EW's 25 Soundtracks

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by: Tony Lang Nov. 4, 2009

Music is the key

End of years and decades always coincide with Best/Worst Of lists, which will probably become annoying as hell by December. Might as well get a head start, like the folks of Entertainment Weekly are doing this week with music in films.

The trade decided to look beyond the decade though and list the 25 best movie soundtracks of the last 25 years. Of course this one isn't an exception to the fact that a lot of people will be screaming bloody murder at some of the choices -or lack thereof; myself first!

Anyhoo, since I hate 25-section features which is just a lame way of generating large amounts of clicks on a website, I'll spoil that list for you all. Unless you'd rather go and discover it one by one for yourselves RIGHT HERE.

Thanks to the Collider bunch for the heads-up.

25. Buena Vista Social Club (1997)

24. Grace of My Heart (1996)

23. Almost Famous (2000)

22. Magnolia (1999)

21. Juno (2008)

20. The Moderns (1988)

19. Repo Man (1984)

18. Pretty in Pink (1986)

17. Velvet Goldmine (1998)

16. Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

15. Good Will Hunting (1997)

14. Waiting to Exhale (1995)

13. Singles (1992)

12. Trainspotting (1996)

11. Footloose (1984)

10. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)

9. Judgment Night (1993)

8. South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut (1999)

7. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

6. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

5. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

4. Do the Right Thing (1989)

3. Once (2007)

2. Rushmore (1998)

1. Purple Rain (1984)

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Extra Tidbit: I'd use this to point out there's only ONE Quentin film in there, but instead I'll just scream WHERE'S GARDEN FRIGGIN STATE???

49 discussions Expand all
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ColonelColinCaine
1:33AM on 11/06/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I think some of you are neglecting the fact that this list only covers the last 25 years. Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, and The Graduate are all much older than that. That having been said, WTF!!! No Pulp Fiction?!
I think some of you are neglecting the fact that this list only covers the last 25 years. Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, and The Graduate are all much older than that. That having been said, WTF!!! No Pulp Fiction?!
 
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Darth Kenshin
1:20AM on 11/05/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
being an R&B fan, I don't see how Waiting To Exhale makes it and Bodyguard doesn't... Lots of other questionable choices/omissions, but the other Schmoes brought those out.
being an R&B fan, I don't see how Waiting To Exhale makes it and Bodyguard doesn't... Lots of other questionable choices/omissions, but the other Schmoes brought those out.
 
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OrangeRush 2112
11:36PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
yep - where's the crow, vision quest, back to the future or even top gun?
yep - where's the crow, vision quest, back to the future or even top gun?
 
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darknite125
9:22PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Once being ranked thrid makes up for the exemption of The Crow and Nightmare Before Christmas
Once being ranked thrid makes up for the exemption of The Crow and Nightmare Before Christmas
 
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england_geek
8:43PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Hmmm... Not Sure about this...
Where's Star Wars, Nighmare Before Christmas, Slumdog Millionaire, I thought those were brilliant scores, not to mention Chicago, Titanic, and The Wizard of Oz... Maybe that is just because I thought they were great, I thought they were widely considered to be great...
Where's Star Wars, Nighmare Before Christmas, Slumdog Millionaire, I thought those were brilliant scores, not to mention Chicago, Titanic, and The Wizard of Oz... Maybe that is just because I thought they were great, I thought they were widely considered to be great...
 
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csdot
6:21PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
yikes. this is pretty bad.
no Lost Highway?
and as awesome as Bernard Hermann's scores were, this list is soundtracks.
yikes. this is pretty bad.
no Lost Highway?
and as awesome as Bernard Hermann's scores were, this list is soundtracks.
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filmaddict
10:22PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
But what differentiates a soundtrack from a score?
But what differentiates a soundtrack from a score?
 
