Christian Family Movie Review of Disney’s Frozen 2: Scandinavian Folklore and Pagan Spirituality?
2/12/2025
Disney’s Frozen 2, released in late 2019, is one of the most beloved animated sequels of recent years. Like the first Frozen movie (which released—believe it or not—back in 2013), it features stunning animation, charming characters, and catchy music, taking viewers back to the enchanted kingdom of Arendelle. Now-iconic characters such as Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel), Anna (Kristen Bell), Olaf (Josh Gad), and Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) returned to drive Frozen 2 to success, grossing over $1.45 billion worldwide.
What is Frozen 2 About?
In Frozen 2, Elsa begins hearing a mysterious voice calling to her from the north, prompting her to embark on a journey beyond Arendelle (accompanied by Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven) to uncover the origins of her magical ice powers. The group ventures into the Enchanted Forest, a mystical realm shrouded in mist, where they encounter the Northuldra people and elemental spirits representing earth, wind, fire, and water. As Elsa digs deeper, she discovers a hidden truth about her family’s past and a dam that disrupted harmony between humans and nature. The story climaxes with Elsa and Anna working together to right historical wrongs, restore balance, and secure Arendelle’s future.
How Does Frozen 2 Compare to Other Disney Movies?
Whereas Frozen’s storyline focused on sisterly love, Frozen 2 undertakes a more ambitious narrative, exploring themes of self-discovery and legacy, and diving deeper into Elsa’s powers, Anna’s resilience, and the lore of Arendelle. It’s slightly less popular than the original; some say the story is less cohesive than the original and is a bit dense for kids. And the songs are great, but don’t reach the height of singability and popularity that “Let It Go” did (though to be fair, that earworm set an impossibly high bar). Still, Frozen 2’s box office success and cultural impact—spawning toys, costumes, and more sing-alongs—place it among Disney’s elite.
What Sort of Spiritual Elements Are Depicted in Frozen 2?
Frozen 2 features a myth-heavy plot about elemental spirits and a cursed forest, blending Scandinavian folklore and pagan spirituality. The elemental spirits (Gale, Bruni, Earth Giants, and Nokk) symbolize nature’s power and balance, suggesting a pantheistic worldview where the natural world holds mystical significance. Elsa’s journey to Ahtohallan, a river of memory described as the source of all magic, is an epic quest for enlightenment. The film also hints at a “fifth spirit,” positioning Elsa as a bridge between humanity and the supernatural.
What Are Important Themes in Frozen 2?
Female empowerment is a central theme in Frozen 2, which Elsa and Anna embody in distinct ways: Elsa embraces her individuality and power, while Anna steps into leadership as Arendelle’s queen. Unlike traditional Disney princess tales, the film sidelines romance (Kristoff’s subplot is secondary) to focus on the sisters’ agency. Elsa’s anthem “Show Yourself” celebrates self-acceptance, and Anna’s resolve in “The Next Right Thing” highlights resilience. This emphasis on independent, capable women resonates with modern audiences in general and young girls in particular.
Another key theme of the movie is destiny, and the suggestion that people can find their destiny by understanding and correcting past mistakes. Elsa’s quest reveals her family’s role in a historical injustice, which she sets out to correct. By restoring harmony between Arendelle and the Northuldra, the sisters fulfill a destiny that transcends personal ambition, emphasizing collective responsibility. The message: humans can shape their fate through courage, truth, and reconciliation.
How Does the Message of Frozen 2 Compare to the Teachings of the Bible?
For many viewers, Frozen 2’s beauty and charm may mask the ways the story differs from biblical teaching. Its focus on repairing broken relationships and seeking truth and wisdom correspond to messages found in the Bible, but the film’s spirituality—rooted in pagan concepts of nature, magic, and self-actualization—portrays “a form of godliness, [while] denying the power thereof: from such,” the Bible says, “turn away” (2 Timothy 3:5 KJV).
Is Frozen 2 Likely to Be Acceptable for Christian Families?
For some Christian families, Frozen 2 will be generally acceptable, with its family-friendly content (no explicit violence, language, or mature themes beyond mild peril); for those families, the fantasy elements can spark discussions about where truth is found and how the God of the Bible guides and empowers us, as opposed to the paganism and humanism of Frozen 2. Other Christian families, however, may determine that the film’s paganism, pantheism, and humanism outweigh its entertainment value.
Discover Christian Family-Friendly Entertainment in a Single Platform
Whether or not parents consider Frozen 2 to be appropriate viewing for their family, it may help that an entertainment platform exists that provides quality games, videos, and comics that honor, reinforce, and even instill biblical values in kids. The TruPlay Games app–sometimes referred to as “the Netflix of Christian mobile games for children”–features games, videos, and digital comics videos starring animated characters at varying levels of spiritual growth and Christian commitment. The TruPlay app provides a safe, high-quality entertainment environment that offers countless hours of engaging fun for children, youth, and adults—a Christian resource for all ages, but especially for children.
TruPlay's website (TruPlayGames.com) clearly details the app's offerings, and free downloads and trials are available in both the Apple App Store and GooglePlay. Explore the following links to unlock a safer gaming experience for your kids: