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The 50 Most Popular Soundtracks of All Time

The 50 Most Popular Soundtracks of All Time

Published: March 29, 2024 by Nixza Gonzalez

When a film has a strong soundtrack, it becomes unforgettable. Some songs are even tied to movies if they came out long before the production of the film. Without the right soundtrack though, a movie can crash. Music and sounds added to a film can change the pacing, feeling, and strength of the visuals.

Soundtracks are vital to the success of a film. A great example of one of the best soundtracks ever made is the one from “Jaws.” This is more of an honorable mention though on our list. “Jaws” is a classic shark movie that really pushed this genre of movies. It wouldn’t have done well without the right soundtrack. Almost everyone knows the main theme song from this film, even if they’d never seen the original “Jaws.” Hearing “dun dun dun dun” is typically associated with “Jaws.”

This film though is just one of many with fantastic soundtracks. Another soundtrack you’ll read about in our list is from the movie “Grease.” This iconic 1978 film doesn’t just have colorful movie sets, beautiful costumes, and stunning makeup, but a great soundtrack. Decades later, people still sing along to soundtrack hits like “Look At Me I’m Sandra Dee,” “You’re The One That I Want” and “Summer Nights.”

Not all movies on our list of the most popular soundtracks are musicals. A popular soundtrack that isn’t from a musical is from “Twilight.” The soundtrack spent a total time of 95 weeks on the Billboard 200. “Forrest Gump” also has a strong soundtrack. Some songs featured in this unique film include “Respect,” “Get Together,” “Land of the 100 Dances” and Hound Dog.”

To determine the most popular soundtracks of all time, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on historical performance on the Billboard 200 album chart. Soundtrack albums were ranked based on an inverse point system wherein a week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 is worth 200 points, a week at No. 2 is worth 199 points, and so on, up to a week at No. 200 is worth one point. Chart data is current through March 16, 2024. (When you’re done with this article, check out 18 of the most memorable TV theme songs ever.)

50. Romeo & Juliet (1969)

Romeo & Juliet — Source: Archive Photos / Archive Photos via Getty Images

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 74 weeks

49. Shaft (1971)

Shaft — Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 72 weeks

48. Easy Rider (1970)

Easy Rider — Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 6 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 72 weeks

47. Grease (1978)

Grease — Source: Paramount Pictures / Moviepix via Getty Images

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 12 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 80 weeks

46. Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus (2007)

Source: Stephen Shugerman / Getty Images

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 65 weeks

45. Magical Mystery Tour (1968)

Source: Parlophone Music Sweden / Wikimedia Commons

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 93 weeks

44. Woodstock (1970)

Woodstock — Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 68 weeks

43. The Graduate (1968)

The Graduate — Source: Courtesy of Embassy Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 69 weeks

42. The Jazz Singer (1981)

Neil Diamond — Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 7 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 115 weeks

41. Goldfinger (1965)

Goldfinger — Source: Courtesy of United Artists

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 70 weeks

40. Zorba The Greek (1965)

Zorba the Greek (1964) | Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates in Zorba the Greek (1964) — Source: Courtesy of International Classics

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 26 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 79 weeks

39. Camelot (1968)

Camelot — Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros./Seven Arts

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 11 (for 4 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 87 weeks

38. Frozen II (2019)

Frozen II — Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 90 weeks

37. City Of Angels (1998)

City of Angels — Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 77 weeks

36. Space Jam (1997)

Space Jam — Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 82 weeks

35. Top Gun (1986)

Top Gun — Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 94 weeks

34. Alice’s Restaurant (1969)

Alice's Restaurant — Source: Courtesy of United Artists

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 17 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 99 weeks

33. Flashdance (1983)

Flashdance (1983) — Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 78 weeks

32. Pretty Woman (1990)

Pretty Woman — Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 5 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 91 weeks

31. Forrest Gump (1994)

Forrest Gump — Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 5 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 94 weeks

30. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

2001: A Space Odyssey — Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 24 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 120 weeks

29. Hannah Montana (2006)

Hannah Montana — Source: Courtesy of Disney Channel

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 78 weeks

28. A Man and a Woman (1967)

A Man and a Woman — Source: Courtesy of Allied Artists Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 10 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 93 weeks

27. A Star Is Born (2018)

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 109 weeks

26. Twilight (2008)

Twilight — Source: Courtesy of Summit Distribution

Peak position on Billboard 200: Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 95 weeks

25. The Lion King (1994)

The Lion King — Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 10 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 89 weeks

24. Funny Girl (1969)

Funny Girl — Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 12 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 108 weeks

23. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pulp Fiction — Source: Courtesy of Miramax

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 21 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 107 weeks

22. Coyote Ugly (2000)

Coyote Ugly — Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 10 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 104 weeks

21. Pitch Perfect (2013)

Pitch Perfect — Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 126 weeks

20. Pure Country (1992)

Pure Country — Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 6 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 129 weeks

19. Dirty Dancing (1987)

Dirty Dancing — Source: Courtesy of Vestron Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 18 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 97 weeks

18. Trolls (2016)

Trolls (2016) — Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 125 weeks

17. A Charlie Brown Christmas (2022)

A Charlie Brown Christmas — Source: Courtesy of CBS

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 6 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 114 weeks

16. West Side Story (1963)

West Side Story — Source: Courtesy of United Artists

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 104 weeks

15. The Big Chill (1984)

The Big Chill — Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 17 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 161 weeks

14. Guardians Of The Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 (2014)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 146 weeks

13. Purple Rain (1984)

Purple Rain — Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 24 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 167 weeks

12. Beaches (1989)

Beaches — Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 3 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 176 weeks

11. Saturday Night Fever (1978)

Saturday Night Fever — Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 24 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 137 weeks

10. High School Musical (2006)

High School Musical — Source: Courtesy of Disney Channel

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 108 weeks

9. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2002)

O Brother, Where Art Thou? — Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 112 weeks

8. Frozen (2014)

Frozen — Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 13 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 179 weeks

7. My Fair Lady (1965)

My Fair Lady — Source: Archive Photos / Moviepix via Getty Images

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 4 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 111 weeks

6. Mary Poppins (1965)

Mary Poppins — Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 14 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 122 weeks

5. The Bodyguard (1992)

The Bodyguard — Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 20 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 155 weeks

4. The Greatest Showman (2018)

The Greatest Showman (2017) — Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 190 weeks

3. Doctor Zhivago (1966)

Doctor Zhivago (1965) — Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 157 weeks

2. The Sound of Music (1965)

The Sound of Music — Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Studios

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
Total time on Billboard 200: 238 weeks

1. Moana (2017)

Moana — Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
Total time on Billboard 200: 361 weeks