Top 10 2000s Movies with the Best Soundtracks

“I don’t think you can handle this”...soundtrack, that is!. The playlist for this action comedy flick is one banger after another, but the tour de force is the movie’s lead single, “Independent Woman, Part 1.” When Destiny’s Child released it in 2000, it quickly became a chart-topper and the longest running number-one single of their career. It also became the theme song for women living their best, most powerful lives, without a man. “Charlie’s Angels” as a film is not without its faults: there are sexist and racist tropes that did not age well. However, the soundtrack is one that will go down in history as one of the most empowering playlists of the decade.

Rock and roll, comedy, school children, and Jack Black: “School of Rock'' was the highest grossing music-themed comedy until 2015 when the “Pitch Perfect” sequel took the title. If you haven’t seen the former, it stars musical comedy genius Jack Black alongside a troupe of talented child musicians slash actors. When he gets kicked out of his rock band, he gets himself hired as a substitute teacher at a swanky prep school. But instead of teaching the children the usual subjects, he prepares them for The Battle of Bands competition, in which his former band is also competing.. The classic rock anthems that set the soundtrack for this film is a history lesson in itself! Whether you’re enjoying the songs featured in the movie itself or the “Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture,” if you enjoy rock with a side of comedy, then this movie playlist is for you.

Being a teenager can be frustrating, confusing, and fun. These emotions are communicated by the music in this 2006 Sofia Coppola film. Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, was a real life figure who was forced to marry a stranger at the age of 14. Her life was seemingly defined by loneliness and boredom so she found pleasure any way she could. The music that backs up this awakening is a mix of classical and alternative tunes. Though critics slammed the film for historical inaccuracy, the soundtrack still reigns supreme.

Another story about a teenage princess thrust into the limelight is seen in “The Princess Diaries” movies, each with a fitting soundtrack. They feature P!nk, B*witched, and Backstreet Boys, among other teenage heartthrobs. While not part of either film’s Original Soundtrack, the first film does feature the lesser known group Rooney, of which “The Princess Diaries” actor Robert Schwartzman is a part. Lovers of Julie Andrews will enjoy her musical comeback in “The Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement,” where she sings a duet with Raven-Symone. The upbeat and positive songs from these two films will have you turning the volume all the way up.

This one is for the hip hop fans. While “8 Mile” is not meant to be a biopic of Marshall Mathers’ life, its autobiographical elements cannot be ignored. Known professionally as Eminem, the rapper had already made a name for himself in the music industry by the time the film dropped. However, it was the musical drama that thrust Mathers’ into the Hollywood spotlight. It also gave us “Lose Yourself”; the Oscar-winning, Billboard chart-topper alone solidifies “8 Mile’s” spot on this list. The soundtrack also features other successful artists of the time, like 50 Cent and Jay-Z, and went on to spawn a sequel soundtrack with more old school rappers like 2Pac, Mobb Deep, and The Notorious B.I.G.

While the soundtrack of each film in the “Lord of the Rings” Trilogy is magical, emotional, and moving, we want to highlight “The Fellowship of the Ring.” Howard Shore’s Original Motion Picture Soundtrack accompanies the peaceful moments in the Shire, the heart-pounding fantasy sequences with Frodo and his companions, and every moment in between. The soundtrack was recognized as an orchestral masterpiece and received a Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack Album. Its three and a half hours of music is an immersive, transformative experience that really brings J. R. R. Tolkien’s world to life.

Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon star in this biopic of Johnny Cash and are responsible for nine and four songs, respectively, on the motion picture soundtrack album. While Phoenix plays Cash, Witherspoon plays June Carter, Cash’s second wife and musical partner. The vocal talents displayed by Phoenix and Witherspoon are impressive; so much so that the album was recognized by the Grammy Awards as Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Pictures, Television or Other Visual Media. Unsurprisingly, the music of Johnny Cash and June Carter is central to this film, as their lyrics and lilting melodies capture the pain, turmoil, and troubles that Cash’s life consisted of.

Some critics complained that the only redeeming quality of this film was the soundtrack, which makes it a perfect candidate for our purposes. Korn’s Jonathan Davis and film composer Richard Gibbs produced the official soundtrack. Individual members of several rock bands such as Linkin Park, Disturbed and others contributed vocals to original songs for this studio album too. There are also other rock songs on the soundtrack by musicians like Papa Roach and Deftones. Many people know “Queen of the Damned” as Aaliyah’s last role. The film was dedicated to her after her tragic death in 2001. Though the supernatural horror flick was not a great critical success, the soundtrack will have you rocking out.

This semi-autobiographical film is actually about its director Cameron Crowe. The movie takes place at the beginning of his career as a music columnist for Rolling Stone in the early 1970s. He travels with the fictional band, Stillwater, and their “muses”, including Penny Lane, played by Kate Hudson. Songs on its soundtrack are fittingly nostalgic: Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, and Cat Stevens. While many legendary rock stars make up this blast-from-the-past motion picture soundtrack album, there’s also a track by Stillwater to really cement you into the world of this Oscar-winning movie.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Dreamgirls” (2006)
Beyoncé Knowles & Jennifer Hudson’s Pipes Blew Us All Away in this Movie Musical

“Gladiator” (2000)
Hans Zimmer’s Golden Globe-Winning Epic Score Puts Us in Our Feelings

“Mamma Mia!” (2008)
Italia, Familia, &…Pierce Brosnan Crooning

“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000)
Grammy Award-Winning Music Backs up Gravity-Defying Martial Arts

“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000)
They Made Americana & Bluegrass Trendy Again

With music that spans generations and crosses genres, the soundtracks to the first three “Shrek” movies deserve acknowledgement. Mixing pop music with oldies turned out to be the perfect combination for an animated fantasy movie making fun of Disney and other fairytale movies. People of all ages can enjoy the story of loveable Shrek and Princess Fiona and the antics of their growing family. And Donkey, of course! On the albums, you can appreciate the musical stylings of Smash Mouth, Rufus Wainwright, Counting Crows, The Ramones, and Macy Gray, among many others. There is no better mix of eclectic, uplifting, and timeless music than on these albums, which is why the three of them take our top spot.