The Frozen Phenomenon

This edited collection presents a broad-ranging, comprehensive introduction to Disney’s 2013 film Frozen and reconsiders this film’s enormous influence on mainstream animation and contemporary popular culture.

The record-breaking release of Frozen in 2013 marked a shift in the American animation industry and the Walt Disney Company as a whole. The film has been elevated as a catalyst for the third “golden age” for Walt Disney Animation Studios, restoring the company’s brand identity and ushering it into a new phase. It has also been praised for its pedagogical promise of change and reform of the Disney princess franchise, marking the start of an era characterised by strong, independent female leads that evolve around more complex stories. From a business perspective, Frozen has set new standards for branding and merchandising of the film's universe, music and popular characters. As the 10th anniversary of the film's premiere approaches, Frozen remains one of the most loved, recognisable, and marketed Disney films to date.

This collection explores various significant aspects of the film itself, its subsequent impact and reception, and broader issues arising from it, including: the reinvention of the classic Disney fairy tale; technological developments and perspectives; gender, queer, and ethnic representations; music; design and costume; marketing, branding, merchandising; film tourism; local and global perspectives; reception, fandom culture and social media; feminist readings; genre and narrative; influence on children’s culture, girlhood, identity and play; the expanding Frozen universe: sequel, shorts and other paratexts.