It’s that time of year again. There are only a few weeks left until the new year, and cinephiles all over the world, as well as high-on-the-ladder film critics, are making their “Best Films of 2023” lists. To coincide with that list, we should also take a look at the heart and soul of the films we loved in 2023, the soundtracks. Either it is film scores, songs made exclusively for the movie, or a playlist only a band of galactic guardians would enjoy. There are always those standout soundtracks for movies, year in and year out.
Now, movie soundtracks are not like they once were (gosh, the 1990s were it, man). But this year has a solid batch of soundtracks worthy of appreciation blasting from your speakers on the highway with friends, or some that you need to play alone in your car, thinking nobody is watching. Here are the 20 best movie soundtracks and musical scores to cap off 2023.
20Totally Killer
Totally Killer
Totally Killerblends the ’80s slasher aesthetic with a little bit ofBack to the Future.Blumhouse partnered with Amazonfor the making of this film, which is about a 17-year-old girl who comes face-to-face with an infamous masked killer who has returned to kill 35 years after his first slash-fest. In doing so, she ends up traveling back in time to the first night he struck back in 1988, and she ends up teaming with her teenage mom to stop him.
Totally Killer Features The Werewolves, Chris De Burgh, and Shannon
In a time when the movies that take place in the 1980s are starting to become something of the past,Totally Killerholds on for one last fun ride. The original music for the film was composed by Michael Andrews, and although the score keeps the tempo of the film moving along nicely, Its songs like “Let the Music Play” by Shannon and “The Lady in Red” by Chris De Burgh match that late ’80s feel to the movie. But since this is a film about a time jump, it’s cool to see contemporary bands like The Werewolves make songs that feel like the world of the late 1980s, like their contribution to the film with the song “The World is Ours.”
Stream on Prime Video
19No Hard Feelings
No Hard Feelings
No Hard Feelings,the summer comedy hit of the year, stars Jennifer Lawrence as a slacker who is on the brink of losing her childhood home. She agrees to date the awkward son of a wealthy couple. Hilarious moments ensue that you know are going to end in heartbreak as time runs out on her house, which is going into foreclosure soon.
No Hard Feelings Sports Nelly, and Hall and Oates on the Soundtrack
A summer hit deserves some fun musical moments to contribute to a soundtrack. Known pop hits like “Hot N' Here” by Nelly appear in the film, but what really gets you into the music of it all is the cover of Hall and Oates classic song “Maneater.” It’s a song that clearly describes the plot and tone of the film and the disastrous end this fake relationship is headed towards. There is a slowed-down version on the piano of it performed by Andrew Barth Feldman, who plays Percy in the movie. It’s a moment where Percy’s talents are revealed, and it doesn’t make him look like a wimp of any sort.
Stream on Netflix
2023 saw the release of an operatic tale about a quest for one woman’s hope to find freedom as she journeys across the border from Mexico to Los Angeles to escape the cartel.Carmenis a brand new re-imagining of the famous opera that is told through the lens of contemporary issues in the world today.
A Beautiful Score from Nicholas Britell
Of course, an operatic tale of survival matched with music and beautiful imagery would make this list. AlthoughCarmenwas slightly overlooked due to its limited release, it still shines brightly in the hearts of theater and opera fans all over. A film in both English and Spanish has songs performed by both of its leads, Melissa Barrera and Paul Mescal. The film’s composer is Nicholas Britell, who is most famously known for composingIf Beale Could Street Could Talkand HBO’s hit showSuccession. He does not let up here with his classical-sounding films that make contemporary audiences perk up when they hear the notes clash with the lovely imagery.
Rent on Prime Video
Related:Carmen Review: A Surreal Journey of Dance and Music
17Asteroid City
Asteroid City
Wes Anderson had another thrilling year in 2023. His newest film,Asteroid City, examines the happenings of a small, rural desert town in 1955, right when the entire world gets some news that changes their views on things. It’s Anderson’s deep, meaningful commentary on loneliness and existentialism.
An Old-Timey Score from Alexandre Desplat
If you want some good timey 1950s-era music to play on your Spotify playlist, theAsteroid Citysoundtrack has you covered. Frequent Anderson collaboratorAlexandre Desplat contributes a score to the filmthat has ominous tones to it at times, but, like usual, feels very playful to go with Anderson’s vision. Artists like Buddy Holly, Fats Domino, and Eddie Arnold all have some of their classic tracks appear in the movie. If you’re a fan of theFalloutvideo games, you may be a fan of the songs you hear inAsteroid City.
16Once Within a Time
The indie art house film of 2023. Released by the art house label Oscilloscope Pictures,Once Within a Timeis a mind-blowing filmabout the end of the world. But what happens is that the world eventually begins to rebuild itself into a new one. Through its non-mainstream vision, it has moments of comedy and shows new hope and innocence for a newer generation.
