Disney’s Frozen is one of the most popular animated films in recent years. Released in 2013, Frozen tells the story of sisters Anna and Elsa, who become estranged after Elsa’s magical ice powers are discovered. The movie features iconic songs like “Let It Go” and lovable characters like Olaf the snowman. But how long is this popular Disney movie? Here is a look at the runtime of Frozen and what audiences can expect from the film’s length.
Frozen’s Runtime
Frozen has a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. This makes it on the longer side for an animated Disney movie, but typical of Disney’s recent animated features which have tended to be longer. For comparison, other recent Disney animated films have had the following runtimes:
Disney Animated Film | Runtime |
---|---|
Moana (2016) | 1 hour and 47 minutes |
Zootopia (2016) | 1 hour and 48 minutes |
Big Hero 6 (2014) | 1 hour and 42 minutes |
Wreck-It Ralph (2012) | 1 hour and 41 minutes |
Tangled (2010) | 1 hour and 40 minutes |
So at 1 hour and 42 minutes, Frozen fits right in with the runtimes of other recent Disney animated films. It’s on the longer end, giving it plenty of time to tell its story of sisterly love and magical adventures.
How Frozen’s Runtime Compares to Other Disney Films
While Frozen’s nearly 1 hour and 45 minute runtime is typical for recent Disney animation, it’s on the longer side compared to Disney animated classics. Films like Aladdin, The Lion King and Toy Story are closer to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Other beloved Disney films like Cinderella and The Little Mermaid are even shorter. Here’s how Frozen’s runtime stacks up against classics:
Disney Animated Film | Runtime |
---|---|
The Lion King (1994) | 1 hour and 29 minutes |
Aladdin (1992) | 1 hour and 30 minutes |
Beauty and the Beast (1991) | 1 hour and 24 minutes |
The Little Mermaid (1989) | 1 hour and 23 minutes |
Cinderella (1950) | 1 hour and 15 minutes |
So Frozen gives audiences nearly 15-30 minutes more magical adventure and music than some of Disney animation’s most beloved films. The extra runtime allows it to fully develop the relationship between Anna and Elsa that is central to its story.
Key Events in Frozen’s Runtime
What exactly happens over the course of Frozen’s 1 hour and 42 minute runtime? Here is a general outline of some of the key events that take place:
- 0-5 minutes – Opening scene showing ice harvesters collecting ice set to “Frozen Heart”
- 5-20 minutes – Young Anna and Elsa playing when Elsa’s powers accidently hit Anna
- 20-30 minutes – Elsa’s coronation and her powers being revealed
- 30-45 minutes – Anna sets off to find Elsa who has run away
- 45-55 minutes – Anna meets Kristoff and Sven and they head up the North Mountain
- 55-70 minutes – Anna, Kristoff and Olaf find Elsa’s ice palace
- 70-95 minutes – Anna and Kristoff head back to Arendelle and meet Hans
- 95-105 minutes – Olaf helps Anna understand Kristoff loves her
- 105-120 minutes – Anna saves Elsa, sacrificing herself
- 120-130 minutes – Kristoff races back to save Anna
- 130-142 minutes – Anna is thawed and Elsa brings back summer
Those are some of the major plot points that occur throughout Frozen’s 102 minute runtime. It’s a full story arc that allows audiences to really get to know the characters of Anna, Elsa and Kristoff as they journey across the land of Arendelle.
Musical Numbers in Frozen’s Runtime
One major element that adds to Frozen’s length is the fact that it’s a musical featuring several iconic songs. In total there are eight original songs written for the film, along with a reprise and additional minor songs and score. Here’s a list of the major musical numbers and around when they occur in the runtime:
- 0 minutes – “Frozen Heart”
- 12 minutes – “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”
- 22 minutes – “For the First Time in Forever”
- 36 minutes – “Love is an Open Door”
- 53 minutes – “Let It Go”
- 81 minutes – “In Summer”
- 90 minutes – “For the First Time in Forever (Reprise)”
- 121 minutes – “Love Thaws”
The songs add to both the storytelling and length of the film. “Let It Go” alone runs nearly 3 1/2 minutes. But the music is one of the things audiences loved most about Frozen, so the time devoted to musical numbers is time well spent.
Frozen’s Length Allows Full Character Development
In addition to allowing time for several major songs, the 102 minute runtime also gives Frozen the opportunity to fully develop its central characters. Audiences get to know Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Hans and Olaf over the course of the film’s extended length.
Key examples of character development include:
- Seeing Anna and Elsa’s close childhood relationship at the start so their later rift has emotional impact
- Anna’s loneliness and isolation from Elsa is established so audiences empathize with her
- Kristoff’s gruff loner exterior is gradually worn down as he bonds with Anna
- The audience gets to know Hans well before his heel turn to make the betrayal more surprising
- Olaf’s innocent optimism emerges through several scenes
The runtime also allows for important relationship arcs like Anna and Kristoff’s romance to develop naturally. Overall, the extended length enables audiences to become invested in the characters in a way that strengthens the film.
