10 Incredible Animated Movie Soundtracks From The Last Decade

Music is the soundtrack to people’s lives. Very often, hearing a song from years ago can remind a person of an exact moment in time. Animated movies often rely on a killer score and have also gone on to win multiple awards for their songs and musical numbers. Disney has been at the forefront of the musical game, with an impressive 14 statues for both their animated and live action pictures. Aladdin, The Lion King, and Coco are only some of the Disney films that triumphed at the Oscars.

But, it’s not the only studio that has produced films with some absolute bangers. Shrek and The LEGO Movie proved just how pop music can enhance the story of a movie and connect with audiences on a more personal level. Not every animated film is a musical, of course, but those that are have been telling beautiful stories through song. Those that aren’t reliant on the medium of music to advance the plot, have provided some exciting soundtracks that have garnered plenty of streams.

10

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Music By Heitor Pereira

The big-eyed cat from the Shrek films has always been a huge hit with audiences, and it was not surprising that the swashbuckling character would have his own cinematic outings. Staying true to his Spanish roots, the soundtrack features many influences from this vibrant culture, with flamenco flair and atmospheric guitar riffs. The instrumental moments add so much emotion and excitement to the film, and they translate beautifully to the soundtrack. Instead of being an homage to musical theater, it’s more of an ambitious orchestral project with some moving moments.

But, like the film itself, the track list also includes some welcome humor. “Fearless Hero” is performed by the ever-charismatic Antonio Banderas, and does a great job of portraying the character as a brave and adventurous champion, but with a few laughs as well. The addition of the beautiful ballad performed by Gaby Moreno, and some more poppy tunes by Karol G and Dave Navarro, makes the soundtrack feel more cohesive and well-rounded.

9

Frozen II (2019)

Music By Christophe Beck, Songs By Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez

Frozen II

7/10

Release Date

November 22, 2019

Runtime

103 minutes

Director

Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck

Writers

Allison Schroeder

After the runaway success of the first Frozen film, and its huge hit song, “Let It Go”, it was no wonder a sequel was happening. The song was a top 10 smash in both the UK and USA, and won the Academy Award for best song. The viral moment of John Travolta mispronouncing Idina Menzel’s name as Adele Dazeem is one of the most memorable moments of the many ceremonies, and lives on as part of the film’s lore. While the sequel did not have quite as much sonic success, it is still filled with plenty of beautiful songs.

Frozen II leaned even more into Elsa’s quest for self-discovery and had a more mythical musical tone. “Into the Unknown” was the stand-out single which featured a beautiful hook by the talented singer, Aurora. It perfectly encapsulated the ice queen’s quest, and saw it get nominated for an Oscar as well. Kristen Bell sounded wonderful on “The Next Right Thing”, which saw her tap into some raw emotions that added depth to her character. The soundtrack itself features tracks from Weezer, Kacey Musgraves, and Panic! At The Disco, adding a pop twist to some of the musical numbers.

8

Turning Red (2022)

Music By Ludwig Göransson, Songs By Billie Eilish & Finneas O’Connell

Turning Red

10/10

Release Date

March 11, 2022

Runtime

100 minutes

Director

Domee Shi

Writers

Julia Cho, Domee Shi

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With a pop superstar like Billie Eilish behind the songwriting alongside her musical partner and brother, Finneas, the soundtrack is bound to be great. The quality of the songs is very impressive, and the score is also very atmospheric. As the film is set in 2002, it has a very Y2K feel to it, which is also reflected in the music itself. Meri is a huge fan of a fictional boy band called 4* TOWN, and their songs are as slick and polished as any real musical group.

The score provides the feeling of a cultural fusion with elements of Chinese sounds with a Wester twist, making it sonically very rich. “Nobody Like U” was a viral hit and resonated with many younger viewers. The main theme has a booming feel to it, making the film feel cohesive whenever the notes come together. “1 True Love” is a beautiful ballad as well, and it stands out among the nostalgic tacks on the soundtrack.

7

Wish (2023)

Music By Dave Metzger, Songs By Julia Michaels & Benjamin Rice

Wish

7/10

Release Date

November 22, 2023

Runtime

95 Mins

Director

Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn

Writers

Jennifer Lee, Allison Moore

This charming film saw Ariana DeBose become the Disney princess she was destined to be. Her voice sounds amazing in every performance, and it lends itself perfectly to the magical themes of the story. Grammy nominee, Julia Michaels, was behind some of the catchy songs, and she was able to imbue the soundtrack with a modern pop edge. The soundtrack also pays homage to the studio’s rich musical legacy, while also adding a fresh sound to the songs.

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DeBose’s performance of “This Wish” stands out on the very entertaining soundtrack, and “This Is The Thanks I Get?!” showcases Chris Pine’s surprising vocal talents. It’s a very charming and humorous track that is a great example of how Disney manages to fuse booming orchestral sounds with some deep lyrics that serve to tell a story. It helps that they are also extremely catchy as well.

6

Soul (2020)

Music By Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Compositions By Jon Batiste

Soul

6/10

Release Date

December 25, 2020

Runtime

100 minutes

Jamie Foxx’s vocal talents have been impressing audiences for many years, so it was a natural next step for him to join the animated musical genre. Though he does not use his vocals much, these talents lend themselves to his overall performance as a musician. The title of the film perfectly encapsulates its themes as well as the type of music that can be heard throughout. Hitting upon the meaning of life, purpose, and passion, as a jazz musician grapples with some deep philosophical questions in the afterlife.

