The Wild Robot Soundtrack: The Wild Robot is a DreamWorks Animation science-fiction adventure film directed by Chris Sanders, released theatrically on September 27, 2024. Far from an “upcoming” release, it went on to become one of the most acclaimed animated films of the decade — a Best Animated Feature Oscar nominee, a box-office hit, and the film that earned composer Kris Bowers his first Academy Award nomination.
The film is written by Peter Brown and Chris Sanders and is based on Brown’s book series of the same name.
Quick Facts
| Title | The Wild Robot |
| Genre/Type | Animation, Adventure, Science Fiction |
| Director | Chris Sanders |
| Composer | Kris Bowers |
| Release Date | September 27, 2024 |
| Studio/Distributor | DreamWorks Animation / Universal Pictures |
| Status | Released — Oscar nominee (Best Animated Feature, Best Original Score, Best Sound); $334M worldwide box office on a $78M budget |
The film’s story follows a robot named Roz who is stranded on an island and must face its harsh environment. To survive, she builds bonds with the island’s animals and raises an orphaned gosling named Brightbill. The Wild Robot holds a 96% Tomatometer score and 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and it won Best Animated Feature at the Critics’ Choice Awards and the Producers Guild of America Awards, plus nine Annie Awards — including one for Kris Bowers’ score.
Who Composed The Wild Robot Soundtrack?
Kris Bowers, an American composer and pianist, composed the music for The Wild Robot — his first score for a fully animated feature. He has composed the music for films including Green Book, King Richard, The Color Purple, Haunted Mansion, Bad Hair, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, and Respect, and for television series including Bridgerton, When They See Us, Black Monday, We Own This City, and Mrs. America.
Bowers began writing the score shortly after the birth of his daughter and spent roughly two years refining it, ultimately composing over 80 minutes of music. Director Chris Sanders wanted the film to lean heavily on music, and Bowers built Roz’s musical identity around synths while bringing in the percussion ensemble Sandbox Percussion — playing tuned glass bottles, teacups, wood planks, and cowbells — to voice the wilderness and the character Fink. The score earned Bowers nominations for the Academy Award, Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award, and BAFTA for Best Original Score, and he won the Annie Award for Best Music in a Feature at the 52nd Annie Awards.
Every Song & Score Highlights
The official soundtrack album, released September 27, 2024 via Back Lot Music, features Bowers’ 41-track score plus two original songs co-written and performed by Maren Morris.
| Track | Artist |
|---|---|
| “Kiss the Sky” | Maren Morris |
| “Even When I’m Not” (end credits) | Maren Morris |
| “The Island” | Kris Bowers |
| “Hatching” / “Brightbill” / “Pinktail” | Kris Bowers |
| “You’re His Mother Now” | Kris Bowers |
| “Fink” (feat. Sandbox Percussion) | Kris Bowers |
| “The Migration” | Kris Bowers |
| “Rescue Mission” / “Truce” / “Return” | Kris Bowers |
| “What A Wonderful World” (trailer only) | Reuben and the Dark |
Where to Stream
The Wild Robot (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is available on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify. The film is available to purchase or rent digitally and streams on Peacock.
Cast
The voice cast includes Lupita Nyong’o as Roz, Pedro Pascal as Fink, Kit Connor as Brightbill, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, Ving Rhames, Bill Nighy, and Matt Berry. The film is produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed The Wild Robot soundtrack?
Kris Bowers composed the score, his first for a fully animated film. It earned him Oscar, Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, and BAFTA nominations, plus an Annie Award win.
Did The Wild Robot get nominated for an Oscar?
Yes. The Wild Robot received three Academy Award nominations: Best Animated Feature, Best Original Score (Kris Bowers), and Best Sound.
How much did The Wild Robot make at the box office?
The film grossed approximately $334 million worldwide on a $78 million budget, making it a significant box-office success for DreamWorks.
Who sings the songs in The Wild Robot?
Country singer-songwriter Maren Morris co-wrote and performed the film’s two original songs, “Kiss the Sky” and “Even When I’m Not,” which plays over the end credits.
Where can I watch The Wild Robot?
The Wild Robot is available to stream on Peacock and to rent or purchase digitally on major platforms.
Related reading: Movie Soundtrack hub | Streaming hub