Frozen Reviews: Ratings, Age Advice and Our Verdicts
Frozen reviews here start with the rating and the age advice: Frozen (2013) is PG in the US, UK and Australia, Frozen II is PG in the US and Australia but U in the UK, and the three shorts are G in the US. Every entry gets a short age note and a plain verdict from me, and Frozen III, dated for November 24, 2027, will get its own review after release.
Key Takeaways
- Frozen (2013) is rated PG in the US, UK and Australia, while Frozen Fever, Olaf's Frozen Adventure and Once Upon a Snowman are rated G in the US.
- Frozen II is rated PG in the US and Australia but U in the UK, so the same film carries a different label depending on where you live.
- Frozen (2013) earned $1.31 billion worldwide on a $150 million budget, according to Box Office Mojo, so it was a hit by any measure.
- For ages 3 and 4, the shorts are the gentlest way in, and the two main films are better saved for when a child can follow a story with some sad moments.
- Frozen III is dated for November 24, 2027.
Hot Takes
- In my opinion, Frozen (2013) is still the better first film for a young child, because its story about two sisters is simpler and more focused than the sequel's. (Opinion, Tessa Marlowe)
- It could be argued that Olaf's Frozen Adventure is the best short in the series for a family holiday night, since it is long enough to feel like an event and gentle enough for almost any age. (Opinion, Tessa Marlowe)
- Perhaps the most useful thing a parent can do is watch the opening scenes of Frozen (2013) alone first, because the ice accident and the loss of the parents are the heaviest beats a small child will meet. (Opinion, Tessa Marlowe)
Opinion, by Tessa Marlowe.
Frozen Reviews: Ratings, Age Advice and Verdicts
Our Frozen reviews cover two main films and three shorts, and each entry gets its official rating, an age note and a plain verdict. The ratings are the official certifications, while the age notes and verdicts are my own opinion, and I will say so wherever the two meet. Full write ups of each film will link from here as they publish, and in the meantime this is the quick answer to tonight's viewing question.
Is Frozen Rated G or PG?
Frozen (2013), directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, is rated PG in the US, the UK and Australia. Frozen II (2019), directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, is PG in the US and Australia but U in the UK. The three shorts, Frozen Fever (2015), Olaf's Frozen Adventure (2017) and Once Upon a Snowman (2020), are all rated G in the US. Frozen Fever and Olaf's Frozen Adventure are U in the UK, and Frozen Fever and Once Upon a Snowman are G in Australia. A PG label means parental guidance is suggested, so it is an invitation to watch alongside your child rather than a warning.
Is Frozen Scary, and Is It Okay for a 3, 4 or 5 Year Old?
Most of Frozen (2013) is bright and musical, but the opening is the part to think about. Young Elsa accidentally hits her sister Anna with a blast of ice, trolls heal Anna, and the parents later die in a shipwreck, leaving the sisters alone in a closed castle. That is a lot of sadness for a first act. In my opinion, a 5 year old who is comfortable with Disney films will generally be fine, especially with a grown up on the couch, while a 3 or 4 year old may do better starting with a short. Every child is different, and you are the best judge of yours.
What Is the Main Story of Frozen?
The main story of Frozen (2013) is about two sisters. Elsa, a princess of Arendelle, is born with magical ice powers, and the closed gates and years of distance that follow shape both her and Anna. Kristen Bell voices Anna and Idina Menzel voices Elsa, with Jonathan Groff as Kristoff, Josh Gad as Olaf and Santino Fontana as Hans. If you want to meet the full ensemble first, the Frozen characters and Frozen cast pages cover them, and the individual pages for Elsa Frozen, Anna Frozen, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven Frozen go deeper.
Was Frozen a Hit or a Flop?
Frozen (2013) was a hit. It earned $1.31 billion worldwide according to Box Office Mojo, on a $150 million budget, and it won two Oscars: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. Frozen II grossed $1.45 billion worldwide against the same $150 million budget, per Box Office Mojo. The Numbers lists a lower worldwide total for the first film, about $1.27 billion, so the exact figure depends on the tracker, but the conclusion does not change. The full breakdown sits on the Frozen box office page.
