Though Disney is known for its imaginative narratives and gorgeous animations, the studio is also largely known for something else: music.
Many of Disney’s films have featured some of the most beautiful soundtracks and memorable songs in movie history. Because of this, we thought it was time to look at every Disney hit that has won an Academy Award in the Best Original Score category.
Before we get started, we’re acknowledging that the Best Original Score category has taken on various names and slightly altered meanings throughout the years. Though some ceremonies have divided this category’s nominees into two groups (based on things like the genre of the film the music appears in), we’ll only be referring to the Best Original Score category by the single, formal title that is used today for simplicity’s sake.
With that said, it’s time to sing along to some of Disney’s best; Here is every Disney feature to win the Best Original Score category at the Academy Awards.
Pinocchio
Disney first brought home the Best Original Score award with the release of Pinocchio in 1940.
This fairytale, adapted from the children’s novel The Aventures of Pinocchio by Italian author Carlo Collodi, tells of a lonely wood craftsman who makes puppet that is turned into a real boy by a blue fairy. If he can prove himself, he will become human forever. If not, he will stay a puppet.
The film’s upbeat, cheery soundtrack resonated well with its ’40s audiences. Pinocchio also nabbed Disney’s first Best Original Song Oscar for “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
Dumbo
It didn’t take Disney long to win another Best Original Score award. In fact, just a year later, the studio received another one of these awards for the music in Dumbo.
The animation follows a big-eared circus elephant who discovers that he can fly. Though the film’s “Baby Mine” didn’t win Best Original Song, it did bring home Best Original Score.
Filled with a playful, orchestral sound, the music from Dumbo once again proved that Disney knew how to do music right.
Mary Poppins
After an over two-decade drought, Disney got back into the Best Original Score game with the release of Mary Poppins in 1964.
The musical fantasy tells of the Banks children who are brought on adventures with their new, magical British nanny: Mary Poppins. The story is told through a series of plucky, melody-driven songs.
In addition to winning Best Original Score, Mary Poppins walked away with Best Actress in a Leading Role (Julie Andrews), Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Song (“Chim Chim Cher-ee”). Mary Poppins remains Disney’s only live-action film to win the Best Original Score accolade at The Oscars.
The Little Mermaid
Disney didn’t win another Best Original Score award at the Academy Awards for another 25 years. At the beginning of the Disney Renaissance in 1989, however, that all changed.
The Little Mermaid told of an underwater princess who dreams of going on the land and falling in love with the handsome Prince Eric. Though she hopes to make her dreams come true by making a deal with the sea witch Ursula, exchanging her voice for legs, she has only three days to kiss the prince or else she’ll remain a mermaid forever.
The Broadway-style musical won Best Music, Original Song for “Under the Sea” in addition to Best Original Score.
Beauty And The Beast
The next Disney Renaissance film to win Best Original Score was 1991’s Beauty and the Beast.
This musical fantasy tells of a prince who is stripped of his beauty and turned into a hideous beast because of his cruelty. If he can love another and be loved in return, however, the curse will be broken and he’ll return to his original form. Though Belle is at first a prisoner of his enchanted castle, a romantic spark between the two has the potential to change fate.
Beauty and the Beast was entered into the Best Picture category. Though it didn’t win the ultimate title, it did leave the Oscars with Best Original Score and Best Original Song for the titular “Beauty and the Beast” track.
Aladdin
Aladdin flew into theaters in 1992. It finished its successful run with two Academy Awards, one for Best Original Song (“A Whole New World”) and another for Best Original Score.
The fantasy tells of an orphaned boy who steals food on the streets of Agrabah in order to stay alive. After coming across a genie in a magic lamp, however, he realizes he might just be able to wish himself a better future.
Combining style, liveliness, and witty lyrics, the film’s Broadway-style music was definitely award-deserving.
The Lion King
Disney’s next Academy Awards hit was 1994’s The Lion King.
The animated musical tells of a lion cub named Simba who runs away from Pride Rock after falsely believing he caused the death of his father. However, after Simba’s evil uncle Scar tries to take rule, he must return to his home and resume his rightful place as ruler.
Composer Hans Zimmer won Best Original Score while Elton John and Tim Rice took Best Original Song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”
Pocahontas
Though Disney’s Pocahontas has its critics, this doesn’t change the fact that it had gorgeous animations and a soaring soundtrack.
This 1995 musical romance tells of a Native American woman who falls for Englishman John Smith after he arrives with explorers to establish Jamestown and dig for gold. However, with tensions running high between Pocahontas’ tribe and the new settlers, a future for the pair looks bleak.
“Colors of the Wind” won Best Original Song while the movie as a whole won Best Original Score.
Up
The last film to win Best Original Score was 2009’s Up. The adventure-comedy remains the only Pixar film to win in this category.
Up tells of an elderly man who decides to fulfill his dream of visiting South Africa’s Paradise Falls by flying his house there. However, his relaxing journey turns into a wild adventure after trouble (and a few unlikely participants) come along.
The film’s emotional music impressed viewers. This had the movie going home with Best Original Score. It additionally won Best Original Feature and was even nominated for the coveted Best Picture title.
