An integral part of any movie going experience is the music that accompanies the film’s action. After the high of the wonderfully-tracked Guardians of the Galaxy, I started to think about some of my favorite soundtracks. I was certain that in digging around my site I would find a post/list. On the contrary, I was frankly quite surprised that a comprehensive post did not actually exist; sure I have alluded to some of my favorite bits of movie music from time to time, but never have I really fully fleshed it out. But no time like the present, eh?

On my list, you will not find much rhyme, reason or a discernible pattern as per my musical tastes, save for a slight penchant for 70’s disco. But overall, this is an eclectic mix of song and score spanning a host of genres. Good music is good music, I say. And when that music bolsters the story to be told on screen, double wow!

Also bear in mind, no particular order was considered; it was whatever came to the top of my head, with an assist of the internet in the event that I missed anything I would want to mention. At the conclusion of the post, feel free to share your faves in the comments section below.

A final note: I know there are a lot of great soundtracks out there for movies that I have not seen. To be fair, it would make no sense if (even knowing those songs) I included them on this list without seeing the completed film. In other words you will not be seeing Help, Hard Day’s Night on this list.

1. Star Wars: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – the film is an integral part of my cinematic life, and so is the music.
2. The Sound of Music – 45th Anniversary Edition – an important part of my youth and related school productions. I know all the words by heart and sing/hum along whenever I watch the film (which is not as often as it deserves to be watched).
3. The Third Man (Original Score) [Bonus Track Version] – that haunting zither ….
4. The Sting: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – great introduction to the ragtime music that fits the magnificent film to a tee.
5. Best Of James Bond – from the Barry score to the titular songs sung by the eminent pop artists of the day, this is one where I cannot point to a singular movie but rather the collective.
6. Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Music From The Adventures Of Robin Hood (1988 Re-recording of 1938 Score) – the compositions of this Errol Flynn classic are as bright and boisterous as the poppy Technicolor film.
7. Pulp Fiction – the film has not stood the test of time for me, but this soundtrack certainly has.
8. Walt Disney’s Fantasia – introduced to this film by my dear dad, I was immediately entranced by the use of classical music and animation.
9. Starter for Ten – a deserves-to-be-seen gem of a film with a fantastic not-to-miss soundtrack, featuring music of Kate Bush, The Cure, and The Smiths.
10. Psycho/Vertigo – I cannot really decide between the two, but these here are examples of the Herrmann/Hitchcock partnership at their peak.
11. Love Jones – neo-soul and jazz make for a wonderful musical mix.
12. Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol.1 🙂
13. Love & Basketball – a rhythmic musical journey through the 80’s and 90’s.
14. High Fidelity – a movie essentially set in a record store better have a good soundtrack.
15. Love Actually – love(ly) music is all around. Sorry, I just had to do it.
16. Saturday Night Fever – basically a Bee Gees album. A classic.
17. Boogie Nights – another harmonious time capsule that excellently accompanies its film.
18. Grease – a sing along favorite of mine and I suspect many others!
19. Muriel’s Wedding – ABBA sings the songs of Muriel’s life.