I Genuinely Can’t Watch “Frozen” The Same Way After Learning These Facts
There were only a few movies in the 2010s that garnered as much obsession as the Disney animated film Frozen. Following the success of Tangled, it felt like princess movies were back on a whole new level. You couldn’t go into a store without some Olaf memorabilia or “Let It Go” blasting on the radio. Here are 21 cool Frozen movie facts that will make you want to binge-watch it again on Disney+.
Although it may be surprising, Frozen, released in 2013, was the first Disney film directed by a woman. Directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck collaborated on the project, making Lee the first woman to helm a Disney animated film in 52 projects. (Variety)
Filmmakers even invited a real-life reindeer onto the set to study its behavior, helping them create the character of Sven accurately. The reindeer, not that funny-looking donkey, contributed to bringing the beloved character to life. (IMDb)
Opening weekend for Frozen was, well, cold. The film only made $67.4 million in its first three days. However, word of mouth and glowing reviews propelled it to a total global box office of a staggering $1.28 billion — yes, billion dollars. (Box Office Mojo)
Elsa, the Snow Queen, is confirmed to be 21 years old in the film, making her the oldest Disney princess. (Disney Fandom) Conversely, Hans is 23 years old, making him the youngest villain in a non-Pixar Disney film, and the youngest sibling in his family. (BuzzFeed)
“Let It Go,” one of Disney’s most iconic songs, was surprisingly quick to write. Composers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez created its demo in just one day, highlighting the song’s instant appeal. (Billboard)
The opening song, “Do You Want To Build A Snowman?”, was almost cut at the last minute. According to Kristen Bell, Anna’s voice actress, it was only kept in the movie moments before release. The emotional resonance of the song makes it one of the film’s highlights. (Business Insider)
Elsa’s kingdom, Arendelle, is inspired by real Norwegian towns. Bergen, Norway, particularly influenced the design of the town’s architecture and its position on the water. (Fjord Tours)
Interestingly, Elsa was originally envisioned as the villain in the story. Her character design was initially cold, evil, and heartless, more fitting for the antagonist role in “The Snow Queen” fairy tale. (Screen Rant)
Hans Christian Andersen, the author of “The Snow Queen,” is reflected in the film’s characters: Hans, Kristoff, and Anna all carry his name as homage. (IMDB)
The cast recorded their lines together, a practice uncommon in animated film production, which typically involves separate recordings. This approach helped create a more natural chemistry among the characters. (YouTube)
Elsa’s hair was a massive undertaking to animate — nearly 500,000 individual strands had to be meticulously crafted, showcasing the film’s cutting-edge technology. (Disney Animation)
Sven’s original name was set to be Thor, aligning with Marvel’s god of thunder. However, the name was changed possibly due to Disney’s acquisition of Marvel around that time. (Amino Apps)
Interestingly, the voice of Oaken, the friendly shopkeeper, is also performed by Disney storyboard artist Chris Williams, who has contributed to classics like Moana and Mulan. (IMDb)
“Let It Go” is available in 41 languages, with Disney holding auditions worldwide to find the perfect international voices for Elsa. (NPR)
Elsa is notably the first Disney princess depicted as a crowned queen, rather than a princess, marking a new chapter in Disney’s royal line-up. (Reddit)
The snow monster, Olaf’s initial counterpart, was intended to be less scary, more like a giant Olaf sibling. The version we love was reworked to be more humorous and endearing. (Celebrations Press)
In the scene where Olaf counts to 60 to give Anna a moment with Elsa, the character completes exactly 60 seconds — a fun little detail that fans love to notice. (YouTube)
Actor Alan Tudyk surprisingly voiced both King Candy in Wreck-It Ralph and WES, the Duke of Weselton, in Frozen, making him a versatile Disney voice talent. (MovieWeb)
Elsa’s castle dynamically shifts colors to mirror her emotional state, functioning like a mood ring and adding visual depth to her character’s feelings. (YouTube)
Originally, Kristoff was supposed to punch Hans, but the scene was changed to keep Anna as the one to confront him—a decision that aligns better with the story. Still, Hans can be seen rubbing his chin, hinting he might have been bumped into. (Reddit)
Finally, if you haven’t already, watch Frozen on Disney+ and experience all the magic again! Which is your favorite Frozen moment? Comment below!
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**Watch Frozen on Disney+**: [Link]
**Meta Description:** Discover 21 surprising facts about Disney’s Frozen that will change how you see the film, from its creation to secret details.