Disney's soundtracks bring about nostalgia to many people around the world. Everybody has memories of defeating the Huns or building ice castles in a kingdom of isolation. But beyond the childhood memories are great scores of music and well-written lyrics that live in our minds and hearts.
These songs make or break the poignant moments of all Disney movies. Even the live-action remakes of these films rely on the same soundtracks to invoke the childlike wonder buried within you. But the best soundtracks get you dancing and singing like a Disney main character—even if you don't think you are.
12 Encanto
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Encanto does two things very well as a Disney Film. The first is that it has a catchy soundtrack, and you probably still hum We Don't Talk About Bruno when there are situations and conversations you want to avoid. The soundtrack also features top-notch lyricism that narrates the story of the Madrigals.
But the songs also talk about the unresolved generational trauma that the Madrigals had to endure because of their gifts. The pressure to be perfect, to be special, and to survive, is felt in the songs, from their lyrics down to their delivery.
11 Frozen
Your love for Frozen shouldn't be concealed but felt—most especially when it has great music backing it. The contrasts between Elsa and Anna, and the distance that spans between their relationship, is greatly portrayed in the soundtrack of Frozen.
But even putting the themes of sisterly love aside, you have the Queen of Broadway, Idina Menzel, belting out Elsa's iconic Let It Go. This film also gave you Anna's enthusiasm for Elsa's coronation in the song For The First Time In Forever. It's hard not to love Frozen's soundtrack when it's a great musical.
10 Tangled
If you were locked up in a tower until your teenage years by an evil witch posing as your mother, you'd probably have a lot of time practicing your notes like Rapunzel. That being said, Rapunzel's love for singing at random yet appropriate moments deserves praise. Even Flynn's dancing and singing should be appreciated, even if it's prompted at knife-point.
It's not surprising that a Disney princess with magical hair would also have a great singing voice, but it's pleasant to see the ensemble have great voices that add to the musical atmosphere of Tangled.
9 Tarzan
Phil Collins didn't become this movie's one-man band and wrote the warmest songs in Disney for him to go unnoticed. Tarzan will be in our hearts, always, for many things: whether it be the strange connections it has with Frozen, its heartwarming story of found family, and its amazing soundtrack.
You'll Be In My Heart is sure to bring a tear to your eyes, but Strangers Like Me becomes more relatable as you grow and find your place in the world. The movie also features great pieces that add fear and suspense to the heavier scenes in the movie.
8 Hercules
You most likely don't have Meg's rotten judgment if you love Hercules' soundtrack. The movie opens with the muses of Olympus singing The Gospel Truth. They tell the story of Greek prehistory and how it led to the beginning of Hercules' story.
But could you expect any less from a Greek myth-turned-drama? Probably not, and you can expect both Olympus and the Underworld to provide great songs in this case. If you're no god and can't understand the epic journey that Hercules has to undertake in Go The Distance, then Meg's struggle to accept love in I Won't Say I'm In Love is probably human enough for you to relate to.
7 Beauty and the Beast
The story of Beauty and the Beast could be summarized in the first song of the movie. Belle sings about longing for a life beyond the province and her reading a book about a mysterious prince that only reveals himself in the third chapter of the book.
Whether you prefer the original animation over the live-action movie is up to you, but a lot of the classic songs were given a breath of new life through covers by artists like Ariana Grande and John Legend. If you're not wooed by this charming tale that's old as time, you probably still couldn't get over Gaston's theme—even if he's quite the creep.
6 The Princess And The Frog
Tiana is such an underrated princess, just like the movie she stars in. The rags to riches story of Tiana doesn't happen because she meets a prince, but exactly because of the hard work ethic that she sang about at the start—which was passed down to her by her father. Having a prince that encourages you and supports your dreams of opening a business is just the cherry on top for Tiana.
The Princess And The Frog has a unique soundtrack incorporating blues and jazz in its 1920s glory. With the voodoo and hoodoo, and the mystique setting of New Orleans, it becomes hard to forget Dr. Facilier's iconic Friends From The Other Side.
5 The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid doesn't have any bad songs, and Halle Bailey's version of Ariel is heaven on the ears. Regardless of which version of this iconic red-head mermaid you love, all of The Little Mermaid's songs are timeless. Ursula's Poor Unfortunate Souls is arguably the most iconic villain song in Disney, and you can't help but sing along even as Ariel herself loses her voice during this song.
The soundtrack does a great job of showing you Ariel's longing to explore the world beyond the sea. Anybody who actually listened to the lyrics of her song would know that she didn't just trade her tail for love—but for her greater ambition to venture the world.
4 Aladdin
This movie's soundtrack was taken to a whole new world when it was remastered by several artists, notably Zayn, Zhavia, and Will Smith. But even the original version of A Whole New World sung by Lea Salonga and Brad Kane is a core musical memory to many.
Putting the most memorable song of the movie aside, you have the grand Prince Ali, sung by Genie while Aladdin is being paraded on the street. You also have Arabian Nights, which paints the colorful setting of the fictional city of Agrabah.
3 Mulan
Mulan is iconic for its soundtrack, whether it involves being truthful to yourself through Reflection or toughening up on the beat of I'll Make A Man Out Of You. Mulan undeniably has you singing off the top of your lungs or working out voraciously.
Though it has sequels and even a live-action, the first original movie stands among the rest. The songs ranged from lighthearted and funny to serious topics involving the tragedy of invasion and war. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that the music in this movie was crucial in transitioning its important scenes.
2 The Lion King
Beyonce herself blessed the live-action of this film by being the voice of Nala, but even without Queen Bey, everybody who watched The Lion King would get hit with good feels the moment they heard The Circle of Life play in the background.
The soundtrack was key in amplifying your feelings about the important scenes in the movie. Scar's betrayal came at a cruel intensity, your hope for Nala and Simba was restored during their reunion with Elton John playing in the background, and even the ending's impact was made stronger with the movie's final, and arguably, most popular song playing in the background.
1 The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The dark and thrilling tale of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is rightfully accompanied by an equally haunting soundtrack. Quasimodo's life wasn't terrible just because he wasn't conventionally attractive but because of the cruelty and hatred inflicted by Judge Claude Frollo against the Romani people.
Both the movie and musical's music don't make an effort to downplay the vile nature of racism and its consequences to the oppressed. Its serious story is matched by its music, but it also has some songs that will restore your faith in humanity, involving prayers and well-wishes for outcasts.