Treasure Planet cover

Treasure Planet

James Newton Howard · 2002

65 min · 20 tracks · free jazz

An adventurous blend of orchestral swells and delicate melodies that evoke both the vastness of space and the intimacy of personal journeys.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme) Start here — This track serves as the emotional core of the score, encapsulating Jim's journey of self-discovery and longing through its poignant melodies.
  • →
    Silver Comforts Jim — In this piece, Howard masterfully intertwines themes of mentorship and adventure, using rich harmonies to convey the evolving relationship between Jim and Silver.
  • →
    The Portal — As a pivotal moment in the film, this track combines tension and wonder through dynamic instrumentation, perfectly reflecting the climactic shift in Jim's quest.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong orchestration and thematic development but lacks significant cultural footprint.

What we noticed

  • The album features a wide range of orchestral textures, with strings and woodwinds frequently interplaying to create a sense of movement.
  • Several tracks utilize abrupt tempo changes, shifting from serene passages to frenetic bursts of activity, which keeps the listener engaged.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • whimsical adventure soundscapes
  • nostalgic themes of exploration
  • captivating storytelling through music
  • brief, vivid sonic snapshots

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer straightforward song structures
  • seek high-energy dance tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This soundtrack gained wider recognition for Howard's work in animated films.
Career context
When James Newton Howard released the soundtrack for Treasure Planet in 2002, he was enjoying a successful career as a film composer, following his acclaimed work on The Sixth Sense (1999). This album showcased his ability to create emotional depth through orchestration while also experimenting with diverse musical styles, solidifying his reputation in Hollywood.
Stylistic neighbors
Hans Zimmer· John Williams· Ennio Morricone

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme) Start here 4:11
  • 2 Always Know Where You Are 3:19
  • 3 12 Years Later 2:44
  • 4 To the Spaceport 1:55
  • 5 Rooftop 2:32
  • 6 Billy Bones 2:24
  • 7 The Map 0:58
  • 8 Silver 2:39
  • 9 The Launch 2:42
  • 10 Silver Comforts Jim 3:23
  • 11 Jim Chases Morph 3:17
  • 12 Ben 2:30
  • 13 Silver Bargains 2:59
  • 14 The Back Door 4:18
  • 15 The Portal 5:04
  • 16 Jim Saves the Crew 4:37
  • 17 Silver Leaves 5:11

Disc 2

  • 1 Un homme libre 3:43
  • 2 Ci sono anch'io 3:43
  • 3 Sigo aquí 3:41

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata