From sweeping orchestral scores to era-defining mixtapes, movie soundtracks have the power to elevate storytelling, evoke emotion, and cement films into cultural history. These ten soundtracks not only shaped their respective movies but also transcended cinema, influencing music charts, pop culture, and even how we experience sound in film. Here’s a celebration of the albums and compositions that became legends.

1. Star Wars (1977)

Composer: John Williams
Key Tracks: “Main Title,” “The Imperial March,” “Binary Sunset”

John Williams’ score for Star Wars is the gold standard of cinematic music. The triumphant brass fanfare of the main theme instantly transports listeners to a galaxy far, far away, while “The Imperial March” (introduced in The Empire Strikes Back) became the definitive anthem for villainy. Williams’ use of leitmotifs—recurring musical themes for characters like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader—revolutionized how composers underscore narrative. The soundtrack’s blend of classical grandeur and sci-fi wonder earned Williams an Oscar and inspired generations of filmmakers to treat music as a character in itself.

2. The Godfather (1972)

Composer: Nino Rota
Key Tracks: “Main Title (The Godfather Waltz),” “Love Theme from The Godfather”

Nino Rota’s haunting score for The Godfather mirrors the Corleone family’s duality—elegant yet brutal. The melancholic trumpet solo in “The Godfather Waltz” evokes the loneliness of power, while the romantic “Love Theme” underscores Michael Corleone’s tragic descent. Rota’s music, infused with Sicilian folk influences, was so iconic that the Academy initially disqualified it for being “reused” from an earlier film—only to later grant it an honorary Oscar. Decades later, the soundtrack remains synonymous with cinematic grandeur and moral ambiguity.

3. Jaws (1975)

Composer: John Williams
Key Tracks: “Main Title (Theme from Jaws)”

Two notes. That’s all it took for John Williams to create one of the most terrifying themes in film history. The pulsating, primal rhythm of Jaws’ main title mimics the shark’s relentless approach, proving that minimalism could be more impactful than orchestral bombast. Williams’ score, which earned him his second Oscar, redefined suspense in cinema. Directors now understood that music could manipulate fear as effectively as visuals.

4. Titanic (1997)

Composer: James Horner
Key Tracks: “My Heart Will Go On,” “Hymn to the Sea”

James Horner’s ethereal score and Celine Dion’s powerhouse ballad “My Heart Will Go On” turned Titanic into a cultural phenomenon. Horner wove Irish folk motifs and electronic textures to mirror the ship’s opulence and tragedy, while Dion’s track became the best-selling single by a female artist in history. The soundtrack dominated charts for months, winning two Oscars and proving that a film’s music could drive its emotional—and commercial—success.

5. The Lion King (1994)

Composers: Hans Zimmer (score), Elton John & Tim Rice (songs)
Key Tracks: “Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”

Disney’s The Lion King blended Hans Zimmer’s African-inspired orchestral score with Elton John’s Broadway-ready anthems, creating a soundtrack that appealed to all ages. “Circle of Life,” with its Zulu chant and sweeping crescendo, remains one of cinema’s most iconic openings. The album sold over 15 million copies, won two Oscars, and solidified Disney’s Renaissance era. Zimmer’s score also marked a shift in animated films, treating music with the gravitas of live-action epics.

6. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Curator: Quentin Tarantino
Key Tracks: “Misirlou” by Dick Dale, “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” by Urge Overkill

Quentin Tarantino’s mixtape for Pulp Fiction resurrected surf rock, soul, and rockabilly for a new generation. Dick Dale’s frenetic “Misirlou” set the film’s off-kilter tone, while Urge Overkill’s cover of Neil Diamond’s “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” became a radio staple. The soundtrack’s eclectic coolness redefined how filmmakers use pre-existing music, turning forgotten tracks into ironic commentary. It sold over 3 million copies and cemented Tarantino as a tastemaker.

7. Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Artists: Bee Gees, KC and the Sunshine Band
Key Tracks: “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “How Deep Is Your Love”

The Bee Gees’ falsetto-driven disco anthems turned Saturday Night Fever into a global movement. The soundtrack, featuring four Billboard No. 1 hits, became the best-selling album of all time until Thriller. It propelled disco into mainstream culture and defined an era of glitter balls and dance floors. Even today, “Stayin’ Alive” is shorthand for 1970s excess and resilience.

8. Purple Rain (1984)

Artist: Prince
Key Tracks: “When Doves Cry,” “Purple Rain,” “Let’s Go Crazy”

Prince’s semi-autobiographical rock opera Purple Rain doubled as a genre-defying album that fused funk, rock, and pop. “When Doves Cry,” the first U.S. No. 1 without a bassline, shattered conventions, while the title track’s gospel-infused guitar solo remains a masterpiece. The soundtrack spent 24 weeks atop the Billboard charts, won an Oscar, and cemented Prince as a musical genius.

9. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Curator: James Gunn
Key Tracks: “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede, “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy turned a mixtape of 1970s deep cuts into a plot device—and a global sensation. Titled Awesome Mix Vol. 1, the soundtrack, featuring Blue Swede and Redbone, topped the Billboard charts, proving nostalgic tunes could resonate with modern audiences. The album’s success sparked a trend of retro soundtracks in blockbusters, from Baby Driver to Stranger Things.

10. The Bodyguard (1992)

Artist: Whitney Houston
Key Tracks: “I Will Always Love You,” “I Have Nothing,” “I’m Every Woman”

Whitney Houston’s rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” became a vocal Everest, dominating charts for 14 weeks. The Bodyguard’s soundtrack remains the best-selling of all time, with 45 million copies sold. Houston’s powerhouse vocals turned the album into a cultural milestone, blending pop, R&B, and soul into an unforgettable tribute to love and loss.