Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, and Josh Gad are returning to the world of Frozen, but don’t expect to see them back in Arendelle for another animated adventure just yet.
Instead, Disney is bringing the original voice cast together for a rather unusual new project.
Titled The Real Frozen (working title), the upcoming series is a collaboration between National Geographic and Walt Disney Animation Studios, and it will take the beloved Frozen franchise somewhere audiences haven’t quite seen before.
New Frozen Series Confirmed
According to Deadline, Bell, Menzel, and Groff will reprise their respective roles as Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff, acting as narrators to guide viewers through each story. Gad will also make special appearances as Olaf.
However, this isn’t another traditional animated production. Combining real wildlife footage from some of the world’s most spectacular frozen landscapes with the magic of Walt Disney Animation Studios, The Real Frozen brings the beloved franchise into the real world in an entirely different way.
Set across Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, the natural-history series will follow animals navigating some of the harshest winters on the planet. Their resilience, loyalty, and relationships will echo the emotional heart of the Frozen franchise, while the stories explore themes of courage, trust, and transformation.
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Jeff Wilson, director at Silverback Films, which is producing the series for National Geographic, explained the thinking behind the collaboration, saying, “We know there are extraordinary animal tales out there in the world, and this collaboration gives us the chance to show audiences that the real world of Frozen is every bit as magical as the animated version, with a sense of wonder and even perhaps a wink.”
The announcement arrives as Disney continues to expand one of its biggest animated franchises. The original Frozen (2013) became a global cultural phenomenon, earning nearly $1.3 billion worldwide, while Frozen II (2019) followed with approximately $1.45 billion.
The franchise has since expanded well beyond the movies, inspiring a Broadway musical, merchandise, and Disney Parks attractions, including Frozen Ever After at EPCOT and themed lands at Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. Meanwhile, Frozen 3 is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 24, 2027.
The Real Frozen will premiere on National Geographic before becoming available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu. An official release date has not yet been announced.
Do you think Disney should make a traditional live-action Frozen remake, or is this real-world approach a more interesting way to revisit the franchise? Let us know in the comments!
