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Frozen

Frozen is a 2013 Disney animated musical fantasy film about two royal sisters in the kingdom of Arendelle.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Frozen is a 2013 Disney animated musical fantasy film about two royal sisters in the kingdom of Arendelle. The story follows Anna as she tries to find her estranged sister Elsa, whose ice powers accidentally trap the kingdom in eternal winter. The film is loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale "The Snow Queen."

Plot

The film follows Princess Anna as she searches for her sister Elsa after Elsa accidentally unleashes a magical winter on Arendelle. Along the way, Anna teams up with Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf to help save the kingdom and repair the sisters’ relationship.

Voice cast

Idina Menzel provides Elsa’s voice and Kristen Bell voices Anna. Other major cast members include Josh Gad as Olaf and Jonathan Groff as Kristoff.

Development and inspiration

Frozen is loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s 1844 fairy tale "The Snow Queen." Disney adapted the story into an original musical fantasy centred on sisterhood and self-acceptance.

Release and reception

Frozen premiered in 2013 and became one of Disney’s most successful animated films. It later expanded into sequels and related media as part of the Frozen franchise. Frozen won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for "Let It Go."

Key facts

  • Frozen was released in 2013 and became a major Disney animated franchise.
  • Idina Menzel voices Elsa, while Kristen Bell voices Anna.
  • The plot centres on Anna’s journey to save Elsa and Arendelle after Elsa’s powers create an eternal winter.
  • Frozen won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for "Let It Go."
  • The film is loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s "The Snow Queen."
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Canadian context

Frozen has been widely released, broadcast, and marketed in Canada as part of Disney’s global film catalogue, and its songs and characters have had strong popularity with Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who voiced Elsa in Frozen?
Elsa is voiced by Idina Menzel.
Who voiced Anna in Frozen?
Anna is voiced by Kristen Bell.
What is Frozen about?
Frozen follows Princess Anna as she tries to save her sister Elsa and the kingdom of Arendelle after Elsa’s ice powers accidentally create eternal winter.
How old is Elsa in Frozen?
Elsa is 21 years old in most of Frozen.
Is Frozen based on a true story?
No. Frozen is not based on a true story; it is loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale "The Snow Queen."
When did Frozen come out?
Frozen was released in 2013, with its U.S. theatrical release on November 27, 2013.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frozen_(2013_film)
    Supports: Release date, plot, characters, Elsa's age, and source inspiration
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Idina-Menzel
    Supports: Idina Menzel voicing Elsa
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idina_Menzel
    Supports: Idina Menzel voicing Elsa in Frozen franchise
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsa_(Frozen)
    Supports: Elsa's age and voice actors
  5. Voices.com — https://www.voices.com/blog/who-is-the-voice-of-elsa/
    Supports: Voice cast, plot overview, and inspiration from The Snow Queen