Top 20 Movie Soundtracks of all Time
#20: “Shrek” (2001)
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To paraphrase Smashmouth, “somebody once told us” that the first “Shrek” film had an awesome soundtrack…and they weren’t kidding! This animated classic got a blend of trending pop hits of the day and retro vibe to accompany the movie’s events. Throughout the film, we got classics like “Hallelujah” and the aforementioned Smashmouth covering vintage tracks. What also made the songs memorable was how well they were tied into key moments of the plot. The “Shrek” soundtrack’s variety of songs and their memorable positions in the story made us eager to listen to every song again and again. Instead of coming off as dated, this selection of tracks is now timeless and entertaining.
#19: “The Crow” (1994)
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If you were around in the 90’s, The Crow” soundtrack will definitely fill you with nostalgia for the alternative hits of the era. This 1994 OST has a great selection of industrial, nu-metal and goth sounds. “The Crow '' notably features huge artists such as Nine Inch Nails and Pantera covering bands who influenced them, like Joy Division and Poison Idea. Additionally, there’s an outstanding Cure song titled ‘Burn” that was written specifically for this soundtrack. All these songs match the gloomy and contemplative tone of this dark superhero film. If there was ever an OST that perfectly encapsulated the era and the aesthetic of its hero at the same time, it’s this one.
#18: “The Wedding Singer” (1998)
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Collecting some of the best remembered and catchy tunes from the 1980s, “The Wedding Singer” remained true to the excess of that era by releasing not one but two soundtrack albums. Throwing in a few original songs from the film alongside a bevy of classic ‘80s tunes, the romantic comedy managed to entrance music fans that grew up with this music as well as new disciples alike. The only thing we wish they’d included that didn’t make the cut was Alexis Arquette’s character’s rendition of “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.” On second thought... maybe not.
#17: “Almost Famous” (2000)
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When you make a film that focuses on a young man whose life is defined and changed by his passion for music, it’s safe to say that you need to ensure the music in it lives up to that lofty vision. Lucky for the filmmakers and us, director Cameron Crowe lived an amazing life and his connections in the rock world were rock solid. The filmmaker featured the music of his awesome friends. Even Led Zeppelin, a band that was notoriously stingy with music rights at the time contributed. Thanks to their work and a few originals penned by music legends, this Grammy-winning album truly rocked.
#16: “The Bodyguard” (1992)
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The soundtrack for “The Bodyguard” has sold over ten million copies. And there’s a good reason why this OST has been certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America. The late, great Whitney Houston put her heart and soul into her cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”. While that track was certainly the selling point, the rest of the album is also chock full of great tunes. Every song from the powerful “I Have Nothing” to “I’m Every Woman” helped make this movie soundtrack a staple in many cd players in the 90s. Whitney Houston’s talent and passion pulled this collaborative and stunning project together.
#15: “Drive” (2011)
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If you’re the music supervisor assigned to put together what songs should accompany a unique film like “Drive” you have a pretty heavy responsibility. As the movie doesn’t buy into traditional dynamics of heroes and villains, the decision to go with a morally ambiguous sound was perfect. The synth-heavy music gives the neo-noir crime thriller a driving force without taking sides. All the tracks are incredibly atmospheric and fun to listen to. If songs like Nightcall don’t get you to bop your head, we don’t know what will. Peaking at 31 on the Billboard 200 and charting all over the world, this Cliff Martinez-dominated album fit its film perfectly.
#14: “The Blues Brothers” (1980)
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After Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi gained traction as the Blues Brothers on “Saturday Night Live,” they got an entertaining major motion picture with an equally spectacular soundtrack. Since Aykroyd and Belushi actually recorded and toured under the “Blues Brothers” name, they knew exactly what audiences wanted to hear. The soundtrack features a selection of great covers and standards. Highlights include spectacular versions of “Minnie the Moocher,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Gimme Some Lovin’”. Thanks to careful curation, the soundtrack works as a great time capsule for popular Blues sounds of the time. It all comes together on an album that sounds as fresh today as it did back in 1980.
