29 Essential '90s Movie Soundtracks

1 Pretty Woman (1990)

It's hard to think of Pretty Woman without humming the titular Roy Orbison track that goes with it (see below), but this soundtrack also features David Bowie, Robert Palmer, and even Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Standout track: "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison

1 / 29

2 My Girl (1991)

Despite My Girl's famously tearjerking tale, the soundtrack is wonderfully upbeat. Sly and the Family Stone, The Flamingos, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Chicago all contribute tunes to the retro collection.

Standout track: "My Girl" by The Temptations

2 / 29

3 Singles (1992)

Given that Singles takes place in Seattle in the early '90s, it's only fitting that the movie features music from the likes of Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and The Smashing Pumpkins. Listen to this album, and you'll get a novice tutorial on the grunge-rock scene.

Standout track: "Breath" by Pearl Jam

3 / 29

4 The Bodyguard (1992)

With Whitney Houston's powerful pipes, it's no wonder two songs off this compilation were nominated for Oscars. Songs like "Run to You" and "I Have Nothing" are still considered classics, and while the movie may not be cinematically outstanding, the songs certainly are.

Standout track: "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston

4 / 29

5 Reality Bites (1994)

Reality does bite, unless you're listening to this soundtrack! The coming-of-age classic features a variety of artists, from The Knack to Peter Frampton to New Order. Almost as essential as the movie itself.

Standout track: "Tempted" by Squeeze

5 / 29

6 Dumb and Dumber (1994)

How can you resist Crash Test Dummies, Butthole Surfers, and The Proclaimers all in one place? Trick question. You can't.

Standout track: "Crash" by The Primitives

6 / 29

7 Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pulp Fiction is a fantastic movie, and the soundtrack is just as memorable. Kool and the Gang, Al Green, Chuck Berry, and Neil Diamond all make appearances, resulting in a uniquely cool collection.

Standout track: "Son of a Preacher Man" by Dusty Springfield

7 / 29

8 Forrest Gump (1994)

Forrest Gump takes place over years that provide particularly great music, so the soundtrack is wonderful. Filled with artists like Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, The Doors, and Simon & Garkfunkel, it's definitely an album that both you and your parents can groove to.

Standout track: "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield

8 / 29

9 Now and Then (1995)

The story of four girls growing up in the 1970s is just as affecting now as it was then, as is the soundtrack. Thank Stevie Wonder, The Monkees, Free, and Diana Ross and the Supremes for the feel-good tunes on this album.

Standout track: "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies

9 / 29

10 Clueless (1995)

Clueless is without a doubt one of the best teen movies ever made, but would it have been as good without "Kids in America" by The Muffs or "Supermodel" by Jill Sobule? Who can forget Tai's attempt at Coolio's "Rollin' With My Homies"? Classic.

Standout track: "Alright" by Supergrass

10 / 29

11 Batman Forever (1995)

I'll admit that Batman Forever may not be critically acclaimed, but the soundtrack is nothing to sneeze at. U2? Brandy? Flaming Lips? Come on, people — this is good stuff!

Standout track: "Kiss From a Rose" by Seal

11 / 29

12 Empire Records (1995)

If you haven't already had an Empire Records soundtrack phase, then prepare for your life to change. This movie takes place inside a record store, so obviously they have to deliver on the music front. They do: tracks by The Cranberries, Edwyn Collins, and the film's closing song, "Sugarhigh" by Coyote Shivers, are all highlights.

Standout track: "Til I Hear It From You" by The Gin Blossoms

12 / 29

13 Space Jam (1996)

So what if this was the album that introduced lots of people to R. Kelly? Space Jam's soundtrack has some real talent: Steve Miller contributed "Fly Like an Eagle," and don't pretend like "Space Jam" wasn't your jam.

Standout track: "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly

13 / 29

14 Trainspotting (1996)

Britpop and rock are all over the soundtrack to the 1996 cult classic about junkies. Blur, Iggy Pop, Pulp, and Lou Reed provide a handful of jumpy tunes that mesh perfectly.

Standout track: "Atomic" by Sleeper

14 / 29

15 Romeo + Juliet (1996)

As evidenced by The Great Gatsby's soundtrack, Baz Luhrmann understands the importance of music to movies. Luhrmann's fans gushed over how contemporary artists Everclear, The Cardigans, and Radiohead complemented a classic story.

Standout track: "Lovefool" by The Cardigans

15 / 29

16 Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

Don't really remember this movie? Perhaps you will remember the punk-rock-heavy soundtrack, loaded with The Clash, Violent Femmes, Guns N' Roses, and Queen.

Standout track: "Let My Love Open the Door" by Pete Townshend

16 / 29

17 Spice World (1997)

No explanation required.

Standout track: "Wannabe" by Spice Girls

17 / 29

18 Scream 2 (1997)

Stay with me, here. Scream 2 may not have the charm of the original, but the soundtrack does have Sugar Ray, Master P, Foo Fighters, The Eels, and Less Than Jake. Not convinced? Listen to the track below and tell me it's not fantastic.

