Top 20 Best Oscar-Winning Movie Songs of All Time

While the screenplay isn’t this 80s staple’s strongest element, music and dance are how the characters truly communicate. This triumphant pop ballad brings Alex Owens’s story full circle as we follow her from a humble steel mill worker to a dancing star ready to shine. “Flashdance” bursts on the scene with invigorating music by Giorgio Moroder and empowering lyrics from Keith Forsey and Irene Cara, the latter of whom also injects her zealous vocals. This wasn’t the first time Cara helped carry a song to gold Oscar, performing the titular tune from 1980’s “Fame.” “Flashdance” is another song that’ll live forever, capturing that special feeling when a young adult comes of age and achieves their dream, encouraging all aspiring artists to reach for the stars.

Outside of the thrilling aerial sequences and the magic of Tom Cruise, the “Top Gun” franchise is best known for its electrifying music. With “Take My Breath Away,” Giorgio Moroder would fly away with another Academy Award along with wingman Tom Whitlock. The angelic vocals of new wave band Berlin bring a gravity-defying sentiment to the song that works on two levels. The song makes you feel as if you’re gliding through the air, almost becoming one with the sky above. At the same time, it conveys the steamy romance between Maverick and Charlie. For a film with a lot of fast-paced music, this song slows time down, allowing the audience to catch their breath while also taking it away.

After “Tarzan” capped off the 90s Renaissance with “You’ll Be in My Heart,” Disney went 14 years without a Best Original Song Oscar. “Frozen” ended the dry spell with a snowstorm. “Let It Go” not only became the film’s breakout hit, but it changed the narrative’ course. Although Elsa was originally conceived as a villain, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez sought to unearth her humanity with this deeply personal tune. “Let It Go” establishes that Elsa was never a villain, but rather a vulnerable yet powerful woman ready to break free after a lifetime in the shadows. The filmmakers also came to see Elsa in another light, evolving her into one of Disney’s most progressive heroines with the voice of the wickedly talented Idina Menzel.

This historical drama ends on a high note with a march to Montgomery and Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his “How Long, Not Long” speech. It’s a crucial moment in the Civil rights movement, which is encapsulated in a song from Common and John Legend. For all the progress that Dr. King made, “Glory” is just as much about the struggles that persist 50 years later. In addition to the 1965 Selma marches, the song references the 2014 Ferguson unrest. Common and Legend bring a soulful sound to the music. This gives the song a timeless sentiment, as if it could’ve been released in the 60s or today. It’s a haunting yet hopeful protest anthem, motivating listeners to continue the pursuit of equality and glory.

From Barbra Streisand’s opening hums, this song evokes a sense of nostalgia, as if the audience is drifting back in time. Of course, nobody can go back to the old days. All they can do is reflect on their precious, fragile memories. Some memories are uplifting and romantic. Others are laced with heartbreak and regret. Marvin Hamlisch’s melancholic melody conveys all of the above, foreshadowing the star-crossed romance between Streisand’s Katie and Robert Redford’s Hubbell. The song resurfaces as the film closes, leaving their relationship in the past while also contemplating what could’ve been. Alan and Marilyn Bergman’s lyrics paint a poetic portrait of love slipping away, leaving you sad that it’s over yet grateful that it existed in the first place.

After everything that Jamal and Latika endure, the audience wants nothing more than to see them get the happiest ending imaginable. “Slumdog Millionaire” delivers with Jamal’s newfound fortune and a kiss that’ll make you believe in destiny. It’s the finale performance of “Jai Ho,” however, that pushes the film over the top. Choreographed by Longinus Fernandes with the flare of a Bollywood number, “Jai Ho” translates to a few different meanings, all of which pertain to “victory.” While Gulzar’s lyrics are written in Indian, the song transcends language barriers, speaking to anyone who’s ever dreamed of a better life. This is further expressed through A. R. Rahman’s music and the principal vocals provided by Sukhwinder Singh, making you want to flash mob the night away.

Few Oscar-winning songs epitomize a place and time quite like Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia.” The place is, naturally, the lonely streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The time is the early 90s as the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to plague humanity. While the disease had been prevalent for over a decade, it remained a taboo subject with few mainstream movies or songs shining a light on the crisis. “Streets of Philadelphia” manifests the isolation of Tom Hanks’ Andy as he seeks justice and basic human dignity after being wrongfully terminated from his job. Springsteen’s music and lyrics bring out Andy’s pain as his life slowly but surely drains away. As long as his heart is still beating along with the drums, though, he’ll continue to fight.

Outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid live as if every day could be their last. Between the shootouts and plunges off cliffs, there’s time for a carefree bicycle ride set to this joyous tune. Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” washes all negative feelings away as singer B. J. Thomas casts a rainbow of optimism. Although the song is full of lighthearted vibes, it’s also kind of unsettling when you consider Butch and Sundance’s ultimate fate. The song leads you to believe that our antiheroes will overcome any obstacle that confronts them, but their luck is bound to run out eventually. Regardless, it’s impossible to listen to this song without immediately being put into a good mood.

Arguably no film brings a greater sense of finality to a trilogy than “The Return of the King.” “Into the West” closes the book on this epic story, reflecting on the end of one journey and the beginning of another. For Frodo, the next adventure awaits in the far west where the Undying Lands reside. For Sam, it’s back in the Shire with his family. Although it’s tear-jerking to see friends part ways, every character is where they should be. Singer Annie Lennox, who wrote the song with Howard Shore and Fran Walsh, summons a sense of loss, drawing inspiration from the untimely death of a young filmmaker named Cameron Duncan. While bittersweet, the song also provides comfort, leaving us with a peaceful farewell.

James Bond has a long history of captivating theme songs, three of which won Oscars. 2012’s “Skyfall” was the first victor with Adele bringing a fresh yet traditional sound to 007’s legacy. Co-writing the song with Paul Epworth, Adele’s vocals are moody, fearless, and ready for action, much like Daniel Craig’s Bond. The song foreshadows much of what we’re about to see, including a last stand at Bond’s childhood home. Somehow, the tune summarizes the story without actually giving anything away. Just as Bond is forced to revisit his past, the audience is motivated to go back to the beginning and rewatch the opening title sequence. Not every Bond song hits it out of the park, but “Skyfall” is practically engrained in the story’s DNA.

Although it’s been remade multiple times, the plot of “A Star Is Born” hasn’t drastically changed with each incarnation. However, every adaptation possesses echoes of the decade it was made. Music plays a monumental role in mirroring the era. “Evergreen” has a sentimental sound that screams 70s pop. “Shallow” is a modern duet, fusing Jackson’s country rock with Ally’s folk-pop. The lyrics speak to both singers, neither of whom is fulfilled in their lives. Together, Jackson and Ally hit all the notes, but their union also may be headed for an inevitable shipwreck. Nevertheless, the chemistry between these two makes the audience want to jump into the deep end with them. By the time the song concludes, their whirlwind romance is already well out into deeper waters.

“Once” is the definition of a “little movie that could.” It was produced for only $150,000 and Glen Hansard used his own childhood guitar for the film. Although the filmmakers had to scrape together whatever pieces they could find, the result was a profound musical that culminated in Oscars for Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Through “Falling Slowly,” Hansard’s Guy and Irglová’s Girl express what’s truly in their hearts. Although Guy doesn’t realize it yet, Girl is already married and will inevitably return to their husband. As their voices join in a simple musical shop, though, it’s clear that these two are meant for each other. Their time together may fly by, but their feelings and music are still falling with no end in sight.

With three “ Lion King” songs nominated, the odds favored Tim Rice and Elton John leaving that year’s ceremony with statuettes. Nobody was surprised when they picked up Oscars for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” While the sweeping ballad is in the tradition of Disney’s past love songs, there’s something almost mystical about this one. It’s also one that immerses us in the beauty of nature as Simba and Nala are reunited, seeing each through adult eyes. Of course, you don’t have to be a lion to feel the love in the air. It’s a song best experienced on a moonlight evening with your significant other, letting nature take its course. And to think, this was almost a comedic song between Timon and Pumbaa.

To be fair, we can understand why Baby’s parents would have reservations about their daughter being romantically involved with Johnny. “Dirty Dancing” isn’t a film that runs on logic, however. It runs on music. After seeing Baby and Johnny take to the dance floor in the grand finale, it’s hard for even the biggest cynic to deny their connection. While the number is skillfully choreographed by Kenny Ortega and Miranda Garrison, this ending wouldn’t be nearly as iconic without “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” The song sees Baby blossom from a sheltered teen to a confident young woman, ready to publicly display her love for dance and Johnny. As romantic as it is invigorating, nobody puts this song in the corner.

