Frozen (2013)
- Eagle-eyed viewers have noticed a hidden easter egg referencing Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee's previous film in the background of the opening scene.
- Before Idina Menzel was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
- Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee originally wanted a completely different ending for the film, but test audiences preferred the one we see today.
Frozen is a 2013 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, and loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Snow Queen." The film follows Princess Anna of Arendelle, who sets out on an epic journey to find her estranged sister Elsa, whose uncontrollable power to create ice and snow has inadvertently trapped their kingdom in eternal winter. Along the way, Anna is joined by a rugged mountain man named Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and Olaf, an enchanted snowman who dreams of experiencing summer. Frozen became a global cultural phenomenon of staggering proportions.
The song "Let It Go," performed by Idina Menzel as Elsa, transcended the film to become one of the most recognizable songs of the 21st century, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song and spawning countless covers and parodies. The film earned $1.28 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing animated film at that time. Frozen's success was driven largely by its subversion of traditional Disney princess narratives โ the central relationship was between two sisters rather than a princess and a prince, the act of true love that breaks the curse comes from familial rather than romantic devotion, and the supposed romantic hero turns out to be the villain.
Jennifer Lee became the first woman to direct a Walt Disney Animation Studios feature, and the film's themes of female empowerment, self-acceptance, and the importance of sisterly bonds resonated with audiences across cultures. Frozen merchandise generated billions in retail sales, and the franchise expanded to include a 2019 sequel that earned $1.45 billion worldwide.
