Top 20 Movie Scenes With The PERFECT Music

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

In a dramatic and show-stopping scene, the character Quicksilver saves the day. His speedy antics earn him a great needle drop courtesy of Jim Croce. Time in a Bottle feels especially apt for this speedy fantasy. In between helping his friends, the hero gets to show off with Croces moving words. Its a slightly ironic way to enjoy the folk rock stylings of a legend. Using some choice music, X-Men: Days of Future Past creates a clever showcase for an underrated hero. The combination might just make for one of the more re-watchable parts of the franchise.

Interstellar (2014)

Hans Zimmer never fails to make a movie sound better. With his incredible score for Interstellar, the composer highlights an unforgettable scene. The astronauts attempt an impressive maneuver thats exciting on its own with the threat of catastrophe. Christopher Nolan then uses this incredible music, making it all the more intense. You hang on every moment cheering on the crew. In zero-gravity spins, the nail-biting drama plays out with Zimmers pulsating notes. Hes continuously proven that hes one of the best film composers of his day. Collaborating with Nolan, he gets extraordinary and imaginative sequences to enhance.

Fight Club (1999)

To finish out this satirical film, director David Fincher includes a great Pixies song. The narrator finds himself injured and free from the concept of Tyler Durden. With Marla by his side, he contemplates his future as Project Mayhem begins. The sudden explosions and Where Is My Mind? feel like a perfect mix. Considering the cerebral nature of the story, the lyrics and overall message hit home even more. Fight Club blends social commentary with a mind-bending twist, giving this alternative song a platform to stand out. You could also argue that this movie helped introduce the track to a new audience.

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Throughout his filmography, director Wes Anderson shows the power of combining music and film together. The Royal Tenenbaums includes more than a few iconic moments like this moving scene. When Richie Tenenbaum spots Margot, time seems to slow down as this Nico song plays. The singers version of the Jackson Browne tune makes you focus in on Luke Wilsons character and his emotional state. These Days is a beautifully poetic soundtrack to a simple walk. The two people stare a hole into each others souls, with the music helping to seal their bond. Anderson outdoes himself here without dialog or any added drama.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

When Mr. Blonde is left alone with a cop, he decides to take matters into his own hands. The sadistic robber turns on the radio and takes his frustrations out on the hostage. With Stealers Wheel playing, this scene takes on a whole other ironic meaning. The shocking violence and 70s rock turn this into an iconic moment. As Michael Madsens character dances and sings along, the audience is on the edge of their seats. Director Quentin Tarantino knows how to make people wince, laugh, and look away within a few short minutes. The master storyteller takes your concept of an easygoing rock tune and twists it into something much darker.

Easy Rider (1969)

With money from a drug deal, Wyatt and Billy head out on a road trip. They first set off with a little help from Steppenwolf. Riding their motorcycles, the two heroes embody the hippie and counterculture movements. This rock hit only hammers home that point, giving the characters an iconic soundtrack for their journey. What might be a cliche now was more of a revelation in the late 1960s. Easy Rider really gets going when Born to Be Wild kicks off, inspiring viewers to blast the same song on their cross-country discoveries. Its also among the coolest credit sequences of its era.

Waynes World (1992)

This movie set the standard for the ultimate driving music. When Wayne and Garth join their friends in a car, they pop in a cassette of Bohemian Rhapsody. The Waynes World opening is a burst of energy that captures the relationship between friends and music. You can imagine them getting together every week to do the same thing, with this being an amazing snapshot of their chemistry. The Queen song features so many pieces and parts for them to enjoy. As the car ride goes on, it all builds up to the big rock drop. Each performance makes the scene that much more fun, real, and entertaining. The film didnt make the song popular, but it reminded people that its an awesome singalong.

Goodfellas (1990)

In terms of music choices, director Martin Scorsese picks out some great ones for his films. His mob drama Goodfellas is full of compelling moments that combine tracks and images. This includes when a slew of bodies turn up, with Derek and the Dominos playing over the discoveries. Scorsese blends the serene piano part with the awful revelations on screen. It makes you feel like the dark humor of the first half is over, with the climactic guitar work underscoring the gravity of the situation. The musicianship soars as the direction and camerawork add up to something beautiful. Its like a well-delivered eulogy, with all of the images of death being even more moving with this soundtrack.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Sergio Leones direction and Ennio Morricones music are a match made in heaven. In the end of this classic, the two artists come together for a Western masterpiece. The final duel brings together the title characters for a confrontation of epic proportions. The Man with No Name squares off against two foes, with some masterful camera shots capturing the action. Morricones atmospheric score makes every close-up pop even more. Just when the tension seems like too much, Leone pushes it even further before finally relieving the audience. Its impossible to imagine this sequence without the composers moody and exemplary work.

Trainspotting (1996)

It's better to chase life than to chase the dragon, but Mark Renton can't seem to overcome his substance use disorder. So, he spends his days running away from his problems and running after his next high. As the 1977 song Lust for Life, plays, Renton speaks of his carefree mindset in the beginning of Trainspotting and how he doesn't, in fact, choose life. Every day is a wild trip where nothing matters other than chasing his next hit. But, deep down, Renton knows that this world has much more to offer and the first step towards recovery is choosing life.

