The Best Animated Musical of All Time?

Released in 1998, DreamWorks’ retelling of the Exodus story remains a breathtaking blend of artistry, storytelling, and music. Unlike many animated films, The Prince of Egypt doesn’t rely on comic relief or filler songs. Instead, every piece of music—from the intimate “Deliver Us” to the soaring “When You Believe”—serves the story with emotional weight and spiritual depth. The score by Hans Zimmer and the lyrics of Stephen Schwartz carry the film to operatic heights rarely matched in animation.

Visually, the film is a triumph. Its sweeping depictions of the parting of the Red Sea, the plagues, and the burning bush aren’t just spectacles; they’re reverent and awe-inspiring works of visual theology. The animation manages to balance epic grandeur with deeply personal human emotion, making Moses’ journey from prince to prophet unforgettable.

What truly sets The Prince of Egypt apart is its respect for its source material and its refusal to condescend to its audience. It treats faith, doubt, and deliverance with the seriousness they deserve, all while remaining accessible and moving for audiences of every background.

Though a few liberties are taken in comparison with the actual account of the Exodus from the Bible (Pharoah is portrayed as Moses’ step-brother rather than uncle; Moses is portrayed growing up without knowing his Hebrew family), it remains a classic and is well worth watching as the best animated musical of all time.

Find it here.