Frozen 3 gets a theatrical release date... after Disney announces 4th installment is in the works
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Disney has announced the official release date for Frozen 3 - which will hit theaters on November 24, 2027 during the Thanksgiving holiday.
The latest update comes months after Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, said last year in November that a fourth installment of the animated franchise is also in the works.
Jennifer Lee - who wrote and directed Frozen and Frozen 2 - revealed during the D23 event last week on Friday that the third sequel will premiere in 2027, with Disney soon confirming the actual date.
Also during the expo, Lee unveiled a first look at concept art for the upcoming movie, per Deadline.
In an image that appeared on a screen, sisters Anna and Elsa could be seen riding on horses through a forest with a warm and sunny landscape in the far distance.
Disney has announced the official release date for Frozen 3 - which will hit theaters on November 24, 2027 during the Thanksgiving holiday
The snowman, Olaf, sat behind Anna on the horse while a shadowy figure reflected in a river near the trio - possibly hinting at the antagonist in the next installment.
Plot details for Frozen 3 have still remained under wraps - but the songwriters from the first two films, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez are returning, according to Variety.
The third movie was announced by Iger last year in February, and both Kristen and Richard previously shared their surprise at the revelation.
'They told us, the day of, and a little bit about what they're thinking,' the pair told Collider in March of last year.
'It got us very excited. Now, we have to let the wheels of Hollywood do what they do, but we were very excited with their ideas.'
When it came to writing songs for the first Frozen film, the couple expressed that their children were an inspiration.
'When they showed us the pictures of Little Anna and Little Elsa, we were like, "That's Katie and Annie. That's our kids. This is for them. This is what we have to be saying to the world right now."'
Last year in November, Bob Iger told Good Morning America that Frozen 4 is also in the works.
The latest update comes months after Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, said last year in November that a fourth installment of the animated franchise is also in the works
Plot details for Frozen 3 have still remained under wraps - but the songwriters from the first two films, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez are returning, according to Variety; seen in 2020 in Hollywood
'Well, I'll give you a little surprise,' he said at the time. 'Frozen 3 is in the works and there might be a Frozen 4 in the works, too.'
'But, I don't have much to say about those films right now. But Jenn Lee who created Frozen, the original Frozen and Frozen 2, is hard at work with her team at Disney Animation on not one but actually two stories.'
Kristen Bell (Anna), Idina Menzel (Elsa) and Josh Gad (Olaf) are set to return to the third movie - although it is unknown if they will also reprise their roles in the fourth installment.
The original Frozen movie was released in theaters in 2013 - and quickly became a box office hit and has since garnered a whopping $1.28 billion.
The animated film also received praise from critics as well as a variety of award nominations. Frozen won Best Original Song and Best Animated Feature during the 86th Academy Awards.
A sequel, Frozen 2, was released six years later in 2019 and also became a success among moviegoers.
The film raked in a slightly larger amount of $1.45 billion in the box office on a budget of $150 million.
Last year in November, Bob Iger told Good Morning America that Frozen 4 is also in the works; seen earlier this month in Anaheim
'Well, I'll give you a little surprise,' he said at the time. 'Frozen 3 is in the works and there might be a Frozen 4 in the works, too'
The second installment also garnered an assortment of award nominations, such as receiving a nod at the 92nd Academy Awards for Best Original Song - which went to (I'm Gonna) Love Me Again from Rocketman.
Gad - who is known for voicing Olaf - teased the third movie on The View last year, and joked, 'I could share things with you, but Disney would literally escort me out of the building with armed security.'
He then added, 'No, apparently there are two Frozen sequels in development right now, surprise! Equally surprised - and I know Jennifer Lee, who wrote and directed the first two, is hard at work with the team right now.'
'I've heard a little bit and I can tell you guys, it's pretty mind-blowing what's coming. It's pretty exciting.'
Also last year in November 2023, Lee teased the possibility of a fourth Frozen film due to Frozen 3 being 'so epic,' in an interview with Disney.
Lee said, 'the team is hard at work, we are deeply excited about the story we are shaping together, and it's so epic it may not fit into just one film'; seen earlier this month in Anaheim
She said, 'the team is hard at work, we are deeply excited about the story we are shaping together, and it's so epic it may not fit into just one film.'
The movie and characters have become beloved amongst fans, with a Broadway musical being released in 2018 and the World of Frozen opening up at Disneyland in Hong Kong.
In regards to Frozen's impact, Jennifer expressed, 'I believe it's both the story of familial love with these two sisters, and the idea of love conquering fear.'
'I recently visited World of Frozen, and it is awe-inspiring. You are a citizen of Arendelle the moment you walk into the land.'