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writer19
6:05PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i will be THAT guy
THE LIST FUCKING SUCKS!!
WHERE THE FUCK IS PULP FICTION!!!
JUNO? HEDWIG?
GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE
THE LIST FUCKING SUCKS!!
WHERE THE FUCK IS PULP FICTION!!!
JUNO? HEDWIG?
GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE
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JohnnyBootstrap
6:40PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I'm THAT guy that totally agrees with everything you just said.
I'm THAT guy that totally agrees with everything you just said.
 
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filmaddict
5:05PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Ugh...
Awful, apart from the #1 choice. Purple Rain is a masterpiece.

And really, is "Singles" > "The Graduate"? No. And why is this mostly pop stuff? The instrumental Bernard Herrmann stuff is far better than most of this.
Awful, apart from the #1 choice. Purple Rain is a masterpiece.

And really, is "Singles" > "The Graduate"? No. And why is this mostly pop stuff? The instrumental Bernard Herrmann stuff is far better than most of this.
 
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ANTI
3:14PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Glad to see Good Will Hunting up there and not Titanic(fucking Celin Dion)
Glad to see Good Will Hunting up there and not Titanic(fucking Celin Dion)
 
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trapdoors
3:08PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
My Favorite Scores
always thought The Fountain and Gattaca had amazing scores
always thought The Fountain and Gattaca had amazing scores
 
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deja vu
1:54PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i would have to put wolciech kilar's score to coppola's dracula on the list.
i would have to put wolciech kilar's score to coppola's dracula on the list.
 
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spaulding325
1:48PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I don't know how you could leave out Grosse Point Blank. The Clash, Violent Femmes, The Specials, Guns N'Roses, Faith No More and Bowie/Queen.
I don't know how you could leave out Grosse Point Blank. The Clash, Violent Femmes, The Specials, Guns N'Roses, Faith No More and Bowie/Queen.
 
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Acerbus III
1:23PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
horrible list
that's all I can say here...don't even know where to start
that's all I can say here...don't even know where to start
 
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i love lamp
12:30PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
ok list
personally i love the devils rejects soundtrack. the score to the original conan movie rocks. kinda surprised the pulp fiction soundtrack was omitted too. woulda thought that might be more popular for misirlou alone
personally i love the devils rejects soundtrack. the score to the original conan movie rocks. kinda surprised the pulp fiction soundtrack was omitted too. woulda thought that might be more popular for misirlou alone
 
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xylemsith
12:17PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Dang
I was really partial to "The Crow," "Natural Born Killers," "Dazed and Confused," and "Lost Highway" soundtracks. I guess a couple of those movies aren't "pop" enough for EW.
I was really partial to "The Crow," "Natural Born Killers," "Dazed and Confused," and "Lost Highway" soundtracks. I guess a couple of those movies aren't "pop" enough for EW.
 
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ExarKoontz
12:10PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
don't even get me started.
don't even get me started.
 
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captainteague
11:48AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Top 25 Soundtracks EW Snubbed
There are some very obvious and glaring omissions to EW's list:

Top 25 Soundtracks EW Snubbed

Top Gun, Big Chill, Dirty Dancing, Pulp Fiction, Ghostbusters, The Goonies, Beverly Hills Cop, Moulin Rouge, Kill Bill Vol. 1, From Dusk Till Dawn, She's The One, Spider-Man, Chicago, Anchorman, Prince's Batman, Working Girl, Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, Dazed and Con...
There are some very obvious and glaring omissions to EW's list:

Top 25 Soundtracks EW Snubbed

Top Gun, Big Chill, Dirty Dancing, Pulp Fiction, Ghostbusters, The Goonies, Beverly Hills Cop, Moulin Rouge, Kill Bill Vol. 1, From Dusk Till Dawn, She's The One, Spider-Man, Chicago, Anchorman, Prince's Batman, Working Girl, Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, Dazed and Confused, Armageddon, The Last Action Hero, Maximum Overdrive, Batman Forever, Titanic, This Is It.
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filmguy450
12:19PM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I was about to make a comment, but you said it better than I could! This list sucks!
I was about to make a comment, but you said it better than I could! This list sucks!
 
