Have you ever stopped to consider how important music is in movies or TV shows? The magic of cinema is often amplified by the power of its music 🎥 🎞
Can you imagine a scene with Darth Vadar where instead of the Imperial March, you hear “Baby Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo” echo throughout the cinema? Funny - maybe, but it wouldn’t feel the same.
A well-crafted soundtrack can elevate the visuals and story, creating moments that stick with you long after the credits roll. With that in mind we present our ten favourite movie soundtracks that have left an indelible mark on the world of film.
Star Wars (1977-Present)
The Star Wars universe is so vast and continues to grow even today, there’s far too many soundtracks to mention here. However there are few more instantly recognisable tracks than John Williams' Main Title, the menacing Imperial March. Can you imagine a different track than Duel of the Fates for the epic showdown between Darth Maul, Qui-Gon and Obi-wan?
Saturday Night Fever (1978)
The soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever, dominated by the Bee Gees, defined the disco era with tracks like Stayin' Alive and Night Fever.
The Lion King (1994)
Composed by Hans Zimmer with songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, this soundtrack captures the spirit of the African savannah and the adventure of Simba’s journey. We dare anyone to hear Circle of Life and not want to sing along!
Grease (1978)
Defined as a musical romantic comedy, the music, cast vocals and dancing are all critical elements to making Grease. It’s an era-defining collection of '50s rock and roll-inspired tracks like You're the One That I Want and Summer Nights making it a timeless classic.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
This soundtrack is a time capsule of '60s and '80s hits, anchored by the beloved (I've Had) The Time of My Life.
The Bodyguard (1992)
Whitney Houston’s powerful vocals and iconic hits, including I Will Always Love You make this soundtrack unforgettable. It also holds the top spot on our list for sales, with 45 million copies sold worldwide.
Gladiator (2000)
Another Hans Zimmer creation, with incredible vocals by Lisa Gerrard, this soundtrack is incredibly varied with strong brass and percussion in The Battle to the tear jerking Honor Him. Every piece of music is tailored to absolute perfection to enhance the emotions of the scene.
Lord of the Rings (2000-2004)
An epic trilogy has to come with an equally stunning trio of soundtracks and Howard Shore doesn’t disappoint. The musical score captures everything from the innocence and delight of The Shire, to the Horror of the Nazgul and everything in between. Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, Return of the King
The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012)
James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer worked on the soundtracks to this incredible trilogy of films. It’s a really emotional soundtrack that captures the noir feeling of Gotham city, gives a great backdrop for the protagonists & antagonists and maintains tension throughout all the films.
Drive (2011)
Composed by Cliff Martinez, the Drive OST really adds to the tension of the high octane moments and critics have commented on the soundtrack being just as important as the film itself.
Honourable Mentions 
While these didn’t quite make our list of 10, we felt they were too good to go unmentioned.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Evita (1996)
Tron Legacy (2010)
Footloose (1984)
Top Gun (1989)
Harry Potter (2001-2011)
Did we miss something? 👀 What's your favourite movie soundtrack? 🎬 🎶
Share your top picks in the comments below! 👇
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