10 Movies That Have Unexpectedly Good Soundtracks

From Space Jam to Twilight, these movies prove that viewers cannot judge how great a film’s soundtrack can be without listening to it themselves.

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Movie soundtracks can make or break a film. Films viewers expect amazing music from are typically musicals, such as Mamma Mia or Hamilton. What some viewers don’t realize, is that some of the best soundtracks can come from the most unexpected films.

Twilight and Donnie Darko both were made on indie film budgets but did not skimp on creating great soundtracks to enhance their stories. Some of these movies’ soundtracks are simply great because of the iconic artists featured and the diverse genres they seamlessly use to convey stories throughout the film. Others don’t seem like they would rely on music to heighten their stories, but they do with some great music.

10 Twilight (2008)

Twilight is one of the biggest franchises in recent history and the first film in the series remains a favorite for fans. Like any big franchise, it is disliked by just as many people who like it. However, it is pretty hard to argue against how great the Twilight soundtrack is.

It features songs written specifically for the film like “Decode” by Paramore and “Let Me Sign” by Robert Pattinson. It features such a diverse range of music from classical tracks like “Bella’s Lullaby” and one of the most liked songs on the album, “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse. It is hard to imagine Twilight without its iconic soundtrack and it remains an album with no skips for many fans.

9 Space Jam (1996)

Space Jam is a children’s movie about Michael Jordan helping the Looney Tunes win a basketball game against aliens who want to enslave them as attractions for a theme park on their planet. So it would make sense that no one would go into this film expecting a great soundtrack. However, this soundtrack does not disappoint.

The original song “Space Jam” will still get those who know and don’t know the film hyped. It is has so much energy that it is hard to not smile when it comes on. Other featured artists on the album like Seal, Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z make this soundtrack so great despite it being a children’s film.

8 Shrek 2 (2004)

There is plenty of debate surrounding which movie is better between Shrek or Shrek 2. One thing they do have in common is that they both have amazing soundtracks. The first film’s inclusion of “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley really adds a ton of emotion to the Dreamworks film, but Shrek 2 has such fun and upbeat songs that it is one step above the original soundtrack.

Counting Crow’s “Accidentally In Love” is such a sweet and upbeat song that plays during the opening sequence of the film. Other huge stars like David Bowie and Tom Waits are also featured on the soundtrack really heightening the album’s quality. One of the most popular songs from the film “Holding Out For A Hero” performed by Jennifer Saunders, makes this album noteworthy.

7 Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse was making headlines for its amazing animation style and new reiteration of the classic superhero. What came as a surprise was how amazing the soundtrack was. The opening of the film starts off with Miles Morales singing along to “Sunflower” by Post Malone & Swae Lee immediately making this version of Spider-Man extremely modern.

The songs throughout the film make it even better. The iconic scene of Miles flying through the air seemingly upside down is paired with “What’s Up Danger” by Black Caviar & Blackway making it so much more intense. It was surprising that the music added so much to the film when other Spider-Man adaptations in the past didn’t rely so heavily on music to enhance their stories.

6 Cheaper By The Dozen 2 (2005)

The Cheaper by the Dozen 2 soundtrack is an enigma. It undoubtedly features great music from iconic artists, such as Stevie Wonder, Madonna, and Queen. Those artists on the same album as Sugar Ray and the Jaws theme, and that’s what makes this soundtrack surprisingly enjoyable.

All of the songs on the album make sense in the scenes they are featured in, though you might not know it from how much the soundtrack jumps genres. However, the movie is all about summer – one of the reasons some think it is better than the original Cheaper by the Dozen – and all of the songs on the album definitely bring that summertime energy to listeners. It is not a widely positively reviewed film, but its soundtrack is fun and sure to have a song everyone will like on it.

5 Holes (2003)

Holes is a movie centered around Stanley Yelnats who is wrongly sent to Camp Greenlake for a crime he did not commit. There he and the other boys serve juvenile detention by digging holes all day at the direction of the warden. The film is a great adaptation of Louis Sachar’s novel and the soundtrack is better than anyone would expect a YA novel adaptation to be.

The original song “Dig It” is performed by the cast including Shia Labeouf and Khleo Thomas which is a unique addition to the soundtrack itself. One of the best accomplishments of the soundtrack is having music that carries over between the flashbacks from the early 1900s and present-day at camp. Tracks like “Down to The Valley” by Little Axe and “Honey” by Moby are songs that seamlessly fit into the film.

4 Donnie Darko (2001)

Donnie Darko is a unique film about the titular student navigating life after receiving an ominous warning that the world is going to end in 28 days from a rabbit named Frank. While some viewers don’t understand what is happening throughout the film due to its dreamlike and eccentric plot, they don’t need to understand the story to enjoy the soundtrack.

A fact not many fans know is that Gary Jule’s cover of “Mad World” topped the UK music charts after it was featured on the film’s soundtrack. “Mad World” along with the other 80s pop songs such as “Head Over Heels” by Tears for Fears, make it a great album outside of it being curated to add to the story of Donnie Darko.

3 Tarzan (1999)

Tarzan remains a nostalgic movie for so many young adults today. One of the best and most memorable parts of Tarzan is the amazing soundtrack despite it not being a musical film.

Phil Collins created a soundtrack that really fits perfectly into the entire movie. Heartwarming tracks like “You’ll Be In My Heart” have viewers tearing up while other upbeat tracks like “Son of Man” have them singing along to the lyrics. It is an impeccable soundtrack that holds up outside of the film.

2 Black Panther (2018)

Black Panther was widely anticipated by Marvel audiences. Along with Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse, it felt like one of the first Marvel movies to have a truly memorable soundtrack.

“All The Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA defined the movie even though the song played in the film’s credits. The soundtrack itself was at the top of the Billboard 200 chart and had amazing sales prior to the film’s release. The entire soundtrack produced by Kendrick Lamar was really curated with care and intention to reflect the stories and themes in Black Panther.

1 Clueless (1995)

Clueless is an essential 90s movie. It is a modern adaptation of Emma, and focuses on Cher Horowitz’s matchmaking skills and determination to help her new friend Tai climb her way up the social ladder of high school. Clueless brings current viewers right back to the 90s through countless iconic outfits and a soundtrack that reminds listeners of the defining decade.

The soundtrack features quintessential 90s artists like the Counting Crows, Beastie Boys, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The movie opens with the immediately recognizable “Kids In America” and it sets the tone for the rest of the music featured on the soundtrack. It is definitely a must-listen album for those who love music from the 90s.

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