An Underrated Score from Philip Glass
None other than iconic film composer Philip Glass brought a score to this movie that elevates it even more. The surrealist avant-garde imagery takes hold of its audience with Glass' use of haunting notes throughout the movie that oddly make for a thing of beauty. Something he has been known for in all his film scores. The 51-minute movie reunited Glass with writer-director Godfrey Reggio for the first time since 1982, when they made the indie filmKoyaanisqatsitogether.
Once With a TimeIs not Streaming Anywhere
15Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
A new approach to TMNT was this past summer’s release ofTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.The animated feature is about the young turtles, whom you all know and love, who get a little rebellious and sneak out of the sewers and encounter other mutant-like creatures in the streets of New York City. Their new friend, April O’Neil, helps them take on a crime syndicate in the city streets, but they seem to have bitten off more cheese pizza than they could chew.
The Soundtrack Features Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest, DMX, and More
With someone like Seth Rogen at the helm of this project with both voice acting and producing duties, it’s no wonder why it was a hit. The movie utilizes its setting of New York City with its music choice. A lot of East Coast hip-hop artists have their music in the film, with some awesome needle-drop moments. Acts like Naughty By Nature, Busta Rhymes, M.O.P., A Tribe Called Quest, Lauryn Hill, and DMX all have their tracks appear on the film’s soundtrack. On top of a brilliant soundtrack, the film also sportsan incredible musical scorefrom Oscar-winning duo, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Stream on Paramount+
Related:TMNT Mutant Mayhem Reimagines the Turtles Through Legendary Music Album Covers
14Elemental
Disney’s 2023 summer release,Elemental, tackles the fictional world of a city that has beings that represent all the elements (earth, fire, and water). A fiery young woman named Ember must help fix some of her mistakes and rebuild the life her parents wanted for her. She meets a water being who’s highly emotional all the time, and they realize they may have more in common with one another than they think.
A Gorgeous Score from Thomas Newman
Elementalhas a standout soundtrack compiled by Academy Award-nominated film composer Thomas Newman. He’s not a stranger to Disney and Pixar, as he’s scored the likes ofFinding NemoandWall-E.The standout song that gets this on the list is called “Steal the Show.” It’s co-written by Newman and performed by pop singer Lauv. This summer, it got a lot of plays on the radio and other outlets. The upbeat, sentimental, and motivational pop hit meshes really well with the story ofElemental.
Stream on Disney+
13Priscilla
Sofia Coppola’s drama is about a young Priscilla Beaulieuwho meets a young Elvis Presley, a man whose rockstar life is on the rise, and falls for him. The two share a connection that spans decades and even a marriage and a child together all the way up to Presley’s untimely death.Priscillais an adaptation of Priscilla Presley’s book,Elvis and Me.
A List of Classics
With a film that takes place at the beginning of the era of American Rock n' Roll, there is bound to be some recognizable music on the soundtrack. Priscilla includes tracks from the likes of Frankie Avalon, Alice Coltrain, and The Righteous Brothers. If you go down the list of musical acts whose songs are utilized in the movie, you’ll notice something about it: there are no Elvis songs used in Priscilla. Odd, but it never hurts the movie.
The film also has time-bending usages of songs; for example, early in the film, we meet a 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu in 1959, but the scene overlaps with the Ramones song that was released in 1980, Baby, I Love You. However, this kind of time-hopping in visuals with music not from the era is something Coppola has done for many years in her filmography.
12The Zone of Interest
Jonathan Glazer has returned in the new A24 film,The Zone of Interest.The recently released World War II drama is about a high-ranking official Nazi who builds a life for himself and his family in a new dream home that resides not far from the Auschwitz concentration camp.
A Morbid Score from Mica Levi
Jonathan Glazer’s subtle film is about life outside a concentration camp for one of its commandants. Its score is haunting, morbid, and very faint, which is very in tune with Glazer’s aesthetic with how music is used in his films. Composed by Mica Levi, he gives a very simple score that isn’t scattered all over the film, and yet it leaves a lasting impression on the viewer with its haunting vocal effects that don’t sound like this world. Mixed in with some synthesizers that encapsulate what it is like to live next to literal hell.
This one may be slept on at the moment, but don’t be surprised if we talk more about Levi’s score as award season goes on.
The Zone of Interestis Not Currently Streaming
11Dicks: The Musical
Dicks: The Musical
Dicks: The Musicalpairs producers ofThe Greatest Showmanand is directed by Larry Charles, who is most well known for films likeBoratand the Bill Maher documentaryReligulous.Dicks is A24’s first musical about two self-obsessed corporate businessmen who realize they’re twins and decide to get their divorced parents back together.
A Great, Original Soundtrack
With songs provided by the great Nathan Lane and Megan Thee Stallion,Dicks: The Musicalis one of the funniest and most socially aware musicals of our time. A film that has 12 songs crafted by Marius de Vries and Karl Saint Lucy and the film’s stars (who also co-wrote for the original stage play), Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp. Some songs are just plain raunchy, and some are raunchy but have a heart, like the end song “All Love is Love.” There is something on the soundtrack for any musical lover with Dicks, if you’re able to get past some of the over-the-top bathroom humor.
