30 Best Movie Soundtracks to Listen to With Your Family

From “Almost Famous” to “Black Panther,” these are the best movie soundtracks of all time.

30 Best Movie Soundtracks to Listen to With Your Family

When a great movie has a great soundtrack, it’s nothing short of epic. In the movie theater, the perfect song choice can elevate a scene, making you feel like you’re part of the action or that your heart is breaking alongside the character on screen. And the next time you hear the soundtrack, you can’t help but replay those pivotal moments in your mind.

Soundtracks also have the power to reignite a love for old favorites and introduce us to artists and genres we wouldn’t otherwise seek out. They can also invoke a sense of nostalgia that you'd like to share with your family members — because who doesn't want to dance to "Flashdance ... What a Feeling" with their kids? These are the 30 movie soundtrack albums that you should absolutely check out if you haven't already.

30. High Fidelity

Year released: 2000

Best song from the soundtrack: "Everybody’s Gonna Be Happy" by The Kinks

Why the "High Fidelity" soundtrack is one of the best: It would be a travesty if the “High Fidelity” soundtrack didn’t make this list, given the fact that the movie’s central character (Rob, played by John Cusack) is a record store owner whose obsession with music goes above and beyond his professional obligations. Other notable tracks include Velvet Underground’s “Oh! Sweet Nuthin,’” “You’re Gonna Miss Me” by The 13th Floor Elevators and “I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)” by Stevie Wonder.

29. Waiting to Exhale

Year released: 1995

Best song from the soundtrack: "Sittin’ Up in My Room" by Brandy

Why the "Waiting to Exhale" soundtrack is one of the best: This hit romantic drama was adapted from Terry McMillan’s novel of the same name and featured Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine and Lela Rochon — four best friends trying to navigate the rocky road to love. The all-female soundtrack is almost as impressive as the cast, with standouts like Chaka Khan's rendition of "My Funny Valentine" and Houston’s No. 1 “Exhale”. It also showcases the vocal prowess of Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin and Toni Braxton.

28. Black Panther

Year released: 2018

Best song from the soundtrack: "King’s Dead" by Kendrick Lamar

Why the "Black Panther" soundtrack is one of the best: For starters, it includes performances by Vince Staples, SZA, Schoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar, who curated and produced the whole collection alongside Top Dawg CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith. Not every song is featured in the movie (which stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o), but they all align with its themes of Black identity, spirituality, self-doubt and what it means to be a king. As Pitchfork says, “The album is a sampler of the film’s broader vision of Black excellence.”

27. Singles

Year released: 1992

Best song from the soundtrack: "Dyslexic Heart" by Paul Westerberg

Why the "Singles" soundtrack is one of the best: "Singles" was more than a movie; it was an entire culture — the close-knit Seattle music community in the early 1990s. In fact, during the recording of the debut album of future global rock stars Pearl Jam, the band members had lines in the movie as Cliff Poncier’s backing band. One of the songs from the soundtrack, Alice in Chains’ “Would,” was nominated for Best Movie Song at the 1993 MTV Movie Awards, the year after the soundtrack was awarded the Fennecus for Best Compilation Soundtrack.

26. The Last Days of Disco

Year released: 1998

Best song from the soundtrack: "Doctors Orders" by Carol Douglas

Why the "The Last Days of Disco" soundtrack is one of the best: Whit Stillman’s movie may be set two decades after the heady disco era, but the collection of familiar dance-floor classics from the likes of Diana Ross, Sister Sledge, The O’Jays and Chic is a joyous celebration of life under the mirror ball. In fact, the soundtrack was a bigger hit than the movie itself. It’s definitely commercial, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely predictable — there are a few soulful surprises in there, too, like Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “The Love I Lost.”

25. Clueless

Year released: 1995

Best song from the soundtrack: "I’m Alright" by Supergrass

Why the "Clueless" soundtrack is one of the best: Clueless is a classic coming-of-age movie, and its 14-song soundtrack taps into the mid-1990s vibe by combining the likes of Lightning Seeds and Counting Crows with remakes of alternative classics from the '70s and '80s. Standouts are Cracker’s cover of the Flamin’ Groovies' “Shake Some Action” and The Muffs’ version of the Kim Wilde smash hit “Kids in America.” Altogether, "Clueless" is a musical encyclopedia of the '90s — one that’s a lot deeper than its bright and bubbly packaging, just like the movie itself.

