11. Princess Mononoke - Joe Hisaishi
Studio GhibliSometimes referred to as the Star Wars of animated films, Princess Mononoke was a landmark film in the career of Hayao Miyazaki. The quality of everything from the animation to the voice work, it was all backed up by the stunning work from composer Joe Hisaishi. His theme for the film is layered with lush strings and a driving melody, put together with some marvelous attention to detail that serves to bolster its connection to the film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XOV2L-eM38 It hits various crescendos throughout the film, with crashing cymbals and a sense of raw adventure that permeates the action on-screen. The feeling of an exciting journey is captured brilliantly by Hisaishi, who uses the films' "stranger in a strange land" motifs to draft a score the feels equal parts familiar yet fresh. As the seminal work for both Hisaishi and Miyazaki, Princess Mononoke holds a special place in film, and the theme is no different.