'Frozen III' footage teases new villain, songs and story

Disney’s Frozen III received its first footage at D23, offering a preview of new songs, a mysterious frozen world and a new villain ahead of the film’s theatrical release in 2027.

The presentation began with Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell performing a new song from the sequel, although technical problems interrupted the performance.

Bell addressed the issues before the presentation continued, with the stars teasing that the upcoming film will bring more danger and romance to the Frozen story.

Josh Gad then took the stage to introduce new material centred on Olaf. The character will reportedly have a romantic storyline in Frozen III involving a character named Samantha. Gad performed a song about Olaf’s romance, with the number featuring calypso and disco influences.

The footage also revealed details about the film’s setting. Frozen III takes place shortly after Anna and Kristoff’s wedding, when a mysterious omen opens a portal to a new frozen world.

Anna and Elsa follow the portal into the unfamiliar landscape, which features predominantly snowy white surroundings and an art direction influenced by classic Disney artists Eyvind Earle and Mary Blair.

The new world also introduces a mysterious character who could represent a new direction for the franchise. The footage showed a female villain seemingly formed from shards of sharp ice, with the pieces creating a cape resembling a moving bat wing.

Frozen III is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on November 24, 2027.