Olaf’s New Love Song Just Debuted at D23 — and ‘Frozen 3’ Fans Can’t Stop Talking About Samantha

Every ‘Frozen‘ installment has relied on Olaf to deliver some of the franchise’s most memorable comic relief, and that tradition shows no signs of slowing down heading into the third chapter. From his enthusiasm for summer in the first film to his rapid-fire history lesson in the sequel, the beloved snowman has consistently stolen scenes with his musical numbers.

That legacy set the stage for one of D23’s most talked-about musical moments this year, as Disney used its Entertainment Showcase to give fans their very first taste of new music from ‘Frozen 3’. Anticipation for the sequel had already been building steadily, especially after Disney confirmed major plot details including Anna and Kristoff’s long-awaited wedding.

Amid all that buildup, Olaf’s storyline took center stage during the panel when Josh Gad performed a brand-new song teasing the snowman’s own romantic subplot in the film. The performance introduced fans to Olaf’s love interest, a character named Samantha, delivering a callback to a running joke first introduced in ‘Frozen 2’.

Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell had already taken the stage earlier in the presentation, confirming that Anna and Kristoff’s wedding will play a central role in the story and teasing that romance is in the air for everyone in Arendelle, Olaf included. Gad then joined his co-stars to perform the standalone number dedicated entirely to Olaf’s feelings for Samantha, giving the crowd its first genuine listen to the sequel’s musical direction.

According to those in attendance, Gad’s performance carried playful calypso and disco influences, a stylistic choice that fits neatly within the franchise’s history of giving Olaf distinctly quirky, comedic musical moments. It’s the kind of tonal contrast that’s defined some of the series’ most beloved songs, offering levity even as the broader plot heads into darker territory involving a new villain.

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, the husband-and-wife songwriting duo behind the franchise’s music since its earliest installment, are returning to compose the score for ‘Frozen 3’. Their work on the first two films produced some of Disney’s most culturally dominant songs in recent memory, making any new material from the pair one of the most closely watched elements of the sequel’s rollout.

The Samantha reveal builds directly on a joke first planted in ‘Frozen 2’, where Olaf briefly references the name in passing without any further explanation. Turning that throwaway line into a full musical number for the third film has already generated plenty of enthusiasm online, with fans praising Disney for paying off a years-old Easter egg in such an unexpected way.

‘Frozen 3’ is set to arrive in theaters on November 24, 2027, marking the franchise’s first new theatrical installment in eight years following ‘Frozen 2’s massive global success. The returning voice cast includes Menzel as Elsa, Bell as Anna, Jonathan Groff as Kristoff, and Gad as Olaf, with Jennifer Lee writing the script and co-directing alongside Trent Correy.

Fan reaction to Olaf’s new song has been overwhelmingly positive since footage began circulating from the panel, with many already calling it an early highlight of the sequel’s soundtrack. Given how beloved Olaf’s musical moments have become across the franchise, expectations for his full number in the finished film are already running high.

With a wedding, a mysterious new villain, and now a full-blown love story for Olaf all confirmed, ‘Frozen 3’ is shaping up to be one of the most eventful chapters in the franchise’s history.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!