Trolls is a musical children’s film that still keeps kids engaged nearly a decade after its release, but there are plenty of other upbeat family movies worth checking out too. Loosely based on the beloved troll doll toys created by Thomas Dam, the 2016 movie casts Anna Kendrick (Poppy) and Justin Timberlake (Branch) as mismatched trolls who must go on an epic adventure to rescue their kind from the evil Bergens. Besides the over-the-top colorful visuals and all-star cast, Trolls stood out because of its memorable soundtrack made up of recognizable pop songs.

The first movie was a smashing success, and Trolls was followed by two sequels, several TV shows, and even a few specials as well. Trolls is hardly the first children’s film to combine eye-catching animation with toe-tapping tunes, but it’s unique because it deftly mixes new songs with established classics, and cleverly integrates the music into the movie’s fictional universe. Because the family film musical has been a popular genre for decades, there are plenty of excellent movies that could be considered contemporaries of Trolls.

10

The Angry Birds Movie (2016)

The Popular Mobile Game Comes To Life

The Angry Birds Movie brought the hit mobile game to the big screen, and despite being an adaptation, delivered a pretty compelling story. In the film, Red must team up with several other outcast birds to help save their peaceful island from the dastardly green pigs. The video game didn’t offer much by way of story, but the film makes up for it with interesting characters, slick visuals, and a soundtrack of new and classic music. Angry Birds might not be as bombastic as Trolls, but it’s still an engaging family adventure.

9

The Lorax (2012)

One Of The Better Dr. Seuss Movies

Movies based on Dr. Seuss’ works are decidedly hit or miss, but 2012’s adaptation of The Lorax is one of the better examples of the author’s books brought to life. The classic story’s environmental message is expanded as a young boy hopes to win the heart of a girl with a rare flower that doesn’t grow in his desolate town. The Lorax is his usual grumpy self, and the movie has an indescribable style that only Seuss’ drawings could convey.

Trolls fans will get a kick out of the movie’s original soundtrack, and The Lorax features a handful of new songs written exclusively for the movie. Though it isn’t a jukebox musical, The Lorax more than makes up for the recognizability factor by incorporating modern music styles into its original score.

8

Hop (2011)

An Underseen Hybrid Animation Film

Illumination has had very few misses, but 2011’s hybrid animation film Hop is largely forgotten. This is unfortunate because it combines a lot of the elements that made movies like Trolls so popular. Newly acquiring the mantle of Easter Bunny, the тιтular rabbit runs away to California to pursue his dreams of becoming a musician instead. Hop was an ambitious move for Illumination, and though it isn’t a perfect movie, it’s still entertaining.

The music is top-notch, and the animation doesn’t clash with the live-action sequences. While it may not be as eye-catching as its fully animated counterparts, Hop is a good alternative because it isn’t particularly overstimulating.

7

The Secret Life Of Pets (2016)

One Of The Best Illumination Films Of All Time

Though family films often get a pᴀss, The Secret Life of Pets is a prime example of a children’s movie that is also excellent for older viewers too. A dog named Max finds his world shattered when his owner adopts a new dog, and the two suddenly find themselves on a whirlwind adventure through New York City. Like Trolls, the two main characters in the film are polar opposites, and the bulk of the story comes from them trying to work together.

While the score by Alexandre Desplat is strong on its own, there isn’t a lot of music aimed at kids. However, the unique visuals and child-friendly humor are enough to keep younger viewers engaged, and there are plenty of hidden details for adults to enjoy as well.

6

Home (2015)

A Box Office Disappointment That’s Become More Popular Over Time

2015’s Home is a big and ambitious animated film that came and went without much fanfare. Fortunately, the DreamWorks project has garnered a much larger audience in the age of streaming. An outcast alien teams up with a young girl to find her mother after she becomes separated during the invasion of the Earth. Its heady alien invasion storyline might be a bit much for the younger kids, but its story of friendship and reconciliation is a pleasant moral lesson.

Home‘s soundtrack features music from pop stars like Rihanna and Charli XCX, and is a lot like Trolls in the way it combines traditional storytelling with a pop music flair. The movie is frequently a big hit on streaming, and Home was able to find its audience despite its poor reception upon release.

5

The Road To El Dorado (2000)

An Underrated DreamWorks Classic With Great Music

DreamWorks got off to a rocky start with The Road to El Dorado in 2000, but that doesn’t mean the underrated animated musical isn’t an excellent film. Set in the 1500s, the film follows two con-men who discover the mythical city of El Dorado, only to get caught in a web of local politics. The traditional hand-drawn animation style is in contrast to Trolls‘ CGI visuals, but El Dorado blows the former out of the water in the music department.

The soundtrack to The Road to El Dorado is a who’s who of amazing musical talents, and it reunites Elton John with Tim Rice, who had previously collaborated on The Lion King. Hans Zimmer’s score is epic, but it’s the musical sequences that completely steal the show. The Road to El Dorado is the perfect movie for younger Trolls fans to begin experiencing more mature family films.

4

A Goofy Movie (1995)

A Disney Classic About The Power Of Family

Disney’s A Goofy Movie is a unique part of their 1990s filmography because it included one of their classic mascot characters in a totally new way. Goofy’s teenage son Max is growing away from his dad, so the former plans a cross-country road trip in order to rekindle their bond. The movie shines because of its brilliant storytelling, but it isn’t without nostalgic music as well. Though the soundtrack of A Goofy Movie might be a bit more dated than Trolls, it represents a fun slice of ’90s nostalgia that’s as enjoyable for parents as it is for kiddos.

3

Coco (2017)

Music Is The Heart Of Coco’s Story

2017’s Coco was yet another smash hit for Walt Disney Animation, but it was so much more than a simple blockbuster. A young boy named Miguel dreams of being a musician, but his family’s ban on music inspires him to travel to the underworld to meet his deceased musical idol. Hitting all the right notes, Coco is visually appealing, musically compelling, and tells a heartfelt story about family.

While Trolls had its fair share of original music, Coco is exclusively soundtracked by new songs, and some are certified Disney classics. “Remember Me” won the Academy Award for Best Song, and there are plenty of well-written earworms that are worth revisiting after the movie is over.

2

Happy Feet (2006)

A Classic Family Film About The Power Of Song

Music has always been an integral part of family films, but Happy Feet puts a clever spin on the age-old concept. Mumble is a young penguin who can’t sing, but he is determined to defy tradition and use his amazing dancing skills to gain acceptance from his people. Directed by George Miller of Mad Max fame, Happy Feet is all about its wonderful and unique characters.

The music is fast-paced and fun, and there’s actually a compelling story interwoven with the movie’s sillier moments. Trolls puts the music first and the story a distant second, but Happy Feet manages to blend the two together seamlessly.

1

Sing (2016)

The Ultimate Animated Musical Experience

If ever there was a film that rivaled Trolls in its combination of modern music and eye-popping visuals, 2016’s Sing is the likeliest candidate. Buster Moon is desperate to save his failing theater, and he devises a singing compeтιтion that will help put his venue back on the map. Though the heroes are all animals instead of people, Sing tells a genuine story about hopes and dreams.

It features a similar vibrant visual style as Trolls, but is a bit more grounded in its execution. That being said, the soundtrack features an eclectic mix of old and new hits, and the musical performances are shockingly strong. Sing was followed by a sequel a few years later, and is one of Illumination’s great franchises.