The 42 Best Movie Songs, From 'Ghostbusters' to 'Wind Beneath My Wings'
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The best movie songs have a way of elevating the cinematic experience. For instance, "Dance the Night" by Dua Lipa instantly transports us to Barbie Land, and Survivor's chart-topping classic, "Eye of the Tiger," still makes us want to grab a pair of boxing gloves and enter the ring. (Step aside, Rocky.)
We can't imagine watching any of our favorite titles without a few catchy tunes in the mix, and according to Adam Grybowski, former Director Of Communications at Rider University, it's all because they add depth and capture the movie's overall tone. He wrote, "It helps shape emotional responses, creates a rhythm to scenes and segments, and comments on the action. Music is often crucial to the experience of a scene and, in some cases, becomes as iconic as the movies themselves."
So, if you're like us and you have a lengthy list of movie songs that live rent-free in your head, allow us to introduce this list of the 42 best tunes from romantic comedies, drama films and more.
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1. “You Don't Own Me” by Lesley Gore: The First Wives Club
Released: 1963
Genre: Pop
Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton’s rendition of this original girl power anthem is everything.
2. “Don't You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds: The Breakfast Club
Released: 1985
Genre: Rock
Take a time machine to the '80s and pump your fist in the air like Judd Nelson.
3. “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion: Titanic
Released: 1997
Genre: Pop
Where would we be without the “I’ll never let go” dialogue-dubbed version?
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4. “I Say a Little Prayer” by Dionne Warwick: My Best Friend’s Wedding
Released: 1967
Genre: Soul Pop
There's no better way to convince a room full of people that you’re engaged to your gay bestie than by recounting your love story through song.
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5. "Dance the Night" by Dua Lipa: Barbie
Released: 2023
Genre: Pop
Here's hoping we score an invite to the next disco party in Barbie Land.
6. “(I've Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes: Dirty Dancing
Released: 1987
Genre: Dance Rock
Nobody puts Baby in the corner. (FYI, the hit song boasts several accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.)
7. “Don't Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith: Armageddon
Released: 1998
Genre: Rock
The one film that single-handedly takes credit for the categorization of animal crackers as both children's and “adult” snack food.
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8. “You've Got a Friend In Me” by Randy Newman: Toy Story
Released: 1995
Genre: Pop
A heartwarming ballad that jump-started the friendship between Woody and Buzz (and a childhood memory we'll always remember).
9. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor: Rocky III
Released: 1982
Genre: Rock
The only theme song that gets us through the day and pumps us up whenever we're down.
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10. “Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship: Mannequin
Released: 1987
Genre: Rock
Long before Kim Cattrall was Samantha in Sex and the City, she was Andrew McCarthy’s fantasy woman.
11. “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio: Dangerous Minds
Released: 1995
Genre: Hip hop
This 1995 gem + Michelle Pfeiffer = a classic movie combo.
12. “Flashdance...What a Feeling” by Irene Cara: Flashdance
Released: 1983
Genre: Pop
Three words: Pull. The. Cord.
13. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston: The Bodyguard
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B/Soul
What we wouldn’t give to hit that high E just like Whitney. (Hey, a girl can dream.)
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14. “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees: Saturday Night Fever
Released: 1977
Genre: Disco
When John Travolta and his gyrating hips arrive, you know the party has officially begun.
15. “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins: Footloose
Released: 1984
Genre: Rock
How was there a dancing ban when this song existed? No wonder Kevin Bacon fought so hard to bust a move.
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16. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem: 8 Mile
Released: 2002
Genre: Rap
This 2002 film is not complete without the award-winning rap that started it all.
17. “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler: Beaches
Released: 1988
Genre: Pop
We hope you have tissues ready when this song starts.
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18. “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel: Frozen
Released: 2013
Genre: Pop
Get ready to unleash your inner princess and belt out the song just like Idina Menzel. (And we apologize in advance if you have kids who won't stop playing this classic on repeat.)
19. “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr.: Ghostbusters
Released: 1984
Genre: Dance Pop
If there's somethin' strange in your neighborhood…Who you gonna call?
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20. “Unchained Melody” by Righteous Brothers: Ghost
Released: 1965
Genre: Easy Listening
We’ll never look at a potter's wheel the same way again.
