You probably couldn't go to a grocery store, a wedding, or a kid’s birthday party in 2016 without hearing those opening synth pops.
It was everywhere.
"Can't Stop the Feeling!" became a juggernaut that basically redefined what a "movie song" could do in the modern era. But honestly, when we talk about the Justin Timberlake troll movie song phenomenon, most people just think of that one track and call it a day. There’s actually a whole lot more under the hood of these soundtracks than just a catchy summer anthem.
JT didn't just show up, record a few lines as a grumpy grey troll named Branch, and collect a check. He actually took over the entire musical DNA of the franchise.
The Massive Success of "Can't Stop the Feeling!"
Let’s be real: this song was a monster. It debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, which is a rare feat for any artist, let alone a song written for an animated film about dolls with neon hair.
Justin teamed up with pop legends Max Martin and Shellback to craft something that felt like a "modern disco" throwback. He’s gone on record saying he was trying to channel the energy of Bill Withers’ "Lovely Day." It worked. The song ended up being the best-selling single of 2016 in the US, moving over 2.4 million downloads that year alone.
But here is what’s interesting.
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The version you hear on the radio isn't the version that hits the emotional peak in the movie. In the film, the song serves a specific narrative purpose: it’s the moment Branch finally regains his "colors" and his happiness. It’s a literal plot device.
- Grammy Win: It took home the trophy for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
- Oscar Nod: It snagged an Academy Award nomination, though it lost to "City of Stars" from La La Land.
- Global Reach: It topped charts in 16 different countries.
Why the Trolls Soundtracks Are Different
Most people don't realize Justin Timberlake was the Executive Music Producer for the first and third films. That’s a huge job. It means he wasn't just singing; he was picking the covers, arranging the medleys, and deciding how the music interacted with the story.
If you listen closely to the Trolls (2016) soundtrack, it’s a weirdly sophisticated mix of 70s disco, 80s synth-pop, and modern Top 40.
He got Earth, Wind & Fire to re-record "September" with him and Anna Kendrick. Think about that for a second. That is a level of musical clout most animated sequels can't touch.
Not Just a One-Hit Wonder
While everyone remembers the big hit, the Trolls World Tour and Trolls Band Together soundtracks actually pushed things further. In World Tour, the movie explores different genres like funk, country, and techno. Justin's main contribution there was "The Other Side" with SZA. It didn't reach the heights of the first movie's lead single, but it showed a more experimental side of what a Justin Timberlake troll movie song could be.
Then came 2023.
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The *NSYNC Reunion Nobody Saw Coming
If you want to talk about "the" Justin Timberlake troll movie song for the newer generation, you have to talk about "Better Place."
For years, *NSYNC fans were begging for a reunion. We got it because of a movie about trolls. It's kinda hilarious when you think about it.
The third movie, Trolls Band Together, is literally about a boy band called BroZone. The meta-commentary was through the roof. Having Justin voice a character who was in a defunct boy band while simultaneously reuniting his real-life boy band for the soundtrack? That's some genius-level marketing.
"Better Place" was the first song the group had released together in over 20 years. It didn't have to be good to be a hit, but it actually captured that Y2K pop energy perfectly.
The Deep Cuts You’re Probably Skipping
Everyone knows the upbeat stuff, but the emotional core of these movies usually rests on the slower covers.
Timberlake’s arrangement of "True Colors" (originally by Cyndi Lauper) is actually a really stripped-back, vulnerable performance. It’s one of the few times in the franchise where the production isn't "turned up to eleven."
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In the third film, they did a medley called "BroZone’s Back" that mashed up New Edition’s "Candy Girl" and New Kids on the Block’s "You Got It (The Right Stuff)."
It’s basically a history lesson in pop music hidden inside a kids' movie.
What This Means for JT’s Career
Lately, Justin's solo albums have had a bit of a rocky reception with critics. Man of the Woods was polarizing, to say the least. But the Trolls project has remained a consistent "win" for him.
It allows him to play with pop structures without the pressure of having to reinvent the wheel for a solo "era."
When he's writing for Trolls, he’s writing for a character. Paradoxically, that seems to give him the freedom to write some of his most infectious melodies.
It’s also kept him incredibly relevant with a younger demographic. There are kids today who know Justin Timberlake as "Branch" long before they know him as the guy who brought "SexyBack."
Actionable Insights for Your Playlist
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the music beyond the radio hits, here is how you should approach the Justin Timberlake troll movie song catalog:
- Listen to the "Film Versions": Always check the soundtrack versions versus the "radio edits." The film versions often have more interesting vocal arrangements involving the whole cast (like Gwen Stefani or Anderson .Paak).
- Check the Production Credits: Look for the tracks Justin produced but didn't sing on. "They Don't Know" by Ariana Grande is a great example of his production style from the first movie.
- Watch the Band Together Medleys: The boy band medleys in the third film are Masterclasses in how to interpolate classic songs into modern pop.
If you’re trying to build a high-energy playlist, start with "Can't Stop the Feeling!" but don't stop there. Toss in "Better Place" and "Hair Up" (which is a wild flip of "In the Hall of the Mountain King"). You'll realize pretty quickly that these soundtracks aren't just "kids' music"—they're expertly crafted pop records that just happen to feature animated characters.