Kristoff & Anna

Unfortunately, movie couples often play out their love story in isolation. Especially in Princess movies, the main character’s love story with her Prince generally takes place either completely separate from that of her family — Sleeping Beauty, Mulan — or she is forced to choose between love and family — The Little Mermaid, Aladdin.

But that isn’t the case with Frozen 2. Here, the main focus of the movie is Anna and Elsa’s relationship, and Kristoff’s entire journey is effortlessly entwined with theirs. He has his own friendship with Elsa and Olaf, and everyone in Arendelle. He’s found his place in the palace and in Anna’s life. And he holds his own, whether or not she’s there.

This shows particularly at the end of the movie, when Elsa and Kristoff share a hug that could have easily not been included. Most movies would have kept Kristoff on the sidelines. But that hug shows that Anna’s sister and boyfriend care for each other, and that Kristoff is part of Anna’s family, beyond his romantic relationship with her.