Top 10 Best Frozen Franchise Songs

Being the comedic relief, Olaf’s solos always have an ironic twist to them. Upon officially meeting Anna, Kristoff, and Sven, the snowman sings an “I Want” song of sorts, expressing his desire to experience the warmth of summer. The irony is lost on the naive Olaf as he daydreams about lying down on the burning sand and soaking in hot water, all of which is complemented by bizarre imagery. The music and lyrics are sure to fill the listener with sunny vibes, hilariously contrasting the grim truth that heat melts snow. Olaf sings a similar tune to himself in the sequel as he cheerfully skips through a spooky forest, blissfully unaware that his surroundings are out of the ordinary, even for a talking snowman.

For anyone feeling under the weather, sometimes a little positive music is the best medicine. To make up for years of lost time, Elsa aspires to make Anna’s birthday extra special, despite having a cold. “Making Today a Perfect Day” is the driving force behind this “Frozen” short and its peppy melody is appropriately contagious. Even as she sneezes Snowgies across Arendelle, Elsa remains spirited throughout this toe-tapping number. Not only is the song as cheerful as a birthday party, but it also makes you want to rush outside and smell the blossoming spring flowers. Alas, the fever eventually gets the best of Elsa, who finally admits that she needs rest. The tune nevertheless ends on an uplifting note with Anna taking care of her sister.

Anna may be an optimist, but she faces her darkest hour yet when Elsa and Olaf seemingly meet their end. This heartbreaking solo encompasses all of Anna’s agony, making the audience fall to pieces with her. We can feel the light inside Anna fading away as grief consumes her like a black stormcloud. In the depths of darkness, though, there’s still a glimmer of hope that pushes Anna to keep moving forward. While this is anything but a joyful song, it is an inspiring one with an important message. We’ve all faced tragic days where we weren’t sure what to do next. All anyone can do is the next right thing. Whatever that is, you won’t find out by giving up on life.

As far as Disney’s romance songs go, “Love Is an Open Door” stands out for several reasons. It’s not the kind of graceful, sweeping ballad you’d hear Celine Dion or Elton John singing over the credits. Instead, it’s a bubbly duet with carefree lyrics and a happy-go-lucky melody. That’s because the tune isn’t about true love, but rather what Anna thinks is true love. Parading around with Hans, Anna finds herself walking on air with her head in the clouds. As reality sinks in later, however, she learns Hans’ true intentions, which technically makes this a villain song as well. While it still works as a traditional love song, it primarily speaks to those who rush into a relationship just because the door is open.

It was only a matter of time until Disney adapted “Frozen” into a Broadway musical, paving the way for Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez to compose a storm of new tunes. The stage version’s most haunting original song would have to be “Monster,” in which Elsa reflects on who or what she truly is. With Hans and his men storming her ice palace, the walls begin to close in on Elsa, both externally and internally. The panic-inducing music and dire lyrics paint a harrowing portrait of a woman at war with herself. This is a surprisingly dark number where Elsa questions making the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good, but it builds to an uplifting conclusion as she summons the confidence to live another day.

As an unknown voice calls out to Elsa, she strives to keep her curiosity contained. While she initially denies it, deep down Elsa knows that she needs to venture beyond her kingdom and answer the call. Although this Oscar-nominated song starts off slow, it just keeps gaining momentum with each lyric. “Into the Unknown” captures a sense of mystery that’s intimidating, alluring, and awe-inspiring all at once. It’s like a mermaid’s siren. You know that it will likely lead to danger, but the melody is so oddly soothing that you can’t resist. Elsa may not know what fate has in store for her, but that’s exactly what makes this song so thrilling, whether performed by Idina Menzel or Panic! at the Disco.

“Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” is rooted in Elsa and Anna’s childhoods, carrying a nostalgic sentiment throughout. It’s brilliantly used to convey the passage of time as the two go from sisters to strangers. At first, the song is both cute and sad as little Anna tries to get Elsa to come out of her room. Anna’s efforts to reach out remain fruitless over the years until she gives up. She’s motivated to knock on Elsa’s door again, however, when their parents are lost at sea. This is where the song turns into a full-blown tear-jerker. Demonstrating how songwriting and storytelling can be one in the same, we feel the great distance between the sisters, even though they’re only separated by a door.

Virtually every Disney princess gets an “I Want” song, but “For the First Time in Forever” is among the most unique. That’s largely because it’s about two princesses who want opposite things. Anna is eager to welcome guests into the castle, merrily singing about a night of music, dancing, and potential romance. Elsa, meanwhile, is not only uneasy about her impending coronation, but also the idea of being surrounded by people for a day. The song effectively shows how different the sisters are, striking a balance between Anna’s enthusiasm with Elsa’s dread. The song’s reprise once again expresses the contrast between Anna and Elsa as one offers a warm, loving embrace while the other fearfully shuts her out with a frozen heart.

This is the song that elevated “Frozen II” to a whole new level of gravitas. Upon taming the Nøkk and the Dark Sea, Elsa follows the mysterious voice to Ahtohallan, ready to uncover answers. Like Elsa, the audience trembles all over as the song commences, hardly able to conceal our excitement. When she enters the icy fortress, those trembles melt away and Elsa dives head-first into the unknown. “Show Yourself” possesses an otherworldly sentiment, as if the listener is traveling to another plane of existence and becoming one with the universe. Above all else, it’s a joyous ballad about the power of nature, family, and memory. It leads Elsa on the path to self-acceptance as she takes her rightful place in the world.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Lost in the Woods”
“Frozen II” (2019)

“What Do You Know About Love?”
“Frozen: The Broadway Musical”

“Some Things Never Change”
“Frozen II” (2019)

“Fixer Upper”
“Frozen” (2013)

“When We’re Together”
“Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” (2017)

Not since the ‘90s has a Disney song exploded into popularity like “Let It Go.” Winning an Oscar and a Grammy, Elsa’s signature power ballad has taken on a life of its own, inspiring numerous different covers. Yet, the song belongs to Idina Menzel, who evolves Elsa from a scared, vulnerable girl into a bold woman who’s no longer content with hiding her true self. Aside from its triumphant music and lyrics, “Let It Go” caught on like wildfire because of its human themes. Anyone who’s faced oppression knows what it’s like to have social expectations bearing down on them. This song sees Elsa power through that repression, emerging like a butterfly from a cocoon as a new day dawns.