Comingsoon.net has taken the time to compile the best curated movie soundtracks in movie history. Check out our selections in the gallery below!
Every once in a while, an executive at a movie studio decides that their upcoming blockbuster would be better off with a curated soundtrack of original songs from the year’s top artists. Other times, a director chooses a musician or a select few artists to score their film. The end result is often an excellent film with an unforgettable soundtrack.
Unfortunately, this seems to be a thing of the past these days. A couple of Marvel films and a recent Edgar Wright vehicle have revived this fun and memorable gimmick in recent years, but for the most part, it’s much more of a 20th century thing than a 21st. So, with that being said, let’s take a look at some of the best curated soundtracks in film history.
curated soundtracks
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Baby Driver (2017)
Edgar Wright’s most recent feature, 2017’s Baby Driver is not unlike the filmmaker’s other movies—instead of being a tribute to zombie movies, buddy cop movies, sci-fi movies, or video games, it’s a love letter to the car movies of the 60s and 70s. The soundtrack blasts loud and proud, no doubt containing tracks straight from Wright’s own collection.
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Batman (1989)
The most iconic Batman film also comes with the most iconic soundtrack in the franchise—Prince, right at the height of his popularity, managed to create some incredible music for Tim Burton’s masterful take on the infamous caped crusader.
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Black Panther (2018)
The most recent entry on the list, 2018’s Marvel smash hit Black Panther features a soundtrack curated by the inimitable Kendrick Lamar. The artist recruited SZA, The Weeknd, Khalid, Schoolboy Q, Future, and countless other titans of the music industry to create something truly great.
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Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
James Gunn’s take on Marvel’s ragtag bunch of misfits remains an incredibly unique feature among some of the franchise’s lesser efforts. Part of what makes it stand out is Gunn’s carefully curated soundtrack of B-sides from the 70s and 80s.
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High Fidelity (2000)
A film about the life and relationships of a record store owner, High Fidelity would be a huge misstep if its filmmakers chose not to include some excellent (and little-known) tracks. John Cusack stars and also lent a hand to the screenwriting process, so he’s undoubtedly to thank (at least a little bit).
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Moonlight (2016)
Another more recent film, Moonlight took home Best Picture back in 2017 for its one-of-a-kind take on what it’s like to come of age while black and gay. Filmmaker Barry Jenkins maintains a steady stream of perfectly-placed R&B songs.
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Purple Rain (1984)
Speaking of Prince, Purple Rain is Prince’s masterpiece through and through. In addition to starring at the front and center of the film, Prince’s soundtrack for the feature contains some of the artist’s greatest hits.
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The Bodyguard (1992)
Starring Whitney Huston, 1992’s The Bodyguard follows a former Secret Service agent tasked with protecting an R&B singer. Naturally, with Huston in the leading role, the film remains the fifth best-selling album ever and one of the greatest soundtracks to ever accompany a film.
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The Graduate (1967)
Easily one of the most influential films of the second half of the 20th century, The Graduate stars Dustin Hoffman as a recent college graduate with no clear path in front of him. In addition to launching Hoffman to stardom, the film features an unbeatable soundtrack by Simon & Garfunkel.
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The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Wes Anderson’s aesthetic is known well throughout the film community. In addition to his highly-praised visuals, Anderson’s soundtrack for The Royal Tenenbaums remains one of the best he’s ever curated.
