Smart devices make listening to music so easy these days. We love to have music on often here and I find kids movie soundtracks to be a great way to mix up songs and keep everyone happy. I had a hard time narrowing this list down to ten. Let us know in the comments what else you’d include!
Moana
I had no idea that Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote as much of Moana’s soundtrack as he did until after we played it on our smart device! This movie was adorable (one of my most recent favorites) and I never complain when my kids ask to hear the soundtrack. We all giggle when we hear them sing about the coconuts (“Where You Are”). I feel cool when I can spit out The Rock Dwayne Johnson’s rap in “You’re Welcome.” “How Far I’ll Go,” the reprise in particular is straight-up inspiring, and I’ll cry if I’m in the right mood. When it comes to soundtracks, I could listen to this one over and over again.
The Princess and the Frog
The New Orleans jazz flair on this soundtrack, wow! Randy Newman always delivers. Admittedly, we still have not seen this movie in my house, but we listen to the soundtrack often. There are so many fun pieces on this one. When I’m in a singing mood, “Almost There” is almost always a top choice. My kids have twirled many a twirl while dancing to “Down in New Orleans.” Love love LOVE this one!
The Little Mermaid
This Alan Menken soundtrack is a classic from my childhood. I can distinctly remember pushing myself up on the couch to sing “Part of Your World” just like Ariel did on her rock. “Poor Unfortunate Souls” is one I truly appreciate in my old years with its uplifting but still dark tones. “Under The Sea” is my go-to when approaching a marimba. (Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star does an adorable lullaby cover!) Classic 90s (OK, almost 90s) Disney with some classic tunes.
Aladdin
Speaking of Classic 90s Disney, let’s talk about Menken’s next gem with Aladdin. It starts strong with “Arabian Nights” before (literally) jumping into “One Jump Ahead.” Robin Williams cracked me up with the Joan Rivers segment in “Price Ali.” I still get pumped up listening to “Friend Like Me.” And was it me, or was “A Whole New World” the best love song of the 90s? I love this soundtrack so much that I just can’t find it in me to listen to the new one.
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is an absolute classic movie, and the music is held in the same regard. I spent a great deal of childhood singing “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” (such an accomplishment). I would snap and clean my room while singing “Spoonful of Sugar,” waiting for those toys to jump right into the box. “Sister Suffragette” was a new song as an adult! “Stay Awake” was a lullaby in this household. “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” this one is treasure after treasure.
Tarzan
Phil Collins blew us away here. “Trashing the Camp” picks me up immediately. Phil Collins does a great job of marrying the Men at Work sound with heartfelt classics with “Two Worlds, One Family” and “You’ll Be In My Heart.” You can definitely put this soundtrack on repeat without ever having seen the movie.
Annie
Annie is another classic movie and another classic soundtrack. It only took one listen for us all to belt out “Tomorrow!” We were seemingly programmed to sing “Hard Knock Life” while grumpily cleaning our rooms. This one always leaves me singing and reminds me that I’m “Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.”
Curious George
This soundtrack is nothing short of joy. I smile every time I hear “Upside Down.” “We’re Going to be Friends” is perfect for new school-year jitters. I l love The Schoolhouse Rock nod in “The 3 Rs.” The music on this soundtrack is so sweet and great to put on at any time of the day.
The Lion King
Disney legend Tim Rice and pop legend Elton John absolutely nailed it with The Lion King. Don’t think so? Try to hold up a stuffed animal without singing “Circle of Life.” If you didn’t think that “A Whole New World” was the love song of the 90s, then you probably thought “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” was. “Hakuna Matata” was so great that they even threw it in to Toy Story!
Shrek
I’ll admit that I am having difficulty choosing between 1, 2, and 3. Looking for some great throwbacks? They’ve got you covered with “Bad Reputation,” “Changes,” “Immigrant Song,” or “Do You Remmeber Rock n Roll Radio?” (I can keep going here…) Prefer an older piece with a twist? Check out “I’m a Believer.” Prefer something brand new? “Accidently in Love.” Feel like dancing? “Funkytown.” I know choosing a trio of movies/soundtracks is a bit of a cop-out, but I’ll make the exception for Shrek!
Honorable Mentions
Cars, Tangled, Hercules, Newsies, The Sandlot, Frozen
