While Frozen and Frozen 2 occurred during the seasons of summer (but as winter, because of Elsa) and autumn, respectively, one theory suggests that the next sequel Frozen 3 could take place during the real summertime. While Frozen 3 hasn’t been green-lit by Disney, the third installment is still a possibility given the success of Frozen 2 — the highest grossing animated film in history, surpassing Frozen’s record breaking $1.28 million release. Since the seasons of winter and autumn featured within both films mirrored Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa’s (Idina Menzel) journey from uncertainty to self-acceptance, the season of summer will symbolize the next stage of Elsa and Anna’s story within Frozen 3.
Throughout the entire Frozen franchise, the seasons have metaphorically represented Anna and Elsa’s journey, even before it was revealed within Frozen 2 just how important the natural elements are to the fabric of the Frozen universe. With the season of winter representing isolation and coldness, having Frozen feature a magically-induced winter emphasized Anna and Elsa’s own isolation when they were fearful of Elsa's magic. Frozen 2 continued the same theme by occurring during the beginning of autumn, a season which has come to represent change, as Anna and Elsa discover their true callings, Anna as the new Queen of Arendelle and Elsa as the fifth spirit. If Frozen 3 were to take place during the summer, a season which traditionally symbolizes romance, freedom, and growth, the next sequel could explore Anna and Elsa prevailing within their own callings, as well as a possible romance for Elsa.
Within Frozen 3, summertime is the next season that could best represent the current stage of Anna and Elsa’s lives. With Frozen and Frozen 2 taking place during the colder seasons, the plot mostly revolved around Elsa’s reconciliation with her powers and made her the central figure despite the fact that Anna resolved the conflicts featured in both films. If Frozen 3 took place during the summer, the season which Anna was born in (as revealed by the short film Frozen Fever), Anna and Elsa's roles could be switched, with Anna moving to the forefront of the plot and coming into her own as the new ruler of Arendelle. Since summertime is also a time for nature to blossom, Elsa’s connection to the elements would only grow stronger and allow her to reach her full potential as the fifth spirit, the mediator between the natural world and human civilization.
Traditionally, summer is known as the season of romance, making it the perfect time to address what many Frozen fans have been wondering since the advent of the franchise: the subject of Elsa’s sexuality. Since Frozen first debuted in 2013, the LGBTQ+ community has identified with Elsa's story arc since she’s the first Disney princess whose isn't driven to find her prince, doesn’t conform to societal norms, and experiences a personal journey of self-acceptance. While Disney has neither confirmed nor denied that Elsa is gay, fans have been advocating for Disney to address Elsa’s sexuality since 2016, when the hashtag #GiveElsaAGirlfriend began trending. Instead of addressing it directly, however, Frozen 2 included a scene in which Elsa and Honeymaren (Rachel Matthews), a Northuldra woman, had a brief moment of chemistry. If Frozen 3 is set during the season of love, it would be the perfect opportunity for Elsa's sexuality to finally be confirmed and for Disney to include more finite LGBTQ+ representation.
Since Elsa’s elemental magic involves the creation of snow and ice, one might worry about how the hottest season of the year might affect the snow queen, but past experience with Olaf (Josh Gad) has shown that Elsa’s magic can exist at all times throughout the year, including the summertime. In Frozen, while Olaf’s solo song “In Summer” commented on the obvious (to all but Olaf) issue of him melting during the warmer seasons, Elsa solved the problem by giving Olaf his own personal snow flurry at the end of the film. Frozen 2 goes on to provide an even more efficient solution by explaining that, as Elsa’s powers grow and strengthen, Olaf is able to remain frozen even in the early months of autumn, describing Olaf’s permanent icy-form as “permafrost.” Now that Elsa is at one with her magic and her identity, Elsa will be in her prime during Frozen 3, making a little extra heat no problem.