Summary

• Disney's frustrating trend with sequels is set to change with Frozen 3 and Frozen 4, promising answers and details left over from Frozen 2.
• Frozen 3 concept art hints at a new villain and expansion of lore, while Disney teases a quicker release for Frozen 4, breaking its usual long gap pattern.
• The Frozen movies will work together to tell a complex story and tie in the existing lore, offering fans a lot to look forward to.

Disney has established a frustrating trend with its sequels, but it looks like Frozen 3 and Frozen 4 will turn this around. Screen Rant was in attendance at the D23 2024: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, where new concept images from the Frozen 3 were revealed. While we are still a couple of years away from the movie's release, creator Jennifer Lee indicated that it will be worth the wait, promising the answers to questions left over from Frozen 2. Not only this, but she stated at D23 that it would take two movies to fully flesh out all these details.

The first concept image for Frozen 3 revealed at D23 2024 shows Anna and Elsa together in the Enchanted Forest, each riding their own horses toward the horizon. Behind them, a looming shadow can be seen—presumably the newest villain of the Frozen franchise. The second image shows the two sisters ice skating together, much like in past installments. While these pieces of art reveal very little regarding what Frozen 3 will be about, they set the tone for the film. Based on Lee's comments, this could also apply to the seemingly confirmed Frozen 4.

Disney's Frozen 4 Teases Suggests There Won't Be A Long Gap After Frozen 3

It Sounds Like Frozen 3 & Frozen 4 Will Work Together

Frozen 4 was previously hinted at by Disney CEO Bob Iger, but there was no indication at the time that this fourth sequel would be any different than its predecessors, which were all released over five years apart. However, Lee commenting that "it will take two films to answer" questions left from Frozen 2 indicates that Frozen 3 and Frozen 4 will work more in tandem with one another. It seems likely that these two movies are being worked on together as a sort of t unit, which could mean that Frozen 4 will hit theaters within a year or two of Frozen 3's Fall 2027 release.

Frozen 3 was initially meant to be released in November 2026, but the release window has been pushed back.

Disney Sequels Are Known For Long Gaps

A Half Decade Is Typically The Minimum

Frozen 4 coming relatively quickly after Frozen 3 would be quite a relief since Disney is notorious for waiting years before finally continuing a story. This is seen in the Frozen franchise itself. The first film was released in 2013, while the sequel didn't hit theaters until six years later in 2019. Now, Frozen 3's release date has continued this trend, with eight years having lapsed since Elsa was identified as the fifth spirit and moved permanently to the Enchanted Forest. Of course, Frozen isn't the only Disney franchise that is guilty of this.

It's frustrating that children must essentially grow up before they can enjoy the continuation of their favorite stories.

2024 will see the release of Moana 2, which follows up the original story that first hit theaters eight years previous in 2016. Zootopia was released this same year, and a sequel is now expected in 2025 (nine years later). Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story are further examples, each of which received sequels several years after they were released. While these sequels have been nearly as loved as the originals, it's frustrating that children must essentially grow up before they can enjoy the continuation of their favorite stories.

Disney's Frozen Future Plans Teases Are Exciting

There's A Lot To Look Forward Too

There's no official release date for Frozen 4, but its near confirmation before the release of Frozen 3 is unheard of for Disney. Of course, this is the longest-running franchise for the primary studio, with only Pixar's Toy Story having sured Frozen in a number of sequels. The franchise has become something like Disney's figurehead, consistently performing well at the box office and with critics. If the House of Mouse feels confident enough to confirm two movies ahead of time, then it's safe to bet that these next two installments will be entirely worth it.

The tease that Frozen 3 and Frozen 4 will be used to expand on the lore established in Frozen 2 is also promising since this means a kind of complex world unlike anything seen from Disney's animated movies. What's more, the villain teased in the Frozen 3 concept art is deeply promising, and it's possible this will be the overarching antagonist for the following two films, tying into the existing story in an impactful way. In all, it's just a lot to look forward to, and hopefully, we won't have to wait too long this time.