More often than not, animated films are made better by their soundtracks. Whether a touching scene is enriched by an instrumental score that evokes emotion, or a chase scene is complemented with fast-paced, nerve-wracking music, it shapes the moment as it unfolds and allows viewers to empathize with the characters on screen. Because of this, a film's soundtrack can contribute just as much context to a film's viewers as the dialogue between characters.
However, it is also possible for the soundtrack of an animated film to remind viewers that its visuals don't quite match up with what they hear. After all, implementing top-grossing pop songs does not automatically make a film better, but it does make listening to the soundtrack a lot more fun.
10 The Plot Of The Secret Life Of Pets Is Lacking In Comparison To Its Phenomenal Soundtrack
Although kids' movies like The Secret Life of Pets are sure to keep their intended audience entertained, they often put the parents who were dragged to theaters to sleep. Despite featuring the zany adventures of a ragtag group of animals, the film's soundtrack is its most compelling aspect.
The soundtrack of The Secret Life of Pets is chock-full of modern pop classics, including Taylor Swift's "Welcome To New York" and "Stayin' Alive" by The Bee Gees. However, each song featured on the soundtrack does not mesh perfectly with the surrounding plot.
9 Flushed Away Couldn't Be Saved By Its Poppy Soundtrack
Anyone who grew up in the mid-2000s is sure to remember the unsettling visuals and strange plot of Flushed Away. The film follows its pampered rat protagonist Roddy as he struggles to find his way back to his posh flat after being flushed away to the bustling rodent city of Ratropolis.
Although the film received generally positive reviews for its complementary American and British senses of humor, it flopped at the box office. Even though the film's soundtrack features hit songs like "Don't Worry, Be Happy" and Tina Turner's phenomenal cover of "Proud Mary," neither song adds much to the film's unfolding story.
8 The Originality Of Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer Stopped At Its Songs
As a film that was inspired by the popular eponymous Christmas song, it only makes sense for Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer to have a great soundtrack. The film is perhaps most notable for its comedic takes on catchy, irreverent holiday songs. Such songs include the tropical, Carmen Miranda-inspired "Grandpa's Gonna Sue the Pants off of Santa" and "Grandma's Killer Fruitcake," which features a courtroom drama scene with a refreshingly tragic sense of humor.
Despite boasting several entertaining musical numbers, the holiday film has maintained a lackluster IMDb rating of 4.4 since viewers and critics agree that the movie's originality stops at its soundtrack. Still, the songs make for a fun way to celebrate the holiday season.
7 Shrek The Third Only Incorporates Staple Songs Out Of Necessity
Even though the vast majority of the Shrek film franchise has been met with positive reviews and is lauded for making the big bad ogre more and more likable with each film, the third Shrek movie is one of the few exceptions. The film's awkward animation style and subpar new characters led viewers to believe that less effort was put into Shrek the Third in comparison to the first two films.
Even though the movie features an instrumental version of Smash Mouth's "All Star," a song that has since become symbolic of the film series, it feels like the song is merely included as a formality. Because of this, it is no wonder why audiences mockingly refer to the film as "Shrek the Turd."
6 The Brave Little Toaster's Odd Plot Meshes A Little Too Well With Its Disturbing Original Songs
One animated film that younger audiences are likely to have since scrubbed from their memories because of its surprisingly dark subject matter is The Brave Little Toaster. Since the film follows a group of living appliances who are afraid of being abandoned, it grapples with issues that are too complex, and even scarring, for younger viewers.
However, the movie contains many original songs that enrich the overall, albeit bizarre, plot. This includes the upbeat yet ominous song "Worthless," which plays during a morbid scene where living cars are being destroyed, and the similarly peppy song "Cutting Edge," which evokes the appliances' worst nightmare: being replaced by something more innovative and high-tech.
5 Shark Tale's Phenomenal Soundtrack Doesn't Mesh Well With Its Mature Subject Matter
Another animated film that doesn't measure up to the greatness of its soundtrack is Shark Tale. Much like The Secret Life of Pets, Shark Tale's notability begins and ends at its star-studded cast, which includes big names like Will Smith, Martin Scorsese, and Angelina Jolie.
Whereas many children's films successfully sprinkle in just enough adult humor to entertain both kids and parents, Shark Tale takes it a little too far by showcasing inappropriate topics like organized crime and undisguised PDA. Even though the film's soundtrack consists of hit songs like Christina Aguilera's and Missy Elliott's cover of "Car Wash" and M.C. Hammer's "U Can't Touch This," these songs don't contribute much to the larger narrative.
4 The Emoji Movie Flopped Despite Referencing Countless Pop Culture Trends
As a film that was mercilessly made fun of across the internet long before its dreaded release, it's no wonder The Emoji Movie was considered to be one of the worst animated films of the year. Although the movie possesses a distinct sense of humor, viewers and critics agree that it was only made to jump on the emoji trend.
Since The Emoji Movie was notorious for capitalizing on this trend, it makes sense that the film also features popular, trendy songs. Such songs include the meme-worthy "PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)" and "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)," which popularized the titular dance moves a few years before the film's release.
3 Chicken Little's Unlikable Characters Couldn't Be Redeemed By Its Nostalgic Soundtrack
Although Chicken Little teaches young viewers important life lessons, like the need to remain level-headed in moments of great duress, the film's overall narrative was lacking, since its various subplots are hastily thrown together. While Chicken Little's overreactions are endearing at first, these mannerisms, combined with the characters' awkwardly animated interactions, quickly grate on viewers.
Despite the film's nostalgic soundtrack, which includes retro hits like Elton John's "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and "We are the Champions" by Queen, Chicken Little doesn't measure up to the greatness of its soundtrack—which only makes its mediocrity even more apparent.
2 Encanto's Plethora Of Original Songs Left Fans Wanting More From Its Plot
Oftentimes, when an animated film is chock-full of catchy original songs, viewers hope that the film's plot is just as captivating and unique. This was the case for Disney's Encanto, which quickly became lauded for songs like "We Don't Talk About Bruno" and "Surface Pressure."
However, since most of these original songs are in the first half of Encanto, many viewers were disappointed by the lack of original songs in the film's second half. This was only hindered by Encanto's lackluster plot, which falls to the wayside after Mirabel destroys the Casa Madrigal. Although little is wrong with Encanto as a film, its phenomenal original soundtrack set the bar a little too high.
1 Frozen II Is Doomed To Live In The Shadow Of Its Sensational Predecessor
Even though the great success and universal acclaim of Disney's Frozen is irrefutable, the same cannot be said of its sequel, Frozen II. Although the film builds upon the personas of beloved characters such as Olaf and Anna, it tries way too hard to be as unique as its predecessor and falls dramatically short because of it.
This being said, the film contains amazing original songs like "Into the Unknown" and the surprisingly impactful "Lost in the Woods." Despite having the undeniable potential to be just as successful as the first Frozen, Frozen II lacks notable differences from its predecessor.