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pcch7
11:48AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
lol, I´d just thought to myself, only one Tarantino movie? then I saw what you wrote..Kill Bill 1 & 2? Vangelis score for Blade Runner?
lol, I´d just thought to myself, only one Tarantino movie? then I saw what you wrote..Kill Bill 1 & 2? Vangelis score for Blade Runner?
 
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NNNOooooooo!
11:43AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Top 25?
On what merit did they base their judgement? Was it whatever would make themselves seem "artsy" and "cool"? How can anyone deny the major orchestral talents that have driven cinema in the last 25 years. Zimmer, Williams, Horner, the list could go on and on...
On what merit did they base their judgement? Was it whatever would make themselves seem "artsy" and "cool"? How can anyone deny the major orchestral talents that have driven cinema in the last 25 years. Zimmer, Williams, Horner, the list could go on and on...
 
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Alejandro27
11:40AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Judgement night
I'm glad to see it cracked the top 10 what a gem that soundtrack is.
I'm glad to see it cracked the top 10 what a gem that soundtrack is.
 
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SpongeMike182
11:26AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
What No Danny Elfman?
thank God, someone else mentioned Ghost Dog. The RZA is a musical genius. if you don't believe me listen to the afro samurai soundtrack
On that note why isn't there anything by danny elfman on here? his score work is by far the best out there. listen to the batman soundtrack or edward scissorhands or the nightmare before christmas
thank God, someone else mentioned Ghost Dog. The RZA is a musical genius. if you don't believe me listen to the afro samurai soundtrack
On that note why isn't there anything by danny elfman on here? his score work is by far the best out there. listen to the batman soundtrack or edward scissorhands or the nightmare before christmas
 
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captainteague
11:22AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Take My Friggin Breath Away!
No Top Gun, No Big Chill, No Dirty Dancing, No Pulp Fiction, No [link]
No Top Gun, No Big Chill, No Dirty Dancing, No Pulp Fiction, No [link]
 
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captainteague
11:21AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Take My Fucking Breath Away!
No Top Gun, No Big Chill, No Dirty Dancing, No Pulp Fiction, No [link]
No Top Gun, No Big Chill, No Dirty Dancing, No Pulp Fiction, No [link]
 
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fnorori
11:10AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
No Garden State and No Dirty Dancing makes me hate this list..
No Garden State and No Dirty Dancing makes me hate this list..
 
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#1dvdfan
10:13AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!
NO GARDEN STATE!!!!!!! This is one of the best soundtracks!!! Zach Braff choose great music for this film, every song is a hit. It's one of the best soundtracks I own in my collection. It's also one of the best films from Natalie Portman.
NO GARDEN STATE!!!!!!! This is one of the best soundtracks!!! Zach Braff choose great music for this film, every song is a hit. It's one of the best soundtracks I own in my collection. It's also one of the best films from Natalie Portman.
 
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Josh Tequila
10:00AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
WHAT!!!!?
No Blues Brothers? That list sucks. There are many great movies with better soundtracks. Grosse Point Blank has a great one too.
No Blues Brothers? That list sucks. There are many great movies with better soundtracks. Grosse Point Blank has a great one too.
 
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Shaggy89
10:00AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
These lists lately have suckedddd
These lists lately have suckedddd
 
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GroundlessNFree
9:58AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
TMNT 2
Can I get a "go ninja, go ninja, go!"?
Can I get a "go ninja, go ninja, go!"?
 
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fury159
9:55AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
And someone got paid for compiling that list....
And someone got paid for compiling that list....
 
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Malaguy
9:47AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
lame
what a lame idea for a list. the list should be top 25 Scores, since that's what makes a movie 9/10 times, and not the Soundtracks where some studio marketing dipshit just plunks songs down to capitalize on the movie's (hopeful) popularity. Lame
what a lame idea for a list. the list should be top 25 Scores, since that's what makes a movie 9/10 times, and not the Soundtracks where some studio marketing dipshit just plunks songs down to capitalize on the movie's (hopeful) popularity. Lame
 
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Frank the Tank
9:44AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Do The Right Thing?

