Looking for the correct Frozen movies in order? You’ve come to the right place — and the good news is that this one’s simpler than most Disney franchises. Release order and chronological order are basically the same here, with one small wrinkle: the shorts fill in gaps between the two features rather than jumping around the timeline. Created by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, the original Frozen grossed nearly $1.3 billion and won two Oscars, while Frozen II became one of the highest-grossing animated films ever, cementing Elsa and Anna as modern Disney royalty. Before you queue anything up, here’s the quick-answer table, then the full breakdown film by film.
Are you Looking for: Tangled Movies in Order of Storyline
Quick Answer: Frozen Movies in Order
| # | Film | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frozen | 2013 | Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee |
| 2 | Frozen Fever (short) | 2015 | Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee |
| 3 | Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (short) | 2017 | Kevin Deters, Stevie Wermers-Skelton |
| 4 | Frozen II | 2019 | Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee |
| 5 | Once Upon a Snowman (short) | 2020 | Trent Correy, Dan Abraham |
| 6 | Frozen 3 | 2027 | Jennifer Lee |
Release order is chronological order for this franchise — just watch top to bottom and you’re set.
Frozen Movies in Order: The Complete Watch Guide
1. Frozen (2013)
Anna sets off into the mountains to find her estranged sister Elsa, whose icy powers have accidentally trapped their kingdom in eternal winter. Along the way she teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and a walking, talking snowman named Olaf. Fun fact: “Let It Go” was reportedly the song that convinced directors to rework Elsa’s character from villain to misunderstood heroine. The film’s ending sets up a fully thawed Arendelle — and a sister who’s finally free to be herself, which the next short picks up on almost immediately.
2. Frozen Fever (2015)
This seven-minute short takes place on Anna’s birthday, shortly after the events of the first film, as Elsa tries to throw the perfect party despite catching a cold that has some unexpectedly magical side effects. It introduced the “snowgies” — tiny snowmen born from Elsa’s sneezes — who became a merchandising hit in their own right. It’s breezy and low-stakes, but it deepens the sisters’ bond before the story jumps ahead a couple of years for the next short.
3. Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (2017)
Set just before the first Christmas after Frozen’s ending, Olaf realizes Anna and Elsa have no family holiday traditions and sets out to fix that. It originally played in theaters attached to Pixar’s Coco, a pairing that drew some criticism for padding out an already long runtime. Despite the rocky release, it’s a genuinely sweet bridge between the first film’s emotional thaw and the deeper family history explored in Frozen II.
4. Frozen II (2019)
Elsa hears a mysterious voice calling her north, forcing Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven to follow her into the Enchanted Forest to uncover the truth about their parents and Elsa’s powers. It became the highest-grossing animated film of all time at release, buoyed by the anthem “Into the Unknown.” The ending majorly reshuffles Arendelle’s leadership, which is exactly the gap the next short exists to explain.
5. Once Upon a Snowman (2020)
This Disney+ short is a prequel wedged into the story, showing where Olaf actually came from during the few hours between Elsa’s ice powers “birthing” him and his first appearance in the original film. It’s a clever bit of retroactive world-building that answers a question fans had asked for years. Watching it after Frozen II (its release order) rather than before Frozen (its story order) is the standard recommendation, since it works best as a fun bonus rather than a chronological start.
6. Frozen 3 (2027)
Confirmed for release on November 24, 2027, and directed by Jennifer Lee, the third film reportedly picks up threads Frozen II left dangling about Elsa’s role and the sisters’ future. Early D23 previews teased a wedding for Anna and Kristoff, a possible new romance for Olaf, and a new villain lurking in the shadows. With Frozen 4 already in development alongside it, this entry looks less like a stand-alone sequel and more like the start of the saga’s final act.
Do You Need to Watch the Shorts Before Frozen II?
No — none of the three shorts are required viewing to follow Frozen II’s plot, though Olaf’s Frozen Adventure adds nice emotional context for the family themes the sequel explores.
Minimum viable watch order:
- Frozen (2013)
- Frozen II (2019)
- Frozen 3 (2027, once released)
How Many Frozen Movies Are There?
There are currently two full-length Frozen films (Frozen, Frozen II), with a third confirmed for 2027 and a fourth already announced. Counting the three short films, the franchise’s full lineup sits at six entries and counting.
All Frozen Movies in Order by Release Date
1. Frozen — November 27, 2013
2. Frozen Fever — March 13, 2015
3. Olaf’s Frozen Adventure — November 22, 2017
4. Frozen II — November 22, 2019
5. Once Upon a Snowman — October 23, 2020
6. Frozen 3 — November 24, 2027 (confirmed)
What’s Next for the Franchise?
Frozen 3 is officially confirmed for November 24, 2027, with Jennifer Lee returning to direct and the core cast — Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, and Jonathan Groff — expected back. Disney has also confirmed a Frozen 4 is in active development alongside the third film, with Lee describing the two as connected chapters resolving threads from Frozen II. No trailer, full synopsis, or Frozen 4 release date has been locked in yet, so treat any specific plot details beyond the confirmed wedding-and-new-villain teases as subject to change.
FAQ
Is Frozen II chronological or release order the same as Frozen?
Yes — for this franchise, release order and chronological order line up. Just watch the films (and shorts, if you want them) in the order they came out.
Do I need to watch Once Upon a Snowman before Frozen?
No. Even though it’s technically a prequel to the first film, it’s designed to be watched after Frozen II, and skipping it entirely doesn’t hurt your understanding of the main story.
What order should I watch the Frozen shorts in?
Frozen Fever, then Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, then Once Upon a Snowman — matching their release dates and slotting neatly around the two main films.
Will there be a Frozen 4?
Yes, Disney has confirmed Frozen 4 is already in development alongside Frozen 3, though it doesn’t have a release date yet.
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