10 Amazing Animated Film Soundtracks From The Last 10 Years

It's a good time to get transported to magical other-worlds provided by the gorgeous visual and storytelling spectacles that are animated films. But for all that animation is a visual medium, none of these films would be as memorable or acclaimed as they are without their fantastic soundtracks.

Animated films have their own special sort of identity, and it's not inaccurate to note that many animated films that have music often go the route popularised by Disney, which incorporated original compositions in style of show-tunes and on-stage musicals. And while many on this list do the same - and are, in fact, Disney films, a few entries have proven that there are other, equally awe-inspiring ways to make music an indelible part of a film's identity.

Animated films do better transporting a viewer to far-away lands that could often only live in your imagination than most live action films, and their soundtracks are no different. So here's ten that do their job so well that you might just have to add them to your usual playlists.

While this list is light on major spoilers, there will be a few details from the films addressed, so here's a light spoiler warning for these films, which are largely worth watching, if you haven't already.

Steven Universe The Movie is one of the few films on this list that came out on television, but its impact cannot be understated. The music retains the quality Rebecca Sugar’s past work in the series, while adding other, more distinct elements, including the Ragtime stylings of Sarah Stiles's Spinel, which fit perfectly with the way she was animated.

Spinel's character is a tribute to the rubber hose animation of older 2D works by the legendary Max Fleischer, and her song "Other Friends", one of the best villain songs in the last few years, fits the bounciness of her character while also giving her a sadistic and malicious.

The opening "Happily Ever After" gives this beautiful film a high note to start on, and the beautiful chorus by Broadway legends, and one award-winning Irish singer-songwriter, (Patti Lupone, Christine Ebersole, Lisa Hannigan) playing the Diamonds, give it something of a classic musical film tone. This isn't even mentioning the funky yet soothing "True Kind of Love" by Estelle, or the gorgeous "Independent Together" with rock duo The Both.

Overall, Rebecca Sugar's music remains unimpeachably well-composed, and Steven Universe The Movie is a worthwhile listen for any fan of a good soundtrack.