Standout track: "Red Right Hand" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

18 / 29

19 Austin Powers (1997)

Need I remind you the first Austin Powers movie — and its accompanying music — is actually really good? Featuring Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, and Sergio Mendes, Austin Powers is a lesson in how to be groovy, baby.

Standout track: "Incense and Peppermints" by Strawberry Alarm Clock

19 / 29

20 Good Will Hunting (1997)

Al Green lends "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" to this soundtrack, but it's all about Elliott Smith here. He provides most of the tracks, and if you're OK with getting a little depressed, then there's some really great music.

Standout track: "Miss Misery" by Elliot Smith

20 / 29

21 Titanic (1997)

No '90s soundtrack list would be complete without Titanic, the movie that gave us "My Heart Will Go On." Even the triumphant and tragic original score is worth listening to.

Standout track: "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion

21 / 29

22 Armageddon (1998)

So what if Michael Bay recently apologized for making Armageddon? The soundtrack is still great! Aside from the featured power ballad by Aerosmith (see below), ZZ Top, Bob Seger, Jon Bon Jovi, and Patty Smyth all make the album rockin'.

Standout track: "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith

22 / 29

23 Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

One crazy night deserves one crazy soundtrack, and with songs by Third Eye Blind, Smash Mouth, Blink-182, and The Replacements, you'll be listening to this soundtrack until the sun comes up.

Standout track: "It's Tricky" by Run-D.M.C.

23 / 29

24 The Faculty (1998)

With an eclectic collection of music from Garbage, Soul Asylum, Oasis, and Sheryl Crow, The Faculty has one of the most underrated soundtracks of the era. I'll go ahead and forgive the presence of Creed, because the movie's Pink Floyd cover is so good.

Standout track: "The Kids Aren't Alright" by The Offspring

24 / 29

25 Cruel Intentions (1999)

The Verve's most famous track is unforgettably associated with the end of Cruel Intentions, but the movie also features the likes of Fatboy Slim, Counting Crows, and Marcy Playground. Like the movie, it's haunting and a bit twisted.

Standout track: "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve

25 / 29

26 American Pie (1999)

Not a lot of films capture the agony and the ecstasy of teen life through music quite as well as American Pie. Tonic, Blink-182, Sugar Ray, and Goldfinger all contributed to the soundtrack. If you came of age along with Jim and co., then this one is not to be missed.

Standout track: "New Girl" by Third Eye Blind

26 / 29

27 Magnolia (1999)

Magnolia is an incredibly powerful movie, and thanks to Aimee Mann, who contributed almost all the songs in the movie, the soundtrack is just as epic. Supertramp, Gabrielle, and Jon Brion are also featured, but it's Mann who makes it memorable.

Standout track: "Save Me" by Aimee Mann

27 / 29

28 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Now this is some classic '90s music: Sister Hazel, Semisonic, and Save Ferris all make appearances on this soundtrack. Don't you wish your high school had a sweet rock band playing covers around campus too?

Standout track: "F.N.T." by Semisonic

28 / 29

29 Wild Wild West (1999)

Sigh. I wish every Will Smith movie came with a companion Will Smith single. Wild Wild West's track of the same title places this album on my list, but songs by Enrique Iglesias and Lil' Bow Bow just reinforce how good the album is.

Standout track: "Wild Wild West" by Will Smith

29 / 29

1 Pretty Woman (1990)

2 My Girl (1991)

3 Singles (1992)

4 The Bodyguard (1992)

5 Reality Bites (1994)

6 Dumb and Dumber (1994)

7 Pulp Fiction (1994)

8 Forrest Gump (1994)

9 Now and Then (1995)

10 Clueless (1995)

11 Batman Forever (1995)

12 Empire Records (1995)

13 Space Jam (1996)

14 Trainspotting (1996)

15 Romeo + Juliet (1996)

16 Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

17 Spice World (1997)

18 Scream 2 (1997)

19 Austin Powers (1997)

20 Good Will Hunting (1997)

21 Titanic (1997)

22 Armageddon (1998)

23 Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

24 The Faculty (1998)

25 Cruel Intentions (1999)

26 American Pie (1999)

27 Magnolia (1999)

28 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

29 Wild Wild West (1999)

You May Also Like

From Our Partners

Now You Know

Fashion

Everything to Know About the "Love Is Blind" Engagement Rings

shopping

Oprah's Favorite Things List Has Major Gems, Including an Under-$100 Air Fryer

Fitness

Paralympians Earn the Same Pay For Medals as Olympians, but Is It Enough?

health

How Often Should We Be Getting COVID Vaccines?

Food

Pumpkin Spice Season Is Back Aug. 22

Beauty

The Exact Red Lipstick Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Swears By

health

What to Know About the Latest Mpox Outbreak, According to MDs

health

Céline Dion Promised Her Children She’d Live: “They Already Lost a Parent.”