Our Verdicts, Film by Film
Frozen (2013), 102 minutes, PG. My pick for a first viewing. The story is about two sisters, the music is built into the plot, and the film trusts a young audience with a real emotional problem. The score is by Christophe Beck, and the songs include Let It Go, which won the Oscar. For more on the music, see the Frozen soundtrack, and for full details see the Frozen 2013 film page.
Frozen II (2019), 103 minutes, PG (US and AU) or U (UK). Bigger and stranger. Elsa hears a voice calling to her, the elemental spirits wake, Arendelle is evacuated, and the family heads north to the Enchanted Forest. It asks more of the viewer, and in my opinion it suits children a little older than the first film does. Into the Unknown and Show Yourself are the songs to listen for, and the Frozen 2 film page has the details.
Frozen Fever (2015), 8 minutes, G. A birthday party for Anna, with Elsa hiding a cold. It is quick, warm and a very easy starting point for a 3 or 4 year old.
Olaf's Frozen Adventure (2017), 22 minutes, G. Anna and Elsa realize they have no holiday traditions of their own, so Olaf sets off with Sven and Kristoff's sleigh to collect some from the townspeople. It is the best fit for a seasonal family night.
Once Upon a Snowman (2020), 7 minutes, G. Olaf takes his first steps and starts to wonder who he is. It debuted on Disney Plus on October 23, 2020, and it is the shortest way to spend time with the series.
What Comes Next?
Frozen III is dated for November 24, 2027, according to TheWrap. For the date and cast as they develop, follow Frozen 3, and the Frozen 3 trailer page will collect any official footage. Once the film is released, a review will follow here.
Where Should You Start?
If your child is under 5, start with a short and save Frozen (2013) for the weekend; for anyone older, begin with Frozen (2013) and move on to Frozen II. The Frozen movies in order guide lays out the sequence, and Frozen movies ranked has my full ranking. To watch tonight, where to watch Frozen has the options: Frozen (2013) streams on Disney Plus in the US, UK and Australia, according to TMDB data checked on November 3, 2026. For the wider picture, go back to the Frozen movies hub, see how many Frozen movies there are, follow the Frozen timeline or browse Frozen merchandise.
FAQs
Is Frozen ok for a 5 year old?
For most children, yes, particularly with a grown up watching. Frozen (2013) is rated PG in the US, UK and Australia, which means parental guidance is suggested. In my opinion, the opening is the part to watch with them: Elsa's ice accidentally hits Anna, and the parents are later lost in a shipwreck.
What is the main story of Frozen?
Frozen (2013) follows two sisters in Arendelle. Elsa is born with ice powers, an accident with Anna leads the king and queen to close the castle gates, and the girls grow distant. The parents later die in a shipwreck, leaving the sisters alone in the closed castle.
Was Frozen a hit or a flop?
Frozen (2013) was a hit. Box Office Mojo lists $1.31 billion worldwide on a $150 million budget, and the film won Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. Frozen II followed with $1.45 billion worldwide, also on $150 million.
Why was Frozen rated PG, and is it G or PG?
Frozen (2013) is rated PG in the US, UK and Australia, while Frozen II is PG in the US and Australia and U in the UK. The shorts Frozen Fever, Olaf's Frozen Adventure and Once Upon a Snowman are G in the US. The ratings boards' written reasons are not quoted here. In my opinion, the likely cause is the heavy opening: an ice blast hits a child, and the parents die in a shipwreck.
Is there LGBTQ in Frozen?
The story of Frozen (2013) centers on two sisters, Elsa's ice powers, a closed castle and Anna's journey, and the studio's plot outline does not describe an LGBTQ character or storyline. Some fans read Elsa's story as a metaphor for hiding who you are, which is an interpretation and not something Disney has stated in the sources we cite.
Is Frozen scary, and is it appropriate for a 3 or 4 year old?
It is mostly bright and musical, but the first act is sad and includes an ice blast and the loss of the parents. In my opinion, a 3 or 4 year old is better started on a short such as Frozen Fever (8 minutes, G in the US) or Once Upon a Snowman (7 minutes, G in the US) before the full films.