Visual and Musical Masterpieces: Movies with the Best Soundtracks of All Time

Films ranging from Trainspotting to Call Me By Your Name, here is a list of ten movies with stellar soundtracks to put on your watchlist (and your playlist).

A lot of film watchers are unaware of the extent of how much a movie soundtrack carries a story, whether it is the legendary ending to The Breakfast Club as the characters walk off to “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds, or the iconic scene in Dirty Dancing to the tune of “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. Movies use the power of music to make a story much more powerful and suck the viewer in to truly feel and understand the life of a character or a situation in a film. Regardless of your music taste (or age!), here is a list of tem renowned movies with acclaimed soundtracks.

1. Trainspotting

Originally released in 1996, Trainspotting is a non-conformist style of comedy-drama, with the story revolving around a group of heroin addicts in the town of Edinburgh and all the craziness they run into while attempting to get “clean”(ish). With a crazy and wild backstory also comes with the same energy of a soundtrack. With artists ranging from David Bowie, Iggy Pop, New Order, Blur and Primal Scream, Trainspotting has an amazing way of expressing all types of energies from scenes by using new-wave styles of music like New Order’s “Temptation” for a scene going deep into drug withdrawals or Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” after taking a dose that brings the user in a bit too deep. All in all Trainspotting uses a mix of new-wave, Britpop, and a little punk rock to throw together a chaotic, dramatic and life-changing movie.

2. Singles

Perfect for any grunge loving fan, the Singles movie has the soundtrack for you. Following the lives of two couples in seemingly difficult romances, the story is set in early 90s in Seattle where the genre of grunge style rock was taking off. Featuring music from Seattle’s best including Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone, Mudhoney and many more incredible groups. Chris Cornell of Soungarden even makes an appearance in the movie as well as a scene including the performance of Alice in Chains. So whether you are a 90s movie buff, a big fan of grunge music, or both, Singles is a great movie to add to your watchlist.

3. Almost Famous

Almost Famous brings the vibes of early 70’s rock music to life in this early 2000s movie. With appearances from actors and actresses such as Kate Hudson, Patrick Fugit, Jason Lee, and many other big names, this comedy style drama is perfect for a movie night to fill the room with laughter, good music, and a good message too. Following the life of a fifteen year old aspiring music reporter, William Miller, who finds himself with the opportunity to go on tour with a quickly growing band called Stillwater. With troubles and complex relationships between bandmates and groupies along for the ride, William finds himself perplexed to find the true meaning behind the life of music. Featuring music from artists including The Who, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Simon and Garfunkel, creates the perfect yet exciting early 70s style energy to the film.

4. Juno

Known for its quirky and indie style of production, Juno, originally released in 2007, is a Rom-com following the life of Juno Macguff who finds herself navigating through her teenage years with an unexpected pregnancy with her awkward high school crush, Paulie Bleeker. This coming-of-age movie includes music from Kimya Dawson, Sonic Youth and The Kinks which provides the film with an unconventional and eccentric sort of energy. Ending the movie with an iconic scene of Juno and Paulie covering the song “Anyone Else But You” by The Moldy Peaches sums up the general vibe of this movie that is full of love, laughs, hope and self-discovery.

5. Good Will Hunting

This psychological drama is about a young genius who works as a janitor at MIT. When his above average stills are noticed by a certain professor, he is offered an opportunity to work with the professor, but declines. Soon after his talents are discovered, he finds himself arrested for attacking a police officer, but instead of serving time, he is again offered a deal with the professor to avoid serving time, but in exchange, he would have to see a therapist. Not only does this film dive into strong topics such as love, family problems, and existential crises, but it also perfectly displays this through the strong character development as well as a soundtrack that tugs at one’s heart. The main artist included in this soundtrack is melancholy singer-songwriter, Elliott Smith. Tracks such as “Say Yes,” “Miss Misery” and “Between the Bars” by Elliott Smith create an emotional and reflective feeling for the viewers to experience. “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” by Al Green is also included to truly help the viewers have understanding of the extent of pain or love-driven sadness. So, whether you are in the mood for a heartfelt tearjerker or a cinematic masterpiece with a strong soundtrack, Good Will Hunting is the movie for you.

