A movie is made of many interconnected parts, each bringing their all to create a cinematic experience. Among them, the one we think about the least is the soundtrack, particularly the songs created specifically for the movie in question. And that’s without mentioning sound design, but that’s a topic for another day.
This is why, today, we will go over the best movie soundtracks ever released, at least according to our definitely objective opinion. These are soundtracks that reflect the mood of their films so well, we love to sit back and leave them on the background of our thoughts.
1. Saturday Night Fever
This record completely took over the world. Selling over 40 million copies globally, it held the title of the best-selling album in music history until Michael Jackson released Thriller. Albumism staff rightly named it among the 100 greatest soundtracks.
2. The Bodyguard
Selling over 45 million copies worldwide, this remains the absolute best-selling soundtrack in history. It earned a Grammy for Album of the Year and reached a staggering 18 times platinum status. The vocal performances here are completely unmatched.
3. O Brother Where Art Thou
Produced by T-Bone Burnett, this incredibly catchy collection of folk and bluegrass reached number 1 on the Billboard 200. The wildly popular release even took home the 2002 Grammy for Album of the Year, proving traditional music still ruled.
4. Pulp Fiction
Packed with a wild mix of surf music, soul, pop, and rock and roll, this triple-platinum release perfectly matched the movie. Hitting number 21 on the Billboard 200, it even grabbed a Brit Award for Best Soundtrack in 1995.
5. Trainspotting
Danny Boyle packed his movie with an era-defining selection of tunes. The collection achieved triple platinum status in the UK and gold in Australia, eventually scoring the 1997 Brit Award for Best Soundtrack. It perfectly captured the ’90s vibe.
6. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
This 1977 score remains the best-selling symphonic album of all time, reaching number 2 on the Billboard 200. The iconic orchestral music dominated awards season, picking up an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and two Grammys.
7. The Lion King
Selling over 10 million copies in the US, this 1994 release became the biggest-selling animated film soundtrack ever. Featuring legendary songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, it easily topped the Billboard chart for 10 straight weeks.
8. Dirty Dancing
Ranked among the greatest movie soundtracks ever put together, this romantic collection turned into an absolute cultural juggernaut. The wildly popular franchise eventually generated over 46 million equivalent album sales, proving people just could not stop dancing to it.
9. Top Gun
The music from this movie perfectly captures the high energy and dramatic tension of soaring through the sky in a fighter jet. It perfectly defines the action movie genre of its era, leaving a permanent mark on pop culture.
10. Grease
Capturing the rebellious energy and sweet romance of high school life, this collection of catchy tunes became a massive cultural phenomenon. The songs remain incredibly beloved by generations of fans who still know every single word by heart.
11. Do The Right Thing
The music selected for this film brings an incredible amount of tension and energy to the hot city streets. It perfectly captures the rebellious spirit of the neighborhood, cementing its place as a truly essential piece of movie history.
12. The Graduate
Released in 1968, this album beautifully combined Dave Grusin instrumental pieces with five classic Simon and Garfunkel songs. The brilliant collaboration paid off, as both Simon and Grusin took home the 1968 Grammy for Best Original Score.
13. Almost Famous
Following a young music journalist on tour requires an absolutely perfect tracklist. The collection of songs chosen for the movie captures the wild nostalgia of classic rock, making you feel like you are riding right there on the bus.
14. Blade Runner
Vangelis composed this incredibly influential synthesizer score, earning well-deserved nominations for both a BAFTA and a Golden Globe. The futuristic music masterfully blends classic film noir jazz with neo-classical elements and sweeping, atmospheric electronic textures.
15. Black Panther
Bringing a massive wave of hip hop energy to the superhero genre, Kendrick Lamar carefully worked on the soundtrack album for the hit film. The collection features heavy beats and incredible lyrical talent perfectly matched to the cinematic action.
