Five Film Soundtracks Worth a Listen

We’ve all been there. You’re sitting in a movie theater watching an emotional movie, and all the sudden it starts to creep up on you. You’ve held it together throughout the entire gut-wrenching climax of the movie, then all the sudden, the violin starts, and you lose it.

Whether we pay attention to them or not, soundtracks are what bring a movie from a dry reenactment of life, to the emotional provoking piece of art it is. Some soundtracks have developed cult-followings, like The Twilight Saga soundtracks, but all too often we forget the power of music in lesser-recognized films.

Below are the soundtracks that have stuck with me my whole life, both old and new, indie and blockbuster. What these soundtracks all have in common is when I first heard them, the music was so gripping that I had to download the whole album the second I got home— I still keep these tracks on repeat. Whatever your taste in cinema or music, here are my five favorite movie soundtracks of all time that you might enjoy.

Wish I Was Here (2014)

To this day, I have never understood how underrated this film is. Wish I Was Here, directed by Zach Braff, is a passion project for every member of the cast, and that dedication is evident throughout the feature. The soundtrack of this film elevates the intense emotion and turmoil of the characters, leaving the viewer optimistic but reflective of their purpose in this world. The characters are brutally honest and the vulnerability of each song on this soundtrack forces you to feel the confusion of every character firsthand. I challenge any viewer to hold back tears while watching Zach Braff’s scene at the end of the movie with Bon Iver’s “Heavenly Father” playing in the background… You will fail, trust me.

Don’t miss out on: “Breathe In (ft. Wafia)” by Japanese Wallpaper and “Raven Song” by Aaron Embry.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

After reading the book and watching this movie as a teenager, the film single handedly shaped my adolescence. As a child, I always unknowingly identified as a wallflower, but this movie changed my narrative from seeing introversion as a setback to seeing it as a strength. Based in the 1990s, a lot of this story is told through the mixtapes Charlie makes for Sam, and damn—they’re good. This movie reveals the other side of ‘90s music we rarely hear on the radio: dark, melancholy, but free. Go ahead, put on “Heroes” by David Bowie, roll down your windows, and speed through a tunnel. Everyone deserves to feel that freedom.

Don’t miss out on: “Tugboat” by Galaxie 500, “Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners, and “Asleep” by The Smiths.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

I couldn’t talk about movie soundtracks without mentioning my favorite movie of all time, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Released in the 1960s, this soundtrack is more classical and filled with orchestral compositions rather than modern beats. The most famous song from this film, “Moon River” sung by Audrey Hepburn, holds more meaning than just any classic song. Although she did not have a wide vocal range, in the film Hepburn plucks the guitar and sings “Moon River” with more emotion than high-pitched vocals could express. Hepburn understood the significance of this performance, standing up to executive producers and refusing they cut the scene. She prevailed, and today “Moon River” is still one of cinema’s most iconic performances.

Don’t miss out on: “Moon River (vocal Audrey Hepburn)” by Henry Mancini and “Holly” by Henry Mancini.

The Crash Reel (2013)

It isn’t often you find a sports documentary with a soundtrack that crushes multi-million dollar franchise soundtracks. The Crash Reel is a documentary about professional snowboarder Kevin Pearce and his journey to the 2010 Winter Olympics, only to sustain a traumatic brain injury and end up in a coma less than a month before the event in Vancouver. Watching Kevin go from a happy, young, insanely-talented athlete to a comatose patient is enough to stop any viewer in their tracks. But, to have the voices of Lykke Li and M83 over the reel of Kevin’s accident is enough for chills to run down your spine. The Crash Reel is more than a documentary, but a commentary on life, pain, family, and resilience, and the soundtrack is what turns this film from a sports documentary into a gut-wrenching cinematic conversation on life, death, and happiness.

Don’t miss out on: “Down the Line” by José Gonzalez, “You Have Cured a Million Ghosts From Roaming in My Head” by Aartika, and “My Tears Are Becoming a Sea” by M83.

School of Rock (2003)

I’ve only been on this planet for 21 years, but I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t adore the 2003 cult-classic, School of Rock. Jack Black gives an incredible performance, making every viewer nostalgic for their school band days. To fit the theme of this movie, the soundtrack is packed with old-school jams we haven’t heard in years, but still remember every word to. “Back in Black” by AC/DC and “Touch Me” by The Doors are two of the many songs on this album that take you back to the days when you were just discovering rock music. There are a few conditions to listening to this soundtrack, though… air guitar, head banging, and jamming are required.

Don’t miss out on: “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll)” by AC/DC, “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks, and “Stay Free” by The Clash.

And now, an honorary TV show soundtrack mention…

Big Little Lies (2017)

It may not be a movie, but HBO’s Big Little Lies is most certainly deserving an honorary mention on this list. In this first few episodes of season one, the characters appear normal (somewhat), but it’s the eerie music and cinematic flashbacks that create an uneasy ambiance. Slowly, the plot develops and the show gets crazier from there, but this TV show does what some movies can’t even do; they use music to build tension between the characters rather than dialogue. Filled with indie-soul artists, this is the perfect soundtrack to put on when you want to feel like a sophisticated lady driving in her convertible, with a headscarf and big sunglasses, of course.

Don’t miss out on (season one soundtrack): Bloody “Mother F*cking Asshole” by Martha Wainright, “Don’t “ by Zoë Kravitz, and “Changes” by Charles Bradley.

If you haven’t watched these films yet, make sure to add them to your watchlist and enjoy the scores of each. Even if you don’t get around to watching all of them you can still enjoy the great tracks.

Which soundtrack is your favorite? Leave a comment below!