Musiccan make or break a film. An otherwise ordinary film having agreat soundtrackallows it to stick in the heads of viewers. A great movie with middling music can leave audiences feeling like something is missing. This applies to more than just musicals. Hitting the right chord, literally and metaphorically, transcends genres—horror, drama, romance. The right song can elevate a scene or end it on the perfect note.
It’s easier with modern films to update classic songs everyone knows and loves. But what happens when filmmakers decide to add an original song no one has ever heard of? A big risk that can reap big rewards. Luckily for cinephiles and music lovers, recent films have given us fantastic songs that are on their way to classic status. Check out the 15 best original movie songs of the 21st century (so far).
15"Never Enough"
‘The Greatest Showman’ (2017)
The Greatest Showmanis a musical drama that depicts the somewhat fictionalized origins of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Set in the early 1800s, P.T. Barnum is down on his luck and puts together a circus full of outcasts to bring entertainment (and money) into his life.
Can’t Get Enough of This Song
Several original songs were penned for the film, including “Never Enough,” sung by Loren Allred (though performed in-scene by Rebecca Ferguson). “Never Enough” wasn’t the “it” song of the movie. That title goes to “This Is Me.” However, many fans consider it the most underrated track inThe Greatest Showman. Allred’s voice is smooth with so much emotion packed into each syllable, and the instrumentation takes it to another level.
14"I See Fire"
‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ (2013)
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaugis another Peter Jackson-directed film set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s massive fantasy world. Here, Bilbo Baggins tries to take back their home from a dragon called Smaug. Since many people retreat from theaters or close out their browsers the second credits appear, they may have missed hearing “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran.
An Unexpected Collaboration
Sheeran is known for his romantic tunes with stripped-back vocals. “I See Fire” falls right in line. It sounds like listeners are cozied up by a fire as someone strums away at their guitar. Sheeran collaborated closely with Jackson in the creation of the song, tellingEntertainment Weekly, “He was fantastic… I was there for three days, and at the end of every day he would come and listen to the song and give me notes.”
13"Young & Beautiful”
‘The Great Gatsby’ (2013)
The Great Gatsbyis an adaptation of the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald book of the same name. Set in the glittering world of Roaring Twenties New York, it centers on a man named Nick Carraway. He’s a Midwest transplant who becomes intrigued by his wealthy neighbor Jay Gatsby. He plans to get closer to Mr. Gatsby and attend one of his iconic parties.
Nostalgic and Haunting
This film boasts a superstar cast of Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Isla Fisher, and more. So does the soundtrack. Alt-pop singerLana Del Reycooed “Young and Beautiful,” a ballad that yearns for unconditional love. Besides matching up with the film’s themes, Del Rey transports everyone to the twenties and a life they may not have experienced.
15 Best Movies That Bring the Roaring Twenties to Life
The 1920s was a period poached with enough cultural energy, technological innovation, and social revolution to fuel hundreds of unforgettable movies.
12"See You Again"
‘Furious 7’ (2015)
Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, theFast and Furiousfranchise has dominated the box office for years. Family is a huge theme within these action films and that strong bond carried over with the cast. Thus, whenFurious 7was set to film and one of the stars, Paul Walker, died in a car accident, it shook the fanbase.
An Emotional Time for Fans
Shooting was delayed and reworked to accommodate for the loss. A song was also commissioned to pay tribute to Walker. “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puthwas an instant hit, for fans and outsiders alike. The lyrics touch on grief and the juxtaposition between Khalifa and Puth’s deliveries was drastic but worked.
11"You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me"
‘Burlesque’ (2010)
Burlesqueis a musical following a young woman named Ali who moves to L.A. to pursue singing. She has little success and ends up waiting tables at a burlesque club. However, she soon gets noticed by the club’s owner. It stars Christina Aguilera and Cher, two powerhouse vocalists, so the music was bound to be good.
A Bright Spot
The film received mixed reviews, with many feeling frustrated at the plot floundering so much potential. It looked and sounded beautiful, but the characters and story just didn’t stick. The music, however, was great. Cher’s performance of “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” reminded everyone why she’s considered one of the greats.
10"Listen"
‘Dreamgirls’ (2006)
Dreamgirlsis a musical drama based on a Broadway play. It tells the story of an R&B girl group called The Dreams during the 1960s. As their career evolves and become more hectic, each member struggles to balance fame with their behind-the-stage problems. It features an ensemble cast including Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy.
A Gem Among Many
Some of the most iconicmusical moments from this filmare the updated versions of the Broadway musical. However, Beyoncé brought a new flavor to Dreamgirls by belting the original song “Listen.” Not only do the lyrics about discovering your worth and going after your dreams strike a chord, but Beyoncé’s voice soars throughout.
Best Movie Musicals of the 21st Century, So Far
The dawn of the 21st century saw the return of the cinematic musical, with the once-lagging genre making a triumphant return to form.
‘Twilight’ (2008)
Twilightdivides people to this day. For some, its wooden acting and melodramatic plot are in the “so bad it’s good” category. Others still wonder how the franchise made billions of dollars. InTwilight, we meet Bella Swan and her vampire love interest Edward. We also get introduced to a now iconic soundtrack.
Decoding The Legacy
Rock band Paramore was everywhere in the 2000s. “Decode” was written forTwilight. It’s emo, it exudes the drama present in Bella and Edward’s romance, and it’s utterly singable. Years on, fans still appreciate this banger. In August 2024, as reported byBillboard, Hayley Williams of Paramore dedicated the song to Robert Pattinson (Edward) at one of her concerts.
8"The Wrestler"
‘The Wrestler’ (2008)
The Wrestleris a sports drama about a pro wrestler named Randy. He’s years past his prime, but money problems and pride keep him in the game. As retirement approaches, he must discover if he has an identity outside of wrestling. Bruce Springsteen wrote the rock ballad “The Wrestler” because of his decades-long friendship with the film’s star, Mickey Rourke.
An Ode to Friendship
The film flew under the radar, thus not many people got to experience this honest and melancholy song. Rourke toldUncut, “[Springsteen] knows what I used to be… Where I went. What I’d been reduced to. I told him how I felt lucky now and didn’t have to end up being this guy, being Randy.”
7"Stand Up"
‘Harriet’ (2019)
Harrietis a biographical drama about the life of Harriet Tubman. She is arguably the most well-known abolitionist and the film chronicles her life from when she escaped slavery to when she helped others do the same. Cynthia Erivo played the historic character and though many now know her from singing classic songs fromWicked, she had a chance to show off her vocals here as well.
A Tribute to a Hero
Erivo is a multi-talented performer, as she co-wrote “Stand Up” forHarriet. Its gospel elements make it difficult for listeners not to sing or clap along. Her passion for this project is clear, ending the song with Harriet Tubman’s last words before her passing.
6"Lose Yourself"
‘8 Mile’ (2002)
Rapper Eminem is most known for his music, but in 2002 he made his acting debut in the drama8 Mile. Pulling from events from his own life, the film follows an aspiring rapper named Jimmy from Detroit. Jimmy juggles his chaotic home life while attempting to break into a Black-dominated industry as a white rapper.
A Debut to Remember
8 Milewas more successful than anyone thought. Time and again, we know a musician doesn’t always successfully cross over into film. Here, it worked, and the raps helped propel it to number one. Namely, the single “Lose Yourself,” with Eminem’s trademark honest and pithy rhymes. Who else could rap about their mom’s spaghetti and the dangers of fame on the same track?
