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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Film

Encanto

Encanto is a 2021 American animated musical fantasy film from Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Encanto is a 2021 animated musical fantasy from Walt Disney Animation Studios. It follows Mirabel Madrigal, the only family member without a magical gift, as she tries to save her enchanted home.

What it is

Set in Colombia, the film centers on the Madrigal family, whose members each receive a magical gift—except Mirabel. When cracks appear in the family's magical house, Mirabel sets out to understand why the miracle is weakening, exploring themes of family expectations and identity.

Key details

Directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, with co-director Charise Castro Smith. Songs were written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the score was composed by Germaine Franco. The voice cast includes Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, and Diane Guerrero. Released November 24, 2021.

Why it matters

Encanto became a cultural phenomenon, particularly for its soundtrack. Songs like “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure” became massive hits. The film was widely popular in Canada through streaming and Disney distribution, resonating with audiences for its family-focused story and music.

In short

  • Mirabel is the only Madrigal without a magical gift.
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the songs; Germaine Franco composed the score.
  • Soundtrack includes hits like “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure.”
  • Released in 2021, it gained popularity in Canada via streaming.
Canadian angle

Encanto was released in Canada in 2021 and became widely popular with Canadian audiences through its soundtrack, streaming availability, and Disney distribution.

Quick questions

What are the songs in Encanto?
Main original songs include “The Family Madrigal,” “Waiting on a Miracle,” “Surface Pressure,” “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” “What Else Can I Do?,” “Dos Oruguitas,” “All of You,” and “Colombia, Mi Encanto.”
Who is Mirabel in Encanto?
Mirabel Madrigal is the protagonist and the only Madrigal family member who does not receive a magical gift.
Who wrote the music for Encanto?
Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the songs, and Germaine Franco composed the score.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encanto
    Supports: Plot, release year, main cast, Mirabel and Bruno descriptions, songs, and music credits.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encanto_(soundtrack)
    Supports: Song list and soundtrack track information.
  3. Walt Disney Records — https://soundcloud.com/waltdisneyrecords/sets/encanto-official-playlist
    Supports: Official playlist noting all-new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and score by Germaine Franco.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2953050/soundtrack/
    Supports: Song credits, performers, and music/lyrics attribution.
  5. Animation Songs — https://animationsongs.com/encanto/
    Supports: Song list for the film and soundtrack release information.