According to one theory, there is a connection between Disney’sFrozenandTangledthat hints at Anna and Elsa being related to Rapunzel. 2010’sTangledis themost expensive animated movie of all time, and it was worth every bit of its $260 million production budget. Loosely based on the German Brothers Grimm fairytale of Rapunzel,Tangledfollows a young lost princess with magical blonde hair as she defies her adopted mother, finally leaving her tower for the first time in her lifewith the help of the outlaw Flynn Rider. The movie was a critical and commercial success.
Tangled’sanimation style made it one of thebest Disney moviesat the time of its release. However, three years later,Frozenovertook this classic. The movie earned an astonishing $1.280 billion at the worldwide box office, a featDisney has failed to beat sinceFrozen. The movie follows Princess Anna, as she sets out to find her estranged magical sister, Elsa, with the help of friends to reverse the kingdom’s eternal winter.WhileTangledandFrozenare entirely separate stories, there is no denying their similarities, and there’s even a theory that could tie the films together.
Rapunzel Is Seen At Elsa’s Coronation
Disney Included A Surprising Tangled Cameo
Animated movies often have a trend of cameos and references in their films, especially from Pixar. Near the beginning ofFrozen, during Anna’s song “For The First Time In Forever,” she whizzes through the halls of her home, excited about Elsa’s coronation, and when Anna exits the gates, eagle-eyed viewers might notice a cameo appearance of two characters from anotheranimated Disney movie.At the bottom left of the screen, you can see Flynn and Rapunzel entering Arendelle, standing just in front of Anna, donning their classic outfits fromTangled. Thus, it appears Disney has copied Pixar’s Easter egg trend.
$592.5 million
$1.280 billion
Considering Rapunzel’s hair is notably short and brown, it hints that the events ofFrozentake place after theend ofTangled, as that is when Flynn cuts her hair. Flynn’s royal clothing and general appearance alongside Rapunzel only solidifies this. While it makes sense that, as royals, Rapunzel and Flynn are likely to make an appearance at anyone’s coronation,the theory goes even further in suggesting that Rapunzel may actually be related to Anna and Elsa. This is all due to the films’ respectivetimelines, asFrozenandTangledwere released exactly three years apart, almost to the day.
It’s Also Believed That Anna & Elsa’s Parents Died While Going To Rapunzel’s Wedding
Frozen & Tangled’s Royals Might Be Related
IfTangledandFrozenare actually set three years apart, just like their real-life release dates, this would give way to an evendarker fan theory for Disney’s animated movies. InFrozen,when Anna exhibits ice powers for the first time, the King and Queen of Arendelle set out on a ship for “two weeks.”Unfortunately, due to a storm, the royals never return and are presumed dead. Some say that this shipwreck mirrors the ones seen inTarzanandThe Little Mermaid, which would suggest that Tarzan is Elsa and Anna’s brother. However, evidence supporting this connection is flimsy.
Given the similar character designs inTangledandFrozen, and Rapunzel and Flynn’s cameo at the coronation, the two films are definitely set in the same universe
The lack of explanation for Elsa and Anna’s parents’ two-week voyage led to many theories, yet one stands out above the rest. For a long time, it was largely believed that the King and Queen of Arendelle were heading to Rapunzel’s wedding. Given the similar character designs inTangledandFrozen, and Rapunzel and Flynn’s cameo at the coronation, the two films are definitely set in the same universe. Furthermore, the two queens look eerily similar, having the same face shape and hair color, suggesting they may be related. Thus explaining why Arendelle’s royals would be going to Rapunzel’s wedding.
Given that the two Disney movies were released three years apart, and the main plot ofFrozenhappens after Anna and Elsa’s parents’ unfortunate voyage, the timelines ofTangledandFrozendo line up. While this theory was supported for a long time, with people who worked onFrozenseemingly confirming the idea, sadly,Frozen 2explained that their parents were searchingfor the answers to Anna’s powers, and not going to Rapunzel’s wedding after all. Nevertheless, theTangledandFrozenconnection theory is an interesting one to ponder, especially given Rapunzel and Flynn’s mysterious cameo in the 2013 movie.
Tangled
Cast
An adaptation of the fairytale of Rapunzel, Disney’s Tangled follows the long-haired princess as she journeys to discover her real identity. Kidnapped as a child by the evil Mother Gothel in order to exploit the healing properties of her magical hair, Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) has lived her whole life isolated in a tower. A chance encounter with a smooth-talking fugitive called Flynn Ryder (Zachary Levi) sees Rapunzel venture out into the dangerous world to find the kingdom of Corona and unlock the secrets of her past.
Frozen
Frozen, released in 2013, follows young princess Anna of Arendelle on a perilous quest to halt an eternal winter cast by her sister, Elsa. Joined by Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and snowman Olaf, Anna navigates themes of friendship, courage, family, and love in her journey.
