When comparing Frozen (2013) and Tangled (2010), it’s tough to decide which is the better Disney movie. Frozen grossed over $1.27 billion worldwide, which was way more than Tangled. It was thought that since Tangled was Disney’s 50th animated film, a milestone at the time, it would bring in a lot of money. So for it to only bring in $592 million, shocked animators. It’s difficult to compare the ice queen and the girl with magic golden hair, but does box office success mean it’s the better film? Cosette McCulloch (12) states that she prefers Tangled. She loved Tangled’s storyline a lot more than Frozen’s. Hailey Whitehurst (12) says that she loves Tangled because she believes that “Female villains in movies are far more compelling.” Yet, something that both Hailey and Cosette agree upon is that they see themselves in Rapunzel, the protagonist. “I see myself a lot in Rapunzel because of her tendency towards arts and filling her time with crafts. Rapunzel as a character just always felt more relatable to me,” Cosette gushes.
However, Raven Hale (12) reveals that she enjoys Frozen. She says, “It was like my first real memory of going to the movie theater.” The essence of nostalgia warms her heart in a way that Tangled didn’t. “I love the character of Anna and I relate to her in a lot of ways,” Raven continues, “The songs written by Robert and Kristen Anderson Lopez are also incredibly well written.” Frozen became a global sensation, with its song “Let It Go” even winning an Oscar. Both movies have memorable songs, but Frozen’s tracks some may argue became overplayed after a while. Tangled’s music didn’t receive the same level of exposure, which might make its songs feel more special.
When it comes to animation, both films were visually stunning. Frozen’s icy landscapes were groundbreaking, like when Elsa began to reveal her true self during “Let It Go,” but Tangled also had beautiful visuals, especially in the iconic lantern scene. Some might argue Tangled was more creative with its animation style. Hailey explains, “I remember the dance scene when Flynn and Rapunzel realize they’re in love. Gorgeous.” Whereas Raven says, “I really like the duo of Kristoff and Anna and find them to be a really cute couple.”
In the end, deciding which movie is better really depends on what you’re looking for. Is it Frozen with its global success and powerful music, or Tangled with its more balanced storytelling and fresh take on a classic fairy tale? It’s up to each person’s preference.
