Just a Definitive Playlist of the Greatest Disney Songs of All Time
Asking you to pick your number one Disney song is basically like asking your parents to choose a favorite child. (It’s me, obviously.) You shan’t ever dare do it! There are just way too many iconic Disney tunes that it’s nearly impossible to play faves. But I love a challenge, and after careful consideration, I've narrowed it down to the top 50 best Disney songs of all time.
Now, the studio has been churning out films—both animated and live-action—for over half a century, and many of them include original songs that have become classics all over the world. Still, when you think of Disney original songs, odds are you think of animated Disney princess movies, which gave us songs like “Whistle While You Work” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, and “Let It Go” from Frozen. But for the purpose of this list, I've expanded the search to include Disney Channel Original Movies and shows, which gave us bops like “Supernova Girl” from Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century and “This is Me” from Camp Rock, to ensure that the best Disney songs represent every aspect of Disney itself.
Trust me, you'll be bopping your head to this playlist in no time. And don't forget, once you're in a Disney mood, subscribe to Disney+ to watch the inspiration behind the songs.
"Poor Unfortunate Souls" from The Little Mermaid
Ursula's villain song is iconic for a reason—not only is packed with deliciously clever and evil lyrics, it's also catchy as hell. It's impossible to listen to it without wanting to sing along, which is probably why it usually makes an appearance on karaoke night.
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"That's How You Know" from Enchanted
Enchanted was both a parody of and a live-action homage to Disney animated films, music included. Thanks to elaborate choreography, a Central Park backdrop, and Amy Adams' charming performance, "That's How You Know" made Enchanted fit right into the Disney canon.
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"Supernova Girl" from Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century
Yes, Disney animated movies have a history of show-stopping songs, but we can't forget about all the bops given to audiences by Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs for short). Over two decades later, and "Supernova Girl" is still just as catchy as it was in '99.
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"When She Loved Me" from Toy Story 2
I don't care how old you are, it's impossible to listen to this ballad about a toy's owner outgrowing her and not sob your eyes out. And, no, it's not just because it's sung by Sarah McLachlan...though that doesn't hurt.
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"What Dreams Are Made Of" from The Lizzie McGuire Movie
Hey now, you didn't think we would make a list of iconic Disney songs without mentioning "What Dreams Are Made Of," did you? There was a time when this song was inescapable. If you're a millennial, I guarantee you know this song even if you haven't seen The Lizzie McGuire Movie.
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"The Climb" from Hannah Montana The Movie
It's hard to believe that one of Miley Cyrus' most iconic hits was actually an original song released for Hannah Montana The Movie. In many ways, the track set Cyrus up for mainstream fame post-Disney stardom, and, yep, it's still a classic.
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"I2I" from A Goofy Movie
"I2I" could legitimately be a pop hit, and though it's not one of the best known songs to come out of a Disney animated film, it still deserves a spot on this list.
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"Agatha All Along" from WandaVision
Marvel is technically owned by Disney, making the surprise WandaVision hit, "Agatha All Along" eligible for a spot on the list of best Disney songs. The song is undeniably catchy and went viral mid-pandemic shut down, inspiring memes, TikToks, and, most importantly, a Trap remix.
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"Surface Pressure" from Encanto
What happens when you get Lin Manuel Miranda to write songs for a Disney movie? The best Disney songs you've ever heard, that's what! This song definitely has the most Hamilton-esque vibes out of everything in the movie, and TBH, I can't get enough.
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"Almost There" from The Princess and the Frog
You might recognize this song from TikTok, and if you didn't know it was originally from The Princess And The Frog...surprise! Now you do! And the whole thing is 100 percent worth a listen.
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"Reflection" from Mulan
Anyone else throw this song on and (way too loudly) sing along when they need to have an emotional main character moment?? Your neighbors will definitely hate you, but it's worth it.
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"Streets of Gold" from Oliver and Company
I'm just gonna say it, Oliver and Company might be the most underrated Disney movie out there, and "Streets of Gold" has got singing dogs, '80s pop vibes, and a catchy tune. What more could you possibly need?
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"Breaking Free" from High School Musical
Alright, so High School Musical miiight not be what you think of when you picture a classic Disney movie BUT it still counts. HSM is packed with banger after banger, and it all started with "Breaking Free."
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"Nobody Like U" from Turning Red
Did we expect to get an early 2000s boyband song from a Disney movie released in 2022? No. Are we glad we did? OH yes!
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"Cruella De Vil" from 101 Dalmations
Find me a Disney villain more iconic than Cruella De Vil...I'll wait! This song might have come out *gasp* more than 60 YEARS ago, but it's still one of the most recognizable bops the House of Mouse ever released.
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"We Don't Talk About Bruno" from Encanto
Did you really think there was going to be a list of the best Disney songs without "We Don't Talk About Bruno"?? No, no, no. (Hah, see what I did there?)
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“How Far I’ll Go" from Moana
Newer Disney movies LOVE having their princesses sing a powerful ballad, and this one from Moana is one of the most moving they’ve ever produced.
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“Let It Go” from Frozen
If you don’t know every word to this song by now, have you been living without an internet connection, or…? Never forget, it took home the Oscar for Best Original Song after a stellar performance by Adele Dazeem.
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“Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid
Anyone who’s ever felt out of place can relate to Ariel’s desire to be part of the human world. (Who’s gonna tell her that it’s not so great up here at the moment tho?)
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“A Whole New World” from Aladdin
Everyone (myself included) is obsessed with this song. It even won an Oscar in 1993, ’cause Disney really knows how to make award-winning hits.
