The movie with Elsa and Anna is Frozen, Disney’s 2013 animated musical about two royal sisters in the kingdom of Arendelle. Elsa has magical ice powers, and Anna sets out to find her after a crisis leaves their home frozen.
The sisters also return in the 2019 sequel, Frozen II, and appear together in several short films. Below, you’ll find the movies in viewing order, what each one is about, which appearances count as full Frozen stories, and how to choose one for your next movie night.
What movie has elsa and anna?
The first movie featuring both sisters as main characters is Frozen, released by Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2013. Elsa and Anna are princesses of Arendelle, and the story follows their relationship as Elsa’s magical ability to create ice and snow becomes difficult to control.
Anna is the younger sister. When Elsa’s powers cause an endless winter, Anna leaves the castle to find her and help bring summer back. The journey includes Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and the cheerful snowman Olaf. The film is a musical fantasy and the best place to start if you want to understand the sisters and their story.
Elsa and Anna are also the central characters in Frozen II, the 2019 sequel. It continues their story several years after the first film and follows the sisters as they investigate a mystery connected to Elsa’s powers and the history of their family and kingdom.
The main Frozen movies in viewing order
For the clearest story, watch the two feature films in release order. The sequel builds on relationships and events from the original, so watching Frozen first makes the follow-up easier to follow.
- Frozen (2013): Meet Elsa and Anna, learn about Elsa’s powers, and see how the sisters face the winter threatening Arendelle.
- Frozen II (2019): Follow the sisters as they leave Arendelle to investigate the source of a strange call and learn more about Elsa’s magic.
That order is enough to follow the central story. The short films add extra moments with the characters, but they are not required to understand either feature.
| Title | Release year | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen | 2013 | Original animated feature | Meeting the sisters and starting the story |
| Frozen Fever | 2015 | Short film about Anna’s birthday | A quick, light story after the first film |
| Olaf’s Frozen Adventure | 2017 | Holiday-themed featurette | Festive fun with the Arendelle characters |
| Frozen II | 2019 | Feature-length sequel | Continuing Elsa and Anna’s story |
| Ralph Breaks the Internet | 2018 | Separate Disney animated feature with a brief Frozen-related appearance | A crossover cameo, not a Frozen story |
What happens in Frozen?
Elsa and Anna grow up in the royal castle, but Elsa’s ice powers make their relationship complicated. After an accident in childhood, their parents keep the sisters apart while Elsa learns to hide her ability. Anna does not know why her older sister has withdrawn, which leaves her lonely and confused.
When Elsa becomes queen, her magic is revealed during a public celebration. She flees into the mountains, and her powers trigger a winter across Arendelle. Anna goes after her, hoping to bring Elsa home and repair their relationship. Along the way, Anna meets Kristoff and Olaf, while Elsa tries to understand what it means to live openly with her powers.
The story is known for its songs, including “Let It Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “For the First Time in Forever.” The music helps show how the sisters feel, rather than serving only as decoration. The central conflict is not simply about stopping the snow; it is about trust, fear, and the bond between Anna and Elsa.
If you have heard people refer to the film as the “Elsa and Anna movie,” they usually mean this original feature. It introduces the setting, the characters, and the problem that leads to the sequel.
What is different about Frozen II?
Frozen II is a full-length sequel, not a retelling of the first film. Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf are settled in Arendelle when a mysterious voice begins calling Elsa. Events soon lead the group away from the kingdom and toward an enchanted forest.
The sequel gives Elsa more of the story’s focus as she searches for answers about her powers. Anna’s role remains central: she supports her sister while facing difficult choices of her own. Kristoff and Olaf have their own storylines, too, so the film moves between adventure, comedy, music, and family drama.
You can watch the sequel on its own and understand the broad plot, but many moments have more meaning after the original. You already know how Elsa and Anna relate to each other, why their trust matters, and what their home means to them. Those details make the second film’s choices feel less like background information and more like part of an ongoing story.
Do Elsa and Anna appear in any other movies?
Yes. The sisters appear together in short films connected to the Frozen franchise, and they have a brief appearance in a separate Disney feature. Those appearances are not substitutes for the two main films.
Frozen Fever
Frozen Fever is a short film centered on Anna’s birthday. Elsa tries to arrange a special celebration, but her powers complicate the plans. It is a small, playful story rather than a major continuation of the plot. You can watch it after Frozen, though you can also skip it without losing track of the main storyline.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure is a holiday featurette with Olaf at the center. He looks for a tradition the sisters can celebrate together, since Elsa and Anna do not have a familiar family tradition to carry on. The story includes the Arendelle characters and takes place after the original film.
