Frozen II
Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf head far into the forest to learn the truth about an ancient mystery of their kingdom.
Despite a blockbuster budget of $150.0M, Frozen II became a commercial juggernaut, earning $1453.7M worldwide—a remarkable 869% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, proving that audiences embrace distinctive approach even at blockbuster scale.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 18 wins & 95 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Frozen II (2019) reveals deliberately positioned narrative architecture, characteristic of Jennifer Lee's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 43 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Elsa
Anna
Kristoff
Olaf
Sven
Lieutenant Mattias
Yelana
Main Cast & Characters
Elsa
Played by Idina Menzel
Queen of Arendelle with ice powers, searching for the origin of her magic and hearing a mysterious voice calling to her.
Anna
Played by Kristen Bell
Princess of Arendelle, Elsa's younger sister, determined to support her sister and protect their kingdom no matter the cost.
Kristoff
Played by Jonathan Groff
Ice harvester and Anna's boyfriend, struggling to propose while supporting Anna on her dangerous journey.
Olaf
Played by Josh Gad
Magical snowman created by Elsa, providing comic relief while searching for his own purpose and maturity.
Sven
Played by Jonathan Groff
Kristoff's loyal reindeer companion who provides silent support and comic reactions throughout the journey.
Lieutenant Mattias
Played by Sterling K. Brown
Leader of the Arendellian soldiers trapped in the Enchanted Forest for 34 years, loyal to duty and honor.
Yelana
Played by Martha Plimpton
Leader of the Northuldra tribe, wise and protective of her people trapped in the Enchanted Forest.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Elsa and Anna play together as their father tells them the story of the Enchanted Forest. The sisters are close, happy, and innocent in their childhood bedroom.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Elsa hears a mysterious voice calling to her. She awakens the spirits of the Enchanted Forest, causing the elements to turn against Arendelle. The people must evacuate to the cliffs as their home becomes uninhabitable.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven set out together for the Enchanted Forest. "Into the Unknown" - Elsa makes the active choice to pursue the voice and leave the safety of Arendelle behind., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Elsa crosses the Dark Sea and reaches Ahtohallan, the source of her magic. "Show Yourself" - she discovers she is the fifth spirit, the bridge between magic and humanity. False victory: she believes she has all the answers., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Elsa freezes solid in Ahtohallan, appearing to die. Before freezing, she sends the truth to Anna. Olaf, connected to Elsa's magic, disintegrates in Anna's arms. Anna loses both her sister and her closest friend., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Anna realizes she must destroy the dam to break the curse and save Arendelle, even if it means flooding the kingdom. She accepts that doing the right thing requires sacrifice and takes leadership to wake the earth giants., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Frozen II's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Frozen II against these established plot points, we can identify how Jennifer Lee utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Frozen II within the family genre.
Jennifer Lee's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Jennifer Lee films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Frozen II takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jennifer Lee filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional family films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Ella Enchanted. For more Jennifer Lee analyses, see Frozen.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Elsa and Anna play together as their father tells them the story of the Enchanted Forest. The sisters are close, happy, and innocent in their childhood bedroom.
Theme
Grand Pabbie warns: "When one can see no future, all one can do is the next right thing." This statement of doing what's right despite uncertainty becomes the film's central theme.
Worldbuilding
Three years after the first film, Arendelle is peaceful and thriving. Elsa is a confident queen, Anna and Kristoff are together, and the kingdom feels safe. "Some Things Never Change" establishes the harmony but hints at Elsa's restlessness.
Disruption
Elsa hears a mysterious voice calling to her. She awakens the spirits of the Enchanted Forest, causing the elements to turn against Arendelle. The people must evacuate to the cliffs as their home becomes uninhabitable.
Resistance
Grand Pabbie reveals that the spirits are angry because of a past wrong. Elsa must journey north to the Enchanted Forest to discover the truth and save Arendelle. The group debates whether to go, with Anna insisting on joining despite the danger.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven set out together for the Enchanted Forest. "Into the Unknown" - Elsa makes the active choice to pursue the voice and leave the safety of Arendelle behind.
Mirror World
The group enters the Enchanted Forest and meets the Northuldra people and Arendelle soldiers, trapped for 34 years. They encounter Lieutenant Mattias, who carries the story of the past and represents the truth Elsa must uncover.
Premise
The promise of magical adventure: Elsa tames the wind spirit (Gale), discovers the fire spirit is a salamander (Bruni), and finds her mother was Northuldra. The sisters explore the enchanted forest, learning pieces of their family's hidden past.
Midpoint
Elsa crosses the Dark Sea and reaches Ahtohallan, the source of her magic. "Show Yourself" - she discovers she is the fifth spirit, the bridge between magic and humanity. False victory: she believes she has all the answers.
Opposition
Elsa ventures deeper into Ahtohallan's memories against warnings. She discovers the dark truth: their grandfather betrayed the Northuldra by building the dam to weaken them. The past catches up as she freezes while trying to tell Anna.
Collapse
Elsa freezes solid in Ahtohallan, appearing to die. Before freezing, she sends the truth to Anna. Olaf, connected to Elsa's magic, disintegrates in Anna's arms. Anna loses both her sister and her closest friend.
Crisis
Anna grieves alone in a cave, devastated and hopeless. "The Next Right Thing" - she processes her profound loss, finding the strength to continue despite her despair by doing what's right, embodying the theme stated at the beginning.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Anna realizes she must destroy the dam to break the curse and save Arendelle, even if it means flooding the kingdom. She accepts that doing the right thing requires sacrifice and takes leadership to wake the earth giants.
Synthesis
Anna provokes the giants to destroy the dam. The mist lifts, freeing everyone. Elsa thaws and rides Nokk the water spirit to save Arendelle from the flood. The sisters work together across distance - Anna leading on land, Elsa wielding magic at sea.
Transformation
Anna is crowned Queen of Arendelle while Elsa becomes the protector of the Enchanted Forest as the fifth spirit. The sisters have found where they each belong, transformed from seeking safety to embracing their true callings.