These Best Movie Soundtracks Are Iconic As The Films Themselves
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Spotlight 20, including the Ree favorites you mentioned in your pitch like Mamma Mia, Dirty Dancing, etc.
TK Best Movie Soundtracks That Make You Want to Sing Aloud
One thing that makes a great movie even better? Its soundtrack! Some of the best movies are just that thanks to the iconic songs playing throughout. Recently, the movie soundtrack to Barbie has grown in popularity, but there are so many more to love as well. Classics like Dirty Dancing, Titanic, and Top Gun as well as newer films like A Star is Born and Mamma Mia! I thought we could do a listicle of best movie soundtracks similar to Cosmo's.
One thing that makes a great movie even better? Its soundtrack! Some of the best movies are just that thanks to their unforgettable musical compositions. From a heart-pounding adventure sequence seen in action movies like Top Gun and Black Panther to a tender touch of romance that's felt in romantic movies like Mamma Mia and A Star is Born—the magic of movies is only amplified by the iconic songs playing throughout. And we can't forget the big dance number tracks in movies like Dirty Dancing and Grease. After all, they're some of Ree's favorites! That's why we've rounded up 20 of the best movie soundtracks for your listening pleasure.
Recently, the movie soundtrack to Barbie has grown in popularity, but there are so many more to love as well. Classics (insert: the best '70s movies, '80s movies, and '90s movies) like Titanic and Purple Rain quickly left a mark on our hearts and our ears after their release, cementing their scores as some of the greatest of all time. Newer numbers like The Greatest Showman have also made our list. We've even included Disney movies. Because whether they're iconic melodies of classic films from the past or modern compositions that have redefined the art of scoring, all of the best movie soundtracks make us want to either crank the volume and belt out a tune as soon as the movie starts or get up and dance around our living room to a certain scene. Either way, that's how you know it's special. So, read on for the best movie soundtracks. And for even more movie moments, check out a few of the best movie quotes, too!
Titanic (1997)
Titanic is widely known as one of the most epic blockbusters ever made and one of the greatest love stories on top of that. It only makes sense that it has a soundtrack to match! Along with James Horner’s beautiful and melancholic orchestral compositions, Celine Dion’s extravagant ballad "My Heart Will Go On," led it to be one of the top bestselling movie soundtracks of all time.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
What happens when you take a sun-soaked Greek island then combine it with romance and an unforgettable ABBA soundtrack? A film that you just can't resist! The movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway show features fun, campy performances of "Dancing Queen," "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)," and "Money, Money, Money" along with emotional renditions of songs like "Slipping Through My Fingers" that instantly became our go-to karaoke picks.
The Greatest Showman (2017)
The Greatest Showman is nothing short of a sheer spectacle—and that includes the music. With an abundance of musical theater pop hits that lean into the drama and overall inspirational messages of the film, fans are still singing along all these years later. Favorites include tracks like "This Is Me," "The Other Side," and "A Million Dreams."
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Sure, we rewatch Dirty Dancing on the regular to see Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey cut a rug on the dance floor, but we also tune in for well, the tunes! This soundtrack is one of the top five bestselling movie soundtracks ever, overflowing with hits like "Be My Baby," "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," and of course, "(I've Had) The Time of My Life."
Grease (1978)
Grease has always been the word! Even Ree Drummond considers the musical rom-com to be one of her favorite movies. Along with the famed storyline of summer romance set in the '50s, it also charters plenty of memorable music moments with timeless and oh-so-catchy songs like "You’re the One That I Want," "Greased Lightnin'," and "Summer Nights." It's also one of the top selling movie soundtracks ever!
Top Gun (1986)
You can't have a dramatic action packed flick without a fierce soundtrack to accompany it. Insert: chart-topping hits like Kenny Loggins’ "Danger Zone," and Berlin’s "Take My Breath Away" which perfectly represent the equal parts adventure and romance that define the infamous ’80s movie. They're just so easy to belt at the top of your lungs, too.
Rocketman (2019)
We would hope a biopic of one of the greatest musicians of our time would have a soundtrack to properly showcase his enormous talent—and Rocketman does! The movie soared in theaters, receiving rave reviews on the depiction of Elton John's life, relationships, flamboyant state persona, and music. "Crocodile Rock," "Tiny Dancer," "I'm Still Standing," "Rocket Man," and so many more classic hits were included in the outstanding score.
