Movie soundtracks can be a mixed bag. Some movies will have epic scores, like The Lord of the Rings series or the Harry Potter films. Certain films will forever live in infamy for their iconic themes, like how anyone will know the opening tune of every Star Wars movie. While most of these movies are not centered on music, it's undeniable that the tunes behind them will forever live on in viewer's hearts, minds, and ears.
It follows logically then that movies that are centered or have plots heavily involved with music should also have fantastic soundtracks. Some movies fail at creating such a soundtrack. However, when those behind a movie really put in the time and passion to bring their musical visions to life, the results often will outshine the movies themselves. Here are the best fictional bands from movies that have albums so good viewers will want to immediately add the songs to their iPods- or whatever the kids are using these days.
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Considering that the original Scott Pilgrim comics don't have sound to accompany them, it's pretty incredible that the movie was able to create a soundtrack that perfectly captures the grungy, punk energy of Scott's band Sex Bob-omb. They're the band that's here to make you "think about death and get sad and stuff," but they also low-key rock. The running joke is that Scott isn't actually that good at playing the bass, but listening to the songs in the movie, the audience might have missed the punch line. The songs were actually written by Beck of real-world fame, and boy does he show the audience "Where it's at," even without the use of two turntables and a microphone.
The soundtrack is a sublime mix of garage rock and punk. The inclusion of tracks from competing bands in the movie put the track list over the top. Crash and the Boys' "We Hate You, Please Die," is a track that is pure noise and rage that clocks in at under a minute. There's also the cover of Metric's "Black Sheep" by fictional band The Clash at Demonhead, led by Envy Adams (played by a then relatively unknown Brie Larson). If there's any question as to how much this soundtrack rocks, look to the official "Scott Pilgrim Music" YouTube channel which has millions of listens.
The movie American Satan only recently released in 2017, but if it ends up picking up more of a cult following in the years to come it will be almost entirely due to its incredible soundtrack. This movie took a unique approach all around. Not only does it star actual band members Andy Biersack (Black Veil Brides) and Ben Bruce (Asking Alexandria), but it opted to have a full album written for its fictional band The Relentless. While Biersack is the vocalist of his band in real life, he's only lip-synching in the movie. Vocal duties fall to another lead singer, Remington Leith of the UK band Palaye Royale.
The soundtrack is a mixture of hard rock, electronic rock, and metal. It's 10 tracks of songs that perfectly fit the tone of the film while also expanding upon it. The movie is a bit mixed in terms of quality mostly because it tries to do too much, but it's the only movie in town where Drake Bell gets burned alive in a van. If there's any complaint to be had about the film itself, it's that the soundtrack isn't featured heavily enough. Standouts include "Me Against the Devil," "Let Him Burn," and "We Lose Control." There are also a couple of covers of classic rock songs like Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus." Be sure to give this devilishly good album a spin, or 666 of them.
Scooby-Doo and The Witch's Ghost follows the trend of most animated feature-length Scooby-Doo films by bypassing the "it's a guy in a mask" trope and actually introducing a real supernatural monster. This particular entry in the Mystery Inc. saga stands out from the pack though with its villain who is a blood descendant of the titular Witch's ghost who wishes to seek revenge upon the town for making a mockery of his ancestor. There's one other descendant of witches in the movie too, the lead singer of the band The Hex Girls.
For a kid's movie, the songs from The Hex Girls have no business being as good as they are. Starting with the song "Hex Girl," the band combines flashy stage theatrics with a solid rock tune that makes it very clear who they are in the lyrics. They also play out the end of the movie with their banger, "Earth, Wind, Fire and Air," a song about loving the Earth and treating it right. There are several other tracks recorded under the Hex Girls moniker, but these are the best as they don't directly reference Scooby and establish the band's identity.
Most people associate George Clooney with his good looks and bat nipples. The movie Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? showcases his comedic talents like never before as he portrays an escaped convict trying to get back to his family by any means necessary. In order to get some cash at one point in the film, he and his partners record a single together under the moniker The Soggy Bottom Boys.
Unbeknownst to the main trio of the film during their travels the song becomes a hit, and for good reason. Even those who may not like a country-style song would be hard-pressed not to sing along or tap their foot. A fun fact regarding the song is that while George Clooney practiced his singing for weeks, the song was actually sung by country blues artist Dan Tyminski.
They're on a mission from God, and they have the perfect soundtrack to accompany them. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd play Jake and Elwood Blues, The Blues Brothers. The entire movie feels like one long concert or a musical that's being acted out in real-time. As the two brothers try to save the orphanage they were raised in, the movie features legendary blues artists like Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. It helps that The Blues Brothers themselves can also bring the house down.
In fact, the two are so entertaining that to this day, even after the tragic passing of John Belushi, that Dan Aykroyd still hosts a weekly radio show as his character Elwood, called The Bluesmobile Radio Hour. Songs like "Sweet Home Chicago," "Minnie the Moocher," and "Everybody Needs Somebody," have the audience humming to themselves long after the movie has ended. It helps that The Blues Brothers have recorded far more songs together than are in the movie, meaning that fans have an entire discography to dig into.