties with early-morning script revisions.[14] The process emphasized character-driven honesty over sequel expectations, prioritizing causal links between past events and present growth rather than superficial plot devices.[14]Animation and Visual Design
Frozen 2 employed advanced computer animation techniques at Walt Disney Animation Studios, enhancing realism through interdepartmental collaboration on modeling, layout, effects, animation, and lighting.[23] The production utilized proprietary software developments to simulate complex character hairstyles, enabling more intricate dynamics than in the predecessor film.[24] Elsa's evolving hairstyles, for instance, were designed to mirror her emotional progression, with frequent changes integrated into the animation pipeline.[25] Visual effects featured custom tools for elemental simulations, including the wind spirit Gale animated via the new Swoop technology, which modeled air interactions with characters and environments for fluid, responsive motion.[26] Dense forest environments in the Enchanted Forest sequences relied on XGen for primal tree generation, augmented by proprietary Tree Tools that sketched foliage from curves and employed an interactive particle marching engine for efficient rendering of vast vegetation.[27] Fluids, fire, and destruction effects drew on Houdini software for procedural simulations, contributing to sequences depicting natural forces and magical phenomena.[23] Rendering leveraged the Hyperion system extensively, pushing its capabilities for detailed lighting and material interactions to achieve photorealistic yet stylized visuals across water, ice, and atmospheric elements.[28] Costume designs incorporated digital simulations to predict real-world fabric behaviors, informed by inspirations from designers like Alexander McQueen and Elie Saab for silhouettes emphasizing mysticism and movement.[29] Supervising visual effects artist Steve Goldberg oversaw integration of these elements, while special effects leads Marlon West and Dale Mayberry coordinated epic sequences blending character animation with environmental dynamics.[30][31]Music and Soundtrack Creation
The songs for Frozen 2 were composed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, the husband-and-wife duo who had previously written the music for the 2013 film Frozen. They produced seven new original songs for the sequel, integrating them to advance the narrative and reflect the characters' emotional growth.[32] [33] The songwriters developed these tracks in collaboration with directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, focusing on maturing the protagonists Anna and Elsa through lyrics and melodies that explored themes of self-discovery and loss.[34] For instance, "Into the Unknown" emerged as a pivotal number akin to "Let It Go" from the first film, originating from early brainstorming sessions where the Lopezes experimented with vocal calls to represent Elsa's inner conflict.[35] The composition process involved generating dozens of song ideas, with reports indicating up to 46 drafts across the project, though only seven made the final cut.[36] The Lopezes emphasized writing songs before full animation to allow character performances to sync with musical phrasing, a method honed from their Broadway experience.[37] This iterative approach ensured songs like "The Next Right Thing" captured Anna's grief with raw, ballad-style introspection, drawing from personal influences without relying on formulaic pop structures.[38] The instrumental score was composed by Christophe Beck, who returned from the original Frozen to craft a more sophisticated soundscape incorporating Scandinavian folk elements to evoke the film's enchanted forest setting.[39] Beck's work bridged the songs with orchestral cues, using motifs like ethereal strings and percussion to underscore magical sequences and emotional transitions.[40] He composed after the songs were finalized, aligning his themes—such as recurring elemental motifs—with the Lopezes' material to maintain narrative cohesion.[41] The full soundtrack, featuring the seven songs plus Beck's score on a deluxe edition, was released on November 15, 2019, ahead of the film's theatrical debut.[42]  returned for Frozen 2 (2019), including Idina Menzel as Elsa, Kristen Bell as Anna, Josh Gad as Olaf, and Jonathan Groff as Kristoff, ensuring continuity in character portrayal following the commercial success of the original film.[43][46] These reprises were announced in early 2019, with recording sessions emphasizing the actors' established chemistry to maintain audience familiarity.[43] New characters introduced expanded roles for Arendelle's royal family backstory, leading to targeted casting. Evan Rachel Wood was selected as Queen Iduna for her dramatic range and vocal ability, particularly to perform the character's solo ballad "All Is Found," which required a melodic singing voice not central to the minor role in the first film.[44] Similarly, Alfred Molina voiced King Agnarr, chosen for his authoritative presence to suit the expanded narrative depth of the parents' scenes.[44] Sterling K. Brown was cast as Lieutenant Mattias, drawing on his experience in ensemble roles to portray the Northuldra leader's stoic demeanor.[46] Replacements occurred for characters with limited prior appearances, driven by increased demands and logistical factors. Queen Iduna, initially voiced by director Jennifer Lee in Frozen, was recast with Wood due to the sequel's greater emphasis on the role, including prominent singing and emotional flashbacks that exceeded Lee's availability amid her directing duties.[44][47] King Agnarr, voiced by Maurice LaMarche in the original, was replaced by Molina for comparable reasons, as the character's expanded dialogue and context necessitated a performer with broader dramatic versatility.[44] Young Anna and Elsa also saw new child actors—Mattea Conforti and Hadley Gannaway, respectively—replacing Spencer Ganus and Eva Bella, primarily because the original performers had aged out, altering their voices to mismatch the flashback timeline set years earlier.[48] These changes prioritized narrative coherence over strict continuity for minor roles.[44]Marketing and Release
Promotional Campaigns
