We're no strangers to love... nah, we won't do that... or will we? Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best modern-day films with the snazziest ‘80s soundtracks. Spoilers to come!
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best modern day films
00:10with the snazziest 80's soundtracks.
00:12Spoilers to come.
00:23Number 10 – Atomic Blonde
00:33This tale of Cold War-era spies and international espionage comes with a Cold War-era soundtrack.
00:38Mostly.
00:39Director David Leitch wanted not just 80's music, but modern arrangements of the songs
00:43for a more contemporized feel.
00:45Hence, Atomic Blonde includes artists like David Bowie, Marilyn Manson, George Michael,
00:50and Suzie and the Banshees, as well as popular hits such as 99 Luftballons.
01:08The film even throws in the standard, as time goes by, of Casablanca fame.
01:12Stylish and chic, the Atomic Blonde soundtrack goes perfectly with the James Bond-esque thrills.
01:17Number 9 – Sing Street
01:38Young love and music go so well together.
01:41When Connor is forced to attend a new school, he joins a band, the titular Sing Street,
01:45all the while pining for the affections of charming, free-spirited Raffina.
01:49The band's original compositions, a pitch-perfect recreation of 80's sound, are largely credited
01:54to Gary Clark, the frontman of Danny Wilson.
01:56The film also features actual 80's music by A-ha, Duran Duran, Holland Oates, and more.
02:09Adam Levine even co-wrote Go Now, an original song released as a single.
02:14The result is a critically acclaimed soundtrack that recalls 80's Ireland perfectly, as
02:18well as teen love and angst alike.
02:29Number 8 – Wet Hot American Summer
02:39Speaking of teen romps, this early-ought satire set at a summer camp goes above and beyond.
02:44A silly spoof of 80's sex comedies, this film's raunchy teens and talking vegetables
02:48famously drove Roger Ebert to borrow from Alan Sherman, but it has since become a cult
02:53film, no doubt thanks in part to its 80's soundtrack, with hits such as Day By Day from
02:57Godspell and Love Is Alright Tonight by Rick Springfield.
03:12The film is committed to its 80's pastiche.
03:15This summer camp may be no Camp Granada, but it's still a blast from the past.
03:27Number 7 – The Final Girls
03:28While we're on the subject of satires, this slasher spoof goes beyond homage and even
03:41dabbles in time-travelling.
03:43Max and her friends find themselves in the world of a cheesy fictional 80's slasher
03:47film, Camp Bloodbath.
03:49Realizing that the murderer only goes after those who have intercourse, the group nobly
03:52tries to prevent everyone from getting some.
04:03The film's own slick soundtrack is among the many obstacles in their way.
04:07With an original analogue synth score by Gregory James Jenkins, it also features era-appropriate
04:11songs by Tony Bazzle and Bananarama, at least the victims die listening to some bangers.
04:22Number 6 – Ready Player One
04:35The best of 80's gamer culture, all in one movie.
04:38In this dystopian world, Wade Watts and co. compete in a virtual reality game designed
04:43by an 80's pop culture obsessed billionaire.
04:45The film is likewise obsessed with the era, although it also includes references to other
04:49eras.
04:50We get musical nods to many 80's juggernauts, including Back to the Future, The Shining
04:55and Godzilla.
05:07The film also includes hits from the era by Prince, Van Halen, Twisted Sister and Blondie.
05:13More than a pastiche, there's no doubt that Ready Player One is steeped in 80's pop culture.
05:18Number 5 – American Psycho
05:29The 80's were more than just teen rom-coms and nerd culture.
05:32The Greed is Good era is satirized in this 2000's film, based on the controversial novel
05:37by Bret Easton Ellis.
05:39John Cale of Velvet Underground fame composed the score to the movie.
05:42Due to its scenes of violence and depravity, the film struggled to get the rights to some
05:4680's songs.
05:47Still, the soundtrack managed to feature the work of David Bowie, Bill Collins and The
05:51Cure among others.
06:03The poppy 80's songs, in contrast with Cale's melancholic score, paint a grim picture of
06:08narcissism and corporate greed.
06:10Also we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the iconic Hip To Be Square scene.
06:23Number 4 – Call Me By Your Name
06:35A touching depiction of coming of age and sexuality in 80's Italy, this film makes
06:40its setting a character itself.
06:41Selected by Luca Guadagnino himself, the soundtrack features songs by The Psychedelic Furs, F.R.
06:47David and Giorgio Moroder, all played during the summer of 1983.
06:59Guadagnino also tapped songwriter Sufjan Stevens to write original songs for the movie.
07:04He wrote Feudal Devices and Visions of Gideon, but it was his lyrical Mystery of Love that
07:09was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song.
07:24With an eclectic mix of classical and 80's songs, Call Me By Your Name creates a powerful
07:28musical ambience not easily forgotten.
07:31Number 3 – Donnie Darko
07:34Tell us more about the rabbits, Donnie.
07:36This disturbing thriller features more than just visions of a rabbit-suited figure predicting
07:40the end of the world.
07:41It also features a stellar soundtrack.
07:55San Diego songwriter Michael Andrews composed the bulk of the score, with three songs from
07:59the decade of decadence included.
08:01The 2004 British re-release included even more material by Tears for Fears, Joy Division
08:06and In Excess.
08:14Oingo Boingo's Stay even makes an appearance.
08:25Donnie Darko may be a dark, twisted tale, but its 80's soundtrack is one bright light.
08:39Number 2 – Napoleon Dynamite
08:49As one of the most beloved teen comedies of all time, it's hard to believe this film
08:53came out in the early aughts.
08:55Napoleon Dynamite is heavily steeped in 80's culture, featuring side ponytails, walkmans
09:00and VCRs.
09:01Its soundtrack is no exception, from the catchy I Want Candy to AlphaVille's synth-pop Forever
09:06Young.
09:14The soundtrack is totally faithful to the sound of the era, even while the film itself
09:18is set in 2004.
09:19Even the final ending montage ends us off with a delightful Patrick Street cover of
09:23pure 80's nostalgia.
09:51Number 1 – Adventureland
10:06There is nothing like an 80's summer romance to inspire great music.
10:10This quirky indie rom-com about a teen's summer job at a theme park has a mostly reminiscent
10:15soundtrack that showcases the best of the era.
10:25Apart from selections by David Bowie, The Cure and The Replacements, the film highlights
10:29the music of Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground.
10:32And of course, the film also includes its namesake, Yolotango's Farewell Adventureland.
10:37Overall, Adventureland licensed a total of 41 selections for use, demonstrating a masterful
10:43synergy of setting and music.
10:51What's your favorite 80's song?
10:53Let us know in the comments down below!