Here I’m listing non-musical film soundtracks I love where the songs stand on their own, separate from the movie. So, the emphasis here is really on a great collection of pop songs that predate the movie, rather than original music. I’m also making the tough decision to exclude soundtracks that are mostly instrumental (e.g., Amelie, Little Miss Sunshine). Disclaimer: the following is what I listen to most; by no means am I saying these are the “best” soundtracks.
Perfect match of scene & song: "Dancing in the Moonlight" by Toploader. “You’re straddling the state line.. you’re in two places at once.” (clip) š
Other stand-out songs: "Mother, We Just Can't Get Enough" by New Radicals. Also all the Switchfoot songs tbh.
Perfect match: "You Make My Dreams" by Hall & Oates, when Tom (JGL) dances in the street with a flash mob (clip).
Other stand-outs: "Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Trap and "Mushaboom" by Feist. I listened to both of these a lot freshman year of college.
The Parent Trap (1998)
Perfect match: "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles as Hallie (as Annie) bonds with her mother in London, who she's never met before. (clip) š
Other stand-outs: The movie starts with “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole and ends with “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by his daughter, Natalie Cole. How perfect is that?
Perfect match: “Slip Away” by Perfume Genius as Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) swims in the pool at the party, finding a bit of joy in her freedom. (clip)
Other stand-outs: "Nobody Speak" by DJ Shadow feat. Run the Jewels and “Cold War” by Cautious Clay which has been stuck in my head all week.
Perfect match: "F.N.T." by Semisonic when Patrick (Heath Ledger) and Kat (Julia Stiles) play paintball and kiss for the first time. (clip)
Other stand-outs: "Cruel to Be Kind" and "I Want You To Want Me" by Letters to Cleo, also known as Ben Wyatt's favorite band.
Perfect match: "Let Go" by Frou Frou when Zach Braff kisses his love interest (Natalie Portman) at the end. (clip) Barely a spoiler given that it’s a rom-drama.
Other stand-out: Ok, Zach Braff did not single-handedly make The Shins famous, but he kind of helped. I am one of the many who fell for “New Slang” after seeing this movie.
Perfect match: If you didn’t sing along word for word to “All Star” by Smash Mouth at the start of the first movie, you are lying. (clip)
Another perfect match: Same with “Accidentally in Love” by The Counting Crows at the start of the second movie. (clip)
Other stand-outs: The third movie was not great but featured my favorite songs of the series: "Best Days" by Matt White and "Other Ways" by Trevor Hall.
Explain yourself: I know you’re judging me already but hold up. "Girls and Boys in Love" by The Rumble Strips plays as Georgia (Georgia Groome) and her friends stalk the new boys in town who are already their crushes. It is a fun time.
Other stand-outs: "She's So Lovely" by Scouting For Girls and "Toothpaste Kisses" by The Maccabees.
Explain yourself: This otherwise forgettable rom-com that I watched years ago secretly has a great soundtrack. It's got good party songs ("Jungle Flames" by The DNC) as well as quieter love songs ("Wicked Way" by Benjamin Taylor).
Other stand-out: "Chit Chat" by Hannah Georgas which I recently found out has less than 750K streams on Spotify.
Explain yourself: It’s Simon and Garfunkel. Need I say more?
Stand-out songs: “The Sound of Silence,” "Mrs. Robinson," and "April Come She Will”.
I screwed up, this should have made the list: Charlie's Angels (2019); Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
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