Still from Frozen II (2019)
Character · by Tessa Marlowe

Hans Frozen: Prince Hans, His Voice Actor and What Happens to Him

Hans in Frozen is Prince Hans of the Southern Isles, the charming suitor who turns out to be the villain of Frozen (2013), voiced by Santino Fontana. He is sent home in disgrace for treason, and his later appearance is a snowball gag in Frozen Fever (2015).

Image: TMDB

Who Plays Hans (voice)?

  • Santino Fontana, actorSantino Fontana1 film, 2013 to 2013

Who Is Hans in Frozen?

Hans is a prince from the Southern Isles who becomes engaged to Anna on the day the castle gates reopen for Elsa's coronation, and he is the antagonist of Frozen (2013), directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee. He is voiced by Santino Fontana, who is billed fifth in the cast, and the credits list the character simply as Hans.

How does he come across at first? As a prince Anna trusts quickly, which makes sense after the sisters grew up apart once their parents isolated Elsa. Anna gets engaged to him almost at once, and the film lets the audience believe in the match right alongside her, which is why the later turn lands so hard.

What is his name? The film introduces him as Prince Hans of the Southern Isles, so "Hans" and "Prince Hans" are the names to use. The Southern Isles is the kingdom he comes from, and it is a separate realm from arendelle. Frozen (2013) is rated PG in the US, UK and Australia, so parents of younger children may want to know his turn in the story is coming.

Hans (voice) Films

Hans in Frozen: His Story Arc and MotiveSpoilers

Hans's arc runs from a whirlwind engagement to a betrayal at the climax, and his motive is simple: he wants the throne. He and Anna become engaged almost as soon as they meet, on the day the gates reopen. Elsa refuses to bless the match, loses control of her powers in front of the court, and flees to the North Mountain, leaving the kingdom in endless winter.

Anna goes after her sister with Kristoff, his reindeer Sven and Olaf. At the ice palace Elsa accidentally strikes Anna in the heart, and Anna begins to freeze. The trolls tell Kristoff that only an act of true love can save her, so he rushes her back to Hans for a kiss.

That is where the mask comes off. Hans reveals that he wants the throne, and he leaves Anna to die. He then imprisons Elsa. When Elsa escapes, Hans confronts her, and Anna throws herself between Hans and Elsa's sword just as she freezes solid.

So, what is Hans' motive in Frozen? Power: he wants the throne of Arendelle. The film's clever trick is that his early charm and his late cruelty serve the same goal.

Hans, Anna, Elsa and Kristoff: Who He Is to Each of Them

Hans matters to the story mainly through three people: Anna, Elsa and Kristoff. Each relationship shows a different side of him.

Anna. Hans is the fiancé she rushes into, and he is the reason the film keeps asking what real love looks like. His kiss is the one Kristoff delivers her to, and it is the one that never comes. Anna's true act of love turns out to be her sacrifice for her sister, not a romance with a stranger. Readers of anna frozen will notice how that lesson shapes the rest of her story.

Elsa. Hans imprisons Elsa, and after she escapes he confronts her, which is the moment Anna steps between them. Her side of the story is covered at elsa frozen.

Kristoff. Kristoff is the foil. He is rough around the edges and an ice deliverer by trade, while Hans is polished and royal. Kristoff takes Anna back to Hans in good faith, believing it will save her. Afterward Kristoff becomes the royal ice deliverer, and he and Anna share a kiss. More on him at kristoff.

Who does Prince Hans end up with? Nobody. The film sends him home alone, and Anna's romantic future belongs to Kristoff, who proposes to her in Frozen II.

What Happened to Hans in Frozen?Spoilers

Hans is sent home to the Southern Isles in disgrace for treason, and that is the last the first film shows of him. Once Anna's sacrifice thaws her, Elsa realizes that love is the key to her magic, ends the eternal winter and restores Arendelle. Hans is left to face the consequences of imprisoning Elsa and abandoning Anna.

He returns only as a joke. In Frozen Fever (2015), an eight minute short directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, Elsa catches a cold while planning a surprise birthday party for Anna. Her final sneeze sends a giant snowball flying toward Hans, who is cleaning stables far away. It is a callback to the original film.

What about Frozen III? Disney has set it for November 24, 2027, according to TheWrap. Nothing in that reporting places Hans in it, so any return is speculation. The full picture is at frozen 3.

Best Hans Moments: Why the Villain Still Works

In my opinion, Hans is one of the better animated villains because the film plants him as a hero and lets the audience agree with Anna first. Perhaps the strongest evidence is how the story handles the engagement. A sudden proposal on the day two strangers meet looks like fairy tale shorthand, and the film then uses that shorthand against the viewer.

The moment I would point to is the return to Hans for the kiss. Kristoff races Anna back across the frozen landscape because the trolls said true love could save her, and the scene is staged so that everyone, including the audience, expects a rescue. The switch from rescuer to villain, with Hans leaving Anna to die, lands because the setup is so sincere. It is the kind of twist that, in my opinion, rewards a second viewing.

The quieter pleasure is the snowball in Frozen Fever. It is a few seconds long, but it gives the saga a gentle punchline that adults get and young children simply enjoy as slapstick. That being said, it is a gag and not a redemption, and Hans stays exiled.

If you are choosing a film for a family evening, frozen 2013 is where Hans lives, and the cast list is at frozen cast.

Facts

FAQs

Is Hans a villain in Frozen?

Yes. Hans appears to be Anna's charming fiancé, but he reveals that he wants the throne of Arendelle, leaves Anna to die and imprisons Elsa. He is the antagonist of Frozen (2013).

Who is the voice actor for Hans in Frozen?

Santino Fontana voices Hans in Frozen (2013) and Frozen Fever (2015).

What is Hans' full name in Frozen?

The films introduce him as Prince Hans of the Southern Isles and credit him simply as Hans.

What is Hans' motive in Frozen?

Hans wants the throne of Arendelle. He becomes engaged to Anna quickly, and when she is freezing he reveals his aim and leaves her to die.

Who does Prince Hans end up with?

Nobody. He is sent home to the Southern Isles in disgrace for treason. Anna ends up with Kristoff, who proposes to her in Frozen II.

What happened to Hans in Frozen?

He is sent home in disgrace after Anna's sacrifice thaws her and Elsa restores Arendelle. In Frozen Fever he is hit by a giant snowball from Elsa's sneeze while cleaning stables.