I think the catchy as hell songs are the real reason people love the movie, especially Let It Go. Take the songs away and it wouldn't be as popular.

This movie is the perfect prime example of style over substance. The epitome!

Without the songs, and Elsa's one liner about not marrying a man you just met, it would universally be described as worse than Brave.

Pretty much this: whip up a quickie story about two sisters feuding with one another over one sister's magic powers, add radio friendly Broadway pop songs that are destined to get major radio play. and push, push, push the movie in advertisements, in merchandizing, and in constant reviews. Saturate the culture with it. Outcome: the fifth highest earning movie of all time; the only Disney movie to win all major Oscars in animation; the movie that spawns the most annoying cultural meme ever, and has a fan-base ready to crucify anybody who says the movie is less than stellar. Yep. That about covers it. .

I can kind of agree that the songs did help the movie to get its popularity.But even if you took out the songs,I still enjoy the characters,the animation,the cinematography,the jokes,the morals and it's ability to break certain cliches while still holding truth to others that made Disney so popular.
I think the reason why it became the highest grossing animated movie of all time is because of the teaser trailer.It's a decent trailer and I think it's really cute.I think many children saw this trailer and they told their parents,then when they saw the movie they told their friends and then those kids told their parents and so on.
One more thing,if you're criticizing Let It Go(which is by far my favorite Disney song) because of it's popularity and think that it's mediocre,than you sir are certainly wrong.The real meaning of the song is that Elsa is in severe danger of losing her identity.Take a look at my analysis of Let It Go and you'll understand.
Let It Go is a coming out song.The mentions of snow,winter and cold are all metaphors for isolation and loneliness.The singer,Elsa,has been hiding a huge part of herself from the public,even from her sister,for so long.She's been putting on an act and hiding a huge part of herself.The number for Let It Go is when she sheds the act and embraces hr true nature.The song acknowledges her loneliness but notes that in spite of it she can at least be herself (but that's just part of it) and makes her happy and free.This is a trade off that many introverted teenagers like myself can relate to,regardless of what their specific orientation is.Regardless of sexual orientation-the message of feeling like an adult,even young children can relate.It's a positive message that is coming at a very relevant time in history as many states are in process of making landmark decisions regarding gay rights.
Let It Go is successful because it has given outsiders an anthem during a time they need it the most.I think I could say the same about Frozen.

Well it is Disney, so it would still be reasonably popular without the songs, but the soundtrack was definitely a huge boost.

Cut this one song away and i'm pretty sure the movie would have ended up with a reception similar to Tangled and Wreck It Ralph. The mainstream radfems at first would love it for the Prince Charming twist, but soon enough they'd forget about it (like they did with Brave).

But I think the reason it's popular because of the great story.

Elsa and Let it Go are the main reasons why Frozrn is popular.

Most of my friends love Frozen... and only because of the songs.