#13: “American Graffiti” (1973)
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The poster for “American Graffiti” asks its audience “Where were you in ’62?”. So it’s fitting that the vinyl soundtrack ensured listeners were brought back to an old school headspace. “American Graffiti” features the crème de la crème of doo-wop, pop and soul. It’s an enduring slice of nostalgia that will hit those who remember the era with visions of sock hops, drive-ins and rock ‘n roll. And it’ll feel like stepping into a time machine for younger audiences who find it today. Need to experience classics like “Rock Around the Clock?” from Bill Haley & The Comets or “Runaway” by Del Shannon? They’re both there! It’s always a good time to rediscover how good this oldies themed soundtrack is.
#12: “Singles” (1992)
Just as “The Crow” soundtrack exemplified how industrial and goth were entering the mainstream, the OST for “Singles” represented the incoming wave of grunge and alternative rock. Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden dominate the conversation. It’s a prime example of being at the right place and time for the right film. The songs perfectly pair with all the angst in this rom com. Having everything from Hendrix’s “May This Be Love” to “The Battle of Evermore” helps cover the wide spectrum of emotions that come with love.” For our money, it’s that killer opener of Alice in Chains’ “Would?” that really seals the deal for this soundtrack.
#11: “Trainspotting” (1996)
A movie as unique as “Trainspotting” needed to sound unlike anything that came before. Fortunately, its soundtrack is full of hip, cool and occasionally obscure cuts. While you have popular tunes like Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life”, there’s a nice variety for the rest. Names like Primal Scream, New Order, Pulp and Lou Reed all speak volumes to listeners with their ears to the underground. An additional OST released a year later featured even more music from the likes of David Bowie and Joy Division. The wide berth of songs and topics covered nicely reflect the ups and downs the characters go through. While watching the movie isn’t always the most uplifting experience, the soundtrack definitely gives off good vibes.
#10: “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964)
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A wave of “Beatlemania” might hit you as soon as you hear the opening chord from “A Hard Day’s Night” album. It will transport you back to 1964 amidst fans screaming for the magical musical stylings of the Beatles. Since “A Hard Day’s Night” is about watching the band get ready to perform, the soundtrack tells the film’s story and works as its own product. It perfectly exemplifies that energetic early pop sound of the Beatles. The tunes are short, to-the-point, and it’s likely you know every single one of them by heart. From “Can’t Buy Me Love” to “If I Fell” and Harrison’s “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You,” the soundtrack is full of true genius.
#9: “The Graduate” (1967)
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When it came time to put together the music to accompany this film of high quality and sophistication, the decision to incorporate a musical duo of equal magnitude was a brilliant one. Featuring some of the best remembered and most respected music of Simon & Garfunkel’s entire catalogue; we could sit on a bus and listen to this album all day long. The connection between the film and the folk-rock duo is incredibly strong. Whenever we hear “The Sound of Silence” or “Mrs. Robinson”, we can’t help thinking of Anne Bancroft seducing her young paramour.
#8: “Top Gun” (1986)
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Nothing gets us more pumped up than this all-time classic soundtrack for one of the MOST radical of eighties movies. After Kenny Loggins hits us with “Danger Zone”, we get to highlight what may be the BEST Cheap Trick song of all time, “Mighty Wings.” The bombastic 80s anthem sets the stage for the all ups and downs of flying. What really makes this soundtrack special is how it balances energetic songs with more mellow cuts. Tracks like “Take My Breath Away” help add emotional layers to the soundtrack. And while “Top Gun Anthem” serves as the perfect instrumental closer, it makes us a bit misty eyed for our fallen friend Goose. Like the movie, this soundtrack will take you on a ride.
