Musical moments in movies can oftentimes become as iconic as the movies themselves, and in some cases maybe even more. We as viewers get attached to films that bring to life our favorite songs in a way that the radio or iTunes or Spotify could never do. For example, can anyone hear Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” — especially the part where the guitar riff starts rocking out — without immediately thinking of the headbanging car scene from Wayne’s World?
But that’s not the only song that’s become synonymous with a movie. So, to honor the movie moments that rocked our socks off, here’s a list of the top ten musical moments that completely defined their movies. For this list, songs that were written specifically for the film’s soundtrack have been excluded. Sorry “Kiss From A Rose” fans. So lets get to the Top 12 Movie Songs Forever Associated With The Film They Appeared In.
12. Avengers: Endgame – “It’s Been A Long, Long Time”
- Performed By: Kitty Kallen
- Album: Love For Sale
- Released: 1959
Though this song was used in earlier MCU films, the final scene with Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter dancing in Avengers: Endgame as they finally get their happily ever after has to be the most memorable of them all. It was brilliantly used to bring the Infinity Saga full circle and give fans a worthwhile closure as Chris Evans dawned his Captain American shield for (likely) the last time.
11. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) – “Dude (Looks Like A Lady)”
- Performed By: Aerosmith
- Album: Permanent Vacation
- Released: 1987
Robin Williams left the world with a handful of iconic performances in such films as Good Will Hunting, Aladdin, Good Morning Vietnam, One Hour Photo, and of course, Mrs. Doubtfire. Multiple songs stand out in this comedic masterpiece such as Luck Be A Lady by Frank Sinatra and Jump Around by House of Pain. But the most noticeable, and certainly the funniest use, goes to this legendary song by iconic rock band Aerosmith. Though Robin Williams is no longer with us, we will forever treasure these memorable moments from his once-in-a-generation talent.
10. Hocus Pocus (1993) – “I Put A Spell On You”
- Performed By: Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker
- Original Artist: Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
- Album: At Home with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
- Released: 1956
I don’t know how this scene couldn’t be included. It’s one of Bette Midler’s most memorable performances and one of the best uses of the song in any film or TV series. Sure, maybe it’s a little on the nose (okay, a lot), but it’s memorable and people always seem to be able to connect the dots to this Disney cult classic whenever hearing this delightfully spooky tune. Here’s hoping the upcoming Disney+ sequel will deliver yet another iconic Bette Midler peformance.
9. Cruel Intentions (1999) – “Bittersweet Symphony”
- Performed By: The Verve
- Album: Urban Hymns
- Released: 1997
Who can forget this film’s righteous climax? I’ve never gotten such a rush from a film’s ending in my entire life. The song fit so well with the look on Kathryn’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) face when she realizes that every little nasty detail of her sordid life has been made public and the reputation she worked for years to protect and grow means absolutely nothing. A rather…bittersweet ending, if you will. Although the film was a cheesy adaptation of Dangerous Liaisons, the scene-stealing power of Sarah Michelle Gellar from start to finish makes the film worth watching again and again.
8. Resevoir Dogs (1992) – “Stuck In The Middle With You”
- Performed By: Stealers Wheel
- Album: Stealers Wheel
- Released: 1973
Quentin Tarantino hand-picked the song to play during the infamous torture scene in Reservoir Dogs. When actors came to audition, he told them they could pick any song they wanted and some did. However, the majority came back with this classic Stealers Wheel tune saying it was the only one that seemed like a perfect fit. Some have even called it the best scene in the entire movie, and one of Tarantino’s best scenes ever.
7. Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985) – “Tequila”
- Performed By: The Champs
- Album: Train to Nowhere
- Released: 1958
Who could forget Pee-wee Herman taking the stage…err bar, in the classic Pee-wee’s Big Adventure? The hitchhiking scene with Large Marge may be one of the most terrifying in children’s movies, but the goofiness of Pee-wee here balances it out. His unique, one-of-a-kind dance moves, combined with his instantly recognizable costume, leave a mark that can never be erased from the memories of viewers – not that we’d want it to be.
