Frozen - 2013

Movie Info

Rating: PG

Age-appropriateness: some scary sequences

Overview: When the newly-crowned Queen Elsa accidentally uses her power to turn things into ice to curse her home in infinite winter, her sister Anna teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a snowman to change the weather condition. Frozen brilliantly intertwines the themes of fear and love. We see how fear can drive our behavior, how to respond to someone who is lonely, and how an act of true love doesn’t always rely on a “knight in shining armor”.

Themes: sibling rivalry, self-control, sacrifice, love, fear, loneliness, tricky people, sacrifice

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Love. What are some ways that you can show your love for others through your actions? How hard is it to show love to someone when they hurt you first?

Anna was wronged but didn’t give up on Elsa, choosing to love her through her actions. Christ does that same for us. Romans 5:8 says, "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The love that Anna showed to Elsa, and that Jesus showed to us, was a deliberate choice they made and not a feeling they had. Anna loved Elsa so much that she put her love into action. Jesus did the same thing for us, when He gave up His life on the cross.

2. Fear. Have you ever been so afraid of something that it impacted the way you lived or it hurt your relationship with others?

Elsa’s powers hurt her sister early on, so she became very fearful of ever doing something like that again. Because of this fear, Elsa isolated herself from other people and it crippled her ability to go out and try new things. This led her to a lot of sadness.

3. Self-control. What is an area that you might not have self-control? How can you keep trying to control that strong desire?

Elsa was either too hesitant to use her powers (in the beginning) or she was over-indulgent (“Let it Go”). In both cases, she ended up hurting people she cared about. Elsa needed to learn self-control. Once Elsa was able to show self-control, she was able to find joy for herself and the townspeople.

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. Elsa was either too hesitant to use her powers (in the beginning) or she was over-indulgent (“Let it Go”). In both cases, she ended up hurting people she cared about. Elsa needed to learn self-control. Once Elsa was able to show self-control, she was able to find joy for herself and the townspeople. What is an area that you might not have self-control? How can you keep trying to control that strong desire?

2. Elsa’s powers hurt her sister early on, so she became very fearful of ever doing something like that again. Because of this fear, Elsa isolated herself from other people and it crippled her ability to go out and try new things. This led her to a lot of sadness. Have you ever been so afraid of something that it impacted the way you lived or it hurt your relationship with others?

3. Anna was wronged but didn’t give up on Elsa, choosing to love her through her actions. Christ does that same for us. Romans 5:8 says, "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The love that Anna showed to Elsa, and that Jesus showed to us, was a deliberate choice they made and not a feeling they had. Anna loved Elsa so much that she put her love into action. Jesus did the same thing for us, when He gave up His life on the cross. What are some ways that you can show your love for others through your actions? How hard is it to show love to someone when they hurt you first?

4. Elsa was raised to believe that she had to hide who she truly was. She learned that trying to be what everyone else wanted her to be drove her crazy. God made you unique and awesome just as you are. As long as you don’t behave in a way that goes against God’s commandments, you should embrace who you are and how God made you. Is there anything about your personality that you feel you have to hide because others tell you to?

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:05 Elsa accidentally hurts Anna. Have you ever accidentally hurt your sibling/friend? What happened and what was the result?

:08 "Do you want to build a snowman?" Anna really wants to play with her sister, or anyone else, but it’s unable to happen. This makes Anna feel really lonely. When have you felt lonely? What was that time like?

:27 Elsa’s fear of hurting others drives her away again. Because Elsa was scared, she ran away from her problems. What might’ve been a better way for Elsa to handle this situation?

:31 "Let it Go." Elsa seeks pure freedom to make whatever choice she decides, and it ends up hurting people. In the same way, if we live in whatever way we want, apart from the instructions and wisdom in the Bible, then we, too, will hurt others and ourselves. She sings, “no right, no wrong, no rules for me. I’m free.” What are some ways you wish you could live however you want?

:51 Kristoff tells Anna “you only go into the mountains if you want to be alone”, to which Anna replies, “no one wants to be alone”. Do you or anyone else you know seem to be alone a lot? What can happen so that they aren’t alone often?

:56 “For the First Time in Forever”. Anna is accepting Elsa and relentlessly pursuing her sister in love. No matter what Elsa is going through, Anna wants her to know that she won’t give up on her. Who in your life needs to hear from you that you believe in them and won’t stop being their friend, no matter what?

1:05 “Fixer Upper”. Some of the lyrics are “people make bad choices if they’re mad or scared or stressed. But throw a little love their way and you’ll bring out their best.” When we see others misbehaving, we shouldn’t run away or get mad back – instead, try showing them love and treating them so kindly that you can help bring out the best in them. How can you appropriately respond when you see someone misbehaving?

1:15 Hans reveals his selfish motives. He tells many lies for his own personal gain. Have you ever lied to get your own way? Have you seen others do this?

Here's an article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Tricky People.

1:26 Anna sacrifices herself to save Elsa’s life because she loves her. Jesus did the very same thing for you: Jesus saw that you would be separated from God forever because of your sin, so he came to Earth, lived a perfect life, and sacrificially gave it all up and took the punishment that you deserved. And now, because of Jesus’ love for you, you now get the reward that only Jesus deserves: to be with God in heaven forever! If Jesus was willing to sacrifice His life to save you, how much must He love you?