Soundtracks can enhance the power of a great film and make the great film iconic.
However, they can stand alone in their own right.
The perfectly timed soundtracks can amplify the sad moments to heartbreaking and thrill to the whole another level.
Nothing beats the feeling that great music and great film bring out together.
Be ready to time travel and experience the highs and lows, laugh, cry, and shout with these timeless movie soundtracks.
Immerse yourself into these 25 best movie soundtracks of all time and find yourself instantly falling in love with these ethereal soundscapes!!
Quick Overview
Rank
Best Movie Soundtracks
1.
American Graffiti
2.
Sing Street
3.
A Hard Day’s Night
4.
Crazy Heart
5.
Tangerine
6.
Malcolm X
7.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2
8.
Hustle & Flow
9.
Moana
10.
Call Me By Your Name
11.
Reality Bites
12.
Death Proof
13.
High Fidelity
14.
Marie Antoinette
15.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
16.
Black Panther
17.
The Graduate
18.
Purple Rain
19.
Selena
20.
Waiting to Exhale
21.
A Star Is Born
22.
The Bodyguard
23.
Dirty Dancing
24.
The Parent Trap
25.
Stand By Me
Best Movie Soundtracks of All Time
The information is compiled from reliable sites on the web like HarpersBazaar and Wikipedia.
25. Stand By Me
Rob Reiner’s thrilling and heartbreaking coming of age masterpiece embraces Ben E. King’s soulful golden song “Stand By Me.”
The movie is adapted from the phenomenal fictional author Stephen King’s novella “The Body.”
As the four teen friends, Gordie, Chris, Teddie, and Vern, go out on an adventure to find the deceased body of another teenager named Ray Brower in the nearby town of Castle Rock, the amazing soundtracks unfold along with the movie.
Stand By Me Best Movie Soundtrack (Source: Variety)
If you want to have the fine taste of oldies classic Rock & Roll tracks like The Chordettes “Lollipop,” The Coasters “Yakety Yak,” and Shirley & Lee’s “Let the Good Times Roll,” you better tune into this movie.
Besides, River Phoenix’s enchanting screen presence makes “Stand By Me” even more reminiscent.
24. The Parent Trap
Disney’s classic film The Parent Trap treasures the ethereal jazz of Nat King Coles’s “L.O.V.E.” With this timeless opening, it will sure give you a zoo of butterflies in your belly.
The Parent Trap (Source: Scratchpad Fandom)
This sensational movie develops with teen twin sisters who fatefully meet in a summer camp. And, they switch their places and plan to get their divorced parents to come together.
Moreover, with 15 songs album, the atmosphere of this romantic comedy family film blooms. The compilation consists of the most mesmerizing tracks, including Bronx Style Bob’s “Here Comes the Sun” La’s “There She Goes.”
23. Dirty Dancing
This 80s classic movie explores the young character “Baby” evolving into romance and a woman when she learns dancing with her instructor Johnny during summer vacation.
Similarly, the soundtrack of this movie consists of soft rock, pop-rock, and rhythm and blues music.
Dirty Dancing (Source: Den of Geek)
The Grammy-winning theme song by country singers Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, “The Time of My Life,” starts with a public dirty dance performance between Baby and Johnny.
Moreover, the movie’s unforgettable tracks like Eric Carmen’s “Hungry Eyes,” Mickey & Sylvia’s “Love is Strange,” and a cover by Blown Monkeys “You Don’t Own Me” will give you pure 80s vibes.
22. The Bodyguard
Nothing beats Whitney Houston’s signature soundtrack, “I Will Always Love You,” from the 1992 romantic thriller, The Bodyguard.
This fascinating movie features Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner sharing on-screen romance.
The Bodyguard (Source: Entertainment Weekly)
Moreover, the soundtrack also consists of one of the most iconic singers of all time, Houston’s “I Have Nothing” and “Run to You.”
In addition, Lisa Stansfield’s “Someday (I’m Coming Back)” and Joe Cocker’s “Trust in Me” add some extra flavors to the movie.
21. A Star is Born
Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut on the remake of the romantic musical movie “A Star is Born” was a huge international success.
The beautiful romance unveils between the musician (Jackson) Bradley Cooper and the young singer (Ally) Lady Gaga with the touch of ethereal soundtracks.
A Star Is Born (Source: The Daily Beast)
Besides, the movie treasures the Grammy-winning original soundtrack from Cooper and Gaga’s “Shallow.” Similarly, Gaga’s other Grammy-winning single, “I’ll Always Remember Us This Way,” is sure to give you an eargasm.
