--- title: "Frozen II: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/frozen-ii/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/frozen-ii" critics_score: 64 critics_reviews: 26 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Frozen II (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 64 from 26 reviews: 13 positive, 9 mixed, 4 negative. 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. ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 15 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/frozen-ii-review/5144638.article) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland Rating B+. 14 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/frozen-2-review-sequel-disney-1202189123/) ## Evening Standard — David Sexton Rating 4/5. 22 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/frozen-2-review-woke-sequel-tackles-imperial-guilt-and-racial-diversity-a4293771.html) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 14 November 2019. The critic finds the sequel irresistible. They praise its mix of big laughs, killer tunes and operatic moments. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/frozen-ii) ## Empire — Ben Travis Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 14 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/frozen-ii/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Rating ★★★☆☆. 14 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/nov/14/frozen-2-review-sequel-jennifer-lee-chris-buck-idina-menzel-kristen-bell) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-11-14/frozen-2-review-disney-elsa-anna-olaf) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 November 2019. 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 review](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/frozen-2-review-frozen-ii-1203404683/) ## Radio Times — Huw Fullerton Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 18 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/frozen-2-review-the-first-film-was-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 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 review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/frozen-ii-movie-review-2019) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 21 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/movies/frozen-2-review.html) ## The i Paper — Demetrios Matheou Rating ★★★. 21 November 2019. 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 review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/frozen-2-review-cast-sequel-release-date-kristen-bell-idina-menzel-365928) ## Total Film — Matt Maytum Rating 3/5. 14 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.gamesradar.com/frozen-2-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Pat Brown Rating 2/4. 19 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/frozen-ii-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 14 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/frozen-2-review-1254398/) ## Little White Lies — David Jenkins Rating 3/2/2. 14 November 2019. 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 review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/frozen-2) ## Sight and Sound — Kate Stables Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 22 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/frozen-ii-review-disneys-spectacular-sequel-dampens-charm) ## Vulture — Alison Willmore Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 20 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/11/movie-review-frozen-ii-the-sequel-to-disneys-hit-frozen.html) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 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 review](https://www.heyuguys.com/frozen-ii-review-frozen-2/) ## Digital Spy — Ian Sandwell Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 14 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a29786453/frozen-2-review-disney-release-date/) ## /Film — Josh Spiegel Rating 6.5 out of 10. 14 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.slashfilm.com/570469/frozen-2-review/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating B-. 14 November 2019. 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 review](https://collider.com/frozen-2-review-kristen-bell/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 3.5/5. 24 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/frozen-ii-review-elsa-and-anna/) ## Paste — Andy Crump Rating 5.9. 22 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/frozen-2/frozen-2-review) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 21 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.thewrap.com/frozen-ii-film-review-2019-kristen-bell-elsa-anna-disney/) ## Polygon — Petrana Radulovic Fi1m's normalised score 42/100 (inferred from the text). 14 November 2019. 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 review](https://www.polygon.com/2019/11/14/20965138/frozen-2-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/frozen-ii.md