24. The Graduate

Year released: 1967

Best song from the soundtrack: "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel

Why the "The Graduate" soundtrack is one of the best: Director Mike Nichols received a copy of Simon & Garfunkel’s 1966 record “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme” during the filming of the movie, and it became the missing piece he was looking for. Although it took some time to convince the folk duo to participate, they eventually agreed. The soundtrack includes two songs from “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,” two from “Sounds of Silence” and a new track, “Mrs. Robinson.” There are also instrumental pieces by award-winning composer and jazz pianist Dave Grusin.

23. Goodfellas

Year released: 1990

Best song from the soundtrack: "Atlantis" by Donovan

Why the "Goodfellas" soundtrack is one of the best: According to Far Out, director Martin Scorsese had two strict rules for the “Goodfellas” soundtrack. First of all, every song that was playing in a particular scene had to be released either the same year or earlier. Secondly, the song had to comment on the scene in some way — such as The Crystal’s “Then He Kissed Me,” which plays when Karen falls for Henry at the Copacabana. And because it’s Martin Scorsese, you’re also guaranteed a healthy dose of Rolling Stones.

22. Good Will Hunting

Year released: 1997

Best song from the soundtrack: "Miss Misery" by Elliott Smith

Why the "Good Will Hunting" soundtrack is one of the best: Aside from Robin Williams’ incredible performance as Sean Maguire, “Good Will Hunting” is best known for putting actors/screenwriters Ben Affleck and Matt Damon on the map. But it launched another career — that of Elliott Smith, the introspective, multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter. Six of the 15 tracks are Smith’s, including "No Name #3" from his “Roman Candle” LP and "Miss Misery," which was later nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. (It lost to Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On.")

21. Pretty in Pink

Year released: 1986

Best song from the soundtrack: "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" by The Smiths

Why the "Pretty in Pink" soundtrack is one of the best: An angsty teen movie needs an angsty soundtrack, and screenwriter John Hughes and director Howard Deutch hit the mark with a brilliant collection of tracks by British post-punk rockers Echo & the Bunnymen, Psychedelic Furs and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. But there’s plenty of variety, with John Lennon, INXS, Suzanne Vega and Jesse Johnson also in the mix. It’s full-on nostalgia, taking the listener back to the coolest tunes of the 1980s.

20. Boogie Nights

Year released: 1997

Best song from the soundtrack: "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger

Why the "Boogie Nights" soundtrack is one of the best: Music is a constant throughout Paul Thomas Anderson’s classic “Boogie Nights,” starring Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly and Julianne Moore. Disco and funk are natural partners for the portrayal of the adult entertainment industry in California's San Fernando Valley in the late '70s. The result is a journey through a decade of hits, from Chakachas’ “Jungle Fever” to Marvin Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up - Pt. 1.”

19. Apocalypse Now

Year released: 1979

Best song from the soundtrack: "The End" by The Doors

Why the "Apocalypse Now" soundtrack is one of the best: Francis Ford Coppola’s movie is a masterpiece of epic proportions, and the soundtrack is equally mind-bending. With an emphasis on electronics and synthetic noise and featuring cuts of dialogue, it’s one of the most unconventional soundtracks of all time. Only three actual songs appear: "The End" by The Doors, "Susie Q" and Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries." In the words of AllMusic, “It's a facsimile of many of the film's crucial scenes and an auditory synopsis of a phenomenal cinematic experience.”

18. Dreamgirls

Year released: 2006

Best song on the soundtrack: "And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going" by Jennifer Hudson

Why the "Dreamgirls" soundtrack is one of the best: If you love Motown, if you love ballads, if you love Beyoncé (who doesn’t?), you’ll love this perfectly executed showcase of vocal talent. And then there’s Jennifer Hudson, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Effie White (inspired by Supremes member Florence Ballard) and delivers arguably the best performance with “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” This is one collection guaranteed to scratch an itch for Detroit’s golden era of rhythm and blues.

17. Velvet Goldmine

Year released: 1998

Best song on the soundtrack: "2HB" by Venus in Furs

Why the "Velvet Goldmine" soundtrack is one of the best: David Bowie barred the movie’s creators from using any of his songs, but the soundtrack shines regardless, with tracks from Pulp, Shudder to Think and Placebo. The cover of Roxy Music’s “2HB” by glam rockers Venus in Furs (none other than Suede’s Bernard Butler and Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorke) is a highlight. “The soundtrack, like the film itself, may be more of a collection of moments than a coherent experience, but those moments are pretty spectacular,” says AllMusic.

16. Pulp Fiction

Year released: 1994

Best song on the soundtrack: "You Can Never Tell" by Chuck Berry

Why the "Pulp Fiction" soundtrack is one of the best: It’s almost as iconic as Quentin Tarantino’s Academy Award-winning screenplay. Hear Urge Overkill’s cover of “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon,” and your mind goes straight to Mia’s heroin overdose scene. Such was the power of the song selection that it led to a whole new generation embracing the likes of Dusty Springfield and Ricky Nelson. The “Pulp Fiction” soundtrack reached No. 21 on the Billboard 200, has sold more than 3.5 million copies and singlehandedly re-energized the surf-rock genre.

15. Mama Mia! Here We Go Again

Year released: 2018

Best song on the soundtrack: "Fernando" by Cher

Why the "Mama Mia! Here We Go Again" soundtrack is one of the best: As well as including some of the songs in the original “Mamma Mia!” musical and the 2008 movie, the much-anticipated sequel offers lots of additional ABBA songs. New additions include, "When I Kissed The Teacher," "Andante Andante" and "The Day Before You Came." And old favorites are given a twist — they’re performed by other actors, such as Lily James, Jessica Keenan Wynn and Alexa Davies (younger versions of Donna, Tanya and Rosie) singing “Mamma Mia!”

14. Help!

Year released: 1965

Best song on the soundtrack: "Yesterday" by The Beatles

Why the "Help!" soundtrack is one of the best: There are reasonable grounds to pick holes in the movie, but the “Help!” soundtrack (also the Beatles’ fifth studio album) is another story. On the U.K. version of the album, seven of the 14 tracks (including “Help!” and “Ticket to Ride”) appear in the film. The U.S. version contains only those seven, plus instrumental material from the movie, meaning there’s no iconic “Yesterday.” It still reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard album charts and stayed there for nine weeks.

13. Garden State

Year released: 2004

Best song on the soundtrack: "New Slang" by The Shins

Why the "Garden State" soundtrack is one of the best: Like earlier movies with heartfelt undertones (“The Graduate,” for instance), the “Garden State” soundtrack has just as big a role. It bagged actor/director Zack Braff a Grammy in 2005 for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media and sold more than 1.3 million copies. It also introduced Simon & Garfunkel and Coldplay to a new audience and gave lesser-known bands Frou Frou and The Shins a wider one.

12. Rushmore

Year released: 1998

Best song on the soundtrack: "A Quick One, While He’s Away" by The Who

Why the "Rushmore" soundtrack is one of the best: A music-first approach to filmmaking is something of a tradition for writer-director Wes Anderson, and he absolutely nailed it with his 1998 breakthrough film. What appears on the surface to be a coming-of-age story interspersed with crude jokes is actually a sensitive depiction of heartbreak and grief, and the soundtrack has equal depth. Alongside classic John Lennon and The Kinks are obscure British groups like the Creation and Unit 4 + 2.

11. Titanic

Year released: 1997

Best song on the soundtrack: "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion

Why the "Titanic" soundtrack is one of the best: This film score is one of the bestselling classical albums of all time, selling more than 30 million copies worldwide and reaching No. 1 in 20 countries. For super fans, there’s a second soundtrack (“Back to Titanic”), released nine months after the original, which includes a version of Celine Dixon’s "My Heart Will Go On" remixed with dialogue from the movie. Incidentally, Dion’s track was never released as a single, meaning anybody who wanted to listen to it had to buy the album.

10. Lost in Translation

Year released: 2003

Best song on the soundtrack: "Just Like Honey" by The Jesus and Mary Chain

Why the "Lost in Translation" soundtrack is one of the best: Forget about Bill Murray’s clumsy karaoke attempt at Roxy Music’s “More Than This” — the “Lost in Translation” soundtrack is atmospheric and romantic. It’s led by My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields, who contributes a cover of the Loveless track “Sometimes” plus four new songs. Sticking to the brief are Air’s “Alone in Kyoto,” “Girls” by Death in Vegas and Happy End’s “Kaze Wo Atsumete,” the only song from a Japanese group. Oh and Murray’s karaoke effort is there as a hidden track — if you really want to hear it again.

9. Trainspotting

Year released: 1996

Best song on the soundtrack: "Deep Blue Day" by Brian Zeno

Why the "Trainspotting" soundtrack is one of the best: It was named the best of all time by Australian radio station Double J, which makes a strong case. Throughout the movie, the songs ramp up the intensity of key scenes (Brian Eno’s “Deep Blue Day” forever associated with the most disgusting toilet in the world). David Bowie and Oasis turned down director Danny Boyle’s request, but the soundtrack is arguably better for it, as it made space for lesser-known electro bands like Leftfield and Underworld (who went on to become huge, naturally) alongside the best of Britpop (Blur, Pulp, et al) and heavy hitters Iggy Pop and Lou Reed.