The teaser trailer for Frozen 2, released on February 13, 2019, during the 91st Academy Awards broadcast, achieved a record 116.4 million views within 24 hours, surpassing previous benchmarks for animated film trailers and generating significant pre-release buzz.[49][50] Subsequent trailers, including one unveiled in June 2019, highlighted elements of adventure and magical elements such as ethereal horses, positioning the film as an epic continuation rather than a mere children's sequel.[51] Disney's overall strategy diverged from the original Frozen's initial focus on lighter characters like Olaf, instead emphasizing dramatic themes, the song "Into the Unknown," and broader family appeal to target general audiences akin to blockbusters like Star Wars or Harry Potter.[52] Promotional partnerships extended to consumer brands for cross-marketing, including Ziploc for themed storage products, Nature's Own bread packaging, and JC Penney retail displays, capitalizing on the film's anticipated merchandise demand.[53] In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Disney collaborated with Iceland supermarkets for in-store activations, Glade air fresheners featuring film scents, Marriott hotels for themed stays, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield shopping centers for events, and Birchbox beauty subscriptions with character-inspired items, all timed to coincide with the November 22, 2019, release.[54] Ground activations included branded trucks touring U.S. cities to distribute promotional giveaways, enhancing visibility in key markets.[55] At the D23 Expo in August 2019, Disney revealed exclusive posters, production stills, and cast updates, fostering fan engagement ahead of the premiere.[56] Social media efforts amplified song releases and character teases, though some tracks like "Show Yourself" were de-emphasized in promotions to preserve plot surprises.[57] In Japan, a Twitter influencer campaign faced backlash in December 2019 for instructing participants to omit disclosures of paid endorsements, prompting Disney to suspend related promotions amid scrutiny over transparency.[58][59] These efforts contributed to record pre-sale tickets, reflecting the campaign's effectiveness in leveraging the original film's cultural footprint.[53]Theatrical and Digital Release
_Frozen II premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on November 7, 2019.[60] The film received a wide theatrical release in the United States on November 22, 2019, distributed by Walt Disney Pictures across 4,440 theaters.[61] This date followed an adjustment from an originally announced November 27 slot, a decision Disney made to heighten pre-Thanksgiving momentum and broaden the holiday box office window.[62] Internationally, releases commenced in several markets on November 20, 2019, including Belgium, Germany, and Egypt, enabling staggered global rollout to maximize attendance amid varying regional holiday calendars.[60] The film became available for digital purchase and rental in high-definition format on February 11, 2020, via platforms such as iTunes and Amazon Video.[63] Physical home media, including 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD, followed on February 25, 2020, from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.[63] In response to the COVID-19 pandemic's theater closures and increased demand for home viewing, Disney expedited streaming access on Disney+, releasing it in the United States on March 15, 2020—three months ahead of the standard post-theatrical schedule—to support families during lockdowns.[64][65] International Disney+ availability began shortly thereafter in select regions like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand on March 17, 2020.[64] This accelerated digital strategy reflected Disney's adaptation to disrupted exhibition patterns, prioritizing subscriber retention over prolonged exclusivity windows.[64]Tie-In Media and Merchandise
Tie-in media for Frozen 2 encompassed novelizations, graphic novel adaptations, comic collections, and interactive apps expanding on the film's narrative and characters. The Frozen 2: The Deluxe Junior Novelization, published by RH/Disney on November 22, 2019, retold the film's story with additional deleted and alternate scenes from the script, illustrated by the Disney Storybook Art Team.[66] Graphic novel adaptations, such as Disney Frozen and Frozen 2: The Story of the Movies in Comics, released by Dark Horse Comics on June 17, 2020, provided illustrated retellings of both films, emphasizing key plot elements like Elsa's powers and the sisters' journey.[67] Comic tie-ins included Frozen: Olaf's Complete Comic Collection from Papercutz, featuring stories centered on the snowman character Olaf in media tie-in format.[68] An official behind-the-scenes companion, Frozen 2: The Official Movie Special Book, offered production insights into the sequel's development.[69] Digital media included the Super Studio Disney Frozen 2 app, released for iOS, allowing users to draw and animate scenes with characters like Anna, Elsa, and Olaf.[70] Merchandise production leveraged the film's characters for toys, apparel, and playsets distributed primarily through the Disney Store and retailers like Walmart. Key items included fashion dolls such as the 11.5-inch Elsa Classic Doll, depicting her in attire from the Enchanted Forest sequences.[71] Larger playsets, like the Frozen 2 Castle Play Set with light and sound effects, contained 18 pieces including figures of Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and accessories for role-playing scenarios from the film.[72] Additional products featured costumes, memory matching games, and pop-up books tied to the franchise's themes, available in media tie-in kids' book sections.[73] Promotional merchandise rollout began in stores like Disney Springs' World of Disney in early October 2019, ahead of the film's release, focusing on items inspired by new elements such as the Northuldra spirits and Bruni the fire spirit.[74] These products extended the film's commercial reach beyond theaters, capitalizing on demand for interactive and collectible extensions of the story.[75]Commercial Performance
Box Office Earnings
Frozen II, released on November 22, 2019, achieved significant commercial success, grossing a worldwide total of $1,450,026,933.[76] This figure surpassed the original Frozen's $1.28 billion, establishing Frozen II as the highest-grossing animated film of all time upon its release, a record it held until later surpassed by films like Inside Out 2.[77] The film's performance reflected strong global demand for Disney's animated sequels, driven by family audiences and holiday timing. Domestically, Frozen II opened to $130,263,358 across 4,440 theaters, marking the largest opening weekend for an animated film at that point and ranking as the third-highest November debut overall.[78] Its North American run concluded at $477,373,578, representing approximately 32.9% of the global total.[61] Internationally, the film earned $972,653,355, with a robust debut of around $197.7 million from 52 markets contributing to a global opening of $375.1 million.[79] Key markets included strong performances in Europe and Asia, bolstering its worldwide haul and helping Disney secure six $1 billion films in 2019.[80]| Territory | Gross |
|---|---|
| Domestic | $477,373,578 [61] |
| International | $972,653,355 [76] |
| Worldwide | $1,450,026,933 [76] |