Forrest Gump (1994)
There's just so many attributes that make Forrest Gump one of the most beloved films of the 20th century. The soundtrack is no exception! A superb sampling of tunes across many genres through the post-war years like "Hound Dog," "Free Bird," "Respect,"I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," "Fortunate Son," and so many others no doubt contribute to the appeal.
A Star Is Born (2018)
The fact that you could hardly go anywhere in 2018 without hearing someone belt out the lyrics to Oscar hit "Shallow" just proves that A Star is Born is deserving of a spot on this list. Plenty of other extraordinarily powerful songs in a mash of blues, country, pop, and folk rock also come together to make a stellar soundtrack that won't easily be forgotten.
The Lion King (1994)
Of all Disney’s animated films, The Lion King is a favorite for many by far. It's beautifully written and performed—and we haven't even touched on the soundtrack yet. The score by Hans Zimmer combined with the phenomenal number "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton John creates a soundtrack that can only be described as a masterpiece. Furthering this point, they both received Oscars for their work on the film.
The Great Gatsby (2013)
The Great Gatsby, an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel, is fantastically entertaining! The dazzling soundtrack only adds to that! Modern hip-hop fused with classic jazz makes for retro-modern tracks like "Bang Bang" by will.i.am and "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)" by Fergie, Q Tip, and GoonRock that deserve to be on repeat. There's also haunting melodies by Lana Del Rey and Florence Welch as well as instant hits by Beyoncé and Sia.
Purple Rain (1984)
Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to reminisce on the greatest movie soundtracks, including Prince’s Purple Rain! Hit after hit by the late musical genius like "Let's Go Crazy," "When Doves Cry," "I Would Die 4 U," and of course, the phenomenal eight-minute “Purple Rain," allowed this soundtrack to (deservingly) win Academy Awards for Best Original Musical and Best Original Song Score.
Saturday Night Fever (1977)
In this film that follows a young Italian-American man from Brooklyn and his passion for disco dancing, tracks like “Stayin’ Alive,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” and “Night Fever” are a disco lover's dream! Fun fact: It stayed on top of the Billboard charts for six months and is the second bestselling movie soundtrack of all time.
Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
This soundtrack for Guardians of The Galaxy is actually based on Peter Quill's mixtape that appeared in the film. Full of hits from the ’70s and ’80s like "Hooked on a Feeling," "Spirit in the Sky," and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," it's the perfect backdrop to plenty of space adventures. Fans of the film agreed, sending the soundtrack to number one on the Billboard 200 chart for 11 straight weeks.
Pitch Perfect (2012)
Not putting Pitch Perfect on our list would just be aca-awkward! After all, the Bellas and their a cappella renditions of catchy Top 40 songs took the radio by storm upon its release—especially several original compositions like "Cups" by Anna Kendrick. Other peppy pop hits by Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, and more were also adapted into delightful a capella arrangements for the film.
West Side Story (1961)
Did you know that West Side Story is actually based on the stage musical that retells Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet? Well, now you do! You may be familiar with the 2020 remake, but the 1961 version is pretty hard to forget with romantic ballads and action numbers like "I Feel Pretty," "Maria," "Jet Song," and "America."
Black Panther (2018)
Wakanda and this soundtrack, forever! Multi-Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar coproduced the epic soundtrack with a range of sounds from hip-hop and rap to pop and R&B using a star studded lineup that includes greats like SZA, Khalid, Future, 2 Chaniz, Anderson .Paak, Schoolboy Q, and himself. While “All the Stars” really stands out, every song speaks to the meaning of the film.
Barbie (2023)
Barbie has sent a pink wave across the world—quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon. So of course, it must have a great soundtrack to match! Filled with groovy dance numbers like "Dance the Night" by Dua Lipa and tear-jerking ballads like "What Was I Made For?" by Billie Eilish, it definitely does just that! Other high-profile artists included are Lizzo, Sam Smith, Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, Tame Impala, and many more.
High Fidelity (2000)
Since this movie is about a record store owner who takes a trip down memory lane to revisit his failed attempts at romance, you just know it'll have a great soundtrack. The Kinks, Velvet Underground, and Stevie Wonder all come together for a beautifully crafted composition that resembles a mixtape. Jack Black even takes on Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On."
The Bodyguard (1992)
When you think it can't get much better than a passionate yet complicated relationship between Whitney Houston as a pop sensation and Kevin Costner as a bodyguard, enter: the soundtrack! Did we mention it's the bestselling soundtrack of all time? That's no surprise thanks to Miss Houston's iconic track "I Will Always Love You" and other hits like “I’m Every Woman,” “I Have Nothing,” and “Run to You.”
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