“The Next Right Thing”

Frozen 2 and Youth-Led Activism

Emily Midkiff

University of North Dakota

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0535-7343

Sara Austin

Kentucky Wesleyan College

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-490X

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/cle.v1i1.5214

Keywords: Ecopedagogy, Disney, youth participatory action research, Youth Climate Activism, Frozen, Frozen II, Moana


Abstract

In “The Disneyfication of Climate Crisis: Negotiating Responsibility and Climate Action in Frozen, Moana, and Frozen 2,” we argue that Frozen, Frozen 2, and Moana encourage young people to identify with princesses who take action against metaphorical climate change. Although the films are hampered by Disney’s own capitalist framework, extratextual discussion and activities can push young viewers past these limitations. This article demonstrates how to use Frozen 2 as a springboard for effective ecopedagogy in elementary-school settings.