8. Purple Rain

Year released: 1984

Best song on the soundtrack: "When Doves Cry" by Prince and the Revolution

Why the "Purple Rain" soundtrack is one of the best: The groundbreaking album to accompany Prince’s semi-autobiographical debut movie spent 24 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and the eight-minute title track won the famous singer an Oscar for (the now defunct category) Best Original Song Score. The BBC calls the album Prince’s “defining achievement” and “the biggest, most audacious statement that the diminutive artist could possibly make.” To date, it’s sold more than 20 million copies.

7. The Big Chill

Year released: 1983

Best song from the soundtrack: "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum

Why the "The Big Chill" soundtrack is one of the best: The yuppie upper-middle-class white cast might not be relatable for modern viewers, but the soundtrack is timeless. Another big hit for Motown, the vibrant, uplifting collection consists of 1960s classics, such as “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by The Temptations and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin. You might watch the film only once, but this is an album you’ll go back to again and again.

6. Romeo + Juliet

Year released: 1996

Best song on the soundtrack: "Kissing You" by Des’ree

Why the "Romeo + Juliet" soundtrack is one of the best: Critics were divided on Baz Luhrmann’s take on Shakespeare’s classic love story, but teenage audiences loved the soundtrack almost as much as they loved Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio. Their buying power sent it soaring up the album charts and helped cement the career of Swedish rock band the Cardigans. The show-stopping R&B ballad “Kissing You” by Des’ree is the standout track, but alt-rock tracks by Garbage, Radiohead and Butthole Surfers make it what it is.

5. Almost Famous

Year released: 2000

Best song on the soundtrack: "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John

Why the "Almost Famous" soundtrack is one of the best: In another case of the music outperforming the movie, which failed to break even at the box office, the “Almost Famous” soundtrack won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack. Writer/director Cameron Crowe put together a collection of '70s rock tracks that mixed the familiar (Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer”) with the unexpected (Beach Boys’ “Feel Flows”) and made history for getting permission from Led Zeppelin to feature their songs on a soundtrack for the first time ever.

4. The Bodyguard

Year released: 1992

Best song on the soundtrack: "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston

Why the "The Bodyguard" soundtrack is one of the best: An undeniable crowd-pleaser, the album sold more than 1 million copies in a week and held five No. 1 positions on the Billboard charts at the same time. In fact, the film’s healthy success was overshadowed by the power of the score, which includes Lisa Stansfield, Joe Cocker and Kenny G as well as several tracks from Houston herself. It’s Houston’s biggest-selling album and spawned the single “I Will Always Love You,” which broke records of its own by staying at No. 1 on the singles chart for a staggering 14 weeks.

3. A Star Is Born

Year released: 2018

Best song on the soundtrack: "Shallow" by Lady Gaga

Why the "A Star Is Born" soundtrack is one of the best: Lady Gaga insisted that her soundtrack performances were all live takes recorded during filming, an approach that adds to the emotional experience of the listener. And it’s Gaga singing “Shallow,” “Always Remember Us This Way” and “I’ll Never Love Again” that delivers the most powerful punch. But it’s not just about Lady G — co-star Bradley Cooper is on there, too, plus Mark Ronson, Jason Isbell, Willie Nelson’s son Lukas and Miike Snow frontman Andrew Wyatt.

2. Empire Records

Year released: 1995

Best song on the soundtrack: "Til I Hear It From You" by the Gin Blossoms

Why the "Empire Records" soundtrack is one of the best: Just like the movie, the soundtrack remains a cult classic for anyone who appreciates a little '90s nostalgia. You’d expect a coming-of-age film centered around a music store to have a stellar soundtrack — and you’re not wrong. With the Gin Blossoms (“Til I Hear It From You”), Edwyn Collins (“A Girl Like You”), The Cranberries (“Liar”) and Better Than Ezra (“Circle of Friends”) all in one place, it’s a top-class collection of mainstream alternative pop/rock.

1. Flashdance

Year released: 1983

Best song on the soundtrack: "Flashdance … What a Feeling" by Irene Cara

Why the "Flashdance" soundtrack is one of the best: Produced by disco king Giorgio Moroder, this album was a blockbuster, selling more than 20 million copies. Irene Cara’s Oscar-winning title track is the best known, but Donna Summer’s “Romeo” and Michael Sembollo’s “Maniac” are equally timeless. You’ll struggle to find a more upbeat '80s soundtrack — it might even tempt you to put your leg warmers on and try some of those dance moves.