10 Best original songs, soundtracks written for movies

Original songs have long shaped and amplified cinematic storytelling, serving not only as musical backdrops but as emotional anchors that enhance a film’s narrative.

Soundtracks are essential in defining a film’s mood and emotional depth. They can amplify a scene’s intensity, support character development, and leave a lasting impression on the audience.

They often distill complex themes of love, loss, ambition, identity in just a few minutes, creating moments that stay with audiences long after the credits roll.

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10 Best Original Theme Songs for Movies

These tracks illustrate the remarkable range and emotional depth achievable when composers, lyricists and performers collaborate closely with filmmakers.  

1. ‘No Time to Die’ written for No Time to Die, 2021

Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell penned this soundtrack as the theme for Daniel Craig’s final chapter as James Bond. 

Moving away from traditional Bond tropes, the song’s minimalist arrangement, haunting piano motif and Eilish’s intimate vocal delivery create a sense of vulnerability and urgency. 

Its slow build leads up a dramatic weight to the film’s opening sequence, setting a somber tone that shows the most introspective entry.

It earned the pair an Academy Award for Best Original Song, cementing their status as the youngest winners in the category’s history.

READ ALSO: Daniel Craig Confirms No Time to Die Will Be His Last Movie Playing James Bond

2. ‘Shallow’ written for A Star Is Born, 2018

A duet for the ages, the song was delivered by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper to serve as the emotional track of the 2018 remake. 

Gaga’s powerhouse vocals paired with Cooper’s gravelly sincerity created a chemistry that was both cinematic and musically compelling.

The live-recorded performance added an authenticity as the song explores the tension between public success and private vulnerability. 

Its stripped‑back opening and explosive chorus earned the track an Academy Award and a place among the decade’s definitive power ballads.

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3.  ‘City of Stars’ written for La La Land, 2016

Written by Justin Hurwitz and Justin Paul, this track is a wistful duet between Ryan Gosling’s jazz pianist and Emma Stone’s voice.

Its gentle, piano‑driven melody and introspective lyrics capture the bittersweet dreaming at the heart of Damien Chazelle’s musical. 

The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and became emblematic of the film’s nostalgic homage to classic Hollywood musicals.

The track’s stripped-down arrangement and emotionally restrained performance reflect the characters’ inner turmoil as they grapple with love, ambition, and sacrifice. 

4.  ‘See You Again’ written for Furious 7, 2015

Written by Charlie Puth, Wiz Khalifa and Andrew Krizan, the track serves as an emotional tribute to Paul Walker, featuring over Furious 7’s poignant end credits. 

Puth’s plaintive hook and Khalifa’s heartfelt verses bring out perfectly  themes of loss, memory and enduring friendship. 

The song topped charts worldwide, broke streaming records on Spotify and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance. 

Its music video, intercutting film outtakes and behind‑the‑scenes footage, has amassed billions of views on YouTube.

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5. ‘Everything Is Awesome’ from The Lego Movie, 2014

Sung by Tegan and Sara this track captures the film’s irreverent humour and its celebration of creative collaboration. 

The song was nominated for an Academy Award and became an earworm for children and adults alike, underscoring the Lego empire’s pop‑culture dominance.

Its infectious energy mirrors the film’s frenetic animation style, while cameos by comedy group The Lonely Island add a layer of intentional humour.

6. ‘Let It Go’ written for Frozen, 2013

An instant modern classic, the track was written by the songwriting duo Kristen Anderson‑Lopez and Robert Lopez for Disney’s animated sensation.

 Sung by Idina Menzel in the role of Queen Elsa, the song marks a turning point in the character’s self‑acceptance journey.

Its triumphant chorus and empowering lyrics struck a chord with young audiences and beyond, spawning countless covers.

Its success helped redefine the modern Disney anthem, blending Broadway-style storytelling with pop appeal.

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7 . ‘Skyfall’ written for Skyfall, 2012

When Adele debuted this track ahead of Daniel Craig’s third outing as James Bond, expectations were already sky‑high. 

The song’s dramatic orchestration, sultry brass flourishes and Adele’s emotive delivery back to Bond classics of old while retaining a contemporary edge. 

Winning both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Song, it reaffirmed the long‑standing tradition of memorable Bond themes in the modern era.

It also went on to become an instant classic, revitalising the series’ musical identity for a new generation.

READ ALSO: All 25 James Bond Theme Songs, Ranked

8. ‘Lose Yourself’ written for 8 Mile, 2002

Eminem’s Oscar‑winning anthem remains one of the most compelling examples of a song that mirrors its film’s narrative.

The track lays bare the urgency and self‑doubt of a young rapper portrayed by Eminem himself on the cusp of a breakthrough. 

Its instantly recognisable opening riff and powerful verses about seizing a fleeting opportunity strike a universal chord, transforming the song into an enduring motivator far beyond the film.

As the first hip-hop track to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song, it also marked a turning point in recognising rap as a powerful force in film music.

READ ALSO: Here's Why Eminem Decided to Perform at This Year's Oscars

9. ‘Now We Are Free’ written for Gladiator, 2000

This soundtrack is particularly iconic, blending lament and transcendence in a way that lingers long after the movie ends.

Combining powerful orchestral pieces with delicate vocals, this score captures both the brutality of the Colosseum and the spiritual longing of Maximus’s journey.

It also  accompanies scenes, deepens the viewer’s connection to the character’s  loss, honour, and redemption.

Its legacy helped usher in a new era of cinematic scoring that fused ancient musical textures with modern composition, influencing a decade of historical epics and action dramas that followed.

10.  ‘My Heart Will Go On’ written for Titanic, 1997

Arguably the most iconic ballad of the 1990s, the song was composed by James Horner and immortalised by Celine Dion’s soaring vocals. 

Written late in production, after initial reluctance by director James Cameron, the song distilled the tragic romance of Jack and Rose into a universal message of enduring love. 

It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and remains Celine Dion’s signature hit to date.

Beyond its critical acclaim and chart-topping success, the song became a cultural phenomenon, symbolising both the emotional weight of the film and the era itself.

READ ALSO: Celine Dion’s remarkable comeback as history is made at 2024 Paris Olympics