It is longer than a typical short, but it is still a special rather than a second feature film about the sisters. Its holiday setting makes it a natural choice for seasonal viewing.
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Elsa and Anna have a brief crossover appearance in Ralph Breaks the Internet, a 2018 Disney animated film. The movie is about Ralph and Vanellope, not the kingdom of Arendelle, so it does not continue the Frozen storyline. Watch it only if you want to see the characters in a Disney crossover.
Which Frozen title should you watch first?
If you are deciding what to put on, choose based on whether you want the full story, a short extra, or a crossover. The original film is the surest choice for a first-time viewer.
- Want the complete starting point? Watch Frozen.
- Already seen the first film and want the next chapter? Watch Frozen II.
- Want a quick story with Anna and Elsa? Choose Frozen Fever.
- Looking for a holiday special? Try Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.
- Want a Disney crossover rather than a Frozen plot? Look for Ralph Breaks the Internet.
A useful distinction: the shorts are optional extras, while Frozen II is the direct feature-length continuation. If you are watching with someone who has never seen the franchise, begin with the 2013 film even if the sequel is the one they are asking about.
Are the two Frozen movies connected?
Yes. Frozen II continues the story established in Frozen. It brings back the same central characters and explores questions raised by Elsa’s powers and the sisters’ family history. It is not a remake, a spin-off, or an unrelated film that happens to reuse the characters.
The short films fit around the main features as side stories. They add character moments, but they do not replace a chapter in the main plot. That means you can watch both main films without seeing every special and still follow the sisters’ arc.
For a simple chronological experience, watch the original first, then the short extras, then the sequel. If you prefer release order, watch Frozen, Frozen Fever, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, and then Frozen II. The crossover film is optional and is not part of that sequence.
What to know before choosing a movie
The two feature films are animated musicals, with songs woven into the plot. If the person watching enjoys fantasy, humor, and family-centered stories, the main films offer all three. The shorts are shorter, lighter additions and work well when there is not time for a full movie.
The first film deals with fear, isolation, and a dangerous winter. The sequel has its own moments of tension and peril, alongside humor and music. If you are choosing for a young viewer, consider whether animated adventure scenes and emotional family conflicts are a good fit for them. A parent or caregiver can check the film’s rating and content details in their region before pressing play.
Streaming services and digital rental options change over time and vary by country. Search the exact title in the services available to you, or check a current local listing, rather than assuming the movies are on the same platform everywhere. The short films may be listed separately from the two feature films.
Common mix-ups about Elsa and Anna
The first film and the sequel are separate titles
Frozen is the 2013 original. Frozen II is its sequel, released in 2019. People sometimes use “Frozen” to refer to the entire franchise, but the titles refer to different movies when listed separately.
Not every Frozen-related appearance is a Frozen movie
A cameo does not make another film part of the main Frozen story. Elsa and Anna’s appearance in Ralph Breaks the Internet is a crossover moment. The plot belongs to a different set of characters, so it is not the movie to choose if you want to follow the sisters.
Anna and Elsa are sisters, not a couple
Their relationship is the emotional center of the films, but they are siblings. The stories focus on family, loyalty, and the choices they make for each other. This distinction can clear up confusion for viewers who have only seen clips or online character discussions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the name of the movie with Elsa and Anna?
The original movie is Frozen. Its sequel is Frozen II, and both feature Elsa and Anna as major characters.
Which Frozen movie came first?
Frozen came first, in 2013. Frozen II followed in 2019.
Can you watch Frozen II without seeing Frozen?
You can follow the general adventure, but watching the first film beforehand gives you the relationships and story background. For the clearest experience, start with Frozen.
Is Frozen Fever a full movie?
No. It is a short film about Anna’s birthday, not a feature-length sequel. It is an optional extra between the two main movies.
Is Olaf’s holiday special required to understand the sequel?
No. Olaf’s Frozen Adventure is a separate holiday story. You can skip it and still understand Frozen II.
The original movie with Elsa and Anna is Frozen, and Frozen II continues their story. The short films add optional adventures, while the crossover cameo is not part of the main plot.
For a first watch, start with Frozen and follow it with Frozen II. Add the shorts if you want extra time with the characters.