Drive (2011)

One of modern cinema's most enigmatic characters, the Driver rarely says what's on his mind and his limited facial expressions don't tell us much either. Music, in this case, acts as a window into our nameless hero's soul. In one of the brighter scenes from this Nicholas Winding Refn film, the Driver lets down his defenses as he takes Irene and her son on a fun L.A. detour. For the first time, we see that there's more to this distant man than an empty shell. College and Electric Youth's song says everything that the Driver can't, giving us a hero to root for in this bleak world.

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

After a series of SIM cards are activated, all hell breaks loose in a church full of hatemongers. Unable to control themselves, the people engage in an all-out battle royale and only one can remain standing. But, being a senior Kingsman, the efficient Harry Hart aka Galahad easily has the edge. While the choreography and cinematography are exquisite, it's Lynyrd Skynyrd's kickass power ballad that elevates this action sequence to another level of awesomeness. Following Hart's trail of mayhem, it feels like a can of whoop ass has literally been opened. The exhilarating music captures this sentiment perfectly until Harry sends one last soul to meet his maker.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Through its authentic depiction of the Vietnam War, Apocalypse Now succeeded in convincing the audience that they were observing hell on earth. The film immediately immerses us in Armageddon from its opening scene as flames engulf a jungle landscape. The explosive imagery is poignantly matched by the music of the Doors, preparing us for the beginning of the end. This haunting song puts the audience in a sedated state as we're forced to watch total chaos unfold. Feeling as if all hope is lost in this forsaken place, the end almost sounds like a comforting relief from the horror.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Watching a damn dirty ape senselessly banging a bone on the ground might not seem like a significant landmark. As Richard Strauss' Also sprach Zarathustra kicks in, however, it becomes clear that something extraordinary has indeed occurred, as this ape has taken a crucial step forward in humankind's evolution. Listening to this classic orchestral piece, you can virtually see the gears starting to turn inside the ape's primordial head, figuring out how to rise up as earth's dominant species. Now that he's discovered the first tool, imagine what his descendants will be able to accomplish millions of years later.

Jaws (1975)

When you think of a shark attack, you probably hear this music playing. Its been widely imitated ever since it first played in this opening scene. Steven Spielbergs blockbuster masterpiece Jaws is incomplete without John Williams, with half of the horror coming from the score. Their legendary partnership powers many incredible films like this one. The beginning of this thriller builds with these haunting strings, giving audiences nightmares for years to come. Williams only needs a few notes to get the point across. As the swimmer gets taken under the surface, the music helps to change our perception of the ocean forever.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

This '80s classic centers on a group of high school students who are forced to spend a Saturday together in detention. At first glance, these teenagers couldn't seem more different. As the day goes on, however, all five realize that they're actually living with similar inner demons. From the opening credits to the final scene, The Breakfast Club is brought full circle by the immortal music of Simple Minds. Our main characters may come from contrasting social backgrounds and ultimately go their separate ways at the end of the day. What they've learned from each other in that short time, though, will never be forgotten.

The Graduate (1967)

The Graduate wouldn't be the same without Simon and Garfunkel's songs, most notably The Sound of Silence. As Elaine flees from her wedding with Benjamin, these love-struck kids feel as if they've conquered the world. However, it doesn't take long for them to realize that maybe this wasn't the best idea. Too afraid to address the elephant on the bus, the two look ahead at their uncertain futures in uncomfortable silence. Benjamin and Elaine might not be able to communicate with each other, but the song tells us exactly what's going through their heads.

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Disco provides the backbone of Saturday Night Fever. In the film's opening, Stayin' Alive by the Bees Gees sums up Tony Manero's character without missing a beat. Strutting down the streets of New York, Tony looks like a cool, confident ladies man who's on top of the world. On the inside though, he has no idea what he's doing as he walks aimlessly through life, trying to survive in the big city. Not knowing what exactly is coming for him in his lifetime, Tony can take solace in one fact: he's the king of the dance floor.

Psycho (1960)

If there's a piece of music guaranteed to make your blood curdle, it's definitely the violin screech from Psycho. Part of what makes this scene so chilling is the vulnerable situation Marion Crane finds herself in. Caught off guard in the shower, there's nowhere to run and nowhere to hide as a knife meets her naked flesh. The shocking score makes the audience feel every fatal stab that Marion endures. Once the music comes to a close and our leading lady takes her final breath, all you can do is gasp for air.

John Williams has composed some of the most magical musical scores cinema has to offer. While E.T.'s bicycle escape is an undeniable career highlight for Williams, nothing can quite top this scene from the original Star Wars. A timeless movie moment that shows rather than tells, the binary sunset embodies young Luke Skywalker's desire to leave his home planet and see the rest of the galaxy. Through Williams' uplifting composition, we instantly identify with our hero and wish to follow him. Simplistic while also being nothing short of profound, it's a scene that defines both the power of film and the power of music.

Did we forget another amazing combination of film and music? Let us know in the comments below.