On September 16, 2022, an update We’ve updated this article to represent the greatest assortment of excellent Disney soundtracks in film history in order to maintain our high standards of quality and consistency, to recognise new releases, and to demonstrate our commitment to continuous improvement.
But for Disney, a hit soundtrack is nothing new. Disney has produced some of the best movie soundtracks in history for more than 80 years. Although a sizable portion of the target audience is youngsters, the soundtracks do not only feature sing-alongs and nursery rhymes. Disney has collaborated with some of the most gifted lyricists in the world to create songs in a wide range of genres, from pop and rock to traditional mariachi, jazz, and classical. Here are the top Disney animated movie soundtracks, rated, with millions of worldwide sales, 14 Oscar-winning songs, multiple Grammy Awards, and dozens more soundtracks to select from.
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NO.12 :- Tarzan
Disney went to former Genesis drummer turned singer and all-around pop phenomenon Phil Collins for the music to the 1999 blockbuster Tarzan. The irresistibly catchy “You’ll Be in My Heart” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. He was known for his bouncy pop-rock songs. Back then, it might not have seemed like the logical option to have Phil Collins provide the music for this wild jungle journey, but now it’s difficult to picture anybody else. His most recent studio album, Dance into the Light, was released three years ago. It did not sell well but finally earned a Gold certification in the US. He saw a significant return thanks to the Tarzan soundtrack, which went double platinum in the US and earned him and Disney the Grammy Award for Best Soundtrack Album.
NO.11 :- Moana
The most recent inclusion on the list, Moana, features a gorgeous and varied soundtrack that includes songs penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina, and Opetaia Foa’I and that millions of kids all around the world recited word for word. There’s a lot to love about the Moana soundtrack, from the potent Broadway-inspired “How Far I’ll Go” to the semi-sung, semi-rapped “You’re Welcome” (performed surprisingly well by Dwayne Johnson), to the Davie Bowie-inspired glam rock of “Shiny,” and the more traditional South Pacific influences found elsewhere on the album. It turns out that the soundtrack was quite popular, as seen by its peak position of number two on the US Billboard Chart.
NO.10 :- The Seven Dwarfs in Snow White
The oldest inclusion on the list, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, is significant for being the first soundtrack CD to ever be released commercially and is incomparably famous. First off, Adriana Caselotti’s Snow White has a stunning and mesmerising voice. As she worked, she whistled to cheer up her animal friends.
She continues to be upbeat as she sings “Someday My Prince Will Come” to the crowd and the seven dwarfs. Then there is the amazing whimsy of the seven dwarfs’ own somewhat more lighthearted melodies, such as their Yodel song and “Heigh Ho,” which is still enjoyable and catchy even after more than eight decades.
NO.9 :- Mulan
The famous 1998 smash Mulan depicts the timeless story of the heroic eponymous character as she disobeys the law and societal standards to fight in the army in place of her father, disguising herself as a man to do so. Mulan is one of Disney’s most noble and inspirational heroines of all time. Kids in the 1990s couldn’t get enough of the animated movie’s infectious songs, singing along to the upbeat hit “I’ll Make a Man Out of You,” the butt-kicking ballad “Reflection,” and the lighthearted “A Girl Worth Fighting For.”
The soundtrack, which was written by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel and included the talents of great artists like Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera, was a huge success and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score. While Disney veteran Lea Salonga performed her vocals for Mulan, the actress had previously done so for Jasmine in 1992’s Aladdin, Donny Osmond provided the singing voice of Li Shang. The songs from Mulan are still regarded as some of the most notable and distinctive music from the Disney Renaissance.
NO 8 :- Pocahontas
Despite taking some contentious artistic licence with the historical figure who inspired it, Pocahontas, released in 1995, is renowned for its breathtaking visuals, strong female lead, and exceptional voice acting and music, all of which contributed to the huge success of both the movie and soundtrack. Few Disney songs had the emotional impact on audiences that “Colors of the Wind” did. It was a lovely ballad that explored the idea of animism while also teaching us the value of appreciating nature. The song went on to reach the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100 and was recognised with the Best Original Song Grammy, Golden Globe, and Academy Awards.
Disney hired Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, who won the Academy Award for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score, to create the magnificent music. Not only is “Colors of the Wind” a standout piece on the album, but “If I Never Knew You,” “Just Around the Riverbend,” and the melodramatically melancholy “Savages” are other noteworthy songs.
NO 7 :- The Little Mermaid
Disney’s Renaissance Era of the 1990s is frequently ascribed to The Little Mermaid, and the music undoubtedly contributed significantly to the film’s popularity. It has a number of timeless songs, including Princess Ariel’s power ballad “Part of Your World,” the Broadway/burlesque-inspired tune “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and the romantic, calypso-tinged ballad “Kiss the Girl,” which is performed by the villain.
