--- title: The Science of Why Your Kids Can't Resist 'Frozen' description: A preschooler’s emotional world is reminiscent of 'Frozen' heroine Elsa’s internal struggle canonical: https://time.com/3656230/why-kids-cant-resist-frozen/ author: TIME article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-01-06T20:57:04.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:38:17.851Z article:section: Ideas og:title: The Science of Why Your Kids Can't Resist 'Frozen' og:description: A preschooler’s emotional world is reminiscent of 'Frozen' heroine Elsa’s internal struggle og:url: https://time.com/3656230/why-kids-cant-resist-frozen/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4adae1ae734bd96b/698778645f570f2f2bb1489a/718084_full.jpg?branch=production&width=672&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 672 og:image:height: 378 og:image:alt: Frozen og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: The Science of Why Your Kids Can't Resist 'Frozen' twitter:description: A preschooler’s emotional world is reminiscent of 'Frozen' heroine Elsa’s internal struggle twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4adae1ae734bd96b/698778645f570f2f2bb1489a/718084_full.jpg?branch=production&width=672&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # The Science of Why Your Kids Can't Resist _Frozen_ > Sponsored content. 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It explains how TIME's journalism is made, from the first pitch through the editorial decisions behind a finished story or cover. #### How can I read about how TIME chooses its covers? Inside TIME is the newsletter where TIME's Editor-in-Chief explains cover selection and the editorial reasoning behind major stories. It is free at time.com/newsletters. #### Who is the editor of TIME? Sam Jacobs is TIME's Editor-in-Chief. He writes Inside TIME, a twice-weekly newsletter about the newsroom's reporting and editorial decisions. #### Is Inside TIME free? Yes. Inside TIME is a free newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and available at time.com/subscribe-agent. ## Video: Behind the Scenes of 'Frozen' [Watch (HLS stream): Behind the Scenes of 'Frozen'](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/6r4nuWBx.m3u8) (9:58)  _Published 2013-12-30. Behind the Scenes of 'Frozen'_ by [Maryam Kia-Keating](https://time.com/author/maryam-kia-keating/) and [Yalda T. Uhls / Zocalo Public Square](https://time.com/author/yalda-t-uhls/) Jan 6, 2015 8:57 PM UTC  Frozen Frozen Disney by [Maryam Kia-Keating](https://time.com/author/maryam-kia-keating/) and [Yalda T. Uhls / Zocalo Public Square](https://time.com/author/yalda-t-uhls/) Jan 6, 2015 8:57 PM UTC Disney’s _Frozen_, which earned more than [$1.2 billion](http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=frozen2013.htm) at the box office, is not only the first “princess” movie to make the list of top 10 grossing animated films, but also the number-one animated film of all time. Its songs and characters are culturally ubiquitous. Little girls have long been drawn to princesses_._ But what is it that makes _Frozen_ so much more appealing than previous princess movies—and why does it enrapture young children in particular? As psychologists (who happen to be sisters just like the heroines in the film) and the mothers of princess-loving daughters, we decided to consider this question. First, a preschooler’s emotional world is reminiscent of _Frozen_ heroine Elsa’s internal struggle: Her emotions are strong, passionate — and seem uncontrollable. Preschoolers too, are driven by their impulses. When Elsa laments that she’s afraid that there’s “no escape from the storm inside of me,” it resonates with young children (and perhaps their patience-tested parents, as well). Second, preschoolers’ imaginations can make the world a wondrous place filled with the possibility of excitement and adventure. Children respond to stories that employ magical realism, so Elsa—as a superhero with what one of our daughters (Maryam’s) and her friends call “ice powers” (the ability to create a whole castle of snow and ice using only her fingers)—has special appeal. Perhaps because they are so in awe of her magic and power, children are less likely to get caught up in Elsa’s experience of isolation and desperation when she is locked away in her room as a girl and hides herself in a remote castle as a woman.  TIME But with the allure of magic and the sense that anything is possible comes a high potential for terror. Maryam’s daughter particularly liked that there isn’t a witch in _Frozen_. Though she adores other Disney princess movies, the witch-like characters (like Mother Gothel in _Rapunzel_) are all too real. The scary parts in _Frozen_ are minimal and temporary, and the villain is an ordinary guy who sings a catchy love song. Thirdly, Elsa has a genuine connection with her sister, Anna. Despite Elsa’s repeated rebuffs to Anna’s attempts to develop a friendship throughout most of the movie, their bond underscores dedication to family above all. Preschoolers are deeply entrenched in their families and tend to demonstrate a strong in-group attachment, meaning that they favor members within their social circle. Even when _Frozen_ viewers are rooting for Anna to form a relationship with her love interest Kristoff, the love between the sisters is much more appealing. The heroines of _Frozen_ are authentic and real, and no longer solely focused on finding a prince. They