No studio can claim them all when it comes to famous film scores, but the DreamWorks catalog repeatedly knocks it out of the park. The company has been awarded many accolades from the ever-coveted Academy Awards to BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and Annie Awards. These scores transcend the very films they're born from, and several continue to be performed at live concerts worldwide.
DreamWorks has provided music for the ages, considering both the scores and soundtracks, original compositions, and licensed music. These tracks empower the mightiest heroes, serenade epic romances, and honor noble sacrifice. Besides that, they're pretty catchy.
How to Train Your Dragon Franchise (2010)
Spawning two sequels and multiple cartoon spin-offs, How to Train Your Dragon is one of DreamWorks' most beloved franchises. Nominated for several Annie Awards and an Academy Award for Best Original Score, the tale of a boy and his dragon is a rare gem among many of its archetypal counterparts.
John Powell's score features well-known tracks, "Forbidden Friendship" and "Romantic Flight," and is one of few DreamWorks films to not include any pop tracks during the runtime of each film. Supplemental music by Jonsi features in the credits; however, the Viking-inspired tracks speak for themselves and even include an original song in the sequel, "For the Dancing and the Dreaming," lauded by fans of the series.
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
DreamWorks Animation hit a grand slam with its first major motion picture. The Prince of Egypt won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score. It was also nominated for several Annie Awards, Golden Globes, and Grammys for Best Original Score.
The sweeping, epic retelling of the Book of Exodus features a bombastic backdrop of biblical proportions composed by Hans Zimmer alongside several pop tracks like the smash hit "When you Believe," covered by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carrey. Zimmer's haunting melodies, as heard in "The Burning Bush," helped propel Prince of Egypt to the critical success it became and solidified DreamWorks animation as a tour de force here to stay.
Transformers Franchise (2007)
Not all of DreamWorks' best music comes from its animated features. Transformers, co-produced with Paramount, was overlooked during award season. Nevertheless, Steve Jablonsky's epic score has risen above the film's story and held on through its four sequels.
Full of sweeping choir tracks and heroic horns, Jablonsky's best-remembered tracks include "Arrival to Earth," "Autobots," "No sacrifice, No Victory," and "Tessa" from the fourth film, Age of Extinction. The 2007 adaptation brought Autobots and Decepticons to the big screen in a way never seen before. Despite the franchise's faults, Jablonsky's score remains a shining example of the power of music to make a movie.
Kung Fu Panda Franchise (2008)
Kung Fu Panda surprised audiences at its debut with a heartfelt and age-old message of staying true to oneself that there is no secret ingredient to make someone special. All three films in the franchise were nominated for Academy Awards and Annie Awards, with Kung Fu Panda winning Best Animated Feature.
Composed by Hans Zimmer and John Powell, Kung Fu Panda's score invokes the setting of ancient China while also remaining lighthearted and whimsical enough for the comedic shenanigans of the film's protagonist. The best-known track, "Oogway Ascends," has featured multiple times in live symphonic concerts by Zimmer himself and remains one of DreamWorks' most recognizable tracks.
American Beauty (1999)
Winner for Best Picture from the Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, Critics' Choice Move Award, and a Golden Globe, many might forget that DreamWorks produced American Beauty. Compared to other scores by DreamWorks, American Beauty shies away from comedic or bombastic tracks and keeps it simple but memorable.
The story follows a father's pursuit of his daughter's best friend, and Thomas Newman's melancholy score perfectly fits the nuances of the film. The titular track, "American Beauty," features a piano accompaniment reminiscent of Newman's multitude of other works like Finding Nemo and is more than worth listening with or without the film itself.
Shrek Franchise (2001)
DreamWorks' flagship franchise has consistently ranked top of the charts in the list of fan-favorites for the studio and beyond. Shrek was the first winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and was nominated for BAFTAs and Golden Globes for best picture. Shrek 2 received a nomination for Best Animated Feature.
Shrek and Shrek 2 set the gold standard for animated comedies, and the clever soundtrack to both reflect why this franchise is so beloved. The franchise's haunting central theme, "Fairytale," became the score to DreamWorks' logo. At the same time, composers Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell effortlessly blended the pop cover of "Holding Out for a Hero" with dramatic orchestral instrumentation for the iconic finale of Shrek 2. Between the opening credits of Shrek and the energetic climax of Shrek 2 fits a soundtrack to stand the test of time.
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)
An homage to the American frontier efforts and allegory for the encroaching American settlements on Native American lives and land, Spirit follows life through the eyes of its eponymous horse. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and winner of several Annie Awards, Spirit has a unique blend of original composition and pop tracks.
Ever popular among Hans Zimmer's concert productions, "Run Free" is the film's most iconic track and pays tribute to the work of Aaron Copland. Bryan Adams supplied tracks "Here I Am" and "You Can't Take Me," contemporary rock songs reflecting the wild and free nature of the film's protagonist and enduring long after the film's release.
Gladiator (2000)
Yet another Best Picture winner for Hans Zimmer, Gladiator follows the epic story of a general who became enslaved and then became a gladiator, who rose the ranks in the Colosseum through brutal fights to the death to defy an emperor. Also, a winner of a BAFTA, Critic's Choice Award, and Golden Globe, Gladiator is sure to entertain.
Zimmer, with Lisa Gerrard, produced tracks like "Elysium" and "Now We Are Free," which features in many of Zimmer's live concerts. Though parts of it sound familiar to Pirates of the Caribbean, also credited in part to Zimmer, Gladiator's epic score befits the story's tragedy and is instantly recognizable as one of the greats.
The Road to El Dorado (2000)
Regarded as one of DreamWorks Animation's best entries, The Road To El Dorado finds itself more of a cult classic than a headliner, but by no means does that make it any less worth a watch. Nominated for several Annie Awards and winner of the Critics' Choice Award for Best Composer, the musical deserves every accolade.
Elton John and Tim Rice co-wrote songs like "It's Tough to be a God, and "The Trail We Blaze," with the score provided once again by Hans Zimmer. These three had also worked together on The Lion King, and it shows with energetic singalongs that are effortlessly catchy and equally memorable.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Often regarded as one of the most remarkable depictions of war in cinema and best films of all time, Saving Private Ryan was a joint venture between DreamWorks and Paramount. Steven Spielberg's World War II epic won a BAFTA, Critics Choice Award, Golden Globe, and was nominated and snubbed for Best Picture.
John Williams' score evokes the desperation of the film's protagonists to complete their titular mission, so they can all go home. "Hymn to the Fallen," the score's most recognizable track, harkens back to the march music and pays tribute to all those lost during the war.