Frozen is a 2013 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures.
Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's 1844 fairy tale "The Snow Queen," the film is directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, with Lee making her feature directorial debut. The story follows Anna, voiced by Kristen Bell, the princess of Arendelle, who embarks on a journey to find her estranged sister Elsa, voiced by Idina Menzel. Elsa possesses magical icy powers that have inadvertently trapped their kingdom in eternal winter. Accompanied by the rugged iceman Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), his loyal reindeer Sven, and the lovable snowman Olaf (Josh Gad), Anna must confront the challenges of their icy world and the complexities of sisterly love.
The production of Frozen involved several story treatments before it was officially commissioned in 2011. The film features an original score by composer Christophe Beck, while the songs were written by the husband-and-wife duo Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. The music, particularly the iconic song "Let It Go," became a cultural phenomenon, resonating with audiences worldwide and contributing significantly to the film's success.
Frozen premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on November 19, 2013, before its general theatrical release on November 27. The film received widespread acclaim for its stunning visuals, engaging screenplay, relatable themes, and outstanding voice performances. Critics hailed it as one of Disney's best animated films since the studio's Renaissance era. It grossed over $1.280 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing animated film of all time until it was surpassed by the 2019 remake of The Lion King. Frozen finished its theatrical run as the highest-grossing film of 2013 and the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time.
The film garnered numerous accolades, winning Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film and the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film. Its success led to the creation of a franchise, which includes an animated short film released in 2015, a 2017 animated featurette, and a sequel, Frozen II, released in 2019. A third installment, Frozen 3, is currently in development and is set to be released in 2027.
Overall, Frozen stands out as a significant cultural milestone in animation, celebrated for its heartwarming story, memorable characters, and powerful themes of love and self-acceptance. Its impact on popular culture continues to resonate, making it a beloved classic for audiences of all ages.