I can only remember Fight The Power being played in that movie.
Do The Right Thing?

I can only remember Fight The Power being played in that movie.
 
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sd71
9:34AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
pulp fiction
where???????
where???????
 
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jekupka
9:19AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Where the hell is Dazed and Confused or American Graffiti?!
Where the hell is Dazed and Confused or American Graffiti?!
 
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Natty
8:55AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
One thing I hate about these lists is that they never specify criteria. Are they including original soundtracks, I believe the songs in South Park were actually written for the film unlike most of the others.

Also, no Goodfellas or Pulp Fiction? Disgrace.
One thing I hate about these lists is that they never specify criteria. Are they including original soundtracks, I believe the songs in South Park were actually written for the film unlike most of the others.

Also, no Goodfellas or Pulp Fiction? Disgrace.
 
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kurofusen
8:53AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
hmmm...
this list could've been much worse, but glad to see Trainspotting and Magnolia there.

Still wish Garden State and Watchmen could've gotten some love.
this list could've been much worse, but glad to see Trainspotting and Magnolia there.

Still wish Garden State and Watchmen could've gotten some love.
 
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Funployee
8:52AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
....Juno?
....Juno?
 
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slimbo0330
8:35AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
um...pt2
over the top??? or the karate kid???
over the top??? or the karate kid???
 
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slimbo0330
8:34AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
um...
the crow?????
the crow?????
 
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DemonDan
8:29AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Oh boy...
The problem with these types of lists, is that you are never going to please everyone. Different people have their own favorites and I'm glad to see Purple Rain at #1. Rushmore?!? Give me a break. Hell, I'd put the 'Clerks' soundtrack way above that. But, like I said, you can't please everybody.
The problem with these types of lists, is that you are never going to please everyone. Different people have their own favorites and I'm glad to see Purple Rain at #1. Rushmore?!? Give me a break. Hell, I'd put the 'Clerks' soundtrack way above that. But, like I said, you can't please everybody.
 
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InfamousKidd
8:13AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Where Is All The Good Stuff?
The Commitments? Hell, where is Dirty Dancing, for that matter?

These lists always suck, as they are merely creations to get people pissed off at what the writers conveniently forgot to include, in order to get people talking about their stupid list.

Way to go, EW... way to fall into that category yet again.
The Commitments? Hell, where is Dirty Dancing, for that matter?

These lists always suck, as they are merely creations to get people pissed off at what the writers conveniently forgot to include, in order to get people talking about their stupid list.

Way to go, EW... way to fall into that category yet again.
 
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JohnDRobinson
8:08AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Garden State? Please ...
Probably the most overrated film ever made. Big kudos for Judgment Night, as well.
Probably the most overrated film ever made. Big kudos for Judgment Night, as well.
 
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goes_to_ricks
8:01AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Call me biased, but...
As long as I see Magnolia, I'm totally fine
As long as I see Magnolia, I'm totally fine
 
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sumax
7:57AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
iam wid eko... GARDEN STATE Had a awesome sountrack
iam wid eko... GARDEN STATE Had a awesome sountrack
 
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eko1400
7:45AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I'm with that!!! Where's Garden State?
I'm with that!!! Where's Garden State?
 
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Noct
7:21AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Some really good choices
As well as some really big surprises.
As well as some really big surprises.
 
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Donnie_Darko
6:36AM on 11/04/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Pulp Fiction?
I hate top anything lists, but when they exist, you have to stop and wonder who comes up with this shit? Where's Pulp? Best soundtrack in the last 25 for sure. Desperado... Dusk Till Dawn... gah, whatever.
I hate top anything lists, but when they exist, you have to stop and wonder who comes up with this shit? Where's Pulp? Best soundtrack in the last 25 for sure. Desperado... Dusk Till Dawn... gah, whatever.
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