Moreover, the final scene of Gaga performing “I’ll Never Love Again” will touch the deepest corners of your heart. Be ready to feel the high and low tides from these powerful soundtracks.
20. Waiting to Exhale
Waiting to Exhale (Source: Black Enterprise)
Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon share the screen in this 1995 movie. These girls bond together as close friends as they all have shortcomings in their love life.
Similarly, this film embraces one of the greatest R&B record producers and songwriters of all time, Babyface’s smash album “Waiting to Exhale.”
Moreover, one can relish the Grammy-winning vocals of Whitney Houston’s Exhale (Shoop Shoop).
In addition, you can listen to other notable R& B artists’ top-charting singles like Let It Flow (Toni Braxton), Not Gon’ Cry (Mary J. Blige), and Count on Me (Houston and Cece Winans).
“Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack album garnered 11 Grammy nominations.
19. Selena
This 1997 movie portrays the life story of the Queen of Tejano music, Selena Quintanilla- Pérez, who got murdered at the age of 23.
Jennifer Lopez staged the big screens for this biopic.
Selena (Source: Pinterest)
Moreover, the Selena soundtrack cherishes the angelic vocal presence of Pérez, which will give you the chills the very moment you hear it.
Besides, you can explore timeless love songs of Pérez, which include Dreaming of You, and I Could Fall in Love.
In addition, it treasures her memorable last live performance single, Disco Medley.
18. Purple Rain
The 1984 semi-autobiographical musical film “Purple Rain” portrays the rise of the late American artist Prince as a leader of his band Revolution while escaping his malfunctioning family life.
Besides, Prince acted and put out his sixth studio album on the film, also called “Purple Rain.” The whole soundtrack is incredibly layered, funky, fun, catchy, melodramatic with an infectious melody.
Purple Rain (Source: Biography)
The title track “Purple Rain” is so blissful.
“Purple Rain” won 7 Grammys for Best Soundtrack Score for film and inducted Prince at a Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004.
Moreover, the soundtrack consists of memorable blue soul hits like “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” and “ I Would Die 4 U”.
17. The Graduate
Mike Nichols’s aesthetically pleasing cinematography “The Graduate” presents Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft telling the story of a recent graduate having an affair with his girlfriend’s mom.
The Graduate (Source: Amazon)
The American folk-rock duet Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” and “Mrs. Robinson” have done justice to this 60’s movie.
16. Black Panther
Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster Marvel production, Black Panther, features the late Hollywood star Chadwick Boseman as a superhero.
The whole soundtrack is trippy and experimental. It includes the musical blend of amazing rap and contemporary R & B artists like Kendrick Lamar, James Blake, Weeknd, and SZA.
Black Panther (Source: Into Film)
Some of the stirring tracks from the movie are “All the Stars”, “King’s Dead”, “Pray for Me”.
The insane track from west-coast artists SOB X RBE “Parademic!” will give you chills.
Moreover, Ludwig Göransson’s phenomenal original score develops the movie’s course by exploring the theme of the Wakanda characters.
15. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Sony’s most enthralling animated film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” brings the comic hero Miles Morales for the first time on big screens.
He runs into another bunch of spidermen and women from parallel universes and joins them to fight against Kingpin.
Spiderman Spider Into the Verse (Source: The New Yorker)
The evocative and funky soundtracks unfold the cohesive narration and spectacular actions throughout the movie.
It embraces spirit-boosting tracks like Post Malone ft. Swae Lee’s “Sunflower,” Black Caviar & Blackway’s “What’s Up Danger,” DJ Khaled’s “Elevate.”
14. Marie Antoinette
Sofia Coppola’s redesigned historical biopic “Marie Antoinette” explores the French Revolution in sweet pink and pastels.
This 2006 gem directly challenges its history and audiences from its very first shot.
Marie Antoinette (Source: Vogue)
The opening post-punk anthems, lyrics, and title further glue us into the coming experience.
What makes this postmodern revolution even better is its rock and roll punk soundtracks like Bow Wow Wow’s” Aphrodisiac,” The Strokes “What Ever Happened?” and Siouxsie and The Banshee’s “Hong Kong Garden.”
13. High Fidelity
The 90s love and hipsterism movie “High Fidelity” explores the multi-genre tracks from monumental decades compiled in a single record.
High Fidelity (Source: The Guardian)
The 15 song soundtrack treasures the fun and romantic tracks like The Velvet Underground’s “Oh! Sweet Nuthin”, Bob Dylan’s “Most of the Time,” and Jack Black’s “Let’s Get It On.”
12. Death Proof
Quentin Tarantino’s affection for the bygone era “Death Proof” embraces the 1970’s aesthetic cinematography, cast representation, dress code, and of course, the soundtrack.
