Movies will not be the same without music. Imagine watching “The Graduate” without the folk-rock of Simon & Garfunkel. The songs in some movies, especially in the 21st century, have often gone viral. In some cases, they are arguably more popular than the movie itself.
24/7 Tempo reviewed historical data from the Billboard 200 top album chart going back to 1980. These rankings are primarily based on physical album sales but also include streaming and downloads starting in 2014.
The most popular soundtracks on the list are song-driven and have had significant cultural impact in several ways. These soundtracks have either top charts for weeks, or have sold millions of copies, or have helped create iconic movie scenes.
Several genres are represented in the list, from classical music to rock, punk, and pop.
Some soundtracks are universally loved and have remained popular throughout the years. The best songs have become musical standards — these are the absolute best songs in history.
Click here to see the most popular movie soundtracks since 1980
We ranked the albums based on an aggregate score composed of the number of weeks each album spent on the Billboard 200 chart in the year of its release weighted by the position it occupied each week. A week at No. 1, for example, would be worth 200 times more than a week spent at No. 200 in the aggregate score.
An album’s score is based on its performance in the 365 days following its first appearance on the Billboard 200 chart.
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
1980
> Movie: Urban Cowboy
> Starring: John Travolta, Debra Winger, Scott Glenn
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 5/17/1980
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 3
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1980: 33
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Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
1981
> Movie: Heavy Metal
> Starring: Richard Romanus, John Candy, Joe Flaherty
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 8/8/1981
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 12
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1981: 21
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Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
1982
> Movie: E.T. – The Extra-Terrestrial
> Starring: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 7/3/1982
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 37
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1982: 26
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
1983
> Movie: Flashdance
> Starring: Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Lilia Skala
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 4/30/1983
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1983: 36
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Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
1984
> Movie: The Big Chill
> Starring: Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 10/22/1983
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 17
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1984: 52
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
1985
> Movie: Beverly Hills Cop
> Starring: Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 1/12/1985
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1985: 51
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Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
1986
> Movie: Top Gun
> Starring: Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, Kelly McGillis
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 6/7/1986
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1986: 30
Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
1987
> Movie: La Bamba
> Starring: Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 7/25/1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1987: 23
Source: Courtesy of Vestron Pictures
1988
> Movie: Dirty Dancing
> Starring: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 9/19/1987
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1988: 53
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Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
1989
> Movie: Beaches
> Starring: Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey, John Heard
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 1/21/1989
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 2
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1989: 50
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
1990
> Movie: Pretty Woman
> Starring: Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Jason Alexander
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 4/7/1990
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 4
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1990: 39
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Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
1991
> Movie: New Jack City
> Starring: Wesley Snipes, Ice-T, Allen Payne
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 3/23/1991
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 2
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1991: 37
Source: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
1992
> Movie: Boomerang
> Starring: Eddie Murphy, Robin Givens, Halle Berry
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 7/18/1992
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 4
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1992: 24
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
1993
> Movie: Aladdin
> Starring: Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 11/28/1992
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 6
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1993: 52
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Source: Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
1994
> Movie: Sleepless In Seattle
> Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Ross Malinger
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 7/10/1993
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1994: 51
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
1995
> Movie: The Lion King
> Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 6/18/1994
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1995: 52
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Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
1996
> Movie: Waiting To Exhale
> Starring: Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 12/2/1995
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1996: 41
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
1997
> Movie: Space Jam
> Starring: Michael Jordan, Wayne Knight, Theresa Randle
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 11/30/1996
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 2
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1997: 52
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
1998
> Movie: City Of Angels
> Starring: Nicolas Cage, Meg Ryan, Andre Braugher
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 4/18/1998
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1998: 37
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Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
1999
> Movie: Tarzan
> Starring: Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, Brian Blessed
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 6/5/1999
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 5
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 1999: 30
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
2000
> Movie: Romeo Must Die
> Starring: Jet Li, Aaliyah, Isaiah Washington
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 4/15/2000
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 3
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2000: 28
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Source: Courtesy of Universal Studios
2001
> Movie: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
> Starring: George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 1/13/2001
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2001: 51
Source: Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution
2002
> Movie: Shrek
> Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 6/2/2001
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 28
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2002: 52
Source: Courtesy of Miramax
2003
> Movie: Chicago
> Starring: Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 2/1/2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 2
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2003: 48
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Source: Courtesy of Disney Channel
2004
> Movie: The Cheetah Girls
> Starring: Raven-Symone, Adrienne Houghton, Kiely Williams
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 8/30/2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 33
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2004: 43
Source: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
2005
> Movie: Garden State
> Starring: Zach Braff, Peter Sarsgaard, Natalie Portman
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 8/28/2004
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 20
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2005: 39
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Source: Courtesy of Disney Channel
2006
> Movie: High School Musical
> Starring: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 1/28/2006
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2006: 49
Source: Courtesy of Disney Channel
2007
> Movie: Hannah Montana
> Starring: Miley Cyrus, Emily Osment, Jason Earles
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 11/11/2006
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2007: 52
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
2008
> Movie: Alvin And The Chipmunks
> Starring: Jason Lee, Ross Bagdasarian Jr., Janice Karman
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 12/22/2007
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 5
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2008: 50
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Source: Courtesy of Summit Distribution
2009
> Movie: Twilight
> Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 11/22/2008
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2009: 52
Source: Courtesy of Fox Network
2010
> Movie: Glee: Season One: The Music Volume 1
> Starring: Lea Michele, Jane Lynch, Matthew Morrison
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 11/21/2009
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 4
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2010: 52
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Source: Courtesy of Screen Gems
2011
> Movie: Burlesque
> Starring: Cher, Christina Aguilera, Alan Cumming
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 12/11/2010
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 18
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2011: 44
Source: Courtesy of Summit Distribution
2012
> Movie: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1
> Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 11/26/2011
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 4
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2012: 22
Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
2013
> Movie: Pitch Perfect
> Starring: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 10/13/2012
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 3
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2013: 52
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Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
2014
> Movie: Frozen
> Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 12/14/2013
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2014: 52
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
2015
> Movie: Guardians Of The Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1
> Starring: Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 8/16/2014
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2015: 50
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Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
2016
> Movie: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
> Starring: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 1/9/2016
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 5
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2016: 11
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
2017
> Movie: Moana
> Starring: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 12/10/2016
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 2
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2017: 52
Source: Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox
2018
> Movie: The Greatest Showman
> Starring: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 12/30/2017
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2018: 52
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Source: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
2019
> Movie: Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
> Starring: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 12/29/2018
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 2
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2019: 43
Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
2020
> Movie: Frozen II
> Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad
> First Billboard 200 appearance: 11/30/2019
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart 1
> Weeks spent on Billboard 200 chart in 2020: 42
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