6. Say Anything (1989) – “In Your Eyes”
- Performed By: Peter Gabriel
- Album: So
- Released: 1986
“The boombox scene” from Say Anything is probably one of the most parodied — and honored — scenes in movie history, and for good reason. It became the fantasy of nearly every teenage girl in the ’80s and still remains as relevant now as it was then. In fact, when Emma Stone’s Easy A was released in 2010, the ending mimicked the iconic scene with the boombox, but updated it for the modern audience. That’s how synonymous the song and movie are to this day.
5. Silence Of The Lambs (1991) – “Goodbye Horses”
- Performed By: Q Lazzarus
- Album: Wild Horses – Single
- Released: 1988
In a movie full of scenes that have imprinted themselves into our pop culture psyche, this one has become one of the most memorable. Whether you love the film or not, you can’t deny Buffalo Bill stands out as the most horrendous and creepy display of rocking out ever. It ruined the song for me; I can’t ever listen to it without being taken back to the one and only time I’ve ever sat all the way through Silence of The Lambs. If you can’t stomach the original scene, you can just watch Jay and Silent Bob’s now-famous parody of it in Clerks II.
4. Beetlejuice (1988) – “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)”
- Performed By: Harry Belafonte
- Album: Calypso
- Released: 1956
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! This scene from Tim Burton’s iconic film still cracks me up. From the witty remarks at the dinner table from the other guests to the quiet laughter of the young Winona Ryder, this is definitely one of Tim Burton’s most beautifully crafted scenes as a director. The fact that the song just comes completely out of nowhere is a gift to audiences new and returning alike. Burton must have really been into Harry Belafonte while filming, because the second-most famous musical moment of the movie is the end scene where Belafonte’s cover of “Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)” plays as Lydia (Rider) levitates and dances around the house.
3. Guardians of The Galaxy (2014) – “Come and Get Your Love”
- Performed By: Redbone
- Album: Wovoka
- Released: 1974
Who can deny an immediate connection to James Gunn’s first Guardians of The Galaxy as Chris Pratt hilariously dances like no one’s watching, taking his time to really get in the groove before stealing the power stone. Not only is the song extremely catchy, it’s easily recognizable and established as one of the funniest songs to emerge from the 1970s. James Gunn knew what he was doing when he crafted the playlist for this film, rocking through one memorable song to another, tying each to an important scene in the movie. The other songs, though just as iconic, were, unfortunately, beat out here because there’s simply no denying Chris Pratt busting a move as one of the best intros of any Marvel film.
2. The First Wives Club (1996) – “You Don’t Own Me”
- Performed By: Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, and Goldie Hawn
- Original Artist: Lesley Gore
- Album: You Don’t Own Me – Single
- Released: 1963
Another moment was brought to us by the legendary Bette Midler. This time she also teams with another pair of icons in Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn. The song and scene are both a visual and auditory representation of freedom, empowerment, and establishing the importance of individuality. The movie is a moving and hilarious display effortlessly carried by these three cinematic treasures. It aids in wrapping up the film, allowing the women to finally accept they’ve broken the shackles of their own personal fears and insecurities to just live their lives as if it’s starting completely anew.
1. Wayne’s World (1992) – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- Performed By: Queen
- Album: A Night at the Opera
- Released: 1975
Of course, you knew this would be at the top spot. The wackiness of Freddy Mercury’s lyrics perfectly matched the zany, fun-loving spirit of both Wayne and Garth and the early ’90s in which the film is set. The song was already iconic by the time it was used for this road trip scene in Wayne’s World. But Mike Myers and crew brought the song to a whole new medium that solidified it as a significant pop culture moment that makes us unable to resist thrashing our heads back and forth whenever the song comes on the radio.
