On the same day it won two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (Robert and Kristen-Anderson Lopez for "Let It Go"), "Frozen," Walt Disney Animation Studios' 53rd feature film, crossed the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office. The biggest non-sequel, animated film ever released and the second biggest animated film of all time globally, "Frozen" has earned an estimated $388.8 million at the domestic box office and $611.5 million internationally for a global total of $1.0003 billion.
"Frozen" is The Walt Disney Studios' seventh release to reach the $1 billion mark, joining "Marvel's The Avengers" and "Iron Man 3," Disney's second and fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, Disney•Pixar's "Toy Story 3" and Disney's "Alice in Wonderland."
"With 'Frozen,' we knew we had something truly special on our hands, and it has connected with fans and filmgoers around the world in a way we only dreamed was possible," said Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, in a statement. "Animation is the cornerstone of our company, and thanks to the vision, dedication, and talent of our tremendous cast and filmmaking team, Disney Animation has come roaring back with a new classic for fans of all ages."
"Frozen" is the first animated feature Oscar win for Walt Disney Animation Studios in the category's 13-year history. The film has also won Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics' Choice and Producers Guild of America awards for Best Animated Film, five Annie Awards and four Visual Effects Society Awards, among many other honors.
Read the Playbill.com feature with songwriting collaborators Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, who won their first Oscar, making Robert Lopez the youngest EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner). The soundtrack to "Frozen" also made a return to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, collecting its fifth nonconsecutive week atop the list. "Frozen" has now earned the most weeks at No. 1 for a soundtrack since "Titanic" racked up 16 straight weeks at No. 1 in 1998. It ruled the list on the charts dated Jan. 24-May 9 that year.
In wide release since Nov. 27, 2013, the film posted the No. 1 all-time Thanksgiving debut and the largest opening ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film.
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Directed by Chris Buck ("Tarzan," "Surf's Up") and Jennifer Lee (screenwriter "Wreck-It Ralph") from a screenplay by Lee, the voice cast of the film features Bell ("Forgetting Sarah Marshall," The Crucible), Menzel (Wicked, If/Then), Groff (Spring Awakening), Tony Award nominees Josh Gad (The Book of Mormon) and Santino Fontana (Cinderella), Alan Tudyk (Prelude to a Kiss) and Ciarán Hinds (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof).
The film uses original songs by husband-and-wife songwriters Robert Lopez (The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q) and Kristen Anderson-Lopez as well as an original score composed by Christophe Beck ("The Muppets").
Here's how the film, produced by Peter Del Vecho, is described: "Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Bell) sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa (voice of Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf (voice of Gad), Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom."
Additionally, Disney has released a multi-language version of the film's hit song "Let It Go," which can be seen below.