When “Frozen” debuted in theaters in 2013, Disney in all probability assumed it might do nicely. However what really occurred was fully surprising. The film wasn’t only a hit. It was a cultural supernova. “Frozen” earned $1.28 billion on the international field workplace, immediately changing into the highest-grossing animated movie ever launched at the moment and certainly one of Disney’s most worthwhile titles throughout any division. Amongst Disney Animation releases, solely the studio’s greatest legacy franchises might compete, and even then, “Frozen” outpaced classics like “The Lion King,” “Toy Story 3,” and “Discovering Nemo.”
Then got here the sequel. “Frozen II,” launched in 2019, blew previous even these staggering numbers, hovering to $1.45 billion and changing into the highest-grossing animated film in historical past. Between the primary two movies alone, the franchise generated almost $3 billion in theatrical field workplace income. And that is earlier than counting merchandise, music gross sales, publishing, Disney+ streaming features, or its monumental theme-park footprint.
The ripple impact has been relentless. The songs grew to become international earworms. “Let It Go” became a once-in-a-generation musical phenomenon. A Broadway adaptation adopted. Disneyland and Disney World launched “Frozen” sights. A full “World of Frozen” land opened abroad. Disney cruises constructed total eating experiences round Arendelle.
Any dad or mum of a woman round age 4 or 5 can describe the expertise: the months-long stretch the place their daughter refuses to put on something in addition to an Elsa or Anna gown and calls for the soundtrack on loop each morning, evening, and automotive journey. The franchise is not simply standard. It is a ceremony of passage.
“Frozen” is without doubt one of the Most worthy cash-cow franchises in Disney’s historical past. And that success is constructed largely on the distinct voice performances of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, and Josh Gad. Disney is aware of this. Which is why the studio simply dumped an avalanche of cash into their respective laps to safe them for 2 extra motion pictures.
(Photograph by GP Photographs/Getty Photographs for Disney Studios)
The Richest Offers In Animation Historical past
It isn’t recognized what Kristen, Josh, and Idina earned for the unique “Frozen.” Contemplating that not one of the three have been thought-about A-list leads on the time — and that Disney traditionally pays its first-film voice actors surprisingly modest salaries — it is virtually sure that none made even $1 million. They have been every probably paid someplace between $100,000 and $300,000, with no back-end participation and no significant bonuses.
For the second film, their salaries jumped dramatically. It has been confirmed that they EACH acquired $15 million for “Frozen II.”
And, in accordance with a report that was simply revealed by TheWrap, Kirsten, Idina, and Josh will EACH make $60 million to come back again for Frozen 3 and 4. That brings their earnings for “Frozen 2,” “Frozen 3,” and “Frozen 4” to roughly $75 million apiece.
TheWrap stories that the brand new offers are structured as multi-year packages fairly than lump-sum payouts. Every actor is about to obtain an upfront performing charge of round $20 million per movie, with the remaining $20 million coming from box-office bonuses and backend efficiency incentives tied on to the success of every sequel.
These numbers put Bell, Menzel, and Gad into an elite class. Even amongst main animated franchises, nine-figure cumulative contract totals are virtually unparalleled. Voice roles historically pay far lower than live-action work, however Disney’s willingness to write down checks of this dimension underscores simply how important this forged has change into to the identification and monetary energy of the “Frozen” universe. Anna, Elsa, and Olaf are billion-dollar characters — and the voices behind them are lastly being compensated accordingly.
To be frank, it is unclear why Jonathan Groff, the voice of Kristoff, was not talked about in TheWrap’s reporting. Groff voiced the character within the unique movie and its 2019 sequel.
Disney already has the following entries on its slate. “Frozen 3” is scheduled to hit theaters over Thanksgiving 2027, with “Frozen 4” deep into improvement. Jennifer Lee, who directed and co-wrote the primary two movies, is returning to direct the third installment alongside Disney veteran Trent Correy. Longtime producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriting duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez are additionally returning, making certain that the inventive DNA of the franchise stays intact.
