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What Are The 7 Best Movie Soundtracks of All Time?
Which movie makes you think is your favorite songs?
Mar 18, 2025
When I was a kid, it was all the rage to buy CDs of your favorite movie soundtracks. Albums would come out with the movies consisting of a ton of pop songs that sort of gave you the vibes of the movie but functioned as great mixes.
Today, I want to go over which ones I consider to be the best of all time.
In order to make this list, I didn't include movie scores, just movies with amazing soundtracks consisting of music by popular artists.
Make sense?
Let's dive in.
1. Forrest Gump
This double-album soundtrack was such a banger. True story, I wore the CD out. It covers so many decades of hits and focuses on American music, perfectly reflecting the film's time-spanning narrative.
- Key Tracks:
- "Hound Dog" - Elvis Presley
- "Fortunate Son" - Creedence Clearwater Revival
- "California Dreamin'" - The Mamas & the Papas
- "Sweet Home Alabama" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
- "Mrs. Robinson" - Simon & Garfunkel.
2. Almost Famous
One of my all-time favorite movies, the core of this story is music. So you know it has to have some real jams on the soundtrack. It would be hard to find a scene that doesn't have an iconic song paired with it.
- Key Tracks:
- "Tiny Dancer" - Elton John
- "Simple Man" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
- "That's the Way" - Led Zeppelin
- "America" - Simon & Garfunkel.
3. The Bodyguard
Whitney Houston's powerful vocals dominate this soundtrack. This was one I feel like every Mom had in their van. It got so much play, and "I Will Always Love You" became one of the greatest covers of all time.
- Key Tracks:
- "I Will Always Love You"
- "I Have Nothing"
- "I'm Every Woman"
- "Run to You"
4. The Graduate
This soundtrack is deeply intertwined with the film's atmosphere thanks to Simon & Garfunkel's dulcet tones. It perfectly captures the sense of alienation and searching that is at the heart of the movie.- Key Tracks:
- "Mrs. Robinson"
- "The Sound of Silence"
- "Scarborough Fair/Canticle"
5. Pulp Fiction
Tarantino movies are all about the music that goes with the visuals. And this soundtrack was one of the first I illegally downloaded on Limewire as a kid. It just had all the bops.
- Key Tracks:
- "Misirlou" - Dick Dale & His Del-Tones
- "Jungle Boogie" - Kool & The Gang
- "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" - Urge Overkill
- "You Never Can Tell" - Chuck Berry
6. O' Brother Where Art Thou
I blast this soundtrack whenever I have writer's block. It has all the sauce and just feels like magic when you hear the songs. It creates such a vibe.
- Key Tracks:
- "Man of Constant Sorrow" - The Soggy Bottom Boys
- "Down to the River to Pray" - Alison Krauss
- "Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby" - Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, and Gillian Welch:
7. Saturday Night Fever
This soundtrack defined the disco era, with the Bee Gees' infectious rhythms and a few other key artists of the era. It's hard not to dance when you listen.
- Key Tracks
- "Stayin' Alive"
- "Night Fever"
- "How Deep Is Your Love"
- "More Than a Woman"
Summing Up the Best Movie Soundtracks of All Time
Music and movies have gone hand in hand since the dawn of cinema. A great soundtrack can elevate any movie and change your mood from song to song.
I know I missed some of your faves, so tell me hear all about them.
LEt me know what you think in the comments.
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