Frozen reinvigorated interest in Disney’s animated films and introduced the world to a song that was destined to be sung by eight-year olds for the rest of eternity. But before the film was a global phenomenon, it all began with the Frozen script. From catchy songs to a heartwarming, subversive message about love, let’s look at what makes the script for Frozen work.
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Frozen Movie Script PDF Download
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WHO WROTE frozen SCRIPT?
Written by Jennifer Lee
Jennifer Lee is perhaps best known for writing and directing both Frozen and Frozen II. She is also a co-writer on A Wrinkle in Time and executive producer for Ralph Breaks the Internet. In 2018, she became the chief creative officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios following the departure of John Lasseter.
STORY BREAKDOWN
STRUCTURE OF FROZEN SCREENPLAY
Here is the story structure for the entire script of Frozen:
Exposition
Setting up the Frozen plot requires a great deal of exposition up front. Through a flashback sequence, we learn how Elsa accidentally struck Anna with her powers, Anna forgot Elsa even had powers, and Elsa was locked away. It sets up the dynamic between our main characters to the tune of a catchy song in the form of “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”
Inciting Incident
Years later, the castle is finally open for Coronation Day. Anna falls in love with Hans, whom she agrees to marry. Elsa refuses to bless the wedding, which causes her to lose her control, and snow and ice to fall on Arendelle.
Plot Point One
Elsa’s forced to flee Arendelle. Everyone now sees her as a monster. Through “Let It Go,” we see Elsa finally embracing her powers and what makes her different, setting up her character arc. The song functions as the main Frozen monologue where we see Elsa kick off her character arc.
Rising Action
Anna sets out to find Elsa. Along the way, she meets Kristoff and Olaf, who join her on her journey.
Midpoint
At 112 pages, the midpoint occurs at Page 66. This is a noteworthy spot because it’s when Anna meets Elsa in her ice castle. Elsa resists, and she ends up striking Anna’s heart with her magic.
Plot Point Two
Anna is succumbing to the magic attack. Kristoff takes her to “the love experts” to see what they can do to save her. Upon arriving, they learn that Anna can be saved by “an act of true love.”
Build Up
Kristoff takes Anna back to Arendelle so that Hans can kiss her and save her. When alone, we discover Hans is actually evil and plans to usurp the throne. Hans leaves Anna to die.
Climax
Hans plans to kill Elsa on the ice, distracting her by telling her Anna is dead. Anna protects Elsa but turns to ice in the process. Elsa hugs Anna and fulfills the “act of true love,” freeing Anna from her icy form.
Finale
Arendelle goes back to normal. Hans is thrown in the brig. Elsa assumes her role as queen and states that the gates to Arendelle will always stay open. And Anna and Kristoff are now together romantically.
Frozen Script Takeaway #1
Frozen quotes
As a musical, Frozen has to incorporate songs within the plot. A good musical will include songs that aren’t just there because they’re catchy. They should drive the plot forward or reveal insight into a character. And no song does this better in the movie than “Let It Go.”
Frozen Quotes • Let It Go • Read Full Scene
The song begins with basically a description of Elsa for most of her life up to this point. Her “kingdom of isolation” began way before Arendelle was covered in snow. She had to be locked away according to her parents so that she wouldn’t hurt Anna. But now her secret is out in the open. So, how is she going to respond to it?
The second verse answers that question with “The fears that once controlled me / Can’t get to me at all.” The song isn’t just catchy. We see Elsa growing through the song. She was afraid of her powers, but now she is going to own who she is.
Frozen • Let It Go
There are plenty of other Frozen lines that reveal vital information about the characters, such as:
- “You can’t marry a man you just met.”
- “Ice is my life!”
- “I could kiss you. I could. I mean, I’d like to. I–may I? We me? I mean, may we? Wait, what?”
- “Love is putting someone else’s needs before yours, like you know how Kristoff brought you back here to Hans and left you forever.”
- “Some people are worth melting for.”
- “This is awkward. Not you’re awkward, but cause we’re…I’m awkward. You’re gorgeous. Wait, what?”
- “Have you had a meal with him yet? What if you hate the way he eats? What if you hate the way he picks his nose?”
- “Arendelle's in deep, deep, deep, deep... snow.”
Frozen Script Takeaway #2
Frozen exposition
The Frozen 2010 script spends 11 pages setting up the story. That’s nearly 10 percent of the length of the screenplay. However, getting all the exposition we need to understand the story is never boring. How does the script accomplish this? Why, through a delightful song, of course!
Frozen Movie Characters Delivering Exposition • Read Full Scene
Over the course of this song, we receive important pieces of information. Primarily, we completely understand the relationship between Elsa and Anna now. When we go to the present, we know why Coronation Day is so important to Anna and why they seem awkward standing next to each other as adults.
We also understand the importance of Elsa wearing gloves, so when it’s removed later, we’re in Elsa’s shoes. We know why she’s panicked. And in the montage, we learn that their parents passed away.
Frozen • Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
The first part of the Frozen screenplay is dedicated to setting up the rest of the movie. In some circumstances, delivering all the exposition upfront is a good way to make the audience bored right away.
Frozen avoids this by keeping the momentum with a song. We get all the information we need through a montage, so when we get to the present day, we know the character dynamics and what they both want.
Frozen Script Takeaway #3
Frozen ending
Disney’s princess movies, especially the older ones, have kind of gotten a bad rap over the years. The princesses tend to lack agency, and they end up being saved by a random dude. Frozen upends this tradition by actively poking fun at that idea.
Elsa says Anna can’t possibly marry a man she just met, which could also be said for a dozen other princesses. It turns out to be good advice because Hans ends up being an antagonist. And even though Anna ends up with Kristoff in the end, they don’t get married right away. The love that ends up saving the day is that between two sisters.
Frozen Ending • Act of True Love • Read Full Scene
A basic Frozen summary could read, “Two sisters learn to reconnect after isolating themselves from one another for years.” While the theme of “true love” in many other Disney princess movies is signified with a kiss, in this instance, it’s signified through Anna being willing to give up her life to save Elsa.
Despite everything they’ve gone through over the years, none of it matters in the end. The sisters still love each other, and we know they’re going to be there for one another from here on out.
Frozen • Ending
Frozen is remembered so fondly for how it moves forward the idea of what a Disney princess movie can do. It doesn’t always have to include a woman who needs a man to save her. Women can look out for one another, and an act of love doesn’t have to always be a kiss.
With great songs and a subversion of audience expectations, Frozen has remained firmly in the zeitgeist for good reason. The screenplay does something different to the genre, and the ending perfectly encapsulates what the script was trying to accomplish.
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From catchy songs to a heartwarming, subversive message about love, Frozen script works on so many levels. If you want to read more, we have other great titles, such as Ratatouille, Shrek 2 and The Lion King in our screenplay database. Browse and download PDFs for all of our scripts as you read, write and practice your craft to become the next great screenwriter.
