Disney’s $60 Million Payday: Frozen Voice Actors Score Historic Salary Deal

Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, and Josh Gad have just signed one of the richest voice acting deals in history. Disney has secured the trio to return for both “Frozen 3” and “Frozen 4” with unprecedented contracts. Each star is set to earn approximately $60 million for the two upcoming films.

This massive payday underscores the immense value of the billion-dollar franchise. The deal was first reported by the entertainment industry outlet, TheWrap.

Breaking Down the Blockbuster Pay Structure

The new contracts are structured as multi-year packages. Each actor will receive a significant upfront fee for their acting work. The remainder of the compensation is tied to box office performance and backend incentives.

According to TheWrap’s report, the upfront fee is around $20 million per film. The additional $20 million per actor comes from bonuses linked to the movies’ success. This model aligns the stars’ earnings directly with the franchise’s continued performance.

This represents a monumental raise from their earlier work. For the original 2013 “Frozen,” their salaries were likely in the low six figures. Their pay jumped to $15 million each for the 2019 sequel, “Frozen II.”

The combined earnings for the second, third, and fourth films will reach roughly $75 million per actor. This places them in an elite financial tier rarely seen in animation.

The Frozen Franchise’s Unmatched Financial Power

Disney’s willingness to pay these sums is no surprise. The “Frozen” franchise is a commercial juggernaut. The first film earned $1.28 billion globally, shattering animated box office records at the time.

The sequel, “Frozen II,” performed even better. It grossed $1.45 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing animated film ever. The two movies alone generated nearly $3 billion in theatrical revenue.

The franchise’s value extends far beyond the box office. It drives massive merchandise sales, popular music, and major theme park attractions. The voices of Anna, Elsa, and Olaf are central to this brand identity.

Securing the original cast is seen as crucial for maintaining the series’ magic. The third film is scheduled for a Thanksgiving 2027 release. Key creatives, including director Jennifer Lee and the songwriting team, are also returning.

This historic $60 million deal for the Frozen voice actors reflects a new financial reality for animation’s biggest stars, cementing their worth in a franchise that prints money for Disney.

Info at your fingertips

How much did the Frozen voice actors make for the first movie?

Their salaries for the original 2013 film were likely modest, estimated between $100,000 and $300,000 each. They were not major box office stars at the time and received no backend deals.

Why wasn’t Jonathan Groff mentioned in the salary report?

The report from TheWrap specifically detailed deals for Bell, Menzel, and Gad. The reason for Groff’s (voice of Kristoff) exclusion from this particular report is not known, though he is expected to return.

What is the total box office for the Frozen movies?

The first two “Frozen” films have generated nearly $3 billion combined. “Frozen” made $1.28 billion, and “Frozen II” made $1.45 billion, making it the top-grossing animated film ever.

When is Frozen 3 coming out?

Disney has scheduled “Frozen 3” for release in November 2027. The studio is also developing “Frozen 4,” though no release date has been announced for the fourth film.

What are box office bonuses and backend incentives?

These are extra payments tied to a film’s financial performance. They reward actors if a movie hits certain revenue targets, ensuring they share directly in the project’s success.