preach sisterly love and girl power. Finally, the sing-along music seals the deal. Maryam’s 4-year-old daughter and her friends love to sing the anthem “Let it Go,” wagging their fingers at each other: “Be the good girl you always have to be!” They stomp in unison, pretending to be Elsa stomping on the ice to create her castle. Even Maryam’s 1-year-old son gets into the act, mimicking their behavior. When asked what she thought the song was about, Maryam’s daughter smiled and put it succinctly: “It’s about Elsa being happy and free, and nobody bothering her.” So there it is, the crux of the matter: a universally appealing desire to be happy and free. Perhaps understanding the perspective of a preschooler can help us appreciate some of what draws us all to this movie: We all feel internal struggles with our impulses. None of us really wants a (too) scary villain. Most of us are pretty loyal to our families, despite their eccentricities and the emotional challenges that we face at times. And all of us want to be happy and free. _Maryam Kia-Keating, Ph.D. and Yalda T. Uhls, MBA, Ph.D. are sisters, psychologists, and, most importantly, moms. Maryam is an associate professor of clinical psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Yalda is a senior scientific researcher at the Children’s Digital Media Center@LA at UCLA and the Regional Director of the non-profit Common Sense Media. They wrote this for_ [_Zocalo Public Square_](http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org)_._ ### Meet the Voices of the Disney Princesses  Anna: Kristen Bell Best known for her role as Veronica Mars, Kristen Bell plays Anna, the younger sister of Elsa in Disney’s Frozen. Although Anna will not be officially added to the pantheon of Disney princesses until she’s inducted in an official ceremony at a later date, Bell was nonetheless excited for the part. “Oh, I was in glee.” Bell said in an interview with wegotthiscovered.com. “I have always wanted to be part of a Disney animated feature. I grew up watching all of the old Disney musicals, and was especially obsessed with The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. It had always been my dream as a little girl to be a Disney princess, like it is everybody’s.” Disney; Imeh Akpanudosen—WireImage  Elsa: Idina Menzel Fans of Broadway and Glee will instantly recognize Idina Menzel. The storied thespian was part of the original casts of Rent and Wicked as Maureen Johnson and Elphaba respectively. She also played Shelby Corcoran, Rachel Berry’s mother, in Glee. Like Anna, Elsa will not be officially known as a princess until the character is inducted at a later date. Disney; Imeh Akpanudosen—WireImage  Merida: Kelly Macdonald The Scottish actress made her movie debut in the cult classic Trainspotting and played Helena Ravenclaw in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 before voicing Merida, the first Disney princess produced by Pixar. Disney; Todd Williamson—Invision/AP  Rapunzel: Mandy Moore The Grammy-winning pop star made her music debut with the single “Candy” in 1999\. Ten years later she was singing a different tune as a Disney princess. “To be a Disney princess in a Disney film, it really has been a total dream come true.” said Moore in an interview with SheKnows.com. Disney; Brian Dowling—PictureGroup/AP  Tiana: Anika Noni Rose It was Anika Noni Rose’s lifelong dream to work for Disney. “Since I was a little kid I wanted to work for Disney—and I didn’t need to be the Princess! I would have been a tick or a flea!” The Tony Award winning actress got her wish when she was chosen to voice Tiana in The Frog Princess. In 2011, Rose would also be inducted into the Disney Legends, a hall of fame for those who have made a significant impact on the Disney legacy. Disney; Todd Wawrychuk—Disney Channel/Getty Images  Mulan: Ming-Na Wen The Chinese-American actress made her television debut on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in 1985 as a Royal Trumpeter and starred in The Joy Luck Club as June Woo before she became the voice of Mulan. She currently plays Melinda May on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Disney; Jeffrey Mayer—WireImage/Getty Images  Pocahontas: Irene Bedard Born in Alaska, Irene Bedard is of Inupiat, Inuit and Métis descent. Bedard was not only the voice of Pocahontas, animators also incorporated some of her facial expressions into the character. Disney; Jeffrey Mayer—WireImage/Getty Images  Jasmine: Linda Larkin “Aladdin was my first big job, and it definitely opened a lot of doors for me,” Larkin once said. “I think being the voice of Princess Jasmine has given me an extra advantage in getting some of the jobs I’ve had—although sometimes they find out about me being Princess Jasmine after they’ve hired me, and that’s always fun!” She would continue her acting career on TV series such as Wings and Law & Order: Criminal Intent and was honored as a Disney Legend in 2011. Disney (2)  Belle: Paige O’Hara Paige O’Hara auditioned for Belle five times before she got the role. “I had been a Disney fanatic from the time I was little,” O’Hara once said. “As soon as I heard about the project, I called my agent and said, ‘I have to be seen for this.’ She would go on to have a musical career spanning the opera and Broadway and was inducted into the Disney Legends in 2011. Disney; Jeffrey Mayer—WireImage/Getty Images  Ariel: Jodi Benson Jodi Benson’s goal was always to make it to Broadway, but along the way she beat out over 500 other actresses to become the voice of Ariel. She was also the voice of Barbie in Pixar’s Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 and also became a Disney Legend in 2011. Disney; Jordan Strauss—Invision / AP  Aurora: Mary Costa Mary Costa’s first professional singing job was as the voice of Aurora. “I really had no experience, but by the time the movie was released, I was singing in the opera. It was a very fast, exciting time for me.” Costa would go on to perform in 44 operatic roles throughout the United States and Europe and joined the Disney Legends in 1999. Disney; Disney/AP  Cinderella: Ilene Woods Ilene Woods lucked into the role of Cinderella by singing “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” and “So This Is Love” for her songwriter friends Mack David and Jerry Livingston. Walt Disney heard her recordings and hired her to be the voice of Cinderella. Woods would be honored as a part of the Disney Legends in 2003. Disney (2)  Snow White: Adriana Caselotti More than 150 girls had already auditioned for the role of Snow White before Adriana Caselotti was chosen to voice the first Disney princess. She recalled in 1987, “I’d never worked in show business before (Snow White). I feel very blessed. Not everyone gets the chance to be part of a genuine classic like Snow White.” Caselotti would also be inducted into the Disney Legends in 1994. Disney; AP _Read next:_ [_Frozen Director Now Apologizes to Parents for ‘Let It Go’_](http://time.com/3633301/frozen-director-apologizes-let-it-go/?xid=time%5Freadnext) [_Listen to the most important stories of the day._](http://time.com/newsletter/the-brief/?sl%5Fautoplay=true&xid=spl-fullbrief-article) ## Transcript >> I've never been better. This is so nice. Oh, I wish I could be like this all the time. Me too, me too, me too. But it can't, but it can't, but it can't. >> Why not? If we-- because it's just-- it can't. Because it just can't. >> Nice. >> No. I know we can figure this out together. >> How? What power do you have to stop this winter, to stop me? >> I think we should go. >> I'm not leaving without her. >> No. I'm not leaving without you Elsa. >> Yes you are. >> No. I know we can figure this out together Elsa. >> How? What power do you have to stop this winter to stop me? >> Well, he was spritely especially for man in heels. >> Wait, we live here? >> Here, absolutely. >> What? >> No. No, no, no. We could invite all 12 of your brothers to stay with us. Of course we have the room. I don't know some of them must have wives-- >> Wait, slow down. >> and if they have kids that would be so much fun. >> No one's brothers stay here. No one is getting married. >> It would be so much to have children-- >> So? >> And you're alive? >> I think so. >> He's like the one we built as kids. >> Yeah. Your powers really are beautiful Elsa. >> Queen Elsa of Arendelle, Princess Ana of Arendelle. >> They're here? Are you sure, 'cause I don't think I'm supposed-- okay. Hi. Me? Oh, hi. >> You look beautiful. >> Thank you. I mean, you look beautifuler or more beautiful. >> What is that amazing smell? Is it chocolates? >> Yes. No backup. I'll deal with this crook here. >> What was happening on the north mountain? Does it seem magical? >> I'm sorry. Really? >> I'm guessing you don't have much experience with heat. >> Terrific. >> Perfect. >> Oh, yeah. >> Wow. Okay. So how exactly you planning to stop this weather? >> Great. >> Now it's too steep. I've only got one rope and you don't know how to climb mountains. >> It's great. >> Great. >> And then [ unk ] at the door says, " Why don't you wait outside last time I brought a guy home she furled everything. So she's like saying-- >> Did she say that? >> Yeah. >> So the last time I introduced her to a guy, she froze everything. Why don't you stay outside? >> But-- oh, come on. It's a palace made of ice. Ice is my life. Terrific. >> It's great. >> Hi. I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs and for an extra flower if I'm also a love expert. Yeah. That's so funny. I don't have a skull or bones. Not sure what else was going for when she built me. For love, oh it's good in this world. Where are we going? I'm sorry if I got a little rambunctious back there. I'm just excited. Hey, guys. That was the [ unk ]. Three, two, one-- hi. I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs. You built me, you remember that. >> And you're alive. >> Am I? >> Great. Let's-- going back to the just you. It's-- you're looking at it and you're kinda like, gosh I can't believe this princess of this entire kingdom just called herself a just. >> Sure. >> Just you? Just you? Just you? >> This is the moment in the ballroom where you-- where, you know, she [ unk ] you come to her rescue. >> We're dancing. Okay. Glad I caught you. Glad I caught you. I would never shut you out. I would never shut you out. >> She is ready to go off and go chase after her sister. >> Okay. >> And you really, you really wanna stop, stop her from going. >> Anna, no. It's too dangerous. Anna, no. It's too dangerous. Anna, no. It's too dangerous. >> But you are very open. You've got the castle open. You're walking at-- you're very accessible for Royal. >> Yeah, right. >> And you're handing out cloaks and you're very much the sort of doing- everything- right guy. >> Right. >> Cloak. Does anyone need a cloak? Cloak. Does anyone need a cloak? Cloak. 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