• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health

2

As Trump balks again at escalating war, Iran smells ‘blood in the water’ and looks to exploit its newfound strategic advantage, experts say

3

The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady

1

Bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health

2

As Trump balks again at escalating war, Iran smells ‘blood in the water’ and looks to exploit its newfound strategic advantage, experts say

3

The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady
RetailDisney

Why Disney’s ‘Frozen’ is the hottest toy of the year

By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 23, 2014, 11:09 AM ET
Video Poster
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

More than a year after its release, the hysteria around Frozen is showing no sign of thawing.

The royal sisters Elsa and Anna have pulled in an impressive $1.3 billion at the box office, and the hit movie is also extremely popular in the toy aisle this holiday season, bringing in almost the same amount in merchandise sales.

Disney’s Frozen is the animation studio’s largest hit since 1994’s “The Lion King,” and has established a property that ranks among the toy industry’s greatest holiday hits, joining a short list that includes Tickle Me Elmo, Furby and the Cabbage Patch Kids.

“It has been a great run and fun to watch,” said Laurie Schacht, president of toy and licensing publisher Adventure Publishing. “I think it has exceeded all expectations. The shelves are basically empty of Frozen products, but [retailers] have also been restocking.”

Sales of “Frozen” toys, games, shirts and more could hit $1 billion in the United States alone this year, giving Disney (DIS), as well as toy manufacturers Mattel (MAT) and Jakks Pacific (JAKK) a massive boost at a time when overall retail sales for the key holiday season appear choppy. For Mattel, “Frozen” has been a blessing as sales of the company’s iconic Barbie have been in steep decline. Jakks Pacific, which found itself mired in the red after some missteps on internally developed toy lines, is again profitable thanks to sales of Frozen-related gear.

Retailers have taken note. Wal-Mart (WMT) has more than 700 Frozen items, while Toys ‘R’ Us has more than 300, and eBay (EBAY) says there are over 40,000 listings for Frozen gear on its website. Although these retailers say they have bulked up on orders for Frozen gear, they may have underestimated just how popular this line would be. The popular Elsa Snow Glow doll, for example, is selling for as much as $60 on eBay (it retails for less than $30, but has often been out of stock both online and in retail stores this holiday season).

“Whenever we bring Elsa Snow Glow back online, she sells out quickly,” said Wal-Mart representative Jaeme Laczkowski.

Wal-Mart said Frozen has been the most highly searched entertainment property on its website since the film debuted in November 2013, so the property has been on its radar for a while. And the retailer plans to add additional Frozen gear to its shelves in the final days before Christmas.

“Stores have been limiting the Snow Glow sales to two per customer,” Schacht said.

Many toy fads eventually see their popularity dim, but Schacht sees a bright future for Frozen for the next few years, pointing out that an ice show based on the film is selling out and doing so well that dates are being added to the tour. There are also some rumors that a sequel could be in the works. That’s all good news for Hasbro (HAS), which gets to begin making dolls based on Disney’s princess and Frozen properties beginning in 2016.

So for those parents hoping to finally get “Let It Go” out of their heads, it appears this is the song that has no end.

About the Author
By John KellContributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence

John Kell is a contributing writer for Fortune and author of Fortune’s CIO Intelligence newsletter.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

Latest in Retail

‘A hidden gem’: Odyssey fans are shelling out up to $2,000 to buy 70mm IMAX tickets on eBay
Arts & Entertainmentimax
‘A hidden gem’: Odyssey fans are shelling out up to $2,000 to buy 70mm IMAX tickets on eBay
By Sarah GlodekAugust 3, 2026
5 hours ago
Tommy Bahama CEO Doug Wood
RetailFashion
Go ahead, make fun of Tommy Bahama. The CEO is happy to join you, and he’s probably not a fan of your preppy shorts
By Catherina GioinoAugust 3, 2026
5 hours ago
How Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt tapped his indie bookstore cred to revive the big-box chain
C-Suitechief executive officer (CEO)
How Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt tapped his indie bookstore cred to revive the big-box chain
By Phil WahbaAugust 3, 2026
15 hours ago
Photo of Hudson Leogrande
SuccessEntrepreneurs
He was homeless at 16. Now he sits on the board of David Beckham’s wellness company and his business is about to hit $1 billion in revenue
By Emma BurleighAugust 2, 2026
1 day ago
Basic economics show why Mamdani’s socialist grocery stores in NYC are destined to fail
RetailEconomics
Basic economics show why Mamdani’s socialist grocery stores in NYC are destined to fail
By Shawn TullyAugust 2, 2026
2 days ago
A loneliness epidemic is creating a new type of third space: the one built around curiosity
SuccessSocial Media
A loneliness epidemic is creating a new type of third space: the one built around curiosity
By Tatiana SatauaAugust 1, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

Bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health
North America
Bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health
By Catherina GioinoAugust 2, 2026
2 days ago
As Trump balks again at escalating war, Iran smells ‘blood in the water’ and looks to exploit its newfound strategic advantage, experts say
Middle East
As Trump balks again at escalating war, Iran smells ‘blood in the water’ and looks to exploit its newfound strategic advantage, experts say
By Jason MaAugust 2, 2026
1 day ago
The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady
Economy
The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady
By Jason MaAugust 1, 2026
2 days ago
Trump just invoked a 1930 tariff law no president has ever used — against Canada
Commentary
Trump just invoked a 1930 tariff law no president has ever used — against Canada
By Caleb PetittAugust 2, 2026
1 day ago
The average worker would need to save for 52 years to claw their way out of the middle class and be classified as wealthy, research reveals
Success
The average worker would need to save for 52 years to claw their way out of the middle class and be classified as wealthy, research reveals
By Orianna Rosa RoyleAugust 2, 2026
1 day ago
He was homeless at 16. Now he sits on the board of David Beckham's wellness company and his business is about to hit $1 billion in revenue
Success
He was homeless at 16. Now he sits on the board of David Beckham's wellness company and his business is about to hit $1 billion in revenue
By Emma BurleighAugust 2, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.