The Best Movie Soundtracks and Scores

Most movies rely on music of some sort, whether that be a soundtrack featuring various artists or an instrumental score. Music plays a huge part in how we partake in cinema; it can make the viewing experience more exciting, enticing and all around more enjoyable. Of course, everyone has their own music tastes, so what I consider the best music won’t be what everyone deems the best. That being said, here are the lists (in no particular order) of some of the most iconic soundtracks and scores (emphasis on some.) If you don’t see your favorite soundtrack or score on the list, here is a reminder to go give it a listen and show some love for it, too. 

Soundtracks

1. Baby Driver 

You can’t talk about Baby Driver without talking about the music. 

Favorite tracks: “Debora,” “Baby Driver,” “B-A-B-Y,” “Easy,” “Every Little Bit Hurts”

2. New Moon  

As this tweet said, the “New Moon soundtrack did more for world history than that short f*** napoleon.” 

Favorite tracks: “Possibility,” “Satellite Heart,” “Roslyn,” “Shooting the Moon,” “Hearing Damage”

3. Call Me By Your Name

No explanation needed. 

Favorite tracks: “Une barque sur l’ocean,” “Futile Devices (Doveman Remix),” “Mystery of Love”

4.The Fault in Our Stars

This movie wasn’t my favorite, but I can’t deny the amazingness of the soundtrack. 

Favorite tracks: “Simple as This,” “Long Way Down,” “Without Words,” “Wait” 

5. If I Stay

This is a movie about music, so it’s natural that this soundtrack is a memorable one. The amount of times I listened to this album in high school is high.  

Favorite tracks: “Who Needs You,” “Promise,” “Never Coming Down,” “Halo,” “Heart Like Yours” 

6. Juno 

The music speaks for itself.  

Favorite tracks: “All I Want is You,” “So Nice So Smart,” “Tree Hugger,” “Anyone Else But You,” “Tire Swing,” “Sea of Love”

7.The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This is an emotional album that touches on several powerful themes. 

Favorite tracks: “Could It Be Another Change,” “Tugboat,” “Low,” “Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops” 

8. Sing Street

This is a movie about a band being formed.

Favorite tracks: “The Riddle of the Model,” “Up,” “To Find You,” “Maneater,” “Drive It Like You Stole It” 

9. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

While writing an essay the night before it’s due, you can bet I’m singing “What’s Up Danger” to myself. 

Favorite tracks: “What’s Up Danger,” “Sunflower” 

10. (500) Days of Summer

This is another movie I didn’t love, but the soundtrack is simply unforgettable. 

Favorite tracks: “Us,” “There Goes the Fear,” “Sweet Disposition,” “Mushaboom,” “Vagabond,” “Here Comes Your Man,” “She’s Got You High” 

Listen to the playlist for these tracks here. 

Scores

1.The Lord of the Rings by Howard Shore

The Lord of the Rings trilogy will always be my all-time favorite score. It can’t be beat. 

Favorite tracks: “Concerning Hobbits,” “The Bridge of Khazad Dum,” “The Breaking of the Fellowship,” “Evenstar,” “Isengard Unleashed,” “The Grace of Undómiel,” “The Battle of the Pelennor Fields,” “For Frodo”

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jean-Yves Thibaudet

Listening to this makes me imagine I’m walking in the English countryside along with Lizzie. 

Favorite tracks: “Dawn,” “Liz on Top of the World,” “End Credits” 

3. Edward Scissorhands by Danny Elfman

Fairy-tale like. 

Favorite tracks: “Ice Dance,” “Farewell,” “The Grand Finale” 

4. John Williams’s Entire Discography 

We can’t talk about film scores without talking about the one and only John Williams. Everything the man writes could be on this list. 

Favorite tracks: “Finale,” “Leaving Hogwarts,” “Duel of the Fates,” “Luke and Leia,” “Jewish Town,” “Remembering Emilie / Finale”

5. Finding Neverland by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek and Nick Ingman 

This is a perfect feel-good score that brings me right back to my childhood. 

Favorite tracks: “Neverland (Piano Variation in Blue),” “Children Arrive,” “This is Neverland” 

6. Catching Fire by James Newton Howard

The utter power and eeriness of this score really hits home. 

Favorite tracks: “The Tour,” “I Need You,” “Arena Crumbles”

7. Jane Eyre by Dario Marinelli 

The violin in this score is hauntingly beautiful. 

Favorite tracks: “Wandering Jane,” “Yes!” “Awaken”

8. New Moon by Alexandre Desplat 

This movie didn’t just have a good soundtrack…the score also slaps. 

Favorite tracks: “New Moon,” “Dreamcatcher,” “Full Moon” 

9. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Paul Englishby

This score brings a fun, jazzy vibe that I can never get enough of. 

Favorite tracks: “Brother Can You Spare a Dime,” “Cocktail Swing,” “Off to New York”

10. Pirates of the Caribbean (the entire series) by Hans Zimmer and Klaus Badelt

Everyone knows the themes from this movie series, so it’s only natural it’s on this list!

Favorite tracks: “One Last Shot,” “He’s a Pirate,” “Jack Sparrow,” “One Day,” “Mermaids”

12.The Theory of Everything by Jóhann Jóhannsson 

I cannot stress this enough: listen to this score! It is the perfect studying music. 

Favorite tracks: “Domestic Pressures,” “Forces of Attraction,” “Camping” 

13. Little Women (1994) by Thomas Newman 

The score for the 2019 Little Women was also great, but I still think this one comes out on top. The emotion and wistfulness pack too hard a punch. 

Favorite tracks: “Orchard House,” “Spring,” “Valley of the Shadow,” “Lovelornity,” “Under the Umbrella” 

Listen to the playlist for these tracks here. 

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