Top 10 Modern Movies with an 80s Soundtrack

WatchMojo

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!

Transcript

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!

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