By Zach Johnson
This past spring, “Let It Go” from the Frozen Original Soundtrack was certified Diamond by the RIAA® (Recording Industry Association of America), signifying 10 million in sales—a historic first for Walt Disney Records. And on Saturday at D23: The Official Disney Fan Event presented by Visa® in Anaheim, California, Disney Music Group President Ken Bunt presented two Diamond plaques to songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez.
Performed by Disney Legend Idina Menzel, “Let It Go” took home the Academy Award® for Best Original Song in 2014, as well as the GRAMMY Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media in 2015. The Frozen Original Soundtrack features eight original songs from Anderson-Lopez and Lopez, plus a score by the award-winning composer Christophe Beck.
In a 2023 interview with D23.com, Lopez opened up about the success of “Let It Go” and its enduring impact.
“In the documentary series about Frozen 2, Into the Unknown, there’s a scene where one of the animators shows the directors this letter about ‘Let It Go,'” Lopez recalled. “This girl shared her experience of having been really depressed and thanked Disney for changing her life and being her strength in a moment of need. That got me.”
Lopez further explained that his collaborators were hoping to help along the narrative of the film and write something meaningful to themselves. “We never were trying to help a girl get through a tough time. But it turns out that’s the purpose of this,” Lopez said. “At its best, music can save people’s lives. It can help people get through rough times. That’s one of the functions of art. And God bless Disney for having the reach that it does, in terms of in terms of helping people all over the world.”
Menzel, who accepted the Diamond certification for “Let It Go” on ABC’s American Idol in May, previously opened up about the song’s impact. “It’s been this incredible gift in my life. What’s so beautiful is that not only does Elsa connect with a young audience, but she gives us all permission to be our greatest selves,” she said. “And because I get to perform the song over and over, she never goes away. When I’m feeling down or insecure about my own power, she reminds me to harness that. So, it’s really been this constant gift that just keeps on giving.”
Speaking of the “gift that just keeps on giving,” the Frozen franchise continues to snowball. At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, it was announced that Disney on Broadway’s Frozen, which was filmed onstage, will premiere on Disney+ in 2025—and Samantha Barks, who stars as Elsa, dazzled the audience with a rendition of “Let It Go.” Plus, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Jennifer Lee, who wrote and directed 2013’s Frozen and 2019’s Frozen 2, shared concept art for Frozen 3, opening only in theaters on November 24, 2027.
In addition to multiple attractions and experiences at Disney theme parks around the world, the first Frozen-themed land, World of Frozen, opened its gates at Hong Kong Disneyland late last year. What’s more, World of Frozen will open at Disney Adventure World in 2026 as part of Disneyland Paris’ largest expansion and transformation to date.
Beyond the Frozen films and various Disney theme park offerings, Disney Store offers a range of Frozen products that includes apparel, books, costumes, games toys, and more.