However, Samuel E. Wright’s reggae/calypso smash “Under the Sea” is without a doubt the album’s finest hit. Both the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media and the Academy Award for Best Original Song were given to the song.
NO 6 :- PINOCCHIO
It should come as no surprise that the soundtrack for the film that has the song that has become Disney’s national anthem is included on our list. The Pinocchio song “When You Wish Upon a Star,” which is based on a straightforward melody and universally relatable lyrics, has been performed by a seemingly endless number of musicians in the decades after the movie’s debut, including Glen Miller, Beyoncé, and even Kiss’s Gene Simmons. It was also the first Disney song to win an Oscar. Despite the song’s cultural significance (and the popularity of this Pinocchio adaptation), it’s crucial to remember that the soundtrack also featured the outstanding tunes “Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee” and “I’ve Got No Strings.”
NO. 5 :- Freeze
Although some parents may quickly argue with this statement, there was a 12-month period in the years 2013–2014 when this soundtrack was virtually ubiquitous and was almost certainly performed by every child, every day. It was wildly successful, topping the Billboard album chart for 13 separate weeks, and four million copies were sold in the US.
Frozen’s opening track, “Let it Go,” written by husband-and-wife songwriting duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, is undeniably a fantastic example of a soaring, catchy, anthemic, poppy show tune, much to the anger of many parents out there. Additionally, it’s nearly hard to resist smiling or singing along to “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” or “In Summer” by Olaf.
NO 4 :- Aladdin
Aladdin’s lively and jazzy soundtrack features the return of composers Alan Menken and Howard Ashman and includes a handful of Disney’s all-time best songs. The Tim Rice-penned “One Jump Ahead,” the party-sing-along “Prince Ali,” the wonderful Robin Williams genie-led laugh-out-loud Cab Calloway-style “Friend Like Me,” and what is arguably Disney’s best love ballad, “A Whole New World,” are among the other songs. It is one of the top-selling soundtrack CDs for animated movies of all time, with sales of more than three million copies in the US alone.
NO 3 :- The Jungle Book
This jazzy pop catchiness masterclass from 1967 has tunes composed by Terry Gilkyson and the Sherman Brothers that will have you nodding your head and tapping your toes. Every song and musical composition on the Jungle Book soundtrack accomplished the astounding accomplishment of becoming an all-time classic. Every song displays a real skill in musicality while exuding fun and playfulness, exactly what is needed for an ideal Disney soundtrack. Whether you’re swaying to the jazzy upbeat “Bare Necessities” or “I Wanna Be Like You” or snapping your fingers to the Beatles-meets-barbershop quartet song “That’s What Friends Are For,” every song exhibits a real skill in musicality while exuding fun and playfulness.
NO .2 :- Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast, the third movie on the list to use music by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, shows that Disney was on to something during this renaissance. Although this soundtrack is a little less poppier and has a slight Broadway/theater flavour than some of their previous work, there are still a tonne of other influences present, such as classical and traditional French music. The record was a big international hit with both fans and critics, much like the movie. When it was released, it received three different nominations for the Academy Awards’ Best Original Song category “”Beauty and the Beast,” “Be Our Guest,” and “Belle.”
Was there really a need to worry with this much excellence on offer? Of course not; the song from “Beauty and the Beast” ended up taking home the prize. The music was so excellent that it created history by being the first soundtrack for an animated film to be nominated for an Album of the Year Grammy. There is undoubtedly a Disney classic on this soundtrack for everyone, whether it is the brash swagger of “Gaston,” the big sounding show number “Be Our Guest,” or the career-making Celine Dion recording of “Beauty and the Beast.”
NO 1 ;- The Lion King
The best Disney soundtrack of all time is most likely found in The Lion King. There is so much talent on exhibit in this film, and it shows in the soundtrack, which, like the film, is emotional, thrilling, and entertaining from beginning to end with music by Tim Rice, Elton John, and the famous Hans Zimmer. It is not just one of the most successful animated films of all time, but its soundtrack has also sold over 15 million copies, making it among the most successful movie soundtracks ever. The soundtrack, which won the most Oscars, had a variety of pop and rock classics with some wonderful African elements to complement the story.
One of Disney’s funniest songs ever, “Hakuna Matata,” one of its best love songs, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” one of its greatest villain songs, “Be Prepared,” and maybe the best opening song of a Disney film, “Circle of Life,” are all included in just one album. People of all ages will undoubtedl love this music.