6. Dazed and Confused

Produced and released in the early 90s, Dazed and Confused is set in Austin, Texas in the mid 70s as a coming of age film as teenagers celebrate their last day of school as they navigate their way through their early adulthood and teenage years. The soundtrack in this film creates a perfect vibe to help transcend the setting to the viewers. Including tracks like “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath, “Cherry Bomb” by The Runaways and “Tuesday’s Gone” by Lynyrd Skynyrd help create a perfect tracklist to highlight the current setting during the movie. Overall, Dazed and Confused brings a hippy and 70s style energy to a feel good movie with a perfect fitting soundtrack.

7. Garden State

Garden State, although somewhat melancholy, has a comedic and enjoyable aspect to the plot. Starring Natalie Portman and Zach Braff, the two characters, Andrew and Sam, find themselves crossing paths and discovering who they truly are. As the movie dives into topics such as self-discovery, grief, and new friendships, Garden State is paired with an amazing soundtrack to compliment all the emotions and visuals. Including songs like “Don’t Panic” by Coldplay, “One of These Things First” by Nick Drake, “New Slang” by The Shins, and “The Only Living Boy in New York” by Simon & Garfunkel, this film is sure to tug at your heart or make you feel a sense of comfort.

8. The Royal Tenenbaums

Directed by Wes Anderson and starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Bill Murray and other notable actors, The Royal Tenenbaums highlights the odd and quirky lifestyle of a dysfunctional family who had an unexpected reunion after years of no contact. This film covers many obstacles of self-reflection from all of the characters, brushing on topics of depression, love, betrayal, and lies. By including somewhat comforting yet nostalgic style songs such as “Needle in the Hay” by Elliott Smith, “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” by Paul Simon, and “These Days” by Nico, The Royal Tenenbaums gets much more heartfelt and touching with the power of music, and Anderson’s talent for uniquely noticeable style of visuals. Released in 2001, to this day, this movie remains a fan favorite for a funny and unique, yet touching film.

9. The Great Gatsby

Remade in 2013 and based off of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book, The Great Gatsby, this film makes the words “extravagant”, “wealthy”, and “dramatic” insignificant to describe the set and visuals in the film. Starring well-known actors and actresses including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan, this film is stacked with plenty of talent to carry out the drama regarding “old money” and “new money”. The Great Gatsby includes more modern style tracks such as “100$ Bill” by Jay-Z, cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” with Beyoncé and André 3000, and “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Ray. Some may even say it is the perfect dramatic and powerful soundtrack, for a powerful story that is full of drama. All in all, The Great Gatsby is an amazingly executed adaptation of a timeless story, with a soundtrack that is sure to blow the audience away.

10. Call Me by Your Name

This movie is sure to transport you to “somewhere in Northern Italy” with its unique soundtrack and entrancing visuals. Call Me by Your Name is a coming-of-age film known for its intense love story between Elio, an intelligent 17 year old boy, and Oliver, Elio’s father’s intern student who was visiting Lombardy over the summer. This heart tugging plot and love driven story is perfectly complemented with the main soundtrack including singer songwriter, Sufjan Stevens. Including some of Stevens most passionate songs “Visions of Gideon,” “Mystery of Love,” and “Futile Devices,” it is sure to indulge the viewer into every possible emotion as well as a feeling of really being in the setting of the story based in the early 80s in Italy. Starring well-known heartthrob Timotheé Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name has an equal share of talent from the artists on the soundtrack, as well as the incredible acting. To push the viewer even more into the setting, tracks like “Love My Way” by the Psychedelic Furs, as well as “J’adore Venise” by Loredana Berté enhance the movie even more. Overall, Call Me by Your Name might just make you shed a few tears, while booking an impulsive flight to Italy, while listening to Sufjan Stevens and other artists from this incredible soundtrack on repeat.