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“You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story
This (timeless) perfect song about friendship just adds to the already very emotional roller coaster that is the Toy Story franchise.
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“Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas
This is, you guessed it, ANOTHER Oscar winner. And sure, some of the lyrics don’t make total sense (blue corn moon? Not entirely sold on that metaphor, my dude), but it’s still a catchy tune.
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“I’ll Make a Man Out of You" from Mulan
I play this song whenever I need to get pumped up. If Mulan can take her dad’s place and become a kick-ass soldier, I can deal with Karen’s office antics.
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“Circle of Life” from The Lion King
Everyone knows the iconic opening song in The Lion King, even if most of us don’t have a clue what those first few words actually are. It’s fine, everything’s fine.
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“The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book
I could never get tired of listening to Baloo sing about the bare necessities of life, and TBH, it makes for a great anthem if you’re trying to Marie Kondo your apartment right now.
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“Into the Unknown" from Frozen 2
After the wild success of Frozen, the sequel didn’t disappoint, *especially* the music. This song—sung by the über-talented Idina Menzel—acts as inspo for everyone wanting to follow the voice in their head that tells them to go in a new direction.
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“Zero to Hero” from Hercules
I feel like this song is actually pretty underrated. The catchy music, funny lyrics, and those harmonies?! Such a gem.
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“I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” from The Lion King
Watching little Simba torture Zazu in this “I can’t wait to grow up” sequence is pure gold. Goes without saying that this bop is catchy as hell.
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“Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast
Raise your hand if this movie gave you a very unrealistic view of love, life, and dinner parties. What do you mean a talking candle can’t serve me an elaborate feast while the utensils sing backup?
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“Love Is an Open Door” from Frozen
Okay, fine, we all know at this point that Hans ended up being a totally bad guy, but this song…still…kinda…slaps? You just gotta forget for two minutes that everything he’s saying is a lie.
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“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King
As far as Disney love songs go, this is probably the most iconic. It was written by absolute legend Elton John, so it’s definitely got the bona fides.
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“Spoonful of Sugar” from Mary Poppins
If only all I had to do to clean my room was snap my fingers. Sigh. Hey, at least playing this song while I pick up all my clothes off the floor makes the process a tad more bearable, right? Right!?!
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“You’re Welcome" from Moana
“How Far I’ll Go” may have gotten the Oscar nom, but The Rock’s surprisingly good vocals and the hella-catchy lyrics make this an excellent listen.
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“Once Upon a Dream” from Sleeping Beauty
Prince Phillip is low-key one of the most charming Disney love interests of all time, but that’s not the only reason this song is amazing. It’s just so, well, dreamy.
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“Beauty and the Beast" from Beauty and the Beast
Yeah, that’s Angela Lansbury—or, excuse me, Dame Angela Lansbury—crushing it on the vocals as Mrs. Potts.
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“When Will My Life Begin" from Tangled
Mandy Moore’s voice in the opening number of Tangled is perfectly pop-y and sets the hopeful tone for the whole movie. This song will also put your morning routine to shame.
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“Just Around the Riverbend” from Pocahontas
This song makes me want to grab a canoe and head out to the nearest body of water. Almost.
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“Friend Like Me" from Aladdin
The amazing Robin Williams gave such a memorable performance here that no remake will ever be able to live up to it. (My apologies to Will Smith!)
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“I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)" from Hercules
There’s something about moody Meg trying to convince herself she’s not in love with Hercules that makes this song extremely relatable. The muses coming through on the backup vocals don’t hurt either.
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“I Wanna Be Like You" from The Jungle Book
NGL, as a kid, I was obsessed with this part of The Jungle Book, mostly because the song was so jazzy and different from any other Disney bop I had heard before.
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“Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo" from Cinderella
There’s no shortage of magic in this song, both literally and figuratively. And yeah, sure, half of the lyrics are just made-up words, but that’s what makes singing along so fun.
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“Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" from Lilo and Stitch
Say it with me now: “Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind.”
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“Go the Distance" from Hercules
Listening to lil teenage demigod Hercules trying to figure out exactly where he’s meant to be is equal parts emotional and inspiring.
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“Remember Me" from Coco
Without fail, this song causes me to grab a Costco-size box of Kleenex and go through a-l-l of ’em. But seriously, if you’re not leaking tears by the end of this one, IDK what’s wrong with you.
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“When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio
This song is quintessential old-school Disney. It almost makes you believe your magical fairy godmother is about to make an appearance and change your whole life! (Psst, yeah, this jam also won an Oscar.)
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“What’s This" from The Nightmare Before Christmas
In case you weren’t aware, The Nightmare Before Christmas is technically a Disney movie. Initially, they released it through Touchstone ’cause they thought it’d be too scary for little kids, but now it’s back under the Disney brand.
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“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from Mary Poppins
Sure, spelling the song title is a major headache, but it’s a delight to sing along to nonetheless. My personal idea of a good time is pretending that I’m dancing with cartoon penguins alongside Dick Van Dyke doing a terrible accent, FWIW.
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“Heigh Ho" from Snow White
This iconic song comes from Disney’s first-ever full-length animated movie way back in 1937. Presently, it makes for the ideal song to play while you amp yourself up for another long day of WFH.
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“Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid
I’ll be honest, Sebastian telling Ariel “the human world, it’s a mess” lands a little differently these days. This song is still a banger regardless.
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“You’ll Be in My Heart" from Tarzan
Tarzan may not be the first Disney movie that comes to mind when you’re thinking of good songs, but this song hits your heart undeniably hard.
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