#7: “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014)
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When the trailers were released for this Marvel Comics film, a couple of thoughts went through a lot of people’s minds: “Who are these Guardians?” “That looks amazing” and “That’s some awesome music!” And in all likelihood, the lion’s share of viewers walked away from the superhero flick wishing they had their own “Awesome Mix”. Fans could tell that each song was added to the film and soundtrack to capture the mood and internal monologue of the characters. Fortunately, viewers could further immerse themselves in the story by getting the album for themselves. Consisting of classic songs from a number of genres, the one thing these tunes had in common is they all really fit their awesome description.
#6: “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000)
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Bringing gospel, folk, country and bluegrass together in an old timey fashion, the soundtrack to this Coen Brothers film took the art of putting a unique album together very seriously. Although the adventure comedy’s most lasting tune is named after a “Man of Constant Sorrow,” the album is a fun ride. No matter what genre of music you love the most, these songs are too universal to not bring a smile to your face. Winning the Grammy award for Album of the Year, the quality of the voices and recording helped this film soundtrack take the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart.
#5: “Purple Rain” (1984)
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It should come as a surprise to no one that a film starring music maverick Prince has one helluva soundtrack. But many may not have seen the addition of Morris Day and The Time coming. Since their performance was so catchy and beloved, years later they were brought back to close out the film “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” with the same song and dance moves. Did we also mention this soundtrack features what’s arguably one of Prince’s best songs? (insert broll for “When Doves Cry,”) Over time, this soundtrack went on to sell twenty million albums worldwide with more than half of those sales originating from North America.
#4: “Pulp Fiction” (1994)
A filmmaker known for his love of classic and foreign films, Quentin Tarantino always liked doing things a little differently. His choice to forego a traditional score of any sort and use tracks instead was a key factor that helped make “Pulp Fiction” so revolutionary. Throughout the narrative, the right songs are chosen to accompany the mood and feel of each story. This helps Butch’s wild plot feel vastly different from the twist competition. Tarantino put additional effort into the soundtrack by featuring tracks of film dialogue and cutting it down to its purest form. The singular filmmaker also made the soundtracks to “Reservoir Dogs” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” shine too. However, “Pulp Fiction’s” music remains as some of his finest work.
#3: “The Breakfast Club” (1985)
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One of the reasons the message of “The Breakfast Club” still breaks through to younger audiences is because of the universal themes the teen characters explore while in detention. But we think the music definitely helps. The track listing to the smash soundtrack is a smart and well-picked selection of new wave and rock songs. And for variety, it’s also peppered with a little bit of instrumental synth score. It feels like all the main characters would blast these tracks to let off some steam. While “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds was justifiably the biggest hit on the album, cuts from Wang Chung, Karla DeVito and Elizabeth Daily also rock. The BIG and memorable melodies made this teen movie soundtrack one-of-a-kind.
#2: “Forrest Gump” (1994)
A film spanning decades in the life of a simple man who has extraordinary experiences, “Forrest Gump” needed a soundtrack that spanned multiple eras of music. Released as a double album, it featured 32 songs that are synonymous with the unique timeframe and events in the planet’s history. As such, the music choices served to perfectly cast you into the frame of mind of the world you were seeing on the big screen. Charting within the Billboard 200’s top 100 on its end-of-decade charts, it’s safe to say the music of “Forrest Gump” really spoke to people.
#1: “Saturday Night Fever” (1977)
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When most people think of “Saturday Night Fever,” a Bee Gees-powered soundtrack will immediately start replaying in their heads. “Stayin’ Alive,” perhaps the group’s most noteworthy tune, will forever be associated with John Travolta strutting down a New York street. And that’s just one of the tracks we can’t stop humming in our heads! Talented acts like Yvonne Elliman make you long for someone before KC and the Sunshine Band has you putting on “Boogie Shoes”. Between the wide range of feelings it captures, its iconic status in pop culture and its significance to this film, the “Saturday Night Fever” album will stay alive as a masterpiece for years to come.
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