Summary

Elsa does die in Frozen 2, but is not dead for long, frozen like a statue before being saved by Anna.
Elsa's journey to Ahtohallan reveals her as the fifth spirit and exposes a dark family secret involving her grandfather.
Anna saves Elsa by destroying a dam and releasing the Enchanted Forest from its curse, restoring Elsa's powers.

Frozen 2 had a big mystery in the movie, but did Elsa die in Frozen 2? In the sequel, Anna and Elsa settle into their new lives three years after the first movie's events. Everything seems to be going well when Elsa suddenly - and accidentally - triggers the magical spirits to the north. As a result, all the natural elements end up stripped from Arendelle. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf head to the enchanted forest to save Arendelle. Once they arrive at the mist wall sealing off the forest, Elsa's powers somehow part the mist, allowing them to enter.

From the start, it's clear Elsa's icy powers are in some way connected to the forest and potentially to the magical spirits that inhabit it. The only clue is what Grand Pabbie says when he reveals, "The past is not what it seems." Elsa then embarks on a solo journey to Ahtohallan and learns on that island that she is the fifth spirit — a bridge between the magical and the natural. But she, unfortunately, discovers a dark truth as well: her grandfather killed the Northuldra leader and attempted to destroy them. That is when Elsa dies — although she isn't dead for long.

Frozen 2 New Cast & Returning Character Guide

Frozen 2 sees the return of Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and more, as well as a host of new cast and characters as the journey moves outside Arendelle.

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How Does Elsa Die In Frozen 2?

Elsa Ventures Too Deep Into The Past

Elsa dies in Frozen 2, but only to an extent. While her body doesn't wither away, she is frozen like a statue, and her powers are removed from the world. This is why Olaf begins to disintegrate into snowflakes. Frozen 2 doesn't provide an exact reason for how Elsa dies on Ahtohallan, other than that it's a result of her diving into the dark memories, which slowly but surely begin to freeze her in place with every memory she tries to uncover.

When she finally learns the ultimate truth about King Runeard, it seems she has gone too far in her quest. And so, she uses her powers one last time to warn Anna. This allows Anna to learn the truth and fight to save not only her kingdom but her sister as well.

A Deleted Frozen 2 Scene Could Have Redeemed Anna & Elsa's Parents

Anna and Elsa's parents choosing to hide Elsa away seems almost cruel, but a deleted scene from Frozen 2 could have shown why it was necessary.

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How Does Elsa Come Back To Life In Frozen 2?

Anna Has To Save Elsa Once Again

It turns out that sending the message to Anna becomes Elsa's saving grace. Anna deduces that destroying the dam will release the enchanted forest from its curse and right the wrongs of the past. So that's what she does, with the help of the earth giants via the spirit Jötunn. When the dam breaks and the water flows down the fjord, Elsa is freed from her frozen state and her powers return. In saving the enchanted forest, through a domino effect, Anna saves Elsa, again, and each sister takes their rightful place in the kingdom.

What This Could Mean For Frozen 3

Frozen 3 Will Arrive In 2026

Anna and Elsa from Frozen in front of a starlit background

Disney announced that Frozen 3 is coming, and it looks like the movie will hit in 2026, possibly during the holiday season to keep the theme alive. There is really no news on the movie's story or cast, but the ending of Frozen 2 could hint at what will happen next. Idina Menzel will be back as Elsa with Kristen Bell back as Anna, and they will almost surely be the main characters once again. Since Anna married Kristoff, Jonathan Groff should be back as well.

It is likely a new villain show up to either threaten the forest or Arendelle, and the sisters will have to team up again to save them both — now as powerful rulers.

When the movie ends, Anna finally agrees to marry Kristoff and becomes Queen of Arendelle. Elsa takes up the role of the protector of the Enchanted Forest after restoring peace with Arendelle. There was no villain in Frozen 2, making the movie more about Elsa discovering the truth about her family and herself. With the journey to discovery at the forefront, the reviews were more mixed than they were with the first movie. It is likely a new villain show up to either threaten the forest or Arendelle, and the sisters will have to team up again to save them both — now as powerful rulers.