Death Proof (Source: Wallpaper Flare)
This grindhouse thriller consists of some of the finest soundtracks like “Chick Habit,” “Down in Mexico,” and “The Love You Save.”
11. Reality Bites
This romantic comedy film from Ben Stiller is a time machine to the 90s generation.
Reality Bites (Source: Reddit)
The narration reflecting on post-college and confusing adult experience kicks in with Gen X beloved but forgotten soundtracks: The Knack’s “My Sharona,” Dinosaur Jr.’s “Turnip Farm,” and Lisa Loeb’s “Stay.”
10. Call Me By Your Name
Get ready to relive the bittersweet memories of summer love and lingering heartache that Elio (Timothée Chalamet) encounters with his first forbidden love, Oliver (Armie Hammer).
Call Me By Your Name (Source: Deadline)
Feel and touch the atmosphere of Elio’s world with Sufjan Steven’s most beautiful and sorrowful tracks one at a time.
From Sufjan’s Oscar & Grammy-nominated “Mystery of Love” to his heart-rending songs “Visions of Gideon” and “Futile Devices” to The Psychedelic Fur’s rock anthem “Love My Way,” you’ll get a twinge of nostalgia.
9. Moana
Lil Manuel Miranda’s first journey with Disney’s “Moana” gave birth to an astounding soundtrack.
Moana (Source: AZCentral)
The thrilling adventure of Moana gifts Dwyane Johnson’s pop-rock track “You’re Welcome” and Auli’i Cravalho’s Grammy-winning anthem “How Far I’ll Go.”
8. Hustle & Flow
Craig Brewer’s 2005 musical film “Hustle & Flow” starring Terrence Howard as a Memphis pimp, Djay who hustles in his rap journey to create a better life.
Hustle And Flow (Source: Roger Ebert)
The soundtrack features Three 6 Mafia’s Oscar-winning song “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” and Howard’s original gangsta rap “Whoop That Trick.”
7. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2
James Gunn’s galaxy-saving Marvel adventure sequel features some of the joyous and amazing rock and roll soundtracks of the 70s, including Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky.”
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 (Source: Wallpaper Flare)
Similarly, some of the tracks in the movie include Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home to Me” and Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.”
Spike Lee‘s 1992 biopic “Malcolm X” embraces the memorable performance of Denzel Washington.
Malcolm-X (Source: Wallpaper Flare)
The classic old souls, blues, and jazz tracks like Junior Walker’s “Shotgun” and Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” make the movie pitch-perfect.
5. Tangerine
Sean Baker’s 2015 masterpiece, “Tangerine,” sheds light to the bizarre world of transgender sex workers in LA.
Tangerine (Source: Entertainment Weekly)
The upbeat DJ tracks and trap dance melodies of artists like DJ Lightup White Night Ghosts add mood to the gritty but light, and humorous cinema experience.
Not to forget its wonderful soundtrack, “Christmas Come Early.”
4. Crazy Heart
Scott Cooper’s 2009 blockbuster “Crazy Heart” won Jeff Bridges his first Oscar as an alcoholic country singer who seeks salvation from the journalist Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Crazy Heart (Source: Moviemania)
Besides, the film treasures the Oscar-winning song ” The Weary Kind” by the real country artists Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett.
3. A Hard Day’s Night
Get ready to take on a lighthearted and comical journey to the Beatle’s musical life. The black and white footage of the Beatles stars the Fab Four Rock N Rollers.
A Hard Day’s Night (Source: Closer Weekly)
The soundtrack consists of mellow performances of the Beatles like “Tell Me Why,” “Can’t Buy Me, Love,” and the title song “A Hard Day’s Night.”
2. Sing Street
John Carney’s fascinating coming-of-age 2016 musical film “Sing Street” portrays a group of lively high schoolers starting an Irish rock band.
Sing Street (Source: IMDb)
Besides, the drama hits deep, and the comedic moments in the movie are hilarious.
Moreover, its soundtrack treasures classic rock songs and wonderful softer ballads like Duran Duran’s “Rio,” The Cure’s “In Between Days,” and Sing Street’s “To Find You” and “A Beautiful Sea.”
1. American Graffiti
George Lucas’s timeless film “American Graffiti” is an authentic love letter from youthhood.
The subtle cinematography, sublime characters, and pitch-perfect tone give the raw experience of light-hearted joy and fun.
American Graffiti (Source: Filmsite.org)
Its soundtrack consists of some of the nation’s greatest oldie’s treasures like Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” and Del Shannon’s “Runaway”.
Besides, the iconic DJ of old America, Wolfman Jacks’ screen presence, makes it even more alive.
