The reviews lean towards qualified approval of Frozen II, with praise clustering around the animation, returning characters and humour. Critics repeatedly single out the autumnal landscapes and Elsa’s sea sequence, while Olaf’s comedy earns approval even from several reviewers who find the sequel disappointing. The sisters’ relationship remains a source of feeling for some, though enthusiasm for individual songs does not amount to agreement that the music matches the original’s.
The spread is wide, from enthusiastic recommendations to complaints that the film feels like a calculated continuation. Reservations centre on muddled mythology, meandering plotting and a weaker emotional pull, with several critics finding the ambitious themes too cautiously handled. IndieWire sees a bold challenge to the first film’s happy ending. The Hollywood Reporter instead finds the sequel predictable and overly cautious, despite enjoying its songs and Elsa’s search for herself.
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Screen Daily
15 November 2019 · Tim Grierson
90*
The critic gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, calling it another belter. The accessible text does not identify a specific element singled out for praise or complaint.
Read the full review →I
IndieWire
14 November 2019 · B+ · Kate Erbland
83
Erbland finds the sequel charming and surprisingly bold, arguing that it productively challenges the first film’s happily-ever-after expectations. She praises its gorgeous animation and singles out Kristoff’s power-ballad-style song as one of the film’s best moments.
Read the full review →E
Evening Standard
22 November 2019 · ★★★★ · David Sexton
80
Sexton says the sequel delivers, though it is less surprising and its songs are less well integrated. He praises Olaf’s performance and song, while criticizing the characters’ exaggerated body designs.
Read the full review →T
Time Out
14 November 2019 · ★★★★ · Phil de Semlyen
80
The critic finds the sequel irresistible. They praise its mix of big laughs, killer tunes and operatic moments.
Read the full review →E
Empire
14 November 2019 · Ben Travis
75*
The critic finds the sequel frequently dazzling and worth the return, despite a meandering, unclear plot. The animation is singled out for its jaw-dropping beauty and inventive imagery.
Read the full review →G
The Guardian
14 November 2019 · ★★★☆☆ · Peter Bradshaw
72*
Bradshaw finds the sequel funny and likable but underpowered, with the franchise’s appeal beginning to thaw. He praises its stirring new Elsa song, “Into the Unknown.”
Read the full review →L
Los Angeles Times
14 November 2019 · Justin Chang
70*
Chang finds the sequel sweet and diverting, though its storytelling is less successful than its packaging. He praises Olaf’s comic performance and the film’s congenial returning characters.
Read the full review →V
Variety
14 November 2019 · Peter Debruge
70*
Debruge finds the sequel inventive and thoughtful, though its opening and songs sometimes feel calculated or weaker than the original. He praises its modernized values and lovely visuals, especially its supportive portrayal of Anna and Kristoff’s relationship.
Read the full review →R
Radio Times
18 November 2019 · Huw Fullerton
65*
The headline frames the sequel as a substantial continuation of the original, but the full review verdict is unavailable. No specific praise or criticism can be verified from the accessible page.
Read the full review →The page is blocked by a browser check, so no critical verdict is available. It provides no praise or complaint that can be reliably summarized.
Read the full review →N
The New York Times
21 November 2019
64*
The page identifies this as a review, but its verdict is unavailable. Its specific praise or criticism cannot be determined from the accessible text.
Read the full review →i
The i Paper
21 November 2019 · ★★★ · Demetrios Matheou
60
Matheou finds the sequel delightful and accomplished but less effective than the original. He praises its spectacular animation while faulting the story’s lack of tension and songs that fail to produce a standout hit.
Read the full review →T
Total Film
14 November 2019 · ★★★ · Matt Maytum
60
The critic finds the sequel entertaining and polished, but less satisfying and essential than the original. The songs and autumnal visuals stand out, while the story’s weaker emotional arc and mythology disappoint.
Read the full review →S
Slant Magazine
19 November 2019 · ★★/4 · Pat Brown
50
Brown finds the sequel’s story and representational politics confused, with its stakes obscured by its corporate-minded approach. The review praises the sisters’ relationship and Olaf’s existential subplot as hints of life beneath the film’s commercial surface.
Read the full review →H
The Hollywood Reporter
14 November 2019 · Todd McCarthy
45*
The critic finds the sequel predictable and overly cautious, despite its entertaining elements. He praises the catchy songs and Elsa’s compelling quest of self-discovery.
Read the full review →L
Little White Lies
14 November 2019 · 3/2/2 · David Jenkins
40
Jenkins finds the sequel directionless and lacking in ideas, emotion and drama. He singles out the comedy snowman as making it just about bearable, while criticizing the songs for lacking hooks and heart.
Read the full review →S
Sight and Sound
22 November 2019 · Kate Stables
35*
Stables finds the sequel visually ravishing but weighed down by overcomplicated plotting and a loss of the original’s emotional spark. She praises Olaf’s comic performance and the spectacle of Elsa’s sea battle, while faulting the film’s thin characters and generic storytelling.
Read the full review →V
Vulture
20 November 2019 · Alison Willmore
30*
Willmore finds the sequel more calculating product than compelling film, despite its ambitious themes. She praises the striking sea sequence where Elsa battles and rides the magical water horse.
Read the full review →The critic finds the sequel genuinely engaging and funny, despite a plot that can feel like a slog. They single out the central performances and the new songs for praise.
Read the full review →D
Digital Spy
14 November 2019 · Ian Sandwell
78*
The critic calls it an extremely satisfying sequel that comes very close to the original. They praise its songs and humor, while noting that the final third feels predictable and lacks the first film’s surprise.
Read the full review →/
/Film
14 November 2019 · 6.5 out of 10 · Josh Spiegel
77*
The critic calls it a good, more coherent sequel with a stronger emotional heart, though its story and Olaf’s extended comic scenes have flaws. The gorgeous animation, especially a visually striking journey of self-discovery, is its greatest achievement.
Read the full review →C
Collider
14 November 2019 · B- · Matt Goldberg
70
Goldberg finds the sequel entertaining but lacking the original’s lasting magic, with a story that feels unfinished and plays it safe. He praises the endearing characters and gorgeous visuals, while criticizing the film’s evasive resolution of its questions about past wrongs.
Read the full review →D
Den of Geek
24 November 2019 · ★★★½ · David Crow
70
Crow finds the sequel visually sumptuous and emotionally effective when it focuses on the sisters, but says it lacks the original’s magic. He praises the animation while faulting the songs and narrative for falling short of the first film.
Read the full review →P
Paste
22 November 2019 · 5.9 · Andy Crump
67*
Crump finds the film’s serious themes promising but says its softened handling undercuts their emotional impact. He praises its scenic beauty, while noting the animation could have shown greater imagination.
Read the full review →W
The Wrap
21 November 2019 · Alonso Duralde
55*
The critic finds the sequel entertaining but ultimately unnecessary, with its effort to recreate the original’s success weighing it down. They praise its autumnal animation and the potential of its story about confronting historical wrongs.
Read the full review →P
Polygon
14 November 2019 · Petrana Radulovic
42*
The review finds the sequel entertaining but ultimately too safe, with an ending that softens the consequences of its emotional stakes. It praises the infectious songs and dazzling animation, while noting that some comedic moments disrupt the tone.
Read the full review →Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate