​In a hurry?

Here are our absolute favourites

• Jaws: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by John Williams
• Music from the Motion Picture Pulp Fiction Album Compilation
• Inception: Music from the Motion Picture by Hans Zimmer

The best film soundtracks

1. Jaws: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by John Williams (1975)

Even today, Jaws is a truly terrifying psychological thriller that portrays the great white shark as a man-eating, bloodthirsty beast of the sea, haunting everyone who watches it.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, with music composed by John Williams (a composer of legendary status), Jaws is crafted into what can only be described as a cinematic masterpiece, which is exactly why it takes our number one spot.

The soundtrack’s audio concept is exceptional, but for many, hearing “DUR-DUP, DUR-DUP” will no doubt raise their pulse like no other film. It creates edge-of-your-seat moments that are impossible to forget, and trust us, even when you’re sitting on your sofa, you’ll still find yourself trying to lift your feet out of the water.

2. Music from the Motion Picture Pulp Fiction Album Compilation (1994)

Pulp Fiction, directed by Quentin Tarantino, combines quick-witted dialogue with violent crime in a storyline unlike any film before it. Its eclectic selection of songs perfectly complements each scene, heightening the emotion of every moment and cementing the soundtrack’s iconic status.

Each track captures a sense of anticipation in an instant, taking you on a cinematic journey as you watch the actors bring these unforgettable characters to life. The result is a collection of truly memorable moments that showcase Tarantino’s filmmaking at its finest.

3. Inception: Music from the Motion Picture by Hans Zimmer (2010)

There are few names as influential as Hans Zimmer when it comes to film soundtracks, and Inception demonstrates exactly why. His outside-the-box approach was inspired by the mathematical impossibilities we experience in dreams (a genuine influence behind the soundtrack), allowing him to translate that surreal feeling into music.

It’s this unique approach that brings the sensation of time dilation to life as we watch Christopher Nolan direct a team of skilled thieves who infiltrate people’s dreams through their subconscious.

4. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly by John Blackinsell Orchestra and Nicky North’s Studio London Orchestra (1966)

If any film created a light-bulb moment for movie soundtracks, this is it. Its groundbreaking score revolutionised film music, particularly within the spaghetti western genre.

Composer Ennio Morricone took a sparse and unconventional approach, assigning distinctive musical motifs to each of the main characters. A flute represents “the Good”, an ocarina symbolises “the Bad”, and a choir embodies “the Ugly”. These instantly recognisable themes define the characters without the need for dialogue as they navigate the American Civil War in search of hidden Confederate gold.

5. Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr. (1984)

There are very few film soundtracks that have become global phenomena, but Ghostbusters‘ theme song did exactly that in 1984. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100, earned an Academy Award nomination, and anyone who’s seen the film will instantly recognise Ray Parker Jr.’s iconic performance.

If you’ve somehow managed to avoid it, Ghostbusters follows a group of Columbia University parapsychologists who, after losing their jobs, set up a ghost-catching business. As they investigate increasingly strange paranormal activity, they uncover a supernatural threat that only the Ghostbusters can stop.

6. Blade Runner by Vangelis from Blade Runner (1982) (released 1994)

As a film, Blade Runner was groundbreaking. Its dystopian world and bio-engineered humanoids on the run posed the ultimate question of what it truly means to be human.

The soundtrack gives the film a powerful sense of atmosphere, perfectly complementing its gritty, futuristic setting with a distinctive electronic style that has become just as iconic as the film itself.

What many people might not realise is that the original soundtrack was never released alongside the film due to an industry dispute, with Vangelis withholding permission until 1994.

There was, however, an orchestral version released in the meantime, which both Vangelis and the film’s director, Ridley Scott, largely disowned.

7. The Lion King by Hans Zimmer, Elton John, Tim Rice, and Lebo M (1994)

As a film soundtrack, few are as famous as this collaboration, and yes, it could’ve easily been number one on anyone’s list; it’s that good.

Memorable songs such as Circle of Life and Hakuna Matata, written by Elton John and Tim Rice, bring an upbeat energy to the soundtrack, highlighting the film’s happier moments.

Hans Zimmer brings his talent for heightening the emotional impact of every scene, while Lebo M adds to the atmosphere of the Pride Lands, the fictional setting of The Lion King, which clearly draws inspiration from the Serengeti National Park. Together, they enhance the story of a young lion cub whose journey with his father and uncle unfolds in ways you mightn’t have expected.

8. The Lord of the Rings trilogy by Howard Shore (from 2001)

Probably one of the greatest fictional trilogies ever written, and without doubt one of the most challenging to bring to the big screen, The Lord of the Rings unites wizards, hobbits, elves, orcs, ents, humans, and other mythical creatures as the Fellowship embarks on its journey across Middle-earth.

It’s not just us who rate this soundtrack so highly, either. Howard Shore’s orchestral brilliance earned him multiple Academy Awards, creating a score so memorable that it’s almost impossible to hear it without immediately being transported back to the films.

9. Purple Rain by Prince and The Revolution (1984)

Even though it’s widely regarded by many as one of the greatest film soundtracks of all time, it comes in at number nine on our list.

So, what makes the Purple Rain soundtrack so special? Prince’s masterpiece earned him an Academy Award, with its blend of rock, funk and gospel helping to tell the story of “The Kid”, a talented but arrogant musician at the heart of the film.

The soundtrack also made history by becoming the first to hold the number one spot for both the album and its title single simultaneously, and it has gone on to sell more than 25 million copies worldwide.

10. Saturday Night Fever by the Bee Gees (1977)

If you’re into disco, you’ll already know this soundtrack, as the Bee Gees are synonymous with the genre. The film follows 19-year-old Tony Manero (played by John Travolta), who transforms from a working-class youth into a sensation on the dance floor. The character has inspired countless parodies, and people are still trying to dance like Tony to this day.

As for the Bee Gees, the soundtrack is a musical masterpiece in its own right, even without the film, and remains one of the best-selling albums of all time, with more than 45 million copies sold worldwide. It’s also one of only three film soundtracks to have won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. If you want to experience what disco sounded like in the 1970s, this is the album to play.

11. Back to the Future: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack Album Compilation (1985)

The Back to the Future soundtrack features an unforgettable score by Alan Silvestri, but there’s much more to it than that. It also includes a collection of era-defining songs, such as The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News, Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry, and Earth Angel by the Penguins, all of which help bring the film’s different time periods to life.

As you’d expect from a film built around time travel, the story is full of memorable dates and paradoxes. One of the most significant is 5 November 1955, when Doc Brown first conceived the idea for the flux capacitor after slipping and hitting his head. It’s also the date Marty McFly, the first human to successfully travel through time, unexpectedly finds himself in the past.

12. Interstellar by Hans Zimmer (2014)

Did we mention Hans Zimmer would make a few appearances? Collaborating with Christopher Nolan once again, Zimmer was tasked with bringing the raw emotion of parenthood to the forefront of the soundtrack.

Set against the backdrop of a dystopian future where crop failure threatens humanity’s survival and society begins to turn away from technology, Interstellar follows a small group determined to find another way forward.

At the heart of the story are Cooper and his daughter, Murph, whose lives are shaped by mysterious messages that set in motion events neither of them can avoid. Ultimately, both must be exactly where they are if humanity is to have any hope of survival.

13. Gladiator: Music from the Motion Picture by Hans Zimmer (2000)

If you’ve never seen Gladiator, then Maximus Decimus Meridius’ iconic introduction (performed by Russell Crowe) is one of the film’s defining moments. It’s such a powerful scene that people around the world are still quoting it today.

Ridley Scott’s direction, combined with Hans Zimmer’s unforgettable score, elevates this moment and countless others throughout the film. Together, they create a soundtrack that won the Golden Globe for Best Original Score and helped redefine the sound of blockbuster cinema in the 21st century.

14. Star Wars (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by John Williams (1977)

Widely regarded as the greatest film score in cinema history, John Williams’ work on Star Wars revolutionised film music. Even if you’ve never seen Star Wars, its soundtrack has almost certainly influenced films you’ve heard or watched before.

The film tells a classic battle between good and evil, following an unlikely group made up of a farm boy, a Jedi Master, a smuggler, a Wookiee, and a pair of droids. Together, they embark on an unforgettable adventure, with a soundtrack so integral to the story that Star Wars simply wouldn’t be the same without it.

15. Trainspotting Album Compilation (1996)

As film soundtracks go, if Britpop was your genre in the 1990s, there’s a good chance you’ve owned a copy of this soundtrack. It captures the heart of the Britpop era while helping to define the film’s identity, blending tracks from the decade with classics from the 1980s by artists such as Blondie and Iggy Pop.

The result is a compilation that perfectly complements one of Danny Boyle’s finest films, transporting you straight into the gritty, energetic world of Mark Renton and his unreliable, drug-abusing friends from the deprived area of Leith in Edinburgh.

16. This Is Spinal Tap by the Actors Themselves (1984)

A pioneering mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap follows a fictional heavy metal band, brilliantly satirising the rock music industry and its self-important clichés. Adding to its authenticity, every song featured in the film is performed by the fictional band themselves.

If you’ve ever wondered where the phrase “these go to 11” comes from, this is the film that coined it. It’s become a lasting part of popular culture, and I have to admit I still use it from time to time, much like the number 42 from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Both have become firmly ingrained in popular culture.

17. 2001: A Space Odyssey Album Compilation (1968)

As a film, very few have matched the influence of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. It follows humanity across the ages, with mysterious alien monoliths shaping key moments in its evolution. The story then leaps into the era of space travel, where advanced technology, including the sentient AI HAL 9000, raises the question of what could possibly go wrong.

What makes the soundtrack so remarkable is that it broke away from the conventions of the time by using classical and avant-garde music instead of a traditional original score. The carefully chosen pieces create tension, emphasise the vastness of space, and use dramatic orchestral passages alongside haunting choral works to deliver exactly the emotional impact each scene demands.

18. Tron: Legacy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Daft Punk (2010)

This film had a lot to live up to after the groundbreaking original, which helped inspire Pixar co-founder John Lasseter’s journey into computer animation and became one of the defining films of its generation.

That made Tron: Legacy no easy sequel to produce, yet it rises to the challenge brilliantly. Much of the credit belongs to Daft Punk, who combined their signature electronic sound with an 85-piece live symphony orchestra to create a score that perfectly complements the film’s futuristic world. It’s another defining soundtrack of its generation and, for me, it’s a personal favourite, even if it only made it to number 18 on this list.

19. Dirty Dancing: Original Soundtrack from the Vestron Motion Picture Album Compilation (1987)

Although Dirty Dancing features an original score by John Morris, the soundtrack we’re referring to is the official compilation album. Bringing together songs from multiple decades, it has sold more than 42 million copies worldwide, earning its place among the greatest film soundtracks of all time.

Dirty Dancing follows the Houseman family during their summer holiday at a Catskills resort in 1963, where Frances “Baby” Houseman falls for the resort’s rebellious dance instructor. It’s a classic coming-of-age story that, as many parents might agree, brings its fair share of family drama.

20. Saving Private Ryan (Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by John Williams (1998)

This soundtrack is defined as much by what’s absent as by what’s present, allowing Steven Spielberg and John Williams to deliver one of the most realistic fictional war films ever made. Williams uses music with remarkable restraint, creating an emotional backdrop that enhances the story without ever overshadowing it.

There are deeply haunting moments throughout the film where the score amplifies the emotional weight of the scenes, and for many who have watched it, those moments have stayed with them ever since.

Most notably, the D-Day landing sequence is almost entirely devoid of music, relying instead on the relentless sound of gunfire, explosions and bullets flying overhead to heighten the terror and immerse the audience in the chaos of battle.

21. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by John Williams (2001)

Like The Lord of the Rings, the Harry Potter saga presented its filmmakers with the enormous challenge of bringing one of the world’s most beloved book series to the big screen. John Williams rose to that challenge with an unforgettable score, creating musical themes so distinctive that many characters can be recognised simply by the music associated with them.

That musical foundation remained throughout the entire series, beginning with the story of a young orphan forced to live in a cupboard under the stairs at his aunt and uncle’s house before discovering a magical world beyond anything he could have imagined. Williams’ score perfectly captures the wonder, mystery and excitement of J.K. Rowling’s original story, setting the tone for the films that followed.

22. “How Deep Is Your Love” by the Bee Gees from Saturday Night Fever (1977)

This song defined a generation, and amazingly, things could’ve turned out very differently. “How Deep Is Your Love” was originally intended to be performed by the American singer Yvonne Elliman rather than the Bee Gees. Somewhere along the way, however, producer Robert Stigwood insisted that the Bee Gees record it themselves.

The song spent 17 weeks in the US Top 10, a record-breaking feat at the time, and became one of the defining tracks of both the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack and the disco era.

23. “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees from Saturday Night Fever (1978)

As songs go, very few have had enough influence to persuade a producer to change the title of an entire film, yet that’s exactly what happened when Robert Stigwood heard “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees.

He changed the film’s title from Saturday Night to one of the most iconic film titles of all time, Saturday Night Fever.

The song was a huge success in its own right, spending eight consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. If you’ve ever wondered where the inspiration for its distinctive string arrangement came from, the Bee Gees are said to have taken inspiration from Percy Faith’s Theme from A Summer Place.

24. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams from Despicable Me 2 (2013)

Some songs feel as though they’ve always existed, and “Happy” by Pharrell Williams is one of them. Its soulful groove and upbeat energy perfectly capture the spirit of Despicable Me 2, complementing Gru’s often happy-go-lucky personality with infectious charm.

What’s more, “Happy” was never originally intended to become the film’s standout track. It was reportedly included almost as a joke, only to go on to receive an Academy Award nomination and become one of the biggest songs of the decade!

25. “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton (1980)

As working-class anthems go, “9 to 5” is truly iconic. Although you can still hear it regularly on national radio, the song was actually released before the film in 1980, making it more than 40 years old.

Blending country, pop, and blues, the song perfectly captured the realities of working life in 1980, and to a point, still does more than 40 years later. If you want an example of Dolly Parton’s talent, the rhythmic “typewriter” beat throughout the song wasn’t created with an instrument at all. She produced it by clicking her fingernails together after realising she’d left her guitar at home.

26. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Soundtrack from & Inspired by the Motion Picture) by Daniel Pemberton and Post Malone (2018)

As a Spider-Man film, this animated film, set in an alternative universe, brings a different spin (excuse the pun) on the iconic superhero. Equally, the storyline is made even more exciting by its soundtrack, which no Marvel film we’ve watched has been able to replicate.

With its proper Brooklyn feel, blending modern hip-hop, R&B, and pop with classical scoring, the soundtrack really makes this film stand out and perfectly matches its stylised 3D effects.

27. “I’m Just Ken” by Ryan Gosling in Barbie (2023)

If you’ve never heard Ryan Gosling sing, be ready for a surprise, as the song “I’m Just Ken” showcases his hidden talent in this ’80s-style power ballad, highlighting Ken’s inadequacies and unrequited love.

Like “Happy”, this song almost didn’t happen. Record producer Mark Ronson wrote the song as a joke, but Greta Gerwig loved it so much that she wrote the sequence into the film to accommodate it.

28. “The End” by The Doors in Apocalypse Now (1979)

Director Francis Ford Coppola chose “The End” for its title… but played it at the beginning of Apocalypse Now to sum up Captain Willard’s thoughts about the Vietnam War, while the song itself creates a haunting presence. Oddly, the song was never about war, but rather a breakup, following Jim Morrison’s split from his girlfriend.

The reason the song sounds so good in the film is that Elektra Records mistakenly sent the master tapes to the film’s sound studio, where the team was able to create a unique remix, making this version so memorable.

29. “Flash” By Queen in Flash Gordon (1980)

Queen’s soundtrack for Flash Gordon is regarded as one of the earliest rock and roll scores created for a non-musical film. It also weaves original dialogue from the film into the album, making it groundbreaking and, to me, taking Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War of the Worlds one step further by blending songs and spoken dialogue into a single soundtrack experience.

The song “Flash” (also known as Flash Theme) is a masterpiece written by Brian May and captures everything that’s great about Queen. Its powerful rock sound perfectly complements the action and adventure of the 1980 film, making it one of the soundtrack’s standout tracks.

30. “Django” by Luis Bacalov and Rocky Roberts in Django Unchained (2012)

Another Quentin Tarantino masterpiece, Django Unchained is set in the American South just before the Civil War, where the brutally treated slave Django is freed by Dr King Schultz to help hunt down a murderous gang. As their partnership grows, Django’s ultimate goal is to be reunited with his wife.

The song itself has a distinctive spaghetti western feel, perfectly reflecting Django’s determination and the sense of loss he feels for his wife.

31. “Suspirium” by Thorn Yorke in Suspiria (2018)

If you’re a fan of Thom Yorke, you’ll already know this is one of the Radiohead frontman’s most recognised solo works, where his haunting vocals help cement the bleak and somewhat chilling atmosphere that matches the darkness of the film itself.

As for the entire soundtrack, this was Thom Yorke’s first film score, and to make it even more challenging, he chose to compose much of it in a 3/4 waltz style, which was new territory for him. The results speak for themselves as you watch Susie Bannion uncover a sinister underground world.

32. Dunkirk (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer (2017)

You’ll relive the anxiety and tension depicted at Dunkirk in May 1940 with this Hans Zimmer’s masterpiece.

The evacuation really does create panic, not just visually, but through the soundtrack as well. So well integrated are the two that it becomes almost impossible to distinguish between bullets flying overhead and the short, pulsating beats that make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

Unlike many of Hans Zimmer’s other soundtracks, this one doesn’t feature any methodical, sweeping melodies to ease the tension. Instead, its intensity begins at the very start and carries you through to the end of the film.

33. Up (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Michael Giacchino 2009

The Up soundtrack perfectly places you in the moment of 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen’s life and current situation, as everything around him is moving far too fast and he wishes things could stay the same, while the pressures surrounding him force a dramatic course of action.

Then, in a bizarre twist, Carl is joined by an 8-year-old boy named Russell and, later, a talking dog called Dug.

After discovering Russell on the porch of his helium balloon-powered house, panic sets in as Carl journeys to Paradise Falls to keep a long-forgotten promise to his beloved wife, Ellie, where a beautiful friendship begins.

34. Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: The Breakfast Club Album Compilation (1985)

If you’re old enough to have been a teenager in the 1980s, then you’re going to know every song on this soundtrack compilation. No doubt you’ll also remember following five high school students from different walks of life as they form a special bond and realise they’re not that different after all, after being forced to spend detention together at Shermer High School.

The soundtrack really does cement the ’80s vibe with its synth-pop sound, and the hit track “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”, performed by Simple Minds, was originally offered to both Bryan Ferry and Billy Idol, who declined it, ultimately giving Simple Minds their first number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

35. The Last Samurai (Original Motion Picture Score) by Hans Zimmer (2003)

Again, we have another masterpiece from Hans Zimmer, and this one shows the calibre of the man’s talent and why he features so prominently on this list.

Unlike many composers, Hans Zimmer understood what The Last Samurai needed, and although he brought his own Western influences to the soundtrack, he ensured the instrumental makeup, including taiko drums and fluttering woodwinds, remained faithful to the spiritual culture of the Samurai.

Believe it or not, he was so devoted to preserving that spiritual culture that what was originally expected to be a project lasting only a few weeks turned into several months. Unhappy with the initial composition, he completely rewrote it to ensure he got it just right.

36. “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975) by Queen in Wayne’s World (1992)

This song has had its fair share of rebirths since its original release in 1975, including the version immortalised in Wayne’s World by Mike Myers, who reportedly threatened to quit the film after the studio wanted to use Guns N’ Roses instead.

The scene shows Wayne, Garth, and three of their friends in the Mirthmobile, headbanging in perfect synchronisation to the song.

The scene has become just as synonymous with the song as the original music video and, believe it or not, took three times longer to film. What’s more, Freddie Mercury was able to see the scene before his passing and loved it, finding it hilarious.

37. Tokyo Drift by Teriyaki Boyz in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)

The main theme from The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift brings a high-paced, energetic hip-hop style created by Teriyaki Boyz, featuring influential Japanese artists and hip-hop rappers, who also founded the streetwear brand BAPE.

As the title suggests, the film is part of The Fast and the Furious saga, following Sean, a rebellious teenager who is sent to Japan, where he is introduced to the exciting underground culture of drifting.

38. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl by Klaus Badelt (2003)

Featuring tracks such as “He’s a Pirate”, “The Medallion Calls”, and “The Black Pearl”, this soundtrack blends shanty-inspired themes with a powerful orchestral sound, combining strings and brass with electronic and synthesised elements as we join Captain Jack Sparrow on another adventure.

Although the soundtrack is officially credited to Klaus Badelt, Hans Zimmer wrote the core melodies in just a day and a half.

39. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Album Compilation (2003)

The film has a number of interesting facts behind it, including Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany both learning to play their instruments to authentically replicate the story’s origins and keep things faithful as they sail in a cat-and-mouse chase spanning the globe.

Music by Mozart, Bach, and Boccherini was used to reflect the era of the Napoleonic Wars, and an early 19th-century frigate was even used to recreate an historically accurate ship for filming the cat-and-mouse chase. The film was also the first non-documentary to be shot in the Galápagos Islands.

40. Shrek (Music from the Original Motion Picture) 2001

There are two official soundtracks to Shrek. The film score was composed by Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell, while the soundtrack we’re talking about features a collection of songs by various artists that were also used throughout the film.

If you’re unfamiliar with the film, it’s a parody of the traditional fairy tale universe, reimagining many classic fantasy stories as Shrek and Donkey set off on their journey to rescue Princess Fiona. Along the way, they encounter a host of familiar fairy tale characters, while the soundtrack bucks the trend by using existing songs rather than music written specifically for the film.

41. “Ooh La La” by Rod Stewart in Without a Paddle (2004)

Rod Stewart’s “Ooh La La” version was released in 1998 as a folk-rock song, but the track was first recorded by Faces, with Ronnie Wood on lead vocals, back in 1973. Fast forward to 2004, and it found a new audience through Without a Paddle, where three childhood friends are reunited following the death of a fourth friend. Together, they embark on a journey into the wilderness to track down an infamous plane-hijacker-turned-hermit.

Even though the song was originally seen as something of a throwaway track, it wasn’t until the 1973 version was used in Rushmore that it found renewed popularity, which may explain why Rod Stewart re-recorded it with his own vocals in 1998.

42. “Lux Æterna” by Clint Mansell and Kronos Quartet in Requiem for a Dream (2000)

As a film track, this one brings the dark and harrowing world of addiction to life with an unrelenting minimalist melody, composed by Clint Mansell and performed by the legendary Kronos Quartet. Together, they create a haunting masterpiece as we follow the son of a reclusive widow, his girlfriend, and his friend as they pursue dreams of a better life that ultimately prove to be misplaced.

If you’ve ever wondered what “Lux Æterna” means, it translates as “Eternal Light”, which is a little ironic considering the hardship the group suffers throughout the film.

43. “Steal the Night” by Michael Bishop and Paul Hertzog in Bloodsport (1990)

Bloodsport has achieved cult status and stars martial arts expert and actor Jean-Claude Van Damme in a film that can only be described by its title. He plays Frank Dux, who isn’t a fictional character but a real person whose accounts of these events make the story even more harrowing.

The track “Steal the Night” is just as famous, gaining cult status despite not receiving an official release on the original soundtrack. That was finally corrected in June 2007, highlighting just how important the song had become to the film’s legacy.

44. It Follows by Rich Vreeland (Disasterpeace) in It Follows (2015)

For a horror film, It Follows’ soundtrack has it all. It begins with an atmospheric, tension-building piece before exploding into life, then eerily dropping away to leave a haunting presence. Your senses are awakened by a plethora of impactful moments that will stay with you.

To me, the soundtrack is reminiscent of some of the greatest horror scores and has more than enough to keep you hooked, while the film follows a teenage girl who contracts a supernatural curse with deadly consequences unless she passes it on to someone else.

The score itself was written in just three weeks after the film was accepted into the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.

45. William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet: Music from the Motion Picture Album Compilation (1996)

The soundtrack to Romeo + Juliet perfectly complements Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation.

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just an orchestral score, as the soundtrack features an eclectic lineup of artists, including Garbage, One Inch Punch, Radiohead, and the Wannadies. It’s a truly modern musical twist while still retaining Shakespeare’s original dialogue.

46. Pride & Prejudice by Dario Marianelli, the English Chamber Orchestra and Jean-Yves Thibaudet (2005)

Jane Austen’s classic novel is brought to the big screen alongside a soundtrack that has everything you might expect from the era it depicts, with a classical Regency feel while blending folk and dance influences from the late 18th century. The piano work is as delicate as you’ll ever hear, and the sweeping melodies bring depth and emotion to this class-based story of love.

This critically acclaimed soundtrack earned Dario Marianelli an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score, along with two World Soundtrack Academy Award nominations.

47. Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Edward Scissorhands by Danny Elfman and Tom Jones (1990)

Tim Burton directs Johnny Depp as Edward Scissorhands, an eccentric, gentle artificial humanoid with scissors for hands. The music emphasises the romantic fantasy feel throughout the film with wordless choirs and offbeat melodies that ebb and flow, highlighting the mood of each moment as Edward falls in love while also becoming a misunderstood outcast.

