If you’re a movie connoisseur like me, you’ve probably watched all of the films I am about to list. Soundtracks for me are one of the most important aspects of what makes a film memorable. Some involve lyrics, others just have instrumental melodies. Ranked below are my favorite animated movie soundtracks:
10. Shrek (2001)
Shrek made the top 10 because of how iconic it is. Songs like “I’m a Believer” and “Hallelujah” are reinvented in this movie, and it works very well. Shrek has a soundtrack unlike any other animated film. The main reason for this is because there isn’t a lot of original work, but the reinvention of well known songs are strategically placed to add some comedic elements and nostalgia for fairytales from its viewers. Using this, Shrek makes a well known and unforgettable blend of songs (especially with the viral “I Need a Hero” song sung by Fairy Godmother in Shrek 2).
9. Despicable Me (2010)
As the best movie with little yellow minions, “Despicable Me” also has a great soundtrack, with much credit to Pharrell Williams. Williams wrote songs such as “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “Prettiest Girls,” and “Despicable Me.” He also did work on the sequels with songs like “Just a Cloud Away” and “Double Life.” Regarding the first “Despicable Me” movie, the songs fit well with the theme and mood of the film and create a memorable experience for the viewer. Having original songs as successful as these have made the soundtrack unique and recognizable. The songs are catchy and upbeat as Williams mixes an older style of pop with the new generation of music.
8. The Princess and the Frog (2009)
The music in this soundtrack truly captures the feelings of being in New Orleans. The style of music is a blend of jazz, blues and R&B, creating a magical movie watching experience. “The Princess and the Frog” was actually Academy Award nominated for best original song for both “Almost There” and “Down in New Orleans.” Overall, the soundtrack to this film is outstanding. One of my favorite musical moments in the film is during the song “Ma Belle Evangeline.” The lyrics, mixed with the soft jazz style of the trumpet, transports you into the bayou. It brings out emotions from the viewer that stick with you throughout the rest of the movie.
7. Inside Out (2015)
This soundtrack may sound simple, but the emotions displayed through the instrumentation during the movie add a lot of depth to the characters that you may have missed. We go through a journey with the main character Joy. In the beginning we hear “Bundle of Joy,” which can probably be attributed to being the central melody for the film. As we go on, the audience hears some more somber tones through “Goofball No Longer” and the devastating ending of “Rainbow Flyer.” The songs pair perfectly with the changing of emotions and dramatic shifts in the film. Without these pieces of music, the movie could have been a lot more bland and lacked that depth of emotion that draws the audience’s attention while pulling on heartstrings.
6. Toy Story (1995)
“Toy Story” has always been a fan favorite, and one that I grew up watching. It took me a while to recognize however, that one of the main reasons it stays so close to my heart is because of the musical elements from the film. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” is the most widely known song from the film, and with good reason. It beautifully captures the idea that someone can always lean on another person through a difficult time, following the theme of the film itself well. Other musical elements take the audience on the emotional adventure between Woody and Buzz becoming friends, and the tale of these toys’ lives.
5. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
This soundtrack is widely recognizable among audiences and is generally considered to capture the feelings of the movie. My favorite aspect about this soundtrack is the instrumentation, especially in the song “Oogway Ascends.” Because of the specific culture the film is centered around, we get to hear instruments that are not often used, adding to the feeling of adventure while developing the storytelling further. It is amazing how the instrumentation is used in this film to elicit such strong emotions from the audience, especially about things as silly as pandas doing Kung fu.
4. Up (2009)
It should come to no surprise that “Up” made it onto this list. The emotional impact of the music, especially for the song “Married Life” is enough to make it one of the greatest of all time. What I caught on about the music, after many years of watching, is that the main themes from the songs are transformed throughout the movie to follow well with the story. As the audience, we go through sadness (a lot), happiness and adventure, all by having such an important soundtrack. “The Ellie Badge” is a great example of how the melody developed throughout the story from “Married Life.” This is another example of a film having an amazing soundtrack without lyrics. Without lyrics, you can be more invested in what is happening on the screen, making the emotional moments resonate with you even deeper.
3. Rio (2011)
This is in my opinion to be one of the most underrated movies and soundtracks in animation. The songs are totally dance-worthy and make you happy. Some of the music in this movie is sung in a different language, going along with the setting being in Brazil. You don’t have to understand all of the words, however, to have a great time. There are a bunch of different instruments used in the music and composition that completely hooks you on the sounds through the film. With major stars like Anne Hathaway, Jamie Fox and will.i.am, you are guaranteed to have a good time. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t listen to some of these songs in my day to day life. You just can go wrong with songs like “Real In Rio” or “Hot Wings (I Wanna Party).”
2. The Lion King (1994)
“The Lion King” has one of the best soundtracks of all time, and in my opinion is pretty much flawless. The film received accolades at the Academy Awards by being nominated three times for best original song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Circle of Life,” and “Hakuna Matata” (“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” was the winner in 1995). It also received an Academy Award for best original score. “The Lion King” won a few Grammy’s as well. There is nothing much to say here, because the brilliance of the music speaks for itself. It is dramatic, energetic, emotional and engaging all in one. With the film set in Africa, it transports the audience to the scenes with the instrumentation and melodic work. This is one of those soundtracks that you never really get tired of hearing, even as you grow up.
1. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
It’s absolutely no surprise that this is my number one pick. The composer, John Powell, has worked on other films including “Ice Age,” “The Lorax” and “Bolt,” but this is by far his masterpiece. Even without lyrics, the composition and instrumentation during this film is far superior to any other animated movie. I love how some of the music sounds like it is from Viking times using bagpipes, and I think it adds a lot to the film as a whole. The music somehow makes you feel emotional about a kid and his dragon friend, wishing you could take to the skies alongside them. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for the category of Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, which speaks volumes about the quality of the music. The song “Romantic Flight” is my favorite and I could never get tired of listening to it.