The soundtrack of a film can either make or break it. Music in general can change your mood entirely, so if you’re watching a great movie and the perfect song for that scene starts to play, you’re more inclined to remember it. Sometimes for big movies, one artist has control over the entire soundtrack, such as Kendrick Lamar with the first Black Panther film. Other times, several different songs from all different genres are picked and added to the roster of songs to make the movie great, giving those moments to the audience that are appreciative and memorable. While there have been so many genuinely great soundtrack moments, here’s a list of the best, ranked.
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12 My Sharona - Reality Bites (1994)
Universal Pictures
There’s really only one way to describe this scene, and it’s silly. Steven Zahn’s character Sammy steals the spotlight as he starts to dance with Lelaina and Vicky; his head looking like it could practically detach from his body with how much he’s swinging it around. They start to get so loud that the cashier snaps at them, while Troy (Ethan Hawke) stands there looking annoyed and bothered. It’s a great little scene that gives the movie more heart and realness to it, and it’s considered to be a highlight of the film.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
11 Super Freak - Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Searchlight Pictures
It’s the road trip from hell. Everything that could have gone wrong, has. Dwayne finds out he’s colorblind, so he can’t be a pilot; Edwin dies, so they have to escape the hospital with his body, and throughout this entire time, they’re still trying to make it to the pageant on time. The family is delirious, exhausted, and might even smell bad, but as soon as Olive gets up on stage and presents herself in her red leotard, their efforts make it worth it. She surprises her family as she dances to “Super Freak”; the audience in slight disbelief that a young girl chose this song, but the people who love her don’t let it stop them from supporting her and jumping on stage.
10 Toxic - Promising Young Woman (2020)
Focus FeaturesUniversal
The eerie violin that plays throughout this scene is chilling and matches the energy of what Cassandra is about to do. It’s a long scene, as she tosses her license plate away and walks all the way down the gravel driveway bare-footed, which couldn’t have felt too good. She’s out for revenge as she approaches the house, dressed as a nurse and holding a bottle of liquor as the rendition of “Toxic” plays. It gives the audience a hint about what’s about to happen, leaving you on the edge of your seat, with the chilliness of the violin.
9 Come and Get Your Love - Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Marvel Studios
This is a great scene because it really portrays what kind of person Peter/Starlord is. From the very beginning of Guardians of the Galaxy, it’s clear that Peter loves music, and the mixtape that his mom gave to him as a kid is one of his most prized possessions. The minute he appears on the screen, “Come and Get Your Love” is blasting as he skips, hops, and twirls into the scene; his Walkman headphones securely on his head. It’s a great characterization of Peter and sets itself up for more solid soundtrack moments later on in the film.
8 I Ain’t Worried - Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Paramount Pictures
It’s one of the greatest call-backs to the first Top Gun movie; the beach scene. Maverick has been working his squad every single day, and after realizing they need to act more like a team to be successful with the mission, he brings them to the beach for a game of football. The song by One Republic works so well because it’s right there in the title, they’re not worried about it (at that moment). Throughout the scene, you can’t help but smile as you get to see every character develop more within playing this game, all of them a bit goofy and competitive, as they bond and roll around in the sand. Glen Powell, who plays Hangman, actually hurt himself during this scene because he was giving 110 percent, which if you’ve seen the movie, makes so much sense for his character.
7 Old Time Rock and Roll - Risky Business (1983)
Geffen Pictures
If you’ve never seen this scene or have never even seen a parody of it, you must be living under a rock. One of Tom Cruise’s biggest and most memorable scenes comes from Risky Buisness, his white sock-clad feet sliding him into the room. He’s only wearing a pink button-down shirt and a pair of shades, the look being copied for decades through different shows, movies, and Halloween costumes. One can’t deny how iconic it is and how much it has affected the film world.
6 Stuck in the Middle with You - Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Miramax Films
It’s almost weird to say that this is the best torture scene, but it could be considered due to the lack of seriousness it has around it. Mr. Blonde apparently loves ’70s music and turns up the radio to play this song, as he continues to torture the cop he has strapped to the chair. To make it better, this scene was partially improvised, as Mr. Blonde dances around, taunting the cop, and making the entire situation worse with how much fun he’s having with it. When Mr. Blonde cuts off the guy’s ear and then speaks into it, it confirms that Mr. Blonde is truly an unhinged character; the song is still blaring in the background.
5 Fight the Power - Do The Right Thing (1989)
40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
It’s what the entire movie has led up to; the tension steadily building throughout the day that leads to the massive blowout. Radio Raheem and Buggin Out enter the pizza shop and demand for Black people to be added to the wall of fame, but when Sal refuses and calls their music “jungle music”, it quickly spirals from there. Sal destroys Raheem’s radio and that’s what truly sets him off, dragging Sal from behind the counter before starting to choke him out. The song is perfect for this moment because it’s a genuine description of how they feel; they need to change the system and fight the powers that be.
4 Hip to be Square - American Psycho (2000)
Lions Gate Films
You might find yourself in a grocery store or in a mall, or just anywhere they play older music, and you might think of this iconic scene from an equally iconic movie. Patrick Bateman has a great monologue in this scene, almost excited, as he has Allen at his place where he can do what he pleases with him. He starts the conversation by asking Allen if he likes Huey Lewis and the News, to which Allen replies with that they’re just okay. Bateman then launches himself into being Huey Lewis and the News’ biggest supporter, talking about their album to distract Allen from what he’s really doing.
3 Day-O - Beetlejuice (1988)
The Geffen Company
It’s the perfect type of humor for a 1988 film; the characters making a fool out of themselves as they act out of sorts and shake their butts to a silly song. Lydia has agreed to work with Adam and Barbara in order to scare her parents out of the house, so the two ghosts decide to have some fun during an important dinner party. Delia is the first to get possessed, mouthing the iconic song as her husband grows increasingly worried about what she’s doing. Soon enough, the entire table, minus Lydia, are doing synchronized dances and singing along to the song.
2 What’s Up Danger - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Sony Pictures Releasing
This scene is one of the most pivotal and important for Miles. Up until this moment, Miles has been grappling with the fact that he’s now Spider-Man, and accepting what that title entails for him. He’s been through quite a bit leading up to this scene. His uncle betrayed him, he’s hiding his identity from his dad, and he’s being taught how to be Spider-Man from a burnout. He accepts that he has to now look danger in the eye and save the city he loves the most, every single day. Miles takes that leap of faith and asks, “What’s Up Danger?”
1 The Sound of Silence - The Graduate (1967)
Embassy Pictures
Perhaps one of the greatest endings to any movie, The Graduate takes top spot on this list. “The Sound of Silence” is without a doubt the most perfect pick for this scene. Ben is rushing to the church where Elaine and Carl are about to be married, but he manages to stop them before it’s too late. Ben and Elaine then rush onto a bus and at first they’re happy with what they’ve done, but it doesn’t last long at all, as they suddenly realize the reality of the situation. The two sit at the back of the bus, gazing out in front of them as the song plays, and some say that the scene lasts too long, making it awkward. However, it’s the perfect representation of realizing what you’ve done and then having to sit in the aftermath of it.