Holly Golightly lives the extravagant life of a socialite, partying every night away. Behind the elegant clothing is a complex soul whose pursuit of wealth and glamor is interrupted by the arrival of a struggling writer, Paul. Holly may deny that she’s developing feelings for Paul, but she sings the truth through “Moon River.” Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer wrote the song to accommodate Audrey Hepburn’s vocal range. Unlike the persona that Holly has created for herself, the melody and lyrics are quite simple. Therein lies the beauty of the song, speaking to Holly’s background as a country girl. The song expresses the spontaneous Holly’s yearning for an exciting life, unaware that the greatest adventure of all is looking down and smiling at her.

Howard Ashman and Alan Menken ushered in a golden age of animated Disney musicals with “The Little Mermaid,” winning the Oscar for “Under the Sea.” (xref) Ashman sadly wouldn’t live to see the release of “Beauty and the Beast,” which won another Oscar for its titular romantic ballad. Whether listening to Angela Lansbury’s tender rendition as Mrs. Potts or the pop duet between Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, the timeless song is guaranteed to bring a tear to your eyes. Not because it’s sad, but because the union of Belle and the Beast is so heartfelt, demonstrating how love sometimes flourishes in unexpected places. What Ashman helped start would continue with “Aladdin,” winning Menken yet another statuette along with Tim Rice for “A Whole New World.”

Although “Lose Yourself” was an immediate success for Eminem, some doubt that the Academy would embrace a hip hop song with the lyrics about vomit and spaghetti. Eminem didn’t even bother showing up to the ceremony. Viewers were pleasantly surprised when Barbra Streisand (of all people) announced this stimulating rap song as the victor. The song’s Oscar journey mirrored the story of B-Rabbit, an underdog rapper who seizes his shot to bring down the house. “Lose Yourself” would be the first hip hop song to win an Oscar, opening the door for future hits like “It's Hard out Here for a Pimp.” The popularity of “Lose Yourself” has only endured over the decades, so much so that Eminem finally performed it at the 2020 ceremony.

Disney has a way of building upon classic stories to create something unique. For example, a wishing star doesn’t play a significant role in Carlo Collodi’s original “Pinocchio” story. In Disney’s adaptation, the wishing star symbolizes one of the film’s key themes of never losing hope. It also provides the basis for “Pinochio’s” signature song, which would have a life well beyond the film it derived from. “When You Wish Upon a Star” has developed into Disney’s anthem, every bit as synonymous with the company as Mickey Mouse and Walt himself. Leigh Harline’s compositions and Ned Washington’s lyrics are the stuff of dreams, becoming the first Disney song (as well as the first song from an animated feature) to take home an Academy Award.

An epic love story deserves a theme song that compliments the romance’s towering scope. “My Heart Will Go On” pairs with “Titanic” so flawlessly that it’s hard to believe James Cameron didn’t want a pop song closing out his masterpiece. Celine Dion was also hesitant about singing another end credits song. Composer James Horner and lyrist Will Jennings were so passionate about the idea that they secretly developed “My Heart Will Go On,” eventually convincing Cameron. We’re grateful they did, as the song elevates what was already a touching finale to an emotional powerhouse. It’s never been confirmed whether Rose is dreaming or departed in the end. Either way, the song says everything about her undying love for Jack more than 80 years later.

It’s hard to believe, but MGM seriously considered removing “Over the Rainbow” due to pacing and the idea of having Judy Garland perform at a barnyard. We almost see where they were coming from, as the number has no dancing, effects, or vibrant use of Technicolor. Without Harold Arlen’s soothing melody and Yip Harburg’s heartwarming lyrics, though, Dorothy’s character arc would feel incomplete. Dorothy dreams of escaping over the rainbow, but upon arriving in Oz, she finds that everything she ever wanted was back in Kansas. The song thus serves a dual purpose, encouraging us to follow our dreams while still finding comfort in what we have. Fortunately, several key figures convinced MGM to keep the song, resulting in an Oscar and a cinematic milestone.