The soundtrack combines the soulful sounds of jazz music with a more ethereal feel that represents the metaphysical setting. The film won an Academy Award for its score and also went on to win the statuette for Best Animated Feature Film. The ambiance is very heartfelt, and the music is almost like a character of the film itself. Grammy winner, Jon Batiste, created some impressive compositions, and the soundtrack would be a welcome addition to any record collection of fans of the genre.

5

Coco (2017)

Music By Michael Giacchino, Songs By Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, & Adrian Molina

Coco

8/10

Release Date

October 27, 2017

Runtime

105 minutes

Director

Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich

Writers

Lee Unkrich, Jason Katz, Matthew Aldrich

One of Disney’s most moving films, this beautiful story of celebrating the memories of those that have dearly departed is the last one that won the studio an Oscar for Best Song from a Motion Picture. A tribute to Mexican music and its rich culture, there are some truly heartbreaking ballads alongside some more uplifting and joyous mariachi moments. Spanish guitars can be heard throughout, and the lyrics represent the moving themes of the film.

“Remember Me” is written with so much passion and depth, conveying so many emotions that perfectly represent transience and the need to live on in memories. “Un Poco Loco” is a celebratory moment that uplifts the audience with its fun and optimism. The mix of languages adds depth and meaning to the cultural backdrop of the story, and the whole soundtrack feels like a celebration of life.

4

Moana (2016)

Music By Mark Mancina, Songs By Lin-Manuel Miranda & Opetaia Foa’i

Moana

8/10

Release Date

October 13, 2016

Runtime

107 minutes

Director

John Musker

Writers

Jared Bush

Producers

John Lasseter

Following the smash-hit success of Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda was a hot commodity in the realm of musical theater, which then translated to music on-screen. His unique talent is perfectly exemplified by the Moana soundtrack that mixes witty rap numbers with beautiful lyricism. Dwayne Johnson’s performance of “You’re Welcome” was a hit with children and grown-ups alike, and the Polynesian culture is celebrated sonically throughout.

The central theme of the film is uplifting and sounds booming through Auli’i Cravalho’s hopeful and ambitious voice. “How Far I’ll Go” stands out as one of the most memorable Disney princess songs, showing a strong young woman who wants to discover the world on her own terms. “Shiny” is extremely fun and showcases Jermaine Clement’s exemplary comic timings and impressive performance skills. It is a very strong soundtrack from start to finish, which enhances the experience of the film itself.

3

Sing (2016)

Music By Joby Talbot

Sing

6/10

Release Date

December 21, 2016

Runtime

108 Minutes

Director

Garth Jennings

Writers

Garth Jennings

Similarly to Glee or Pitch Perfect, this animated classic sees popular songs get a bit of a revamp. As the film follows a singing competition, the characters all have their own musical moments where they showcase their vocals and performance skills. The twist is, they’re all animals. Reese Witherspoon’s dulcet tones can be seen coming out of a sassy pig, Taron Egerton voices a leather-jacket-clad gorilla, and Scarlett Johansson stands out as a teenage porcupine.

There are so many recognizable songs that fill out the soundtrack, creating a really fun playlist of sorts. “Hallelujah”, performed as a duet between Jennifer Hudson and Tori Kelly, sounds absolutely epic, and Seth McFarlane sounds great on “My Way”. Egerton’s performance of “I’m Still Standing” is probably what secured him his role as Elton John, and Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” sung by a couple of pigs is the version the audience didn’t know it needed.

2

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)

Music By Daniel Pemberton

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

Release Date

December 6, 2018

Runtime

117 minutes

Director

Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman

Writers

Phil Lord, Rodney Rothman

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  Shameik Moore

  Peter B. Parker (voice)

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From its innovative animation to the R&B soundtrack, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, stands out as one of the most unique animated projects of the past 10 years. In a sea of computer-generated cartoons that all have a similar look and feel, the images throughout the film feel much more fresh and exciting. The music heard throughout is a huge part of it. Seeing as it’s set in New York and follows the exploits of a young man in his teens, the songs heard throughout are reflective of this.

With huge stars like Lil Wayne, Ty Dolla $ign, and Juice WRLD, the soundtrack features some of the most exciting musicians of a generation. The lead single for the film, “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee, topped the Billboard chart and was a huge hit worldwide. Many other songs reflect the high-octane action of the movie, making the album just as exciting as the experience of Miles Morales’s on-screen antics. Another musical standout is “Invincible”, which sounds soulful and melodic.

1

Encanto (2021)

Music By Germaine Franco, Songs By Lin-Manuel Miranda

Encanto

7/10

Release Date

November 24, 2021

Runtime

99 minutes

Director

Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Charise Castro Smith

Writers

Charise Castro Smith, Jared Bush

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This moving and spectacularly colorful film has one of the most moving and spectacularly colorful soundtracks of the past decade. Lin-Manuel Miranda worked his magic again, creating songs that not only beautifully told the story, but were sing-along hits all across the world. Multiple songs from the film charted on various global charts, and have been stuck in the heads of not only those who saw the film, but anyone with a radio or social media. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” was Number 1 on the UK charts for seven weeks, and has nearly half a billion streams on Spotify.

“Surface Pressure” also saw chart success, and the video has over 400 million views on YouTube. The whole soundtrack is filled with songs that capture the emotions and Colombian flair of the film, and Miranda’s sonic influence allowed it to have as much of an impact as any big pop album. Controversially, the choice was made not to submit its breakout hit for Oscar consideration, instead opting for “Dos Oruguitas”, the emotional ballad that told a moving love story. Though it did not win, it was admirable to celebrate the heart of the story rather than its commercial success.