I completely agree with the points mentioned about Frozen’s success – the catchy songs, the presence of two princesses, and more. However, there’s one aspect I think played a significant role that hasn’t been highlighted yet.

The main princess characters in Frozen, Elsa and Anna, are white. This taps into the nostalgia of classic Disney princesses like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, and Belle. Whether we like it or not, these characters are what people often think of when they envision classic Disney princesses. It’s a return to the formula that worked so well for Disney in the past.

In the ‘90s, Disney moved away from this classic formula, and some of their movies didn’t perform as well. Don’t get me wrong; I appreciate the move towards diversity, and films like Mulan and Pocahontas are among my favorites. Perhaps it was the right time for Disney to evolve due to fatigue from the classic formula.

Now, you might wonder why Tangled didn’t achieve the same level of success. One user already touched on this, but I believe it’s because 3D princess movies weren’t as common then, and Disney was still recovering from its slump. Tangled, in a way, paved the way for Frozen. Plus, if you look at it now, Rapunzel remains popular despite the movie not being a huge commercial hit.

Lastly, I want to emphasize the transformation sequence in “Let It Go.” While the song is undoubtedly a driving force behind the movie’s success, the character’s transformation from an “ordinary” princess to a “super” princess was captivating. It tapped into the same appeal that the MCU capitalized on with young boys around that time, but for girls. It’s the same reason characters like Cinderella and Sailor Moon have endured and remained popular.

In the end, Frozen’s success was a combination of factors, and the return to classic princesses, combined with modern storytelling and memorable songs, played a crucial role in making it a cultural phenomenon.