Scoring the Magic: Kris Bowers Orchestrates the Soundscape for Netflix’s Animated Epic Steps

Main Facts: A Symphony at Abbey Road

This past week, the hallowed halls of London’s Abbey Road Studios played host to a grand musical undertaking. Award-winning composer Kris Bowers, a creative force whose melodic fingerprints are found on everything from the Regency-era ballrooms of Bridgerton to the vibrant, high-stakes animation of The Wild Robot, has been deep in the process of recording his original score for the highly anticipated Netflix animated feature, Steps.

Steps is an ambitious animated comedy that reimagines classic fairy-tale tropes through a modern, subversive lens. The film is helmed by directors Alyce Tzue and John Ripa—the latter known for his stellar work on Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon. The narrative centers on a misunderstood protagonist who finds herself at the center of a kingdom-wide scandal after being framed for hijacking the Royal Ball with a stolen magic wand. The stakes are raised exponentially when she accidentally transforms her sister into a frog, forcing her into an unlikely alliance with Cinderella and a surprisingly charming troll to save the realm from impending doom.

The film boasts a powerhouse ensemble voice cast, featuring Ali Wong, Amanda Seyfried, Stephanie Hsu, Daniel Radcliffe, Nikki Glaser, Young Mazino, Peter Dinklage, and Bette Midler. Behind the scenes, the project is bolstered by the production expertise of Amy Poehler and Kim Lessing of Paper Kite Productions, alongside producer Jane Hartwell.

For fans of the genre, the musical landscape of Steps is particularly intriguing. While Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci—the musical comedy duo known as Garfunkel and Oates—were previously attached to provide songs for the film, Bowers’ role as the composer of the underscore marks a significant infusion of thematic depth. The film is currently slated for a global premiere on Netflix on November 20, 2026, with an expected awards-qualifying theatrical run.

Chronology: The Evolution of a Musical Journey

The trajectory of Steps has been one of slow-burn anticipation and careful curation. The project first gained industry traction years ago, with the initial announcement of Lindhome and Micucci’s involvement dating back to early 2021. Their contribution, rooted in their signature witty songwriting style, set a thematic foundation for the film’s tone—a mix of irreverence, heart, and narrative whimsy.

However, the appointment of Kris Bowers signifies a pivot toward a more cinematic, orchestral scope. Bowers, who has cultivated a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most versatile composers, began his work on the score well in advance of this month’s Abbey Road recording sessions. The process, typical of high-budget animation, involved months of "spotting sessions"—the meticulous task of deciding where music should begin and end to enhance the emotional beats of the animation.

By the time the Abbey Road sessions commenced this past week, the score had undergone multiple iterations. Bowers has spent the intervening months balancing his duties on the Bridgerton franchise—where his work has become synonymous with the show’s distinctive period-pop aesthetic—with the more fantastical, fairy-tale demands of Steps. This dual focus is a testament to his workflow, where he effectively translates the internal desires of a character into musical motifs that resonate across different genres.

Supporting Data: The Composer’s Impressive Portfolio

To understand the significance of Bowers’ involvement in Steps, one must look at the breadth of his career. He has mastered the art of "musical storytelling," where the score does not merely accompany the visual, but actively advances the narrative.

A Resume of Versatility

Bowers’ filmography is a tapestry of diverse emotional registers:

• Period Dramas: Green Book, which earned critical acclaim for its nuanced, jazz-infused score.
• Socially Charged Dramas: Dear White People and The Color Purple, where he utilized music to underscore systemic struggle and personal triumph.
• Animation & Fantasy: The Wild Robot and Space Jam: A New Legacy, demonstrating his ability to handle large-scale orchestral arrangements that mirror the kinetic energy of animation.
• Genre Television: His ongoing work with Bridgerton, where he has mastered the "modern-classical" crossover, has made him a household name among streaming audiences.

The decision to pair a composer with such a wide-ranging background with the directors of Raya and the Last Dragon suggests that Netflix is positioning Steps as a "prestige" animated film—one that aims to compete with the heavy hitters from major animation studios during the upcoming awards season.

Official Responses and Production Insights

While the studio has kept the specific motifs of the score under wraps, industry insiders suggest that the music for Steps will act as a bridge between the classic "Cinderella" tropes and the film’s chaotic, modern sensibilities.

Directors Alyce Tzue and John Ripa have emphasized the importance of tone in their project. In early production notes, they noted that the film is designed to be "subversive yet sincere." By bringing in a composer of Bowers’ caliber, the producers are signaling a commitment to a sophisticated soundscape.

Amy Poehler and Kim Lessing, through Paper Kite Productions, have been instrumental in fostering an environment where the music is treated as a narrative pillar rather than an afterthought. The collaboration between the songwriting of Lindhome/Micucci and the scoring of Bowers creates a "musical sandwich," where the dialogue-driven songs are supported by a lush, orchestral framework. This structure allows the film to pivot between comedic musical numbers and high-fantasy action sequences seamlessly.

Implications: The Future of Netflix Animation

The release of Steps carries weight beyond its box-office potential. As Netflix continues to aggressively expand its animation slate, the studio is moving away from the "volume-first" model toward a more curated approach that favors prestige projects.

The "Awards-Qualifying" Strategy

The announcement that Steps will receive an awards-qualifying theatrical release is a clear indicator that Netflix intends to push the film for Best Animated Feature consideration at the 2027 Academy Awards. For such a campaign to be successful, every element—from the voice acting to the score—must be of the highest caliber. Bowers’ reputation as an awards-season favorite (having previously worked on Oscar-nominated films) lends instant credibility to the project.

The Power of the "Bridgerton" Effect

There is also the "Bowers Factor." With the upcoming fifth season of Bridgerton already generating buzz, having the same composer scoring a major family-friendly film creates a cross-promotional synergy. Audiences who have grown accustomed to the "Bowers sound" in the Regency era will find a new, magical iteration of his talent in Steps.

Redefining the Fairy Tale

Finally, the narrative of Steps—a story about a woman blamed for "hijacking" a ball and turning her sister into a frog—speaks to a larger cultural trend of deconstructing classic fairy tales. By subverting the "Cinderella" archetype, the film challenges the audience’s expectations. If the music reflects this—perhaps by taking traditional orchestral motifs and intentionally distorting or "hijacking" them—the score could become as iconic as the film itself.

Conclusion: A New Standard for Animated Scores

As the recording sessions at Abbey Road conclude and the film moves into the final stages of post-production, the excitement surrounding Steps is palpable. Kris Bowers has proven time and again that he is not just a composer, but a sonic architect capable of building entire worlds through melody.

With a star-studded cast, a subversion-heavy script, and a score that promises to marry the whimsy of a fairy tale with the technical precision of a high-stakes adventure, Steps is positioned to be a landmark release for Netflix. Whether it hits the emotional high notes required to sweep the awards circuit remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: on November 20, 2026, the kingdom will be listening. The blend of the creative vision of Tzue and Ripa, the production prowess of Poehler, and the musical brilliance of Bowers ensures that Steps will be more than just a movie—it will be an experience that lingers long after the final credits roll.