21. “Glory” by John Legend & Common: Selma
Released: 2015
Genre: Hip hop
With a story so inspirational, it deserves a powerful song to match.
22. “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer: She’s All That
Released: 1999
Genre: Pop
It just wasn’t the '90s without a newly glam Lainey Boggs gliding down the stairs to this catchy pop tune.
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23. “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel: Say Anything
Released: 1986
Genre: Rock
We'll gladly listen to this song over and over again if it means we'll get John Cusack outside our window blasting the song on his boombox.
24. “Moon River” by Audrey Hepburn: Breakfast At Tiffany’s
Released: 1961
Genre: Jazz
The award-winning song fits perfectly with Audrey Hepburn's vocals and impressive guitar playing.
25. “Men In Black” by Will Smith: Men In Black
Released: 1997
Genre: Hip Hop
We’d like to keep our memories of this classic, please. Now, where do we sign up to be a part of the secret organization?
26. “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper: A Star Is Born
Released: 2018
Genre: Folk Pop
OK, this 2018 movie has a lot of bops but it's the first number sung by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper that hooked us.
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27. “9 To 5” by Dolly Parton: 9 to 5
Released: 1980
Genre: Country
Fun fact: This song earned an Oscar nod and two Grammy Awards. (Dolly, we’re so not worthy.)
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28. “All the Stars” by Kendrick Lamar ft. Sza: Black Panther
Released: 2018
Genre: R&B
With Kendrick Lamar producing the movie's soundtrack, it was bound for greatness.
29. “Banana Boat (Day O)” by Harry Belafonte: Beetlejuice
Released: 1956
Genre: Jamaican Folk
Honestly, we can't sing this song without thinking of this funny scene. (FYI, we're definitely reenacting this choreography at our next dinner party.)
30. “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa Ft. Charlie Puth: Furious 7
Released: 2015
Genre: Pop
A tribute to the late Paul Walker, this track really hits you in the feels.
31. “Jai Ho” by A.R. Rahman: Slumdog Millionaire
Released: 2008
Genre: Pop
Remember the iconic train station dance number from this 2008 Best Picture winner? It's just as good on the second (fine, seventeenth) viewing.
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32. “Paradise” by Ll Cool J Ft. Amerie: Deliver Us From Eva
Released: 2002
Genre: R&B
A rom-com starring Gabrielle Union? A soundtrack we can jam to even when the movie is over? Sign us up.
33. “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy: Do the Right Thing
Released: 1990
Genre: Hip Hop
Spike Lee's 1989 film found a moving theme song in this rap track.
34. “Everything Is Awesome!” by Tegan and Sara ft. The Lonely Island: The Lego Movie
Released: 2014
Genre: Pop
Don't sing along. We dare you.
35. “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel: The Graduate
Released: 1968
Genre: Folk
When Simon & Garfunkel are in charge of the whole soundtrack, it's pretty impossible to go wrong.
36. “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” by Three 6 Mafia: Hustle & Flow
Released: 2005
Genre: Rap
Not only was this the song of 2005, it also won Best Original Song at the Academy Awards.
37. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen: Wayne's World
Released: 1975
Genre: Rock
Car rides with friends got ten times cooler after this '92 classic scene.
38. “Don’t Let Go” by En Vogue: Set It Off
Released: 1996
Genre: R&B
The powerhouse of En Vogue fits perfectly with the all-star cast of Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox and Kimberly Elise.
39. “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Ray: The Great Gatsby
Released: 2013
Genre: Rock
A haunting ballad that describes the relationship of Daisy and Gatsby to a T.
40. "Skyfall" by Adele: Skyfall
Released: 2012
Genre: Pop
The Academy Award-winning track already makes us feel ten times more sophisticated.
42. “Rain Drops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” by B.J. Thomas: Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid
Released: 1969
Genre: Pop rock
Who knew that taking such a major creative risk would turn out to be just what this now-iconic Western film needed?
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Add the playlist below:
41. “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin: Top Gun
Released: 1986
Genre: Pop Rock
We're not surprised it won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1986. Plus, honorable mention goes to Kenny Loggins’s "Danger Zone" and the glistening display of testosterone that is the Maverick and Goose versus Iceman and Slider volleyball game scene.
