Disney truly made their mark on this decade. From purchasing Lucasfilms to producing films for Marvel, and from establishing their own streaming service to amassing billion-dollars nearly every year, the House of Mouse is a behemoth to behold. More than that, their animation unit also released memorable films. And the most they are remembered is from their iconic songs.
This list covers the original songs that are released in any movie released by the Walt Disney name. So, no songs from Marvel like “All the Stars” from Black Panther. And those from TV shows and Disney original movies are excluded.
"Something So Right" from Muppets Most Wanted
While it is not as successful as the 2011 movie, Muppets Most Wanted is an exciting Muppet adventure, featuring a French-accented Kermit doppelganger, a Great Muppet Caper throwback, and a Russian-accented Tina Fey.
The songs (composed again by Bret Mackenzie) are hummable, if not memorable. While the song opener “We’re Doing a Sequel” and the tongue-in-cheek romantic "I'll Get You What You Want” is great, the Celine Dion-like “Something So Right” gets the most laughs and even tears.
"A Place Called Slaughter Race" from Ralph Breaks the Internet
It is surprising that a Disney song sequence is featured in a Wreck-It Ralph sequel that purely boasts its videogame tropes and Internet world.
In Ralph Breaks the Internet, one gag featured Vanellope taking the advice of the Disney Princesses to find her inner singing voice. Instantly, it transitions into an out-of-nowhere musical sequence, where Vanellope sings out her desires and even duets with Shank.
While bizarre, “A Place Called Slaughter Race” is a clever nod to Alan Menken songs.
"I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away" from Toy Story 4
Yes, Randy Newman still managed to sing for Disney. While “We Belong Together” in Toy Story 3 is a good effort, the song featured in “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” from Toy Story 4 stands out for fitting into the theme about constant loyalty and unconditional love in the movie.
The song is placed during a montage of Bonnie’s road trip where Woody has to constantly bring back Forky from throwing himself away. Too subtle yet sweet.
"Into the Unknown" from Frozen II
While Frozen II was a polarizing follow-up to the first Frozen, the majority agreed that the songs are one of its strongest aspects.
Even though “Some Things Never Change” and “Lost in the Woods” are worth hearing, the best of them is the counterpart to “Let It Go”, “Into the Unknown”. The song came at the moment when Elsa inadvertently wakes the elemental spirits. And Idina Menzel belted the same energy from before. The haunting siren call is memorable too.
"Man or Muppet" from The Muppets
This Academy Award-winning song is a peculiar one. The song is featured in the turning point of The Muppets when a busy Gary (played by Jason Segel) and a nervous Walter reflected on themselves of their true identity. The sequence featured Gary confronting a Muppet version of himself, and Walter seeing a human version of himself (played by Jim Parsons).
While the sequence is funny in itself, it is a great emotional (and also existentialist) moment for the two leads.
"Let It Go" from Frozen
Arguably the most iconic Disney song of the decade, “Let It Go” had solidified itself as a staple in modern pop culture. On its first second, the song strikes a benchmark of breakthrough, much like Elsa herself during the spectacular song sequence.
Highlighting Elsa’s full release of her concealed powers, “Let It Go” easily struck a chord, thanks to Idina Menzel’s performance and the composition of husband-and-wife collaborators Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. Powerful and resonating, it is a masterpiece.
"I See the Light" from Tangled
Disney had a decade of sweet duets, like “Love is An Open Door” from Frozen and “The Book is Not a Cover” from Mary Poppins Returns. But the best of them belong to the purely romantic duet from Tangled with “I See the Light”.
Featured during the dazzling lantern raising sequence, the song starts as a voiceover till it becomes an onscreen duet between Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Both Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi brought all to this romantic number.
"Try Everything" from Zootopia
Shakira contributed one song to the surprisingly outstanding Zootopia. And it fittingly started and capped off an engrossing animated film that tackled about making a difference and considering other’s differences.
While the song is relatively inspired by Shakira in her Gazelle character, it is a suitable song to be featured in the sequence where Judy Hopps travels to the metropolis and the credits set in Gazelle’s concert. Inspirational without being too cloying, “Try Everything” is a good listen after Zootopia.
"How Far I'll Go" from Moana
It seems that future animated Disney films with musical numbers would aim for that “Let It Go” moment. The best of them is “How Far I’ll Go”. While the titular heroine sang this during an unnecessary portion of the movie, it still pushed Moana to a turning point to go further that she needs to go.
Moana’s voice actress Auli’I Cravalho powerfully conveyed her internal desires to help her village and fulfill her personal desires. Remarkable in all areas explored.
"Remember Me" from Coco
“Remember Me” is indeed the signature song from Coco. Again written by the Lopezes, it is also one of those cases that the song is a multifaceted one that elevates the story.
On its first play in the 2017 Pixar film, it is featured as Ernesto de la Cruz’s most recognizable song. However, after learning that de la Cruz stole Hector’s compositions, Miguel also learned that not only Hector was his great ancestor but “Remember Me” was written for Coco. That fact alone is a tender-loving moment that makes this song frequently played in funerals and tributes.
Its emotional richness makes “Remember Me” the best Disney song of the decade.