Advantages of Frozen’s Length
So what are the advantages of the fact that Frozen clocks in at nearly 1 hour and 45 minutes? Here are some of the key benefits:
- Allows for full character development arcs for main characters like Anna, Elsa and Kristoff
- Time for the central sisterly relationship between Anna and Elsa to establish and evolve
- Opportunity for several major musical numbers that have become Disney classics
- The story does not feel rushed; it has time to breathe and play out naturally
- Audiences get maximum time to enjoy the film’s gorgeous animation and visuals
Without sufficient runtime, Frozen’s story and relationships would likely feel hurried and unsatisfying. The longer length results in a richer, fuller viewing experience.
Do Young Viewers Have the Attention Span?
Given its nearly two hour runtime, is Frozen too long for young children to remain engaged and attentive throughout?
In general, the film does not seem to pose attention span challenges for most kids. Elements like the music, humor and vibrant animation give even little viewers plenty to be entertained by. The storytelling is aimed squarely at children so they are drawn in.
However, for very young children around preschool age, a 1 hour and 45 minute movie may stretch the limits of their attention span. Younger kids may start to get antsy towards the end. So for children under 5, considering taking some intermissions to stretch and play. But for most elementary aged kids and beyond, the film’s length should not be an obstacle.
How Does Frozen’s Runtime Compare to Frozen 2?
Frozen was such a massive hit that it spawned an equally successful sequel in 2019 titled Frozen 2. Does the follow-up match the original in terms of runtime length?
Frozen 2 has a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. So it’s actually 1 minute longer than the original Frozen. Some key additions in the sequel that add to the length include:
- A entire prologue focusing on Anna and Elsa’s childhood
- More screen time and backstory for Kristoff
- A deeper exploration of Elsa’s magical powers
- Several new musical numbers including “Into the Unknown” and “Show Yourself”
So while very similar in length to the first film, Frozen 2 has additional story and character content that slightly expands the runtime. But both films clock in at around 100 minutes.
How Does Frozen’s Length Compare to Other Kids’ Movies?
Looking beyond just Disney films, how does Frozen’s nearly two hour runtime compare to other popular children’s movies? Here’s a look at how long some other beloved family films are:
Kids’ Movie | Runtime |
---|---|
Toy Story (1995) | 1 hour 21 minutes |
Shrek (2001) | 1 hour 30 minutes |
Finding Nemo (2003) | 1 hour 40 minutes |
Despicable Me (2010) | 1 hour 35 minutes |
The Lego Movie (2014) | 1 hour 41 minutes |
Frozen definitely skews towards the longer end of runtimes for animated kids’ movies. But lengthier films are becoming more common as studios pack them with more elaborate stories and musical numbers. Nonetheless, its nearly two hour runtime makes Frozen stand out as particularly long form children’s storytelling.
Is Frozen’s Length Necessary?
While long for an animated film, is Frozen’s 1 hour 42 minute runtime necessary? Could the film have told its story just as effectively in a more concise time frame?
In the case of Frozen, the longer runtime does feel justified rather than gratuitous. The extra time allows for crucial character development, musical numbers and the natural progression of the story. Key elements like Anna and Kristoff’s slow-burn romance likely would have felt rushed in a shorter film.
Ultimately, Frozen has a lot of story to tell – the reconnection of two sisters, an entire kingdom in peril, multiple musical numbers. That level of storytelling requires sufficient time to unfold. While perhaps 10-15 minutes could potentially have been shaved, major cuts would have likely hurt the pacing and coherence of the film.
Does the Film Lag at Any Point?
Even well-paced films can have moments that lag due to extra length. Are there any points where Frozen feels slow or that it’s dragging?
For the most part, Frozen’s energy stays high throughout its runtime. The musical numbers in particular keep propelling the story forward. However, there are a few minor points where the pace slows briefly:
- The sequence where Kristoff wanders around talking to Sven can feel slightly prolonged.
- Once Anna meets up with Elsa at the ice palace, there is a bit of repetitious back and forth before their rift widens again.
- Hans’ explanation of his master plan to Anna runs a little long.
But these are very brief slowdowns in an otherwise briskly paced film. For the vast majority of its 102 minute runtime, Frozen moves along at an engaging clip. The energy and visuals remain captivating despite the lengthy running time.
Conclusion
Disney’s Frozen has a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. For an animated family film, this puts Frozen on the longer end of the spectrum. The length compares most closely to other recent Disney animated features, which have also started to routinely clock in at around 100 minutes or more.
Frozen uses its extended runtime to full advantage by allowing for essential character development, emotional storytelling beats, and several iconic musical numbers. While potentially testing the patience of some very young viewers, the film gives older children and adults plenty to remain immersed and engaged for the full 102 minutes. Given how much story it has to tell, Frozen puts its nearly two hour runtime to good use with a pace that rarely lags. In the end, the runtime length works to make Frozen a richer and more satisfying viewing experience.