And yes, Tom Jones does make an appearance on the album with “With These Hands”. Other Tom Jones tracks also feature in the film, adding a lift to the rest of the soundtrack and helping to create the magical world that only Tim Burton could imagine.

48. How to Train Your Dragon: Music from the Motion Picture by John Powell (2010)

This animated film is set in the Viking village of Berk, where Hiccup, the chief’s son, accidentally befriends a rare Night Fury dragon, something that is forbidden by his father.

John Powell draws on his own Scottish heritage throughout the soundtrack while giving the characters their own signature musical themes, allowing viewers and listeners to identify them more easily.

This score also earned him his first Academy Award and BAFTA nominations. The opening scene had to be rewritten after it was deemed too dark, which John Powell addressed by composing a much warmer piece that was ultimately used in the final cut of the film.

49. “Epiphany” by Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor in Soul (2020)

If you’re a Nine Inch Nails fan, the next two entries are for you. “Epiphany”, scored by band members Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, forms the emotional climax of Soul. It accompanies the moment when the main character, Joe Gardner, has his epiphany about his life and what truly brings it meaning.

The track marries the film’s two musical worlds, the Cosmic Ethereal and the Jazz Realm, and because of that, it’s widely regarded as the jewel in the crown of the soundtrack.

50. TRON: Ares (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Nine Inch Nails (2025)

The penultimate soundtrack is another Nine Inch Nails production, where we’re taken back into the TRON universe as Ares, a sophisticated AI program, is sent from the Grid on a dangerous corporate mission.

This soundtrack is the first to be released under the Nine Inch Nails name and lives up to the TRON experience, giving a nod to Daft Punk’s TRON: Legacy soundtrack with its industrial, synth-wave signature.

51. “Who Wants to Live Forever” by Queen in Highlander (1986)

This is a truly poignant song, thanks to the story of Connor MacLeod, an immortal Scottish swordsman, as it brings a real sense of emotion to the moment when his human wife passes away.

Guitarist Brian May wrote the song after seeing an early cut of the film, and it is one of only a few Queen songs to feature a full orchestral arrangement, scored by Michael Kamen. In Highlander and the accompanying music video, Freddie Mercury performs the lead vocals, while Brian May sings the opening verses in other renditions.

Create your own home cinema

What better way to enjoy these soundtracks than with an immersive home cinema? Here’s how to set yours up so that every film draws you in.

Surround sound system

• Arrange the speakers correctly around the room, positioning them in relation to the main listening position.
• Locate the optimal position for the subwoofer using the subwoofer crawl, if necessary.
• Use the calibration microphone to equalise and balance all the speakers for improved sound quality.

Projector

• Make sure your measurements are accurate by calculating the throw ratio based on your screen size.
• Lumens matter, so if your room is bright, you’ll need a brighter projector.
• Try not to use keystone correction, as it will reduce the visual quality of what you’re viewing.

Projector screen

• Ensure the screen is perpendicular to the projector’s lens.
• Depending on your projector and setup, check whether you need an ALR, acoustically transparent or standard matte screen.
• Tab-tensioned screens work best for screen sizes over 106 inches.

FAQs

What is the most recognisable movie soundtrack?

The most recognisable movie soundtrack would have to be either Jaws or Star Wars. Both composed by John Williams, everyone knows these scores!

What film has the best soundtrack ever?

We’ve listed Jaws as having the best soundtrack ever, based on our team’s preferences. But if we’re going by sales figures alone, The Bodyguard would be number 1, as Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” has had over 50 million copies sold.

What is the greatest film song of all time?

Even though it didn’t make our lineup, Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz, performed by Judy Garland, topped the American Film Institute’s 100 Years…100 Songs list, cementing its place as one of the greatest film songs of all time.

Final thoughts

When I started this review, it seemed like a fun idea to let all our staff add and vote for a film or two for the best film soundtracks of all time, and seeing Jaws take the number one spot was a huge surprise.

Yes, the film has an iconic soundtrack, but with over 100 films making it onto the shortlist, I still can’t believe which ones missed out, including American Graffiti and Easy Rider. That’s what makes our list a little more left-field and honest, as real film lovers voted with their hearts, and we ignored the sales figures.