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Since its creation almost 100 years ago , Walt Disney Studioshas dazzle audiences with their takes on classic fairytales and their own original stories across generations . In late geezerhood the company has operate from being a beloved brand to an ever - growing juggernaut acquiring the likes of Pixar , Marvel , Lucasfilms , and 20th Century Studios . But despite its farm library , audiences are the most conversant and nostalgic for Walter Elias Disney classic ( include their Pixar animations ) .
These dear movies are iconic for the stories they tell as well as their sport imagination and music . The composers behind Disney ’s songs and scores have basically allow viewers with the soundtrack to their childhood . Here are Disney ’s top composer ranked .
Frank Churchill, Paul Smith, and Leigh Harline
This first entry goes a little further back in time in the Disney vault ( and slightly cheats with a 3 - in-1 combo ) . Churchill , Smith and Harline were composing for Disney ; making music for their shorts before Disney made feature - distance film . The three of them team up up to frame music for Disney’svery first feature , Snow White and the Seven Dwarves , in 1937 .
They went on to one by one score other Disney productions and help with other features suchDumbo , Bambi , andFantasia . Smith was posthumously given the Disney Legend Award in 1994 while Churchill and Harline received theirs in 2001 .
Mark Mancina
Many of the composers on this listing are more probable to vocalize familiar than look it . Mark Mancina is one such first appearance . His contribution to Disney films get in the flesh of classics such asTarzan , Brother Bear , and most recently , Moana .
Mancina bring home the bacon a Grammy alongside carbon monoxide gas - composer Phil Collins for their work onTarzan , and he would go on to play with Collins again onBrother Bear . He work with Lin - Manuel Miranda onMoana . Outside of Disney , he ’s known for composing picture show likeBad Boys , Speed , andTwister .
Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman is perhaps best known for his collaborations with director Tim Burton ( a former Disney energiser himself ) . Over the age , Burton has become more knotty with directing and farm Disney films ; some of which are original history and others that are springy remakes of Disney classics . begin with films likeThe Nightmare Before Christmasand ( the Burton - less)Flubber , Elfman soon became a Walt Disney staple .
In the 2010 ’s he composed the scores forthe live - action remakesofDumboandAlice in Wonderland . His contributions were discern by Disney when he was given the Disney Legend Award in 2015 .
John Debney
While John Debney ’s better - known musical composition ( such as scoring thePassion of the Christ ) are not associate to Disney , the employment he has done for them is reasonably significant . He has seduce rage - classic such asHocus Pocus , Inspector Gadget , The Princess Diaries , and HannahMontana : The Movie .
Before scoring Disney film , Debney also compose music for Disney ’s many theme parks . Anyone who has been to Disney World , Disneyland Paris , or Tokyo Disneyland has likely try Debney ’s tunes on rides and in show over the years .
Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer is anextremely prolific composerwho has make iconic scores for Disney film and other major studios . He win his only Oscar of 11 nominations for his body of work on Disney’sThe Lion King . He composed more music for the CGI - live adaptation ofThe Lion Kingand make thePirates of the Caribbeanseries .
After Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment and twentieth Century Studios , Zimmer ’s contribution to Disney grew ; films he nock such asThe Amazing Spiderman 2,Avengers : Age of Ultron , Dark Phoenix , andThe Simpsons Movieare now technically under the Disney umbrella . He was presented with the Disney Legend award as part of the class of 2019 .
George Bruns
George Bruns was a vast part of shaping earlier Disney scores . Beginning his career in the 1950 ’s he often worked with Disney conductor Wolfgang Reitherman , composing the scores forSleeping Beauty,101 Dalmations , The Jungle Book , The Aristocats , andRobin Hood .
He was nominated for four Academy Awards , all for his workplace with Disney . He posthumously was given the Disney Legend Award in 2001 .
Oliver Wallace
Oliver Wallace is another prolific Disney composer of the past tense . He ’s work with composer such as Leigh Harline , Paul J. Smith , and Frank Churchill on classics likeDumbo , Cinderella , andPinnochio . He make headway an Academy Award for his workplace onPinocchioalong with Churchill .
On his own , he composed the scores forPeter PanandAlice in Wonderland . He in the main put up to Disney with co - composers over his career . In 2008 his body of work was recognized with the Disney Legend Award .
Randy Newman
After Disney acquired Pixar in 2006 , Randy Newman , ofToy Storycomposingfame , quickly became a major Disney staple . He ’s composed many other Disney and Pixar favorites over the years , such asMonsters Inc. ,Cars , The Princess and the Frog , andCars 3 .
Newman is part of a family of decorated composer ( let in Thomas and Alfred Newman ) and has been present for his share to Disney and non - Disney film . Like many composers on this list , he was recognized with the Disney Legend award , being part of the class of 2007 .
Michael Giacchino
Like Danny Elfman , Michael Giacchino ’s body of study for Disney expanded with their acquisition of other major output party . Pre - Marvel and Lucasfilm acquisition , Giacchino already had a prolific body of work for Disney , namely through their Pixar films . Fans know him for scoringThe Incredibles , Ratatouille , Up , Zootopia , andCocoto name a few .
Post - Marvel and Lucasfilm acquisition , Giacchino ’s other Disney affiliated picture show includeSpiderman : Homecoming , Rogue One , andDoctor Strange . Giacchino won an Academy Award for his marking ofUpand will no doubt get his own Disney Legend accolade in the future .
Alan Menken
Alongside his songwriting partner Howard Ashman , Alan Menken is best known for crafting the soundtrack to theDisney Renaissance . Behind themusic for such classicsasThe Little Mermaid , Beauty and the Beast , Aladdin , andPocahontas , he was quickly made a Disney caption in 2002 .
Menken has continue to tally and make birdsong for darling Disney films likeEnchanted , Tangled , and is presently working on the music and lyrics for the forthcoming unrecorded - action adaptation of theLittle Mermaid . The act of honor he ’s garner over the eld propelled him to EGOT status having won an Emmy , Grammy , Oscar , and Tony for many of his works .
NEXT:10 Most Difficult